Hollywood Stuntman and Kentucky Native to Bring an Exciting Show to Bowling Green

In a big first, folks in Bowling Green are in for some major thrills as their homegrown guy turned Hollywood stuntman, Tom O’Connell, is set to grace the city in a one-of-a-kind event. This event is part of something called the Republic Bank Foundation Speaker Series and set up by an organization called Kentucky to the World (KTW). It all unfolds on Friday, September 27, at 5:30 p.m. at the WKU Innovation Campus HQ.

KTW, for those who don’t know, showcases talent from Kentucky on an international platform. Until now, they have been mostly active in Louisville, but with this event, they are extending their reach to Bowling Green.

So, who is Tom O’Connell? Well, he’s a stuntman from Louisville who has served as a stunt double for legendary characters like Darth Vader and the Heavy Mandalorian. Now he’s returning to his roots to share his unique journey from Kentucky to Hollywood, swapping dreams of being an astronaut or NASA engineer for the thrilling life of a stuntman in the movie and TV business.

The whole shebang promises an opportunity to witness live stunts and thrilling demonstrations while having some chit-chat with O’Connell himself. Folks, especially the middle-school kids and above, are welcome to attend. If you’re all about action-packed films, or just curious about the stunt work, this one’s for you.

Tickets for this event are going for $25 each and can be picked up from kentuckytotheworld.org. And here’s an added bonus, middle school and university students get in for free, owing to the generous support of KTW donors and sponsors. So, for educators interested in taking their students to the event, just drop an email to tickets@kentuckytotheworld.org.

Now, a day before the main event, there will be an exclusive student session with O’Connell, hosted by KTW and Carol Martin Gatton Academy. This pre-event gives Academy students the chance to interact with the stuntman in a more personal setting.

A quick info on KTW – since its inception in 2012, the organization has been working hard to raise the cultural and intellectual reputation of Kentucky by telling captivating stories of extraordinary Kentuckians. They do this through live events, TV specials, digital content, and school programs. By expanding into Bowling Green, they continue to celebrate the successes of Kentuckians like Tom O’Connell, whose work in the stunt industry has left an impressive mark beyond state borders.

For more handy information on the event and work of KTW, just drop by kentuckytotheworld.org.