Michael Bertrando, actor and owner of Kennett Square’s Sam’s Sub Shop, unexpectedly landed the role of Mark Ruffalo’s body double in the HBO crime drama Task, writes Earl Hopkins for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Before that, the sandwich maker was in theater and commercials for major brands like Mercedes, McDonald’s, and Nintendo, but now helps his aging parents manage the family sandwich shop.
“If I’m being honest, I didn’t want to do it at first because of the sub shop,” he said. “But it’s a good opportunity, obviously. So, I took them up on the offer.”
He never regretted his decision. Working as Ruffalo’s stand-in allowed him to shadow the actor, perform stunt work, and connect with him through their Italian roots and similar early careers in theater and commercials.
“Ruffalo just talked me up so much,” said Bertrando. “He would be watching me on the monitor, and then say, ‘Michael, I’m going to steal what you just did there.’ And then I’d joke and say I was his acting coach.”
Encouraged by Ruffalo, he even secured a speaking role as “FBI Officer No. 1” in episode five.
Read more about Michael Bertrando becoming close with Mark Ruffalo as his body double in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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