In this episode of Movie Wars, Wolfgang Bodison joins us to tell one of the most legendary origin stories in Hollywood history—and it's all true. Bodison went from sorting mail at Castle Rock to starring alongside Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, and Demi Moore in A Few Good Men, all without a single acting credit to his name.

He takes us through the wild journey that started behind the scenes on Misery and Boyz N the Hood, working as a PA, a picture car coordinator, and eventually the location manager on A Few Good Men. That is, until Rob Reiner spotted something in him and asked the question that changed his life: “Have you ever acted before?”

What follows is a hilarious and heartfelt breakdown of his nerves at the legendary table read, how Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson treated him with grace, and why that set became his masterclass in acting. He opens up about the pressure of being thrust into the spotlight, why fear began creeping into later performances, and how that led him to discover his passion for teaching.

Now the Artistic Director at Playhouse West, Bodison is shaping the next generation of actors—passing on the hard-earned lessons of craft, truth, and vulnerability he learned through trial by fire. He also shares details on his acclaimed short films (Simone, Broken, Sarah’s Wish, The Long Wait) and his newest directing project, Night of Hate, developed with his students.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens when life throws you into the deep end of Hollywood, this episode is a front-row seat. Bodison’s humility, humor, and wisdom make this a must-listen for any actor, filmmaker, or fan of A Few Good Men.

Top Takeaways:

• Wolfgang Bodison was working behind the scenes when Rob Reiner cast him as Harold Dawson—his first-ever acting role.
• He shares what it was like sitting across from Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson at that legendary table read.
• Bodison reflects on how fear, expectations, and “cutting the line” shaped his early acting career.
• Now a teacher at Playhouse West, he helps actors embrace authenticity and leave performance behind.
• His theater in LA is earning real respect, producing award-winning work and nurturing serious talent.
• His new short film Night of Hate blends stage direction techniques with cinematic storytelling.
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