Pat Murphey reveals his captivating journey into the world of acting in Savannah, transitioning from a retired professor to an emerging supporting talent—read on to explore how his passion evolved into a new chapter of creativity.
Residents of Statesboro for over 30 years, Pat and Connie Murphey bring an enchanting presence to their community. Connie’s selfless volunteer work, particularly her sewing skills which she dedicates to crafting beautiful gowns for infant angels and children in need, combines seamlessly with Pat’s unwavering commitment to education and his role as an animal rescuer, creating a profound impact in their local area.
However, many may be surprised to discover that the Murpheys’ contributions have found their way onto the big screen, further extending their magic beyond local boundaries.
After retiring from a fulfilling career teaching English at Ogeechee Technical College in 2018, Pat embarked on an unexpected new hobby: acting, a venture he admits had long piqued his interest.
His family, primarily located in the Macon, Georgia area, was taken aback when Connie shared the news of Pat’s audition plans. “Pat is doing what?” became a chorus of disbelief among friends and relatives. Known for his calm demeanor, humility, and compassion as an educator, Pat’s leap into acting was as astonishing as it was thrilling.
“I filled out one of those online acting profile forms,” Murphey explained, revealing that it was a spontaneous decision driven by his lifelong curiosity for performance, which melded well with his passion for storytelling as an English professor.
His son, Clif Murphey, an accomplished attorney with a degree in cinematography based in Los Angeles, possesses the true cinematic talent of the family. Clif has crafted a screenplay and gained valuable experience in directing. Movie nights spent together as a family likely nurtured Pat’s interest in acting, inspiring his decision to submit an acting profile one late evening.
Adventure is a common thread within the family; Pat and Connie’s younger son Patrick and his wife Joycelyn recently completed thrilling survival training in the Amazon Rainforest, marking another chapter in their adventurous lives as part of their missionary work.
Whatever sparked his enthusiasm, Murphey quickly landed his first movie role in The Girl from Plainville, featuring Elle Fanning. While starting in the background posed challenges, he soon adapted to the demands of the set. “Call times were often at 6 a.m. in Savannah, and we would frequently spend hours waiting to film our scenes,” Murphey recalled. On one occasion, after much anticipation, the cast was sent home without shooting; on another, he faced a call time of 2 a.m.
“Elle Fanning was genuinely kind during filming,” Murphey noted, highlighting his experience working alongside icons like Jamie Lee Curtis during her acclaimed return to Halloween and Clint Eastwood while filming Juror #2.
His brush with celebrity isn’t limited to acting; for 17 years, Murphey worked as a reservations agent for Delta Airlines, booking flights for notable figures such as the legendary Hall of Fame baseball player Ted Williams and the lead singer of Alabama. Reflecting on that tenure, he recalled, “It was the best job I ever had.”
In the past few years, Murphey has made appearances in several films and streaming series, including Manhunt, The Girl from Plainville, Halloween Ends, and Origin. Former students like Mike Davis, who partnered with Dale Earnhardt in business, and Cherard Freeman, the head football coach in Bryan County, have reached out, impressed by his recent endeavors.
“One of my former students sent me a collection of screenshots from every appearance I made, marked with circles and notes,” shared Murphey, reveling in the reconnection with former students that his new career brought about.
Murphey expressed admiration for the dedicated crew on set, acknowledging their hard work as they labor for 12-14 hour days, orchestrating the filming process with precision and teamwork.
Some of his most memorable experiences include preparing for a Halloween party scene in Halloween Ends, when he was unexpectedly offered the role of a barback. Unsure of what that entailed but eager to explore, he accepted the role, avoiding hours of non-stop dancing to instead stand behind the bar and clean glasses.
In another surprising moment, while tasked to unroll a map with a fellow actor, the prop turned out to be a rather provocative poster, adding a hilarious twist to their filming as they maintained their composure while pointing at its “landmarks.”
Filming Juror #2 with Clint Eastwood at Bonaventure Cemetery was particularly enlightening for Murphey, as he witnessed Eastwood’s impressive, efficient shooting style, capturing scenes in just one take.
