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Kurt Yaeger

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Kurt Yaeger
Born (1977-01-03) January 3, 1977 (age 47)
San Francisco, California
Occupation(s)Actor, writer, director, disability advocate, professional BMX rider
Years active2002–present

Kurt Yaeger (born January 3, 1977) is an American actor, writer, director, disability advocate, and professional athlete, who is also a below-the-knee amputee. Recent work includes varying roles on the CBS series NCIS, the HBO/Cinemax series Quarry, Netflix series Another Life, and many other television appearances. Kurt gathered notoriety appearing in season five of the FX series Sons of Anarchy as Greg "the Peg" and in the Rudimental music video for the UK hit single "Waiting All Night" featuring vocals from Ella Eyre.

Early life

Kurt Yaeger was born in San Francisco, California, United States (US), and was raised in South San Francisco. He currently resides in the Los Angeles area.

As a BMX rider, Yaeger gained the nickname "Crowbar" and acquired sponsors for his BMX riding, participating in tours and competing in events.[1]

As an actor, Yaeger auditioned for a Nickelodeon/Clear Channel Communications live tour based on the popular cartoon show Rocket Power. What he thought to be an acting role turned out to be an athletic/stunt role. On the first day of rehearsals, the director found out that his BMX talent was at a professional level and incorporated it into the show. The show briefly toured the US Midwest in spring 2002 before being canceled due to low ticket sales. After experiencing many BMX-related injuries, he decided to go back to college to pursue a master's degree in hydrogeology. In 2006, while attending school in San Francisco, he was in a motorbike crash that resulted in multiple injuries.[2][3] He hit a pole and went over a 40-foot embankment, crashing on the side of the freeway.[3]

His left leg was amputated below the knee, his right anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament were torn, his pelvis was torn in half along with his bladder, seven vertebra were broken, his lungs collapsed, multiple ribs were broken, and he had a severe concussion.[4] One year later, Yaeger made a full recovery, returning to his acting career.[5]

Career

Photographer: Kyrani Kanavaros 2020

Yaeger started taking acting courses and began acquiring role after role.[6] Some of his early work includes Michael Anderson's Tenderloin, a film about one of the most infamous neighborhoods in San Francisco. The film premiered at the Mill Valley Film Festival in October 2009.[7] Yaeger also shares the joy of working on Dolphin Tale with Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd and Harry Connick, Jr.;[8] Knife Fight with Rob Lowe; War Flowers with Christina Ricci, Tom Berenger and Jason Gedrick; and the Syfy feature film Piranhaconda with Michael Madsen and Rachel Hunter. In 2012, he appeared in a recurring role for six episodes of the highest rated FX television series Sons of Anarchy.[9] Late 2016 brings Yaeger to the set of Cinemax's New Series Original Quarry[10] and to NCIS: Los Angeles for a multi-episode arc.[11] In 2018 Yaeger was cast in CBS All Access series Tell Me a Story.[12] Having 2019 bringing him to star in his third separate NCIS franchise show on NCIS: New Orleans,[13] along with The Rookie,[14] and a spot on the fresh television drama The Village.[15] In 2023 he was cast in NCIS: Hawaiʻi gaining status of the only known actor to appear on all four NCIS (franchise) editions as separate characters.[16] His list of Television and Movie credits continues to grow.[17]

Along with his business partner Josh Gillick, Yaeger created the production company ArtistFilm.[18] It produced several short films and features, such as Sedona's Rule distributed by Green Apple Entertainment, Inc. Yaeger is also involved with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), and the Actors' Equity Association (AEA) Tri-Union global disability rights campaign called IAMPWD – Inclusion in the Arts & Media of People with Disabilities. He previously served as a chairperson on the AFTRA Los Angeles Local Performers with Disabilities Committee.[19]

Kurt Yaeger at the UCP – Women Who Care Event 2011

Yaeger volunteers his time with many organizations. He has attended several Big Sunday events for the Wounded Warrior Project,[20] rode in a few of Kiehl's Liferides for amfAR,[21] and participated in the American300 Warrior Tour.[22] He spoke at the 10th and 11th annual United Cerebral Palsy of New York City event called Women Who Care, sharing the stage with Ivanka Trump, Michelle Bachelet, and many others.[23] Yaeger was invited as a keynote speaker to the 2014 Adobe Summit in London on the subject of reinvention. On May 14, 2014, he spoke to an abundance of tech specialists, business entrepreneurs, then introduced the band Rudimental during the Summit Fest that followed.[24] Yaeger's next feat was a run up the Empire State Building in New York City on February 3, 2016. This run was presented by Marmot on behalf of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).[25] He doesn't cease to put his efforts into activism for awareness of disabilities, specifically in regard to casting for television and movies.[26]

