Derrex Brady, a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, has made a name for himself in the world of acting with roles in “Any Day Now,” “S1mone,” and “In Plain Sight.” But there’s more to this talented actor than meets the eye. Here are ten fascinating facts about Derrex Brady that you might not know.
1. Double Feature Saturdays with Mom Sparked His Acting Passion
Derrex credits his mother, Julie Ann Lee, for introducing him to the world of acting through double feature movies on Saturdays. He recalls, “I remember my mother packing a few snacks in her purse, and we would stay at the movies for hours watching back-to-back films. Those were some of my favorite times with my mother. Interesting enough, it was more than just entertainment; it was my theater class. It’s not a coincidence after consistently spending hours at movie theaters on the weekends; I would grow up with a passion and focus to pursue TV and film.”
2. Derrex’s First Acting Gig was a SAG Commercial for Orange Slice
Although not yet a member of the Screen Actor’s Union, Derrex landed his first acting job in a SAG commercial for Orange Slice. He has since filmed over 60 national commercials, including major campaigns for Michael Bay’s “Transformers” and AT&T’s national campaign with Mark Wahlberg, directed by Peter Berg.
3. Entrepreneurship Runs in the Family
Derrex’s grandfather, Governor Manning Lee, was a professional guitarist and small food mart owner in Grand Rapids, MI. This entrepreneurial spirit has been passed down to Derrex, who, along with his acting career, has partnered with actor M.D. Walton to launch their production arm, Skyscope Pictures. Their award-winning short film “The Championship Rounds” has led to several other projects under the Skyscope Pictures banner.
4. A Passion for Non-Profits
Derrex and his wife, Kelly Brady, are passionate advocates for non-profits that effect change in the community. They are particularly involved with Young Warriors, a non-profit focused on fatherless boys, and HOPE Worldwide through their church, Turning Point LA.
5. A Love for Travel
Throughout his career, Derrex has had the opportunity to travel and work all over the world. Some of his favorite destinations include Canada, Japan, Aruba, and France.
6. Learning from the Legendary Al Pacino
While filming the TV show “Any Day Now,” Derrex had the opportunity to work with Al Pacino in the movie “S1mone.” He cherishes the acting lessons he learned from Pacino and continues to apply them in every acting job to this day.
7. Derrex’s Favorite Films and TV Shows
Derrex has a diverse taste in films and TV shows, with favorites such as “The Godfather,” “The Martian,” “Training Day,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Empire Strikes Back,” “Green Mile,” “Bad Boys for Life,” “Enemy of the State,” “From the Earth to the Moon,” “House of Cards,” “Lovecraft Country,” and “Game of Thrones.”
8. A Strong Advocate for Health
Derrex is a firm believer in the importance of health and fitness. During the pandemic, he created a home gym to maintain his workout regimen and stay accountable to his health goals.
9. A Supportive Father
Derrex takes great pride in supporting his sons’ activities and teaching them important life values, such as respect for women, a strong work ethic, and love for God. He also serves as a listening ear and sounding board for advice.
10. Exciting Upcoming Projects
Derrex has several upcoming projects in the industry, including a new TV show for a network as a series regular. Keep an eye out for announcements at the top of 2021 on IMDb.
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