Welcome!

Thank you for visiting my site. If we haven’t met: I am a father, stepfather, dog daddy, and proud husband. I’m also an actor, author, and coach.

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, Amy Morton, 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.

Stef lives in Chicago with his family.

Press Kit
 
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 →

  • 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 →

Casting Kit
Stef has always shown great subtlety in his acting, starting in the fifth grade...

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.

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 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.

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 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?

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.

Working with the late, great, Fred Willard.

Here with the fantastic Oliver Platt.

Here with the fantastic Oliver Platt.

Stef wrote a book...published by Applause Books in 2021.

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 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)

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 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 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 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 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 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.

Stef is certified in Executive Presence and Leadership training from The Wharton School.

In-person trainings for not-for-profits are fun!

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!

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"...😬

Including "The Naked Mile"...😬

He is a proud father to Sam

He is a proud father to Sam

Family man and Cubs fan!

Family man and Cubs fan!

And Dog Daddy to Sophie 🐶

And Dog Daddy to Sophie 🐶

Proud husband to Haley

Proud husband to Haley

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.

Listen Now