Welcome!
Thank you for visiting my site. If we haven’t met: I am a father, stepfather, dog daddy, and proud partner. I’m also an actor, artist, and coach who’s passionate about helping people communicate with confidence, authenticity, and impact.
Whether you’re stepping onto a stage, in front of a camera, or into the boardroom, I love guiding others to shine—finding their voice, telling their story, and booking the roles (or opportunities) they’ve worked for.
I look forward to connecting with you and hope we get an opportunity to collaborate!
-Stef
OFFICIAL BIOStef Tovar is an award-winning actor, author, and coach.
His 30+ year career spans film, television, theater, and musical theater. He has collaborated with some of the industry’s most respected artists, including Steven Soderbergh, Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Christina Applegate, Fred Willard, Oliver Platt, Steve McQueen, and Colin Farrell. With credits on stages from Los Angeles to Chicago to New York City, Stef has performed for audiences ranging from intimate black box theaters to 3,000-seat houses.
In 2017, Stef expanded his impact from stage and screen to the classroom and coaching space by founding the Stef Tovar Studio. He is the author of THE MAP: An Actor’s Guide to On-Camera Acting (Applause Books, 2021) and has taught at Wright State University, North Central College, and numerous universities, casting offices, and studios nationwide. His passion lies in helping others unlock their presence, connect with authenticity, and shine under pressure.
Bridging the worlds of performance and leadership, Stef earned a certification in Executive Presence and Influence: Persuasive Leadership Development from The Wharton School. He now coaches C-Suite and Fortune 500 executives, physicians, attorneys, and other high-level leaders, drawing on his performance expertise to help them communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact. Whether on stage, on camera, or in the boardroom, Stef empowers people to own the spotlight.
Stef lives in Chicago with his family.
Selected Credits-
Jeff Award Winner
Best Supporting Actor in a Play
Vinal, Blade to the HeatJeff Award Winner
Best Musical/Ensemble
Houdini/Others, RagtimeJeff Award Winner
Best Play
Vinal, Blade to the HeatJeff Award Winner
Best Musical
Czolgosz, AssassinsJeff Award Nomination
Best Supporting Actor in a Musical
Luther Billis, South Pacific -
Select Author Workshops:
Central State University
Columbia College
Cleveland University
DePaul University
Northwestern University
Roosevelt University
Wright State University
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Contagion
Dr. Arrington — Dir. Steven SoderberghWidows
Finance Guy — Dir. Steve McQueenEmployee of the Month
Kenny — Dir. Mitch RouseOlympia
Scott — Dir. Gregory Dixon -
Chicago Med
Dr. Otis Greenwell — Dir. Nicole Rubio
Elliot Meyers — Dir. SJ Main Munoz4400
Barney Atash — Dir. Kenny LeonProven Innocent
Bob Callaway —Dir. Anna MastroThe Chi
White Donor — Dir. Jet Wilkinson -
Fever Dreams (Of Animals on the Verge of Extinction)
Miller — Contemporary American Theatre Festival
Dir. Susan BoothLife After
Frank — Goodman Theatre
Dir. Annie TippeNo Wake
Nolan — 59E59 Theaters
Dir. Veronica BradyA Twist of Water
Noah — 59E59 Theaters
Dir. Erica WeissOslo
Yossi Beilin — TimeLine Theatre/BIC
Dir. Nick BowlingSouth Pacific
Luther Billis — Marriott Theatre
Dir. David H. Bell
(Jeff Nomination: Best Supporting Actor)The Music Man
Harold Hill — Paramount Theatre
Dir. Rachel RockwellBig Fish
Edward Bloom — Theatre at the Center
Dir. Linda Fortunato & Bill PulinsiBlade to the Heat
Vinal — Apple Tree Theatre
Dir. Gary Griffin
(Jeff Award: Best Supporting ActorView Full Resume →
Stef has always shown great subtlety in his acting, starting in the fifth grade...
While Stef excelled in athletics (shown here in one of his wrestling matches that, despite the photo, he actually wins), he chose to follow his heart and pursue the arts.
He was cast in the lead role of Peter Pan his freshman year of college at Wright State University.
He's gone on to create an award-winning career, shown here as Billis in SOUTH PACIFIC, which garnered his second Jeff Award nomination.
Stef's development has been influenced by many incredible directors. Shown here with Gary Griffin, director of his Jeff Award-winning performance in BLADE TO THE HEAT.
Stef's breakthrough film role was in the 2011 Steven Soderbergh feature CONTAGION, where he delivers the bad news to Matt Damon that his wife (Gwyneth Paltrow) has died from a disease that begins a global pandemic. Sound familiar?
Working with the late, great, Fred Willard.
Here with the fantastic Oliver Platt.
Stef wrote a book...published by Applause Books in 2021.
It's been read by people around the world. It's always a great joy to hear from readers, especially five-star reviews on Amazon!
It's helped hundreds of actors and artists book more jobs. (Here with the rapper and artist Rhymefest)
Stef turned his book into his flagship On-camera Intensive. Sells out every quarter.
Stef launched an on-demand version to help more actors, especially those who are struggling to book paid work!
Stef is able to offer author workshops as well!
Stef loves to bring his self-tape/on-camera workshop to casting offices across the country.
Stef also does one, two day or weekend workshops for dozens of Universities.
Stef is certified in Executive Presence and Leadership training from The Wharton School.
In-person trainings for not-for-profits are fun!
Stef is an avid cyclist and rode his bicycle from Chicago to Los Angeles for his 50th Birthday in September of 2020!
Including "The Naked Mile"...😬
He is a proud father to Sam
Family man and Cubs fan!
And Dog Daddy to Sophie 🐶
Proud partner to Haley
FEATURED PRESSThe Tony Howell Podcast
Stef shares insights from his award-winning career, publishing journey, as well as simple tips and tricks actors can use to improve their self-tapes and on-camera skills.