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Douglas Swander is an American actor, singer, songwriter, and performer recognized for his roles in films such as "October Sky" (starring Jake Gyllenhaal), "The Chamber" (featuring Gene Hackman), and "Razortooth" (with Josh Gad). He also appeared on the syndicated talent show "Star Search" hosted by Ed McMahon and was the featured vocalist on NBC's "The Miss America Pageant" alongside co-hosts Gary Collins and Kathy Lee Gifford. Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, Swander played the role of Herb in a regional touring production of "Godspell" by age nineteen. At twenty, he was the lead singer of a nine-piece band on Cincinnati’s NBC affiliate during the regional daily live variety show "The Bob Braun Show."
In the early 1980s, Swander relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, where he spent a decade working as a singer and songwriter. He was a regular on the Grand Ole Opry’s WSM 650 Radio Show "The Waking Crew" for five years and simultaneously appeared on the NBC affiliate’s daily live variety show "Channel Four Magazine." While in Nashville, he studied with renowned vocal coach Renee Grant-Williams and served as a facilitator for her Master Class. His voice was featured on over one hundred demos and thirty jingles recorded for Sony's Epic Label. As a songwriter, he was on staff at Warner/Chappell Music Publishing for five years, with his catalog achieving twelve album cuts and four released singles.
In 2001, Swander moved to Los Angeles to advance his career in music, film, and television. He has performed in New York, Atlantic City, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles alongside legends such as Henry Mancini, Ray Price, Michael McDonald, David Foster, Tammy Wynette, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bill Medley. He has collaborated with celebrated songwriters and producers including John Bettis (The Carpenters), Josh Leo (Martina McBride, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Billy Strange (Elvis Presley, Frank & Nancy Sinatra), Skip Scarborough (Anita Baker), and Joe Thomas (Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys).
As an actor, Swander has appeared in over a dozen national commercials for brands like Taco Bell, Kellogg’s, Pillsbury, Toyota, and Sunchips, working with commercial directors such as John Dykstra (Star Wars, Spider-Man) and Steve Steigman (noted for the Maxell "Blown Away" campaign). His film work includes direction by Joe Johnston, James Foley, Jon Favreau, Sam Raimi, Mike Elliott, and others. In Los Angeles, he has trained with acting coaches Allan Rich (Serpico) and Julie Ariola (Sons of Anarchy, Deadwood).
Currently based in Los Angeles, Swander’s recent projects include performing the role of Cass Country Boy in SAG-AFTRA Radio Plays, reenacting the Gene Autry Melody Ranch Radio Show from the 1940s-50s CBS Radio under director Bob Telford. He has been the lead singer for the 16-piece swing bands The Angel City Big Band and The Horace Heidt Jr. Big Band, performing at various venues across the city. He is also engaged in writing, narrating, and composing music—with arrangements by Milton Nelson—for an original series of short cowboy stories inspired by his longtime friend, mentor, and Rawhide co-star Sheb Wooley.
