Mr. Samuels, a highly accomplished individual, earned his degree in Acting and Directing with distinction from Vassar College in 1980.
He began his professional acting career in New York City, joining the esteemed AFTRA union after being cast in the long-running soap opera As The World Turns, which aired from 1956 to 2010. Additionally, he has had five screenplays optioned, showcasing his talent as a writer.
After taking a hiatus to explore politics and marketing, Mr. Samuels returned to his first passion - acting. In 2013, he completed principal photography on the film Transylvanian Curse, which was shot in Pittsburgh and starred the renowned Robert Englund. He then made his stage debut in New York at Playwrights Horizons, portraying the iconic role of General William Tecumseh Sherman in the world premiere of Attila. He reprised this role for the play's film adaptation, earning the Best Actor Award at the 2018 Bucks Fever Film Festival.
Mr. Samuels' original screenplay, Mindscape, was a semifinalist in the prestigious 1990 Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. This achievement led to his screenplay being optioned by the acclaimed director Robert Ellis Miller, known for his work on The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter. The screenplay was also supported by producers Marcia Nasatir, who worked on Ironweed, and Steven Haft, who was involved in Dead Poets Society.
Furthermore, Mr. Samuels has served as a proud Board Member of the Philadelphia Local of SAG-AFTRA, demonstrating his commitment to the entertainment industry and the community.
