Kevin E. West hails from Nashville, TN, started his career in Atlanta, and has been a working actor in Hollywood since 1990. His credits include Aquarius, Criminal Minds, Bones, Castle, Touch, CSI: Miami, Justified, Leverage, Lost, 24, Desperate Housewives, NCIS, Alias, CSI, Judging Amy, NYPD Blue, The X-Files, Melrose Place, The Pretender, Resurrection Blvd, Oh, Baby, Angel, VIP, Seven Days, Diagnosis Murder, Arrest & Trial, In The House, Young and the Restless, Bold and Beautiful, Passions, General Hospital, Santa Barbara, Port Charles, and The Texas Cheerleader Story and Matlock along with many others which also include a 2 years as a Stand-up Comic and Improv artist.
In 1991 Kevin founded The Actors’ Network, which began Kevin’s legacy as an industry wide recognized expert and opinion leader for the ‘business of show business.’ For more than two decades The Actors’ Network was recognized as the most trusted and endorsed actor’s business organization in the United States. The Actors’ Network won consecutive BackStage West “Reader’s Choice” awards (06/07), was featured on E.T. three times, CNBC twice and a few of its alumni include Golden Globe & Emmy Nominee Masi Oka (Heroes), Chris Gorham (Covert Affairs-Ugly Betty) and Maggie Grace (Taken trilogy).
As a nationally recognized speaker Kevin has saved many actors from the pitfalls of the often heart wrenching life of the actor in Hollywood with wit, warmth and wisdom. Kevin has spoken at the SAG LifeRaft Foundation, SAG Conservatory, ShowBiz Expo (NYC), WGA West, UCLA, Chapman University, Cal State Fullerton and talent conventions across the U.S. from Dallas to Florida. Kevin will speak in Stockholm, Sweden in April of 2015.
In 2010 Kevin launched ActorBizGuru.com, an extensive 49-interview video library, featuring top industry professionals answering key questions. ActorBizGuru was voted the #1 online educational resource for actors by BackStage West in 2014. In 2000, the 2-hour audio program The Actor’s Guide to Getting the Job, became available online and at Samuel French. Once again Kevin shares his expertise Co-Authoring the 2-hour CD “The Actor’s Guide to Getting the Job” with LA’s top commercial instructor, Carolyne Barry. In early 2014 Kevin created Dirty Laundry TV, “The news program that will give you the runs.”
Kevin’s philanthropic efforts have also been a benefit to the Los Angeles and medical communities. In the Spring of 2004 Kevin created the Hack n’ Smack, Kerry Daveline Memorial, Celebrity Golf Classic benefiting Melanoma research and was voted one of the top 10 celebrity golf events in Southern California by Southland Golf magazine. During its 10-year lifespan the event included such celebrities as: Joe Pesci, Joe Mantegna, Ron Perlman and Michael Chiklis. Kevin Executive Produced the spiritual event, Together We Can, Together We Will, in the wake of the L.A. riots, and the teen runaway benefit Runnin’ on Empty both of which included top Celebrities such as Jason Alexander.
He is a former collegiate golfer, played in the Men’s Senior Baseball World Series 6 times and is a deadly serious Texas Hold-em player. He ran the LA Marathon 4 times.