Steve Stanulis (born November 25, 1971, in Staten Island, New York) is an American actor, director, and producer of Italian-Lithuanian descent.[1][2] He was the bodyguard of Kanye West from 2016 to February 2021.[3]
Steve Stanulis | |
|---|---|
| Born | Staten Island, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, director, and producer |
Early life and education
editStanulis was born in Staten Island, New York. He went to New Dorp High School and went on to graduate from Wagner College.
He studied acting at Manhattan's HB Studios.[citation needed]
Career
editStanulis was a former NYPD policeman. He retired from the force in 2002.[4] He was a Chippendales dancer at Savage Men Dance Troupe.[5] He was the bodyguard of Kanye West from 2016 – February 2021.[3] He also worked with Kanye West at his "SNL" meltdown and events in New York Fashion Week and the Met Gala.[6][7]
As a producer, Stanulis produced short films like Dick & Jane, Because of You, and the feature film The Invisible Life of Thomas Lynch.[citation needed]
Stanulis produced a feature film, Long Shot Louie, and created the play Stripped. He also starred in and produced the comedy-drama The Networker.[citation needed]
As an actor, he was cast in The Replacements and Gangs of New York, The Interpreter, I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry, Cupidity, and Over the GW. He has also appeared in TV shows like The Sopranos and The Deuce.[citation needed]
As a director, Stanulis directed Wasted Talent in 2018.[8] It won Best Documentary at the NYCIF. He then directed a horror film called Clinton Road. The film won Best Horror in both the Golden Statuette International Film Festival (GSIFF) and the Philadelphia Independent Film Festival. It was picked up by Midnight Releasing and had a 15 state theatrical release. He also directed a controversial documentary called Race Against Time.[citation needed]
Stanulis also directed and produced films like 5th Borough and Chronicle of a Serial Killer.[citation needed]
As of March 2023 Stanulis continues to produce and star in Great Kills directed by James Merendino.
Controversy
edit
Stanulis was involved in a controversy that involved Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. West accused him of flirting with Kardashian.[9] West threatened him with a $30 million suit, which he claimed that Stanulis agreed to confidentially.[10][11]
The former couple gave him a cease-and-desist letter that claimed he made false and defamatory statements, but Stanulis' legal team threatened to countersue.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Kanye West's Former Bodyguard Is Apparently Making a Documentary About His Time Working for the Rapper". Vanity Fair. March 8, 2021.
- ^ Passy, Kate King and Charles (November 19, 2020). "New York's School Closure Sends Parents Scurrying for Backup". Wall Street Journal – via www.wsj.com.
- ^ a b "Netflix Pays $30 Million For Kanye West Documentary 20 Years In The Making". ScreenRant. April 7, 2021.
- ^ "DMX Reports for Duty as Detective on Set of 'Chronicle of a Serial Killer'". TMZ. 18 June 2019.
- ^ Ahlgrim, Callie. "Kanye West's former bodyguard said the rapper was the 'neediest,' 'moodiest,' and 'worst tipper' of any celebrity he's worked with". Insider.
- ^ "Kanye West's Bodyguard Claims NDA To Keep The Billionaire's Secrets Was Forged". March 18, 2021.
- ^ "Kanye West's Former Bodyguard Reveals Intense Guidelines & 'Ridiculous' Rules". Screen Rant. 18 May 2020.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (October 17, 2018). "'Wasted Talent' Acquired By Freestyle Digital Media; New Trailer For Lillo Brancato Docu Released".
- ^ "Kanye West's Former Bodyguard Claims He's Being 'Bullied' by Rapper, Threatens Lawsuit". Complex.
- ^ "Kanye West's former bodyguard reveals rapper's 'ridiculous rules'". The Independent. May 15, 2020.
- ^ Swallow, Ashley (June 16, 2020). "Are Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Making a Big Mistake Suing Their Former Bodyguard?".
- ^ Silvia, Erin (March 10, 2021). "Steve Stanulis: 5 Things On Kanye West's Ex-Bodyguard Who's Working On Documentary".