Hollywood Stuntman Hailing from Kentucky to Wow Bowling Green in First KTW Event

For the first time ever, Kentucky to the World (KTW), a nonprofit that shines a spotlight on Kentucky-born talent, is thrilling locals of Bowling Green with an exciting event featuring Hollywood stuntman, Tom O’Connell.

This unforgettable event, part of the Republic Bank Foundation Speaker Series, is set to take place at WKU’s Innovation Campus HQ on Friday, September 27, at 5:30 p.m. The event promises to be a major milestone for KTW, as it makes a bold move to spread its impact beyond its regular venue in Louisville.

It’s a stellar chance for the community in Bowling Green to witness live stunts, riveting demonstrations, and have engaging tête-à-têtes with O’Connell. O’Connell, a proud native of Louisville, is best known for his impressive stunt work doubling for iconic characters like Darth Vader and the Heavy Mandalorian.

O’Connell, armed with computer engineering degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, dreamt of being an astronaut or NASA engineer. However, his unquenchable passion for performance reincarnated him into an incomparable stuntman in the realm of film and television.

KTW is tickled pink to host this event at the WKU Innovation Campus. KTW’s president and CEO, Shelly Zegart, believes that bringing this innovative program to Bowling Green is a remarkable achievement for KTW. According to Zegart, KTW’s mission is to amplify extraordinary talent that has its roots in Kentucky, and Tom O’Connell’s story reassures that creativity and passion are alive and well in the Bluegrass State.

The event will host interactive sessions with O’Connell, giving attendees a peek into the electrifying world of stunts, stagecraft, and on-screen combat. Community members, particularly those of middle school age and up, are welcome to be part of this journey. If you’re a fan of action-packed films or intrigued by stunt work, you’re in for a treat!

If you’re keen to attend, adult tickets for the event are a flat 25 bucks, and you can nab one at kentuckytotheworld.org. Great news for local middle school through university-age students, your entry is on the house, thanks to the generosity of KTW donors and sponsors. Teachers hoping to bring their students along are encouraged to drop an email to tickets@kentuckytotheworld.org .

As a cherry on top, a day before the main event, KTW and the Carol Martin Gatton Academy are putting together an exclusive student briefing with O’Connell on Thursday, September 26. During this special session, Academy students will get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with the ace stuntman.

Since its foundation in 2012, KTW has consistently contributed to bolstering the cultural and intellectual reputation of Kentucky. By sharing awe-inspiring stories of extraordinary people who are proud Kentuckians, KTW has successfully turned around the narrative about Kentucky’s influence on the world stage.

With its venture into Bowling Green, KTW continues to tell the stories of amazing Kentuckians like Tom O’Connell, whose work has had a lasting impact far beyond his home state. To explore more about the event and KTW’s work, head over to kentuckytotheworld.org.