Story & Lesson Highlights with George Tutie of Cleveland

We recently had the chance to connect with George Tutie and have shared our conversation below.

George, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I guess a moment recently where I felt proud was finally quitting my day job at the Aldi Warehouse in Hinckley, Ohio. I was employed by Aldi for 13 years. Thats a good chunk of someone’s life. The past 5 or 6 years i just wasnt happy. It continued to get worse the longer I stayed. I’ll be honest, Aldi is not the same company I worked for way back when but the main reason I left was I became stagnant. I wasnt going anywhere there. I had been talking about leaving for a long time and it got to the point where I was coming into work incredibly depressed, angry, sad and hopeless and I really had no one to blame but myself. I shouldn’t have let myself get to that point. If I could pass on a morsel of knowledge that I’ve gained from working for a company that doesnt truly appreciate your hard work it would be, if you’re unhappy in your life or at your job you need to make a change! Don’t hold off. I know it’s scary. Believe me, I still dont know what I’m doing but you cant stay stagnant. Doing the same mundane thing over and over will only bring you down. That company can will quickly replace you. Obviously, you are not easily replaceable but to that company they dont care about the blood, sweat and tears you poured out for it. Think of it as one last “Screw you!” You know you’re better than them!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Well, my name is George Michael Tutie. Before you ask, yes, my mom chose my middle name after the singer, George Michael. I’ve been an actor for a little over 20 years now. Has it really been that long?! Geez, time flies. I’ve performed in many Independent films and short films over the years. Ive even taken a stab at directing with my short film, For Love, back in 2019. I continue to stay busy with various projects. Roger Conners’ film, Meat, recently premiered to a sold out crowd at The Capitol Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio. I played Deputy Chris Richards. Im so proud of that film and Roger Conners. Roger has been a good friend of mine in the acting community for years and when he asked me to be a part of his latest film I jumped at the chance. He’s an incredibly talented individual and Meat turned out to be a fantastic, gory, LGBTQ horror masterpiece!
On top of Meat’s stellar performance, I have James Neyman’s film, Savage premiering in September. I had a lot of fun with that one. I play a clone. I dont know what all I’m allowed to talk about some that’s all I’ll say. James is amazing! He’s a master with special effects, camerawork, directing, etc. The list goes on! Funny story about Savage. The main reason I’m in that film is because I owed him a favor for working on my film, For Love. He was my DP and editor. He told me not to pay him. The one thing he wanted was, when the time came, I would act in a two of his films. The other film I cant talk much about yet but there is something else coming that ive already finished acting in.
Zombies (In 2D) premiered in June on YouTube. This was a fun, grindhouse style short film I did with Robbie Barnes-Kyriakides and Hailey Reinke. James Neyman shot it. I love working with Robbie. Anytime she asks me to do something I drop whatever I have planned just so I can work with her. She’s one of the best around. Ive known her almost as long as I’ve been acting.
I also need to mention that The Melon Heads: House of Crow with finally be available to stream this fall. We sold out two premiere screenings for this film! It was definitely a cool moment for me. The film turned out to be a fun flick!
There are so any more projects on the horizon that I always forget to mention something. Lord willing, I will make a return to the director’s chair sometime in the next few years. I have a couple cool ideas banging around in my head and a few finished scripts.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
This one is easy. The person who has always seen me clearly is my mom. Ive had a hard time being confident in myself and my abilities. Ive never known what I was doing. If I was making the right choices. There was always one person that knew I was on the right path even now when I question myself. My mom always saw the artistic side of me. Whether that was choir, show choir, acting, writing, dj-ing. None of these were things I thought I could do but my mother knew. She was confident in me. I love my mom. We’ve always been close. I think she sees a bit of her in me. Were both dreamers. We both see the world in a different light. I will never stop singing my mother’s praises when it comes to this subject because without her there believing in me I probably wouldnt have done anything.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that you’re doing the best you can. I would tell him that it’s okay to fail. Don’t worry about moving back in with your parents after California and New York. It wasnt meant to be. There are so many more stories for you to experience right here. You’re going to go through some rough points but those high moments, those times when you come out on top are well worth it. You’re going to get to play some awesome characters on screen! You get to play Superman and The Punisher! You’re going to write a short film and turn it into a finished product! Don’t get too down on yourself because you really are something special. Its okay if not everyone can see it. Just know that you are meant to be where you’re at.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What do you believe is true but cannot prove?
An after life. Im a spiritual person. I believe in God. I believe in a higher power. I just feel like there is more to this life than just living and dying. There have been moments in my life when I’ve felt the presence of something supernatural. Now, many of the “I only believe in facts and truth” people will argue that it’s all in my head and that I’m an idiot. Thats fine. I believe what I believe. I do find it ironic how many of those people will tell me I’m stupid for my beliefs but I will respect theirs.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
Who boy! I would probably stop working and travel the world. I think we waste too much of our lives working and you’re talking to a guy whose wasted a lot of his life working. This is no disrespect to anyone who enjoys working. I do get a lot of satisfaction from putting in a hard days work. Whether its at my day job, an acting gig or dj-ing always put in a 1000%. I leave there with a job well done feeling but I want to see what else is out there! I want more experiences. There is so much on this big beautiful planet that I want to see. Theres so much that I want to do! Who knows! Maybe one day I will quit working and see what the world has to offer!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgetutie?igsh=MWZ2N3l0dmF4dHZjaA==
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-tutie-73a698126?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Mm4nFFeEg/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@georgetutie9474?si=VL2rF449Cclv7Sfs
• Other: https://www.facebook.com/share/16EHtiYbUT/

Image Credits
Vince Falconer, Scott T. Morrison