The emerging talent, actor Brady Hepner, has achieved some level of fame through his notable role as the student bully Vance Hopper, in the blockbuster hit, “The Black Phone.” Demonstrating considerable potential in his craft, Brady has garnered a burgeoning fanbase eagerly anticipating his future projects.
Early Life and Family
Hailing from Wallburg, North Carolina USA, Brady Hepner was born on 18 August 2005, and grew up with his brother in a middle-income household. His mother works as a nurse; his father played an active role in his early education, personally taking him to school from kindergarten until the third grade. During these car rides, he was introduced to the music of the ‘80s and ‘90s, as his father had a penchant for playing these tunes. These songs held a special place in his heart, but his strongest connection was with the rock and metal genres. To this day, whether cruising with his father or returning from lake trips, rock music remains the soundtrack of their journeys. Brady also.
Education
While on set, he made an effort to attend virtual classes, and dedicated time to his schoolwork.
Career
Aspired to be a professional athlete
Brady Hepner’s initial ambition, at least until fifth grade, centered around becoming a competitive athlete, firmly stating, ‘Growing up, soccer was the only thing that I had my mind set on.’ The sport held a special place in his family, with everyone actively participating. His brother served as a significant inspiration, and professionally, Brady admired players from both ends of the spectrum, including attacking talents such as Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr. and Luis Suarez, as well as defensive stalwarts such as Gerard Piqué and Carles Puyol, all associated with Barcelona.
Ventured into acting
His unexpected transition from sports to acting occurred in 2017, when Brady began watching the first season of Netflix’s “Stranger Things” and BBC’s “Sherlock” starring Benedict Cumberbatch, and was captivated by them. Despite his athletic background, he had always been drawn to performing, particularly enjoying the creative freedom that Halloween offered – dressing up and being someone else. Reflecting on the first kids’ cast he witnessed on the science fiction horror series, he felt compelled to explore acting.
This marked a pivotal shift for Brady, redirecting his focus driven by a newfound fascination with how others could craft entire realities through characters, and have an audience enjoy the performance and want to watch more. Eager to delve into this creative process, he initiated a conversation with his mother about altering his career path. Initially, his mother had reservations; as she didn’t think he was serious and believed it was just a phase. However, after a month or two passed without a change in his determination to become an actor, his mother wholeheartedly embraced this decision.
Received training to be an actor
In the same year, Brady, accompanied by his supportive mother, conducted research and discovered a non-traditional training facility for actors called In-STUDIO, with Drew Matthews as the studio director. During his training, he grasped the concept that, beyond being on camera, he needed to be a ‘student of the art.’ Consequently, he delved into various acting methods, including Strasberg, Chekhov and Meisner. Brady noted that the instructors provided him with an extensive repertoire of material that he could later integrate into his performances. His first-class focused on training using the Meisner technique, an experience he described as ‘extremely uncomfortable’ and akin to being thrown into the deep end. That said, it proved to be immensely beneficial. In September 2021, Brady posted a video of one of his classes in which he delivered a monologue that he wrote.
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First screen test, first rejection
Brady was with in-STUDIO for two years before he secured an agent, during their initial meeting in 2019, who arranged test auditions for Brady over a couple of months to evaluate his readiness and performance under pressure, before advancing to actual auditions, a phase he found quite exhilarating.
In 2020, a pivotal moment arrived when Warner Bros contacted Brady through Drew Matthews, inviting him to Los Angeles for a screen test for a TV show. Describing the experience as surreal, Brady sensed that acting could potentially become his profession rather than just a ‘hobby.’ The screen test, conducted in front of esteemed figures such as casting director Robert J. Ulrich (“Glee,” “CSI,” and “Supernatural”), producers, and the director, represented a significant step in his career.
Brady didn’t secure a role in the project, leading to a disheartened return home. His mother, in an effort to lift his spirits, proposed a visit to Disneyland, an offer he accepted, ultimately having a memorable time. This marked Brady’s first encounter with rejection, a hurdle that Drew Matthews played a crucial role in helping him overcome.
Upon returning to North Carolina, Brady faced an unexpected challenge—the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdown, which brought the movie industry, like many other sectors, to a standstill. Of note, in between projects, he continued to hone his skills as an actor, and worked with various acting coaches at in-STUDIO.
Brady Hepner’s Movie and TV Projects
Despite being a relative newcomer to the industry, Brady has swiftly amassed a few acting credits to his name.
