Ken Olandt

Ken Olandt, an American actor, producer, and co-founder of Unified Film Organization, LLC. Olandt is best known for starring roles in Summer School (1987), Leprechaun (1992), and April Fool's Day (1986). Olandt was born on April 22, 1958 in Richmond California. The second son of Robert H. Olandt, an oil executive, and Beverly Olandt who is a polio survivor. Olandt's childhood and formative years were spent in Vancouver, British Columbia where his love for ice-hockey was born. Olandt attended the Art Center College of Design, studying advertising and illustration. While meeting friends at a Hollywood restaurant, Olandt was approached by talent agent Harry Gold to consider acting. This chance meeting led to a flurry of auditions. Within the first month, Olandt had received a test option for a role on One Life to Live (1968), guest starring role on Matt Houston (1982), and a screen test with John Milius and cast for the lead role Red Dawn (1984). Olandt's acting career was now in gear and led to being a regularly hired performer on Aaron Spelling, Stephen J. Cannell, and Glen A. Larson, television productions. 1985 was a pivotal point for Olandt. He was cast in a regular role as Dooley on Riptide (1984), and he married dancer, Janine Sabih Olandt. For their honeymoon, Spelling gave Olandt a guest role on The Love Boat (1977) - French Riviera Cruise - Movie of the Week. The opportunity to enter into the realm of Feature Film actor came along in his role as Larry Kazimias in the Paramount Production, Summer School directed by Carl Reiner. A succession of starring roles in both feature films and as regular on series television followed. In 1995 Olandt co-founded an independent feature film licensing company (UFO), which specialized in special effect driven action and adventure films. The company was the pioneer in desk-top level computer effects and independent action movie making. Olandt suspended his acting pursuits to focus on the duties of producing, finance, and foreign licensing. The company produced three movies a year and eventually was sold in 2000 to a publicly-held German distribution company. The sale took the company to Bulgaria at which point, Olandt sold his operational and transitioned to financing. In 2015, at the request of his eldest daughter Charlie Taylor, a singer/song writer and actress, Olandt auditioned for and was booked on a Sprint National Commercial. Olandt and his wife have 5 children.