Worland alumni actor to give talk

WORLAND – Character and voice actor K. Harrison Sweeney, a 2001 graduate and valedictorian of Worland High School (then known as Kevin Schneider), will present a talk and take questions on the transition from Wyoming to Hollywood, Saturday evening at the Worland Middle School Auditorium.

Sweeney, a graduate of the University of Wyoming with an emphasis in drama, began his career on stage before moving to California and pursuing roles in television and film. A veteran voice actor, specializing in dialect, Sweeney has gained fame as the voice of the character “Irish” in the popular video game Red Dead Redemption, and as the Australian spokesman for Foster’s beer.

Most recently, Sweeney has been featured on the National Geographic Channel, the Netflix series “Lady Dynamite,” and a co-starring role in the upcoming “In a Valley of Violence,” with Ethan Hawke and John Travolta. He also returned home to Wyoming earlier this year to serve as the keynote speaker for the first ever Cheyenne Comic Con, alongside Ghostbusters actor Ernie Hudson.

“I thought that since I was home for the [15-year] reunion, I would answer a few questions and tell a few stories,” said Sweeney. “People are always asking me what it’s like to work in the movies, so I figured that instead of answering the same questions over and over, I would just talk to everyone all at once.”

Making the transition from stage work in Laramie to film jobs in Los Angeles has taught Sweeney a lot about his craft, and how to maneuver in a competitive environment of auditions and self-promotion. “You can study acting all you want,” said Sweeney, “but you really have to try to master all of the tools that go along with promotion. It’s been a lot to learn.”

Having just wrapped up a western filmed in New Zealand, Sweeney is looking forward to producing his own short films and working more in the state of Wyoming. “I would really like to dive into the [Wyoming] Film Office and see if we can get more stuff made in the state. It would be great for Wyoming actors and state business.”

While Sweeney’s presentation is open to the public, and free of charge, he advises that some of the subject matter may not be appropriate for all ages. “Hollywood is a pretty dark place, so some of the stuff that happens out there may not be best for kids to hear,” said Sweeney, “not that I don’t like kids. I do, but their parents may not want them to hear some of the business end of acting. It gets pretty weird.”

Sweeney will begin his presentation at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Worland Middle School Auditorium. The actor will also be raffling off movie props and autographed copies of Red Dead Redemption.