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 BIO

Stef 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 with his family in Chicago.

 
Selected Credits
  • Jeff Award Winner
    Best Supporting Actor in a Play
    Vinal, Blade to the Heat

    Jeff Award Winner
    Best Musical/Ensemble 
    Houdini/Others, Ragtime

    Jeff Award Winner 
    Best Play
    Vinal, Blade to the Heat

    Jeff Award Winner 
    Best Musical 
    Czolgosz, Assassins

    Jeff 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

    Request Booking →

    Select Executive & Team Trainings:

    • ABC

    • JPG

    Explore Executive Coaching →

  • Contagion
    Dr. Arrington — Dir. Steven Soderbergh

    Widows
    Finance Guy — Dir. Steve McQueen

    Employee of the Month
    Kenny — Dir. Mitch Rouse

    Olympia
    Scott — Dir. Gregory Dixon

    View more on IMDb →

  • Chicago Med
    Dr. Otis Greenwell — Dir. Nicole Rubio
    Elliot Meyers — Dir. SJ Main Munoz

    4400
    Barney Atash — Dir. Kenny Leon

    Proven Innocent
    Bob Callaway —Dir. Anna Mastro

    The Chi
    White Donor — Dir. Jet Wilkinson

    View more on IMDb →

  • Fever Dreams (Of Animals on the Verge of Extinction)
    Miller — Contemporary American Theatre Festival
    Dir. Susan Booth

    Life After
    Frank — Goodman Theatre
    Dir. Annie Tippe

    No Wake
    Nolan — 59E59 Theaters
    Dir. Veronica Brady

    A Twist of Water
    Noah — 59E59 Theaters
    Dir. Erica Weiss

    Oslo
    Yossi Beilin — TimeLine Theatre/BIC
    Dir. Nick Bowling

    South Pacific
    Luther Billis — Marriott Theatre
    Dir. David H. Bell
    (Jeff Nomination: Best Supporting Actor)

    The Music Man
    Harold Hill — Paramount Theatre
    Dir. Rachel Rockwell

    Big Fish
    Edward Bloom — Theatre at the Center
    Dir. Linda Fortunato & Bill Pulinsi

    Blade to the Heat
    Vinal — Apple Tree Theatre
    Dir. Gary Griffin
    (Jeff Award: Best Supporting Actor

    View Full Resume →

FEATURED PRESS

The 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.