Originally Published by The Star Post & Reposted by Melrose Area Public Schools with Permission.
The Star Post Writer: Carol Moorman
Life is surreal for Tim Herkenhoff.
This 36-year-old man, who grew up on a St. Rosa dairy farm, attended college and played semi-professional football, is now in Los Angeles, California, living the life of an actor and model while working as a personal trainer.
His on-camera highlights include the television shows “NCIS-Hawaii” and “General Hospital” and the Hallmark feature film, “Two Tickets to Paradise,” along with commercial and print credits. Two of his commercial credits were shown during the Feb. 9 Super Bowl — one about the NFL and the other advertising Dunkin’ Donuts.
“I come from a blue-collar family with generations of farm families, and this is a little off the beaten path,” Tim said during a Feb. 17 phone interview. “I feel like the wild card, but it’s fun.”
Becoming an actor was not on Tim’s radar growing up. The son of Bernie and Diane Herkenhoff — and a sibling to Loren, Kayla, Brad, Tom and Jody — Tim was not in high school plays.
“I played football all through high school,” he said. “It was my family connection with numerous cousins who played high school and college football and an uncle (Matt Herkenhoff) who played for the Kansas City Chiefs.”
As a child, he liked watching movies, but he never imagined acting would be an opportunity he would have the chance try.
“My mom would say I was glued to the TV,” Tim said.
In a high school drama class taught by Marit Elliott, he helped put together a video. And while he was “moved by it,” he never thought becoming an actor was possible.
Tim attended college and admitted to being at a loss for what he really wanted to do in life. While working as a trainer at 1st Athlete, he got to know a co-worker who was also a model and connected Tim with his talent agent in Minneapolis.
“At the time, I was insecure and bashful,” he said.
Tim’s cousin, Amy Herkenhoff-Terres, took his headshots.
He learned it was about making the right connections.
Tim’s agent suggested, if he wanted to act in commercials, he should take an on-camera class.
“I did it and faced that fear,” Tim said.
Ironically, the class was taught by a small-town farm boy from Kimball, Bill Cooper, who became a news anchor and did commercials.
Tim took scene study classes and explored a larger market where actors went on to work on shows like “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago PD.”
About six years ago, he signed with an agency and moved to LA with a goal of making a living as an actor and model.
His family was encouraging, which he was grateful for.
To make a living, Tim worked as a trainer at a high-end gym frequented by people in the entertainment world.
Soon, he was getting commercial gigs and modeling and acting bookings, all while gaining confidence.
“It was two years of burning the candle at both ends to keep my head out of water,” Tim said.
He took as many acting, improv and stunt classes as possible.
Tim’s first TV credit was in Season One, Episode 14 of “NCIS-Hawaii.” For the shoot, he spent four days filming in Hawaii.
“We had an early call time at 5 a.m., and they got me to my trailer,” he said. “The set was literally on the beach. … A producer walks out and asks, ‘Are you Tim? We’re ready for you.’”
The shoot was over before he knew it.
“The director came over and said, ‘Great job,’” Tim said.
A few months later, he was booked for the reoccurring role of Samuel, a prison guard, on “General Hospital.”
Then, he landed the supporting lead character part of Marcus Roberson in “Two Tickets to Paradise.” He had close to 10 pages with dialog.
“That was my biggest character to date,” Tim said.
He was hired for the two-week acting gig, and, since he is a member of The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, he was paid