Actor Kevin Sebastian Recalls Hazlet Roots Ahead Of Film Fest

HAZLET, NJ — An actor whose love of the craft began right in Hazlet will be back in the area when his new television series is shown at the Smodcastle Film Festival in Atlantic Highlands.

Opening night of the festival, Nov. 30, features Kevin Sebastian, who started as a local actor and has become a successful New York television mainstay.

Another Kevin, local filmmaker and director Kevin Smith, will open the Smodcastle Film Festival at his Atlantic Movie House (now Smodcastle Cinemas) in Atlantic Highlands on Nov. 30.

Sebastian stars with Smith’s longtime collaborator Jason Mewes in the new series "The Undesirables," which is on tap for the festival's opening night, according to a publicist for the event.

"The comedy features a dysfunctional motley crew doing whatever it takes to prevent an evil real estate mogul (Sebastian) and his devilish boss from eliminating purgatory and sending everyone straight to hell," as the series is described in a news release.

Sebastian and the rest of "The Undesirables" cast will be among the fans when the Smodcastle Film Festival opens at 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at Smodcastle Cinemas, 82 First Ave. in Atlantic Highlands.

Tickets can be purchased at https://www.atlanticcinemas.com/smodcastlefilmfestival.

Sebastian attended Hazlet schools, including Raritan High School, where his theater director helped lay the foundation for his life in the theater and in television, he said.

Current Raritan High School theater director Melanie Taylor sparked Sebastian's penchant for performing, he said, "shepherding him through an array of plays and musicals during their four years together."

Teacher Melanie Taylor said she couldn't be prouder of Sebastian's success.

"He was an amazing student and a really talented actor," said Taylor, when reached at the school on Tuesday.

She said his ability to "disappear into his character" is the sign of a special talent.

She looks forward to seeing him in the new series, but Taylor, who herself lives in Atlantic Highlands, said she will be busy the night of the film festival and can't attend.

There is a technical rehearsal that night for the high school's new play, "Almost, Maine." The play is soon to be performed for the public and more on that opening will be coming soon.

After his high school years, Sebastian then attended Bergen County’s Ramapo College of New Jersey, graduating with a degree in theater and minoring in music.

And he has not missed in a beat since in developing his career.

During this time, Sebastian branched out to a number of Red Bank-based arts opportunities, including Red Bank Regional’s performing arts program and the old Fellowship Theater.

After graduation, Sebastian could be seen at many New Jersey professional theaters, including Monmouth County’s New Jersey Repertory in Long Branch, where he made a noted performance in "Sick."

Although theater has always been a staple of his career, garnering him a BroadwayWorld Best Actor Award earlier this year, the news release said, audiences may most often recognize Sebastian from his appearances on CBS shows "Blue Bloods," "Bull" and the "Murphy Brown" revival.

he has also had recent appearances on Amazon Prime’s "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" and Netflix’s "Club de Cuervos" and "Friends from College."