There is something relaxing about Dan Shor's demeanor, approachable character and great sense of humor. Interacting with him is easy, light and comfortable so I was a little surprised to find out that he also just-so-happened to be a rather accomplished actor. You may have seen him in legendary films like Tron, Air Force One or Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure amongst many other notable flicks.

The first time I met Dan, I was at a screening of "Caroline in Virginia" - a film by Eric Norcross. Dan and I bumped into one another as we were waiting outside to be admitted. I think out of boredom I struck up a conversation. "So, do you know the director personally?" I started. Dan modestly nodded confirming that he did indeed. After a few more awkwardly posed questions by me, the conversation started rolling.

I inquired about how he knew Norcross, if he goes to see Indie films often and other questions that seemed appropriate but not overly inquisitive for a first meeting. All the while I could not readily place where I have seen Dan before. The familiarity of his face was unmistakable but not obvious. When I asked for his name it did not register with me at the moment although I should have recognized it immediately.

Still oblivious, I kept chatting on. Soon, we were allowed to progress from the outside waiting space to the inside waiting space (bar), Dan graciously offered to buy me a drink. I declined not realizing I had an opportunity to get a beer from a man who indirectly instigated my lifelong love of history and adventure. Finally, his unpinned familiarity got the best of me and I demanded to know where I knew him from. Dan shyly revealed being an actor. It finally clicked for me; he is Billy the Kid from "Bill and Ted's". I am a diehard fan of the movie. It was difficult not to get over excited.

We spoke for a long time both before and after the screening and I learned a few interesting things about him.

Dan was born and raised in NYC. While in school he was always involved in different activities; drumming in rock bands, participating in plays, and playing sports. In high school he first started to realize that he may actually be good at acting and as a result followed a family friend into an artsy summer camp during the legendary summer of love.

"Theatre manifested itself for me as the perfect co-ed sporting event" he recalls. His path was set. He returned to NYC and immersed himself into theater studies. He was a regular at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and West Side Actors (no longer in existence). He also began to audition professionally and the rest is history. One of his classmates had a parent who was theater agent, after watching Dan in one of his school performances, he offered to represent him.

At fifteen years old, Dan had his first off Broadway show. At eighteen, he got his first "official" big break. With a humbled expression he states "I was cast to replace Peter Firth as Alan Strang in the first National Company ofEquus ". Soon after, Dan was off to study theater in London at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. Twenty year old Dan returned to the states to be cast in his first movie for public television: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court.

Time went on and Dan evolved from a novice actor to a respected professional in his field. Yet, in 2003 he did something unexpected, something most actors don't really do. He left Hollywood and New York to move to the South Pacific where he began his life anew. He met the woman of his dreams and promptly married her. If you ever speak with Dan and he mentions his wife, a soft, warm glow spreads across his face and you can tell that he is really, really in love. Together, they are raising their daughter.

While living it up in the South Pacific, Dan taught filmmaking at the International Academy of Film and Television. He also created two television series that aired across the world. "It was as much fun as a human being can have (I think.) Of course, I had hopes that the job would continue and grow and evolve into the west, but that did not happen, yet" he states reflectively. As for future dream jobs, Dan has big ones. He wrote a psychological thriller, wants to continue two television series he created in the Northern Mariana Islands called "State of Liberty" and "Paradise Prison" and is looking to do a documentary about the unprecedented growth of mixed martial arts in the South Pacific.

Dan is a lovely man. He is kind, completely organic and has none of the "actor attitude" that so many actors unfortunately do. He is shy in simple conversation but has brilliant presence in his acting endeavors. He is obviously intelligent but refreshingly simple in his honest interactions. He is someone you can easily hang out and get a drink with. Dan Shor is just cool as hell.

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