Sports and affiliations

Kurt Yaeger at the X Games 17

His sports comeback came not long after in the Extreme Sports genre of BMX. Kurt is part of a small category of number one Adaptive BMXers in the world,[27] and participated in X Games 16,[28] followed by X Games 17. Yaeger was showcased at the X Games along with other adaptive athletes. All thanks to Adaptive Action Sports, a non-profit organization promoting Action Sports camps, events and programs for youth and young adults living with permanent physical disabilities.

In 2012, the US Paralympics Bobsled & Skeleton Team invited him to train with them in Park City in early January.[29] They asked him back to train with them in Innsbruck, Austria in early March of that year.

2013 had Yaeger participating in a promotional BMX tour of the United Kingdom.[30] Followed immediately by a Motorcycle tour of Africa with Touratech-USA.[31] Kurt currently rides motorcycles more than BMX, both personally and as a hobby.

BMX sponsors

When Yaeger initially began training again, Etnies signed up to sponsor him, supplying shoes that allowed for an expanded experimentation with a new magnetic pedal from ProTonLocks. After he figured out how to stay on the pedals, Solid Bikes and Odyssey helped him by supplying a new bike. The last obstacle was to figure out how to keep his knee from hyper-extending from the repeated impact pressures while riding. He turned to Ossur, who built him a CTi custom knee brace for his prosthetic leg. Other sponsors, including Freestyle Watches, Stüssy, Bern Helmets, Alpine Stars, Challenged Athletes Foundation, Fox Racing, ZICO Coconut Water and more, have all backed Yaeger.

Yaeger was one of the owners of ProTonLocks, Inc., a company that makes magnetic bicycle pedals.[32]

Filmography

Television

TV
Year Title Role Type notes
2023 NCIS: Hawaiʻi Master Sergeant Strand TV series Episode title: Bread Crumbs
2022 Quantum Leap Ringer TV series Episode title: Stand By Ben
Best Foot Forward (Max Liebman Presents) Luke TV series Episode title: Movie Night
Station 19 Carl Swamination TV series Episode title: Crawl Out Through The Fallout
2021 Another Life Dillon Conner TV series Recurring character
Seal Team Theo Papadakis TV series Episode title: Rearview Mirror
The Good Doctor Cort Graham TV series Episode title: Decrypt
2020 L.A.'s Finest Clete Winslow TV series Recurring character
Paradise Lost Henry TV series Episode title: The Black Dog Barked
2019-2020 Tommy n Bobby Tommy ShanaCallahan Web Series Main character
2019 The Village Joe TV series Recurring character
NCIS: New Orleans Kevin Simms TV series Episode title: In Plain Sight
The Rookie Graham Ross TV series Episode title: Manhunt
2018 Tell Me A Story Terry TV series Recurring character
Personal Space Leonard Freeman TV series Recurring character
2016-2017 NCIS: Los Angeles Sullivan TV series Recurring character
2016 Quarry Suggs TV series Recurring character
Shooter S.C. Jones TV series Episode title: Danger Close
Lethal Weapon Billy Gottlieb TV series Episode title: Can I Get A Witness?
Pure Genius Sergeant John Howard TV series Episode title: Not Your Grandmother's Robotic Surgery
Shameless Gene Charleston TV series Episode title: #Abortion Rules
2015 The Grinder Prosecuting Attorney TV series This One to the Crew
The Ultimate Legacy Michael TV movie
A Little Different Self TV series
Close Enough Self TV series short Episode title: The Fountain of Youth
2014 NCIS Freddie Linn TV series Episode title: Bulletproof
2012 Sons of Anarchy Greg The Peg TV series Recurring character
2010 The Bold and the Beautiful Photographer TV Soap Opera Episode #1.5887
General Hospital Mike – Prison Guard TV Soap Opera Episode #1.12083
2008 Without a Trace Kevin TV series Episode title: Article 32
2007 The World's Astonishing News Steve – Father TV series Episode title: Poor Family's Christmas Miracle
2002 Rocket Power Live Tour