Written and directed by Brett Mullen, “Killer Babes and the Frightening Film Fiasco” unfolds the chilling narrative of a wild party that has gone awry, escalating into a dangerous scenario in which the characters must navigate and survive the violent actions of a group of savage women on a killing spree. The director characterizes the film as a blend of violence and comedy, described as funnier than “Bombshell Bloodbath” (2014) and bloodier than “Fantasma” (2018), both of which are his previous works.
A nostalgic homage to the slasher films of the ‘70s and ‘80s, the movie boasts an all-star cast including genre favorites Lisa Wilcox (“A Nightmare on Elm Street Parts 4 & 5”), Emma Bellomy (“Stranger: Prey at Night”), Tristan Risk (“American Mary”), and Linnea Quigley (“Return of the Living Dead”). Notably, every role in the movie is meticulously cast, creating a unique ensemble; there are no day players in this one.
However, the production faced a significant setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the team could manage to work around most restrictions and quarantine measures with a reduced crew and local settings, the challenge arose from participants flying in from Canada, New York, and California. Additionally, given the intense and physical nature of the scenes, the complexity of filming during a pandemic became apparent, so the director was compelled to postpone the filming schedule. As such, the physical changes of boys in the cast as they became taller and more muscular posed a unique challenge in terms of the continuity of the film.
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They were originally aiming for a Halloween 2020 release, however, as of early 2024, there is limited information available regarding the film’s release or distribution. Brady Hepner was cast as Ari, and the director shared that the young actor, who had a glimpse of a 15-second clip featuring him in a pivotal scene, expressed his excitement and admiration for the footage.
The inaugural installment of Wolf Entertainment’s Chicago franchise, “Chicago Fire,” delves into the personal and professional lives of rescue personnel, including paramedics and firefighters, stationed at the fictional Firehouse 51 of the Chicago Fire Department. Premiering on NBC in 2012, the series unfolds compelling narratives within the dynamic realm of emergency/first responders.
Brady Hepner had been in the industry for four years when he secured a guest-starring role as a troubled teen named Dylan in the ninth season of “Chicago Fire.” In February 2021, he had the opportunity to audition for both the latter and a commercial and booked both gigs, however, faced with overlapping filming schedules, he understandably chose the former, which ultimately required him to dedicate a month and a half to the filming process.
In the “Escape Route” episode, Dylan finds himself trapped inside a burning house and is rescued by Lieutenant Kelly Severide (Taylor Kinney), a firefighter with a history in that very residence – they make their exit via a drain pipe. Dylan, a diabetic, loses his insulin supply in the fire, and his mother sustains severe burns attempting to retrieve it, ultimately falling into a coma. Overwhelmed with guilt and feeling like a financial burden to his parents due to his medical condition, Dylan contemplates running away, only to be talked out of it by Lieutenant Severide.
Airing on 10 March 2021, the episode garnered attention from seven million viewers in the US, recognizing the potential of Brady Hepner as a budding actor. At the time of filming, Brady was 15, and he shared about the enjoyable atmosphere on set, including impromptu ‘dance parties’ between takes.
“The Black Phone” is a supernatural horror film directed by Scott Derrickson, based on a short story of the same title by Joe Hill, the son of acclaimed author Stephen King. Initially published in the UK in 2005 and released in the USA two years later, the film’s screenplay was co-written by Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill.
Ethan Hawke takes on the lead role as The Grabber, a menacing figure prowling the streets of a suburb. The story revolves around Finney Blake, played by Mason Thames, a kidnapped boy who discovers a disconnected black phone in a soundproof basement, connecting him to the spirits of previous victims, and enabling him to seek their help in escaping his dire situation.
In this chilling tale, Brady Hepner portrays Vance Hopper, a student bully who meets a fate similar to others taken by The Grabber. Describing his character as an angsty teen harboring deep-seated rage, Brady took on a distinctive appearance, with long blonde hair reminiscent of Robert Plant, Led Zeppelin’s lead singer, which the director was aiming for. Clad in a denim cutoff shirt, he embodied a grungy, metalhead persona, drawing inspiration from extremely masculine people such as Sylvester Stallone in “Rocky”, and Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Terminator” and “Predator.” Brady delved into Vance’s backstory, imagining a difficult home life, possibly with an absentee or abusive father, fueling his character’s intense rage.
