Check Out Keith Obit’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith Obit.

Hi Keith, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My name is Keith Obit and I am an Actor/Writer/Director from Phoenix, Arizona. At the beginning of 2016, I was a former Heroin addict and I had absolutely no thought of being an actor or a director, but I was looking for a creative outlet to stay sober. It wasn’t until after a fellow co-worker, who happened to be an actor, brought me onto the set of a feature film, that I fell in love with the whole world.

By that March I was gaining experience running slate, boom, lights, and any other crew work I could help out with. This eventually led to over a half dozen credits in extra work. After filling many background roles, I was given the opportunity to move on into stunt work, speaking roles, and finally the lead role in the short film Erebus, which had a successful festival run.

Throughout 2016-2019, I continued with several small roles in different shorts and features. I even had a stint in the True-Crime genre on Network Television. I played Matthew Bonner on the episode “Officer Down” on A&E’s Cold Case Files, the lead character Joey McStay on the episode “Shallow Grave” for People Magazine Investigates on Investigation Discovery, and Vance Tibbets on the episode “Murders in Maine” for Buried in the Backyard on the Oxygen Network. I also began doing commercial/print work locally in Phoenix and nationwide.

While taking some time off in 2019 for some health issues, I started a podcast with my best friend of 20+ years which features various inspiring guests from Phoenix to Los Angeles. You can find it at youtube.com/thebogcast or anywhere you find your podcast apps including Spotify, Itunes, Google Play Music, etc.

I am most proud of my writing and directorial debut of my new pilot television series “The Soundguy”. I was able to bring a very talented group of individuals together, from the cast to the crew, and create some really funny content. After 2 years of writing and some intense Pre-Production, we started shooting the project in early October of 2021 and finished principal photography in mid-January 2022.

We finished Post Production last August and even had a private premiere at Harkins. Currently, the project is on its Film Festival run, where we have won several awards including ‘Best TV Pilot’ at the Vegas Movie Awards. We are currently looking for distribution and it will finally be open to the public later this year. All the information can be found on our website at www.thesoundguyseries.com. Stay tuned!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was an opiate/heroin addict for YEARS. Looking back, it’s crazy to think I was ever even that person. Although it was a very dark and ugly time, it has definitely shaped the person I have become today. Knowing that I shook the devil’s hand and told him to “F” off makes me want to inspire others that there is still hope. I know what it is like to feel “stuck” in addiction and have absolutely no hope for the future. Not even caring if I live or die.

But there is HOPE! You just have to be willing to make those drastic changes and finally love and forgive yourself. This doesn’t happen overnight by the way, but if you take it one day at a time you really can get your life back. I went from shooting heroin and destroying every relationship in my life to directing a “Pilot” television series.

Most importantly, I have all of my old family and friends back. With Fentanyl being the leading cause of death for adults 18-45, it is now more dangerous than ever. I have overdosed a few times in my life. I am not proud of this at all, I just feel lucky it was before the Fentanyl craze or I definitely wouldn’t be here sharing my story with you. If you know an addict, you can still love them, but tough love is the only way.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an Actor, Writer, Director, and Podcaster. I am also the owner of Astrobit Studios, a fully operational production studio with some exciting commercials and short films coming out soon!

As far as acting, I am most proud of my hustle. Somehow I was able to work in both Phoenix and Los Angeles, taking the Greyhound constantly back and forth, sometimes just for auditions. This mentality got me into several National Commercials and Television Shows, including a few in the True-Crime genre. My Cold Case Files episode can still be seen on Netflix to this day!

For Writing/Directing, it is easily “The Soundguy”. I am very proud of the fact that I was able to bring such a talented group of individuals, from the cast to the crew, and create some really funny content. On top of that, we raised over $15,000 to do it. I am beyond grateful to everyone that has helped out in some way. It will be available to the public later this year and I cannot wait for everyone to see it.

I also do podcasting. Not only is it a reason to hang out with my best friend each week, but we were very fortunate to interview some of our favorite artists of all time. Max Cavalera from Sepultura/Soulfly, Jeff Irwin from Will Haven, Jonah Matranga from Far/OneLineDrawing, Mark Engles from Dredg, and so many more. We also go live every Thursday night at 7 pm (MST) so come hang out!

What sets me apart from others is that I am not trying to “make it” nor do I put a timeline on it as most actors/directors do. I do it because I truly enjoy and love it. As long as I am working creatively, I am happy. I do not care about being “famous”. Most people I know care more about being famous than the art itself.

How do you define success?
Success to me is being happy within yourself at any given time, despite the circumstances. I used to think ‘Success’ was hitting milestone after milestone in your career, but I realized this just brings artificial happiness. This usually requires ego death, which can come in many different forms. Once obtained, the real happiness can begin, and to me, that is a success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.keithobit.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keith_obit/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/TheBogcast
• Other: https://www.thesoundguyseries.com/

Image Credits
Dustin Hambrick and Terri Whitehurst