Fort Worth will be host to the world premiere of a new film written and directed by a Hollywood veteran. Called The Actor, it's a comedy-thriller from veteran Hollywood actor Richard Blake (NCIS: Los Angeles, Cold Case, CSI, Dragonball: Evolution, Snake & Mongoose, The Rocket) and will make its debut at a red-carpet screening on April 6 at the AMC Palace 9 in downtown Fort Worth, followed by a star-studded after-party at the Kimpton Harper Hotel.

The film is scheduled to be released on Apple TV, Amazon, and other streaming services on Friday, April 5.

The actor in The Actor is Hunter Durbin, whose career has been sidelined in Hollywood, who must decide whether to capitalize when a suitcase full of cash lands at his front door. The role is played by Blake.

Blake and his wife Amber formed Amberock Productions, a production company, which they relocated the company to Fort Worth in 2021; Amber is a Fort Worth native.

Shooting in Texas allowed Blake to take advantage of the locations and talent in the area, including Dallas actor/producer Major Dodge (Bomb City, Cobra Kai), who is listed as a producer and who plays the villain. Fort Worth streets and scenery also appear in the film, as well as Los Angeles and New Mexico.

Other Texas talent involved include Melissa Archer (“Natalie Buchanan” on One Life to Live and “Serena Mason” on Days of Our Lives), Sheila Houlahan (The Little Things), Donnie Boaz (The Young and the Restless, The Staircase), Phil Mendoza (Taylor Sheridan's Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Better Call Saul), and UFC fighter Steven “Ocho” Peterson, who did stunts and acting.

Other notable contributions include eight songs by Collective Soul on the soundtrack.