Movies

Film
Year Title Role notes
2023 Sunrise Gillespie In production (UK)
The Beanie Bubble Billy Post-production (USA)
2018 The Festival Pirate Release Date: August 14, 2018 (UK)
The Dragons of Melgor Kurt Announced
A Doggone Adventure Steven Hill Release Date: 20 March 2018 (USA)
2017 Alien Hunger Brian Release Date: August 30, 2016 (USA)
2016 Triple 9 Wounded DHS Guard Release Date: 26 February 2016 (USA)
2014 Coffee Shop Girl Agent Rodriquez Short
2013 Rudimental – Waiting All Night feat. Ella Eyre Self YouTube Official Video
The Man Of The House Dad Short
2012 Honor Killing Steven Short
Knife Fight Oliver Kennedy Release Date: January 25, 2013 (USA)
2011 Piranhaconda Gunner SYFY Channel 2012 Premiere
Dolphin Tale Veteran Tim Release Date: September 23, 2011 (USA)
War Flowers Rufus Release Date: August 31, 2012 (USA)
Camel Spiders Joe Release Date: March 4, 2011 (USA)
2010 Sedona's Rule Erick Release Date: November 20, 2011 (USA)
2009 The Real Deal Bob Derdowski Video
Every Other Week Jude Short
The Tenderloin Ben Keegan Release Date: October 19, 2009 (USA)
The Hell Patrol Pvt. Steven McWatt Release Date: September 26, 2009 (USA)
2008 Asshole of the West Levi Short
2007 Charlie Wilson's War Afghani Refugee Not Credited
The Lost Coast Video Short

Producer/director

Producer/director
Year Title Role notes
2019 Forever Has Its Season Associate producer Release Date: July 21, 2019 (USA)
2019 Tommy n Bobby Executive producer Release Date: January 2019 (USA)
2017 The Creeps Co-producer Release Date: January 8, 2017 (USA)
2015 Close Enough Executive producer & Co-Star Release Date: April 15, 2015 (USA)
2014 Kurt Yaeger's UK Tour Executive producer & Co-Star Release Date: February 27, 2014 (Worldwide)
2010 Sedona's Rule Executive producer Release Date: November 22, 2011 (USA)
2008 Misunderstood[33] Director & Actor Short – Screening Date: June 1, 2008 (USA)

Music Videos

Model
Year Title Role notes
2013 Waiting All Night Self - Video concept loosely based on Kurt Yaeger's story.[34] UK Band: Rudimental Featuring: Ella Eyre

Model

Model
Year Title Role notes
2007 Porn for Women A humor or "spoof book", calendar and confectionery cards.[35]