Murphey’s role in Manhunt, which chronicles the pursuit of John Wilkes Booth, required an early departure at 2 a.m. to meet the call time and culminated in a 14-hour day on set. Eerily, the production team created a digital avatar of Murphey for potential use in crowd shots, showcasing the innovative approach of film production.
On another memorable occasion, due to last-minute changes, Murphey arrived three hours early for a set call and found himself accidentally locked inside a courtyard. “I got there before everyone, including those responsible for setting up, and when I walked in, nobody was around, and I couldn’t get out,” he chuckled, recalling the mix-up.
These unique experiences and countless others have enriched his journey into acting, leaving him with a collection of cherished memories that his family, friends, and students eagerly enjoy hearing about.
“It was incredibly tiring, but given the chance, I would likely do it again—though I might prefer a role with speaking lines,” he laughed, alluding to his aspirations in the craft.
For those intrigued by the local film industry, more information can be found at filmsavannah.org. Additionally, aspiring actors can check local opportunities at The Averitt Center through their auditions page.
How has Pat’s experience as a reservations agent influenced his storytelling and acting career?
**Interview with Pat Murphey: From Educator to Emerging Actor**
**Interviewer:** Pat, it’s great to have you here! Your transition from an English professor to an actor has surprised many. What inspired you to take this leap?
**Pat Murphey:** Thank you for having me! It was quite unexpected, even for me. After retiring from teaching in 2018, I found myself reflecting on my lifelong curiosity for performance. One evening, I filled out an online acting profile form, and that spontaneous decision kickstarted this journey. It’s been thrilling to embrace storytelling in a new way!
**Interviewer:** Your family had a surprising reaction when they heard about your audition plans. Can you tell us more about that?
**Pat Murphey:** Absolutely! When Connie shared the news, it was truly a chorus of disbelief—“Pat is doing what?” They know me for my calm demeanor and my commitment to education. It was a big surprise, but I think my son Clif’s creative influence, being in the cinematic field himself, played a part in nurturing my interest.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of Clif, how has your family’s cinematic background influenced your new path in acting?
**Pat Murphey:** Movie nights were always a big deal for us, and I think that communal experience sparked my interest. Clif is incredibly talented in writing and directing, and his support has been invaluable. It’s wonderful to share this newfound passion with my family.
**Interviewer:** You’ve already landed roles in some notable productions like *The Girl from Plainville*. What were those initial experiences like on set?
**Pat Murphey:** Landing that first role was exhilarating! The challenges of being in the background were significant, but I adapted quickly. The early morning call times in Savannah and the waiting hours taught me patience. I even faced a 2 a.m. call time once! But the experience was rewarding.
**Interviewer:** You’ve worked with some big names in Hollywood, like Elle Fanning and Jamie Lee Curtis. What was that like?
**Pat Murphey:** It was surreal! Elle was genuinely kind during filming. Working alongside legends like Jamie Lee Curtis and Clint Eastwood was humbling. Their professionalism and warmth made it a fantastic learning opportunity for me.
**Interviewer:** You also have an interesting background as a reservations agent for Delta Airlines. How did that experience shape your current journey?
**Pat Murphey:** Those 17 years were incredible! Booking flights for Hall of Fame players and musicians was a thrilling part of the job. I learned to appreciate people’s stories and experiences, which has informed my acting and storytelling.
**Interviewer:** Since starting this new chapter, have you heard from former students? What’s their response been?
**Pat Murphey:** Yes! It’s been heartwarming. One former student sent me a collection of screenshots from my appearances, marked with notes. Reconnecting with past students through this journey has made it even more special.
**Interviewer:** What has been one of your most memorable experiences as an actor so far?
**Pat Murphey:** There have been many! A standout moment was during filming for *Halloween Ends* when I was offered the role of a barback at a Halloween party. I was unsure of what it entailed at first, but it turned out to be a fun experience where I avoided non-stop dancing to clean glasses instead!
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what advice would you give to others considering a late-life career change like you?
**Pat Murphey:** Embrace your passions, no matter your age. Life is too short not to explore new interests. Whether it’s acting or any other pursuit, step outside your comfort zone and be open to the magic of new opportunities!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Pat! It’s inspiring to hear your story and how you’re making the most of this exciting chapter in your life.
**Pat Murphey:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share my journey.
