youtube-video-thumbnail

Art House Extra | Chris Bylsma (Briefly) Goes Toe-to-Toe With Tom Hanks

Art House Extra

February 5, 2021  |  John G. McGrath  |  1 min read

When it comes to the movies, the best seat in the house is on set.

Just ask actor Chris Bylsma.

Born and raised in Topeka before joining the Kansas City film community, Bylsma now is getting regular work in Hollywood in small supporting roles — oftentimes as the dude in the red beard with a few key lines.

Bylsma recently regaled us with tales of working with Tom Hanks in the Netflix film “News of the World,” getting caught up in a climactic shootout in “El Camino: A Breaking Bad Story,” and bringing the cast to tears playing a pastor on “Godless.”

Bylsma already has more than 100 acting credits, yet still brings a wide-eyed enthusiasm to his craft. In his view, a long-term career in the film industry depends on maintaining perspective. Quoting legendary actor and director Konstantin Stanislavski, Bylsma constantly reminds himself to: “Love the art in yourself, not yourself in the art.”

Watch the attached video for more of Bylsma’s life in film.

Reading these stories is free, but telling them is not. Start your monthly gift now to support Flatland’s community-focused reporting.

Nick’s Picks | Messi, Jail, Buses, and More …

June 1, 2026

World Cup Team(s) Arrive It’s starting to feel real. The first World Cup team has landed in Kansas City. Defending champions Argentina touched down at KCI airport on Sunday and will begin practicing today at Sporting KC’s training facility in Wyandotte County. Much of the attention, of course, is focused on Lionel Messi. The soccer…

Related Stories

A scene from "Nelly Don: The Musical Movie."

Art House | ‘Nelly Don’ Sparks a Fashion Revolution

"Nelly Don: The Musical Movie" tells the story of dressmaker Nell Quinlan Donnelly Reed, one of the great female entrepreneurs in Kansas City history.

Read More >
A scene from "Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals."

Art House | ‘Let Us Prey’ Examines Abuse in Baptist Churches

Filmmaker Sharon Liese's latest latest work, "Let Us Prey: A Ministry of Scandals," turns the camera on abuse in Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) churches.

Read More >
A scene from "Mira," a stop-motion animated horror film.

Art House | ‘Mira’ Renders Horror in Stop-Motion Animation

Kansas City filmmaker Eva Louise Hall discusses "Mira," a stop-motion animated horror film that explores abusive creative relationships.

Read More >