References

  1. ^ Fudger, Ryan "Kurt Yaeger – Athlete" Archived March 27, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Ride BMX Transworld, August 30, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  2. ^ Vigil, Delfin "Actor brings a little extra to the job", SF Gate, November 15, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Kurt Yaeger — 'Son of Anarchy'". ABILITY Magazine (Kurt Yaeger Issue). December 2012 – January 2013. Archived from the original on August 14, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  4. ^ "Give it up for BMX Pro Kurt Yaeger. That's a direct order." Archived July 17, 2012, at archive.today, Action Recon. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  5. ^ Vetter, Pam "Kurt Yaeger: Actor reaches beyond label of amputee" Archived October 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Disaboom, April 8, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  6. ^ Tunney, Brian "Pro BMXers Make the Jump to Television (9 of 11)" Archived October 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, ESPN Action Sports, September 28, 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  7. ^ Hamlin, Jesse "The human touch at Mill Valley Film Festival" Archived August 13, 2016, at the Wayback Machine Marin News, October 09, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  8. ^ Vetter, Pam "2011 Media Access Awards Honor Efforts in Promoting Awareness of People With Disabilities" Archived January 31, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, American Chronicle, October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  9. ^ "Kurt Yeager – Filmography by TV series" Archived November 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, IMDB.com Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  10. ^ Gilmam, Greg "Cinemax Orders Vietnam-Era Drama 'Quarry' To Series" Archived July 2, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, TheWrap.com, February 03, 2015. Retrieved August 08, 2016.
  11. ^ Frith, Vanessa "NCIS: LA's Season 8: Meet Sullivan!" Archived August 15, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Enstars.com August 8, 2016 Retrieved. August 8, 2016.
  12. ^ Petski, Denise "'Tell Me A Story': Michael Raymond-James, Kurt Yaeger & Rarmian Newton Join CBS All Access Drama Series" Archived April 14, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, Deadline.com, August 20, 2018. Retrieved May 08, 2019.
  13. ^ Darwish, Meaghan "'NCIS: New Orleans': Daryl 'Chill' Mitchell on Working with Real-Life Pal Kurt Yaeger" Archived April 3, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, TVinsider.com, April 02, 2019. Retrieved May 08, 2019.
  14. ^ Rayner, Daniel "'The Rookie' Season 1, episode 15 'Manhunt' Recap: Prisoner Transport", TVmoviefix.com, March 05, 2019. Retrieved May 08, 2019.
  15. ^ Moreau, Jordan "Kurt Yaeger on Standing Up for Actors With Disabilities: 'I Represent the Tip of a Spear'" Archived March 31, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, Variety.com, March 14, 2019. Retrieved May 08, 2019.
  16. ^ Shneider, Michael "'NCIS': How Kurt Yaeger Became the First Actor to Appear as Different Characters in All Four Editions"|, Variety.com, April 10, 2023. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  17. ^ Sklar, Debbie "Kurt Yaeger: Actor, Director, and Athlete Who Knows No Bounds" Archived August 22, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, August 06, 2016. Retrieved August 08, 2016.
  18. ^ "ArtistFilm, Cast & Crew" Archived November 23, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 20, 2011.
  19. ^ "Members of the SAG/AFTRA/AEA Tri-Union Performers with Disabilities Committee, Kurt Yaeger" Archived July 26, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, I AM PWD. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
  20. ^ Deegan, Peachy "Movers And Shakers: Kurt Yaeger, Actor" Archived July 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Whom You Know, June 30, 2011. Retrieved August 6, 2011.
  21. ^ Keihl's Since 1851 "Kiehl's Since 1851 Embarks On Ninth Annual LifeRide For amfAR"|, PRNewswire.com, July 31, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  22. ^ Deegan, Peachy "Getting Back Up Tour – Kurt Yaeger and Erin Simmons Nemec – May 2012 "American300 NEVER QUIT Series – Air Force Global Strike Command" Archived March 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, American300 Warrior Tours, May 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2012.
  23. ^ "Celebrities & VIPs Attend the Star-Studded 11th Annual Women Who Care Luncheon" Archived February 1, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. United Cerebral Palsy of New York. Retrieved June 1, 2012.
  24. ^ Parry, Adam "The Full Effect Pull Out All The Stops For The Adobe Summit EMEA Party" Archived May 21, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Event Industry News UK. May 16, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  25. ^ Yaeger, Kurt "Lessons Learned In My First Triathlon" Archived August 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Askmen.com. Retrieved July 28, 2016.
  26. ^ Paramount Global "'PARAMOUNT GLOBAL TO HOST SUMMIT ON DISABILITY"|, PRNewswire.com, October 20, 2022. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  27. ^ Shepherd, Wendy "Interview With Actor Kurt Yaeger" Archived November 13, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Officially Plugged In, November 9, 2011.
  28. ^ Tunney, Brian "Getting Back Up: The Kurt Yaeger Story" Archived June 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, ESPN Action Sports. Retrieved August 7, 2011.
  29. ^ Tunney, Brian "Kurt Yaeger, BMXer turned Bobsledder" Archived May 6, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, ESPN Action Sports, February 17, 2012.
  30. ^ "Rudimental's Waiting All Night BMX-Star Kurt Yaeger On UK Tour" Archived October 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, Drift. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  31. ^ Goldberg, Kaj ""Kurt Yaeger, BMXer Turned Actor, Shares His Story Of Recovery"". CBS Los Angeles (Interview). Los Angeles: KCAL-TV. October 24, 2013. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  32. ^ Ostegard, Jan "Dream Role with Kurt Yaeger" Archived October 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine MovieVine, April 18, 2013. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  33. ^ "Misunderstood" Archived October 3, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Scary Cow – The Indie Film Co-op, June 1, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  34. ^ "Cosmo meets Kurt Yaeger, star of Rudimental's Waiting All Night video". Cosmopolitan. May 3, 2013. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  35. ^ Anderson, Susan "Porn for Women" Archived August 1, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. Cambridge Women's Pornography Cooperative, Chronicle Books 2007. ISBN 9780811855518. Retrieved July 26, 2011.
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