Andrew Lenz never planned to end up in Utah’s film community. A California native, he grew up near the heart of the entertainment world, dabbling in commercials and securing a coveted bit part in Radio Flyer, a major production by Columbia Pictures. But when it came time to balance acting with a day job, Andrew made a decision that would change his path — one that taught him early about the harsh realities of show business.
“I thought I could just tell them I couldn’t do the job and another would come along,” Andrew recalls, with a wry smile. Instead, he learned how quickly opportunities could dry up when you turned them down. “It’s what they call getting blackballed.”
That lesson shaped Andrew’s respect for the craft — and his advice for aspiring actors. Don’t just chase the spotlight, he urges. Study the art, hone your skills, and learn the business side of acting. “Go take workshops, theater classes, learn to audition. Then look for an agent.” He chuckles, remembering his own first steps. “You don’t want to just show up with a headshot and no training. That’s not respecting the craft.”
When he moved to Utah — not for Hollywood fame but for steady work — Andrew found himself immersed in a film community far different from California. But in many ways, it felt closer-knit, more authentic. Utah had long been a favorite filming location for Hollywood, with crews working back-to-back on series like Touched by an Angel and Everwood. And the crews? “They’re tight,” Andrew says. “Once you work one show and do well, you get called back. They know each other. They take care of each other.”
While Andrew continued to act in local projects — landing roles in films like Day of Defense (where he played an attorney, a role that led to him being typecast as a lawyer in several other films) — he also found fulfillment in theater. His roots were in musical theater, after all. Productions like 42nd Street earned him equity status, and he credits theater with shaping his discipline and performance style. “Theater teaches you to project to the back row. Film teaches you subtlety — small movements, eye flickers, even a whisper can say everything.”
Andrew’s journey also led him behind the scenes. Always eager to lend a hand on set, he sometimes found himself coiling cables or pitching in with the crew — even if, as he jokes, he didn’t always know how to wrap wires properly. “I just love being on a set. The collaboration, the energy — it’s addictive.”
These days, many know Andrew as the affable host of Hollywood on Broadway, a national tour that combines screenings of classic films with live Q&A sessions featuring the actors who brought them to life. From The Princess Bride to The Sandlot, Andrew has traveled the country, helping fans connect with beloved stars. And this summer, he’s especially excited for the Goonies 40th anniversary event in Salt Lake City. The event will take place at Kingsbury Hall on June 21st. Sean Astin — forever Samwise to many, or Rudy to sports fans — will headline the event, taking part in a special Q&A following the screening.
“The Goonies is one of those iconic films from that golden age of movies — the ’80s, early ’90s — that people still cherish,” Andrew reflects. But he acknowledges that era feels distant now. The rise of franchise filmmaking, endless sequels, and formulaic blockbusters have edged out the kind of risk-taking, character-driven films that defined his youth. “These days, it’s all about the model — what’s the future of the franchise? Can we make toys? Can we make sequels?”
Yet Andrew remains hopeful. Independent films like Clerks and Napoleon Dynamite remind him that originality can still break through. He remembers Clerks — shot in black and white for a shoestring budget — and Napoleon Dynamite, which blossomed from a student film into a cultural phenomenon. Utah itself played a key role in that success: BYU’s film program, Andrew notes, helped foster talents like Jared Hess, director of Napoleon Dynamite, and Ryan Little, of Saints and Soldiers fame. “They had good story writing, solid scripts, and they kept it simple. And people responded.”
Andrew’s own career continues to reflect his love of both performance and production. Whether lending his gravelly voice to radio spots (he was a personality on San Francisco’s 107.9 FM), acting in local LDS productions, or mentoring new talent, he embodies the collaborative spirit he found in Utah. His advice? Support independent film. Embrace different stories. And if you dream of acting, be ready to put in the work — in class, in workshops, on set, and as part of a team.
As for The Goonies anniversary, Andrew is eager for the community to come together to celebrate a piece of cinematic history. “It’s going to be special,” he says. “Events like this remind us why we fell in love with movies in the first place.”
