Biography
Pookie’s powerful performances stem from his real-life experiences. Raised in a remote rural area of Wisconsin, he engaged in activities that many only see in movies, such as milking cows, racing snowmobiles and motorcycles, and operating heavy farm machinery. Lyle Allen DeRose Jr. (Pookie) was born on May 30, 1962, in Racine, Wisconsin, to Barbara DeRose (Lutz), a retired executive secretary, and Lyle Allen DeRose Sr., a retired industrial engineer. He has one sister, Cheryl DeRose. Of Italian descent, DeRose grew up working on dairy farms in Wisconsin's dairy country.
After two marriages, Pookie hit the road as a long-haul semi truck driver, eventually settling in Denver, Colorado. There, he married again, started a small trucking company that closed after seven years, and went through another divorce. It was during this time that the producer of the reality show *American Guns*, filmed in Arvada, Colorado, discovered him.
Following his time on the show, Pookie realized his passion was being in front of the camera. He appeared on several other reality TV shows, including *Lords of War* and *Big Rig Bounty*, before transitioning to short films, feature films, and even a few local commercials in Colorado.
