Brian Patrick Butler is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, and film producer. He is known for writing and directing the film Friend of the World (2020), writing and performing in the film Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea (2023), and appearing in the films South of 8 (2016), Thane of East County (2015) and We All Die Alone (2021).
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Life and career
While pursuing a degree in theatre arts at San Diego State University, Butler directed a production of Stephen Adly Guirgis's play The Last Days of Judas Iscariot. He also attended British American Drama Academy at Magdalen College, Oxford. After graduating, Butler performed at New Village Arts Theatre in the West Coast premieres of The House Theatre of Chicago's The Nutcracker and Sarah Ruhl's Stage Kiss. He was also cast in Return to the Forbidden Planet at New Village Arts and played KJ in Ion Theatre's production of Annie Baker's The Aliens. During this time, Butler acted in the feature films South of 8 and Thane of East County before writing and directing two short films: Hatred and The Phantom Hour. In 2017, Butler starred in the short film Assumption and later in Hacksaw, a feature-length slasher film with Sadie Katz and Cortney Palm.
Released films
In 2016, Butler formulated a script titled Friend of the World. In 2020, the film premiered virtually at the Oceanside International Film Festival during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the premiere, Butler mentioned he was inspired by the works of John Carpenter and Samuel Beckett. The film was distributed by Troma Entertainment in 2022 and is listed as one of the 100 Best Zombie Movies, Ranked by Tomatometer.
In 2023, Butler starred as Liz Topham-Myrtle, a ruthless landlady, in a film made from his screenplay Hemet, or the Landlady Don't Drink Tea. Directed by Tony Olmos, it was distributed by BayView Entertainment in 2024. Butler was nominated for acting, writing and editing at the 13th Oceanside International Film Festival.
Upcoming film: A Corpse in Kensington
In 2024, Butler directed a film titled A Corpse in Kensington, based on his own screenplay. Produced by Butler and Justin Burquist, the film features Michael Madsen, Ryan Bollman, Derrick Acosta, Vinny Curran, and Kimberly Weinberger. The film entered post-production in late 2024. In 2026, Butler confirmed the film will be a psychological slasher romcom set on Halloween 2010 in Kensington, San Diego.