Joel Thingvall embarked on an acting career in the 1960s, commencing his artistic journey as a young student under the guidance of Hazel Aamodt at the renowned MacPhail Center for the Performing Arts.
This initial exposure led to his first film appearance in the 1970s, playing a minor role in the iconic film "Airport" alongside teen and parental extras, with the family car incidentally stealing the show in a snow-covered parking lot scene.
Over the next decade, Joel honed his craft through extensive regional, experimental, and professional dinner theater performances, as well as numerous seasons of outdoor Shakespeare productions, amassing an impressive repertoire of nearly 100 plays across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Colorado, and Minnesota.
Joel was also one of the founding members of The Playwrights Lab, boasting a portfolio of two-dozen produced plays and numerous grants, solidifying his reputation as a talented and accomplished playwright.
In addition to his theatrical pursuits, Joel has also made a name for himself as a professional mime, with a background in clowning and movement, and has even delivered singing Gorilla Grams.
Despite his extensive experience in the film industry, Joel's appearances were mainly limited to small parts gathered through his theater connections or open calls for background extras during major motion picture shoots in Minnesota.
In the 1980s, Joel transitioned from the stage to journalism, spending the next three decades primarily involved in editing, writing, communications, public policy, and comic book history and retail, with occasional forays into "extras" work.
Joel has also made significant contributions to various live theater companies as a board member and grant writing consultant, and has been recognized for his dedication to the arts as a mentor in writing and acting to the next generation of creative artists.
In his later years, Joel returned to film acting, working primarily out of Minnesota as a character actor, and continues to be an inspiration to aspiring artists, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with those seeking to follow in his footsteps.
