My name is Duane Austin Ellis, an actor with a profound love for movies, film, and the transformative world of storytelling. With a background as a former Army Infantryman, I’ve honed a unique blend of resilience, discipline, and dedication that I now channel into every role I undertake. My career journey has been anything but typical—I’ve served in the military, where I earned three Purple Hearts during multiple combat deployments, and battled the challenges of TBI and PTSD. Each step has shaped my perspective and enriched my understanding of human emotion, adding depth to the characters I portray.

Outside of my service, I’m an adrenaline enthusiast. Skydiving, scuba diving, and extreme sports are where I feel most alive, and I bring this love for pushing boundaries into my acting. My recent roles have allowed me to tap into these experiences, most recently landing the role of “Miller” in Paid in Peanuts, where I’ve been able to explore new facets of my craft. I’m drawn to physically demanding and emotionally intense roles, and I’m always eager to bring authenticity and nuance to every performance, drawing from my experiences both in and out of uniform.

While transitioning from military life to the arts, I found a passion for stunts and action-oriented projects. I’ve dedicated myself to expanding my skills and adapting the mindset that once served me in the military to the world of entertainment, giving me a unique edge on set. My path also includes my work on Halloween: Knightfall, a fan short film that I conceptualized and developed to explore character-driven horror, with a suspense-filled storyline set entirely in a haunted house.

I’m a dedicated storyteller, driven by a genuine passion for film, and a desire to continuously grow and take on new challenges. When I’m not on set, you can catch me on my Twitch channel, Tacticoolin, where I focus on video games and love interacting with a community that shares my interests. Gaming is another avenue through which I channel my creativity, diving into immersive experiences with the same intensity I bring to my acting roles.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me. Whether I’m in front of the camera, creating dynamic short stories, or pushing my limits in the great outdoors, my commitment remains the same: to bring stories to life with authenticity and grit.