In a universe built around make-believe, it is important for actors to play to their strengths. Once Tyler Covington figured that out, the work started coming, he said.
On his resume, he lists firearms, combat, baseball, football, wrestling, golf, basic guitar, driving and horseback as special skills. In a telephone interview, he said that during his acting training, he came to realize he had the face and attitude to play certain roles.
"This industry is very brand-oriented," he explained. "I can play a security guard, a redneck, a football player. It's important that you know who you are. You need to know your lane. If the role calls for a 5-foot-8-inch burly guy, I can do it. I can also play the jolly old dad."
The 34-year-old began chasing his dream a few years ago and has landed roles on the TV series "Ozark" and the films "Day Shift," "Purse," "Traffickers" and "42." He has new projects coming as well, including a summer reality series on Discovery, "The Garden," in which he plays the lead. It's his first role as a series regular, and it "could be my breakout," he said.
Covington graduated from Ooltewah High School in 2007 and is married with a child. He works locally for his father, Rob, selling insurance. The acting bug bit him during the filming of "42" here in 2014. The Jackie Robinson biopic was filmed largely at Engel Stadium. Covington said he and buddy Jake Sharrock tried out to be ballplayers.
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Covington later got a small part in "Day Shift" with Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg. Though his part got cut, he was hooked. But the casting people remembered him and called him for other roles later.
"They remember you if you show up on time and do your job, and if you fit the part," Covington said. "I can sell myself, and I have a personality. They want someone that they sincerely like."
Covington said that seemed to be the case with his bit playing a mechanic on "Ozark." He's in episode 11 of season 4. It's the episode where Jason Bateman's character finally snaps during a road-rage incident. It was the first episode directed by co-star Laura Linney.
"There were like 300 or 400 submissions for the part," Covington said. "She loved me, and that really got me started."
Covington said his biggest movie role to date is starring in "Diligence," which is slated to come out next spring in select theaters and will stream on Tubi and Amazon. It was shot in Knoxville.
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He said it is sort of like "The Blind Side" meets "Friday Night Lights," but darker. He plays Coach Kenny Richardson. The story looks at how he and his friend Tick, a fellow former standout football player, played by Walter Martin, struggle as adults in a small Tennessee town after high school.
Covington said his days playing sports growing up help him not only understand the role, but also the character it takes to succeed.
"Once I find the passion for something, I won't take no for an answer," he said.
He added that he relies on his faith too, and tries to present that message to anyone who will listen.
"I pray every day that I might be used in some way for good," he said. "There is so much negativity, but I try to be positive."
Contact Barry Courter at life@timesfreepress.com.
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