To immerse himself in the role, Brady listened to a lot of Led Zeppelin and AC/DC songs, and extended to fight scenes in which he had a stunt double to assist. Reflecting on the filming experience, Brady expressed that “The Black Phone” was the greatest he had ever had. Filming took place in early 2021 in Wilmington, North Carolina, just three days after wrapping up his work on “Chicago Fire.”
Seeing himself on the big screen at the September 2021 premiere, which took place at the annual film festival in Austin, Texas called Fantastic Fest was surreal, as it marked the realization of a long-held dream. The film turned out to be a box-office hit, grossing over $160 million against a budget of $18 million, earning accolades, winning the Best Horror Film category at the Saturn Awards, and Hollywood Critics Association Film Awards. Brady expressed deep gratitude for being part of this successful and acclaimed movie.
Directed by two-time Academy Award-winning writer Alexander Payne, the comedy-drama movie “The Holdovers” is set in the 1970s all-boys boarding school Barton Academy. The plot revolves around a bad-tempered and strict instructor named Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), who is reluctantly tasked with chaperoning five students left with nowhere to go during the Christmas holidays. This group referred to as the holdovers, includes Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), the Barton football team’s quarterback Jason Smith (Michael Provost), and Teddy Kountze (Brady Hepner). As the story unfolds, Paul Hunnam, Angus, and the head cook, Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), find themselves left behind.
🎥 CASTING NEWS 🎥
Brady Hepner will be playing Rowan in Resisting Roots! #ResistingRootsMovie #Passionflix pic.twitter.com/4XdcOjB7dD— Passionflix (@PassionFlix) December 3, 2021
The movie premiered in August 2023 at the 50th Telluride Film Festival, receiving positive reviews and accolades from various award-giving bodies. It was honored as one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the American Film Institute and the National Board of Review.
Brady successfully auditioned for a role in “The Holdovers” in 2022 and was cast as Angus’ adversary. The New York Times described Teddy Kountze as a ‘midsize blonde hot shot.’ Filmed in Massachusetts, Brady expressed his satisfaction with the experience, highlighting the privilege of working with an exceptional cast and crew, specifically acknowledging Michael Provost, a significant influence in imparting valuable lessons about acting and life in general. This collaboration provided Brady with a different perspective, and enriched his understanding of various aspects.
Personal Life
Little is known about Brady’s personal life, with no reported instances of him publicly dating anyone. The majority of his social media posts revolve around his work and hobbies, leading many to believe that he’s currently single….. still just 18.
Interesting Facts
Embracing his adventurous spirit, Brady has developed a penchant for rappelling, making it his favorite outdoor activity. Further demonstrating his thrill-seeking nature, he ventured into skydiving, as evident from the captivating photos he shared on Instagram in August 2023, with the caption ‘Turning fears into hobbies.’
His Instagram followers surged from 1,500 in May 2020, before the release of “The Black Phone” in theaters, to nearly 450,000 by January 2024. Brady also ventured onto TikTok in which he’s garnered a following of over 700,000, and received two million likes for his videos.
Commencing his gym journey at the age of 15, Brady achieved a significant milestone by December 2023 – obtaining his International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Elite Trainers License. His specialization encompasses Bodybuilding, Nutritio and Recovery, with a focus on implementing Hybrid training through both in-person and online sessions.
Developing a keen interest in stunt work, Brady pursued additional training in California, focusing on hand-to-hand and weapons combat, plus mastering acrobatic flips. The opportunity arose when his stunt director, Daniel Locicero, impressed by Brady’s fight scenes in “The Black Phone,” extended an invitation. Brady even collaborated with stuntmen in a short video, showcasing his skills as he bravely fought against kidnappers in a dynamic and engaging performance.
He’s actively contributed to raising awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a pediatric cancer center. He believes in the greatness of this cause, and wholeheartedly supports it.
He began playing the guitar in 2022, and is self-taught.
His top three favorite ice cream flavors are chocolate, strawberry, and mint chocolate chip.
His favorite color is blue.
Appearance
Brady Hepner has a height of 5ft 8ins (177cms) and weighs around 165lbs to 170lbs, about 70kgs, as indicated in his Instagram post in September 2023 showcasing his progress using the Mentzer methodology with a focus on training the arms. He has brown hair and bluish-gray eyes.
Net Worth
Brady Hepner, emerging as a rising star, is reported by authoritative sources to have an estimated net worth of over $100,000, as of January 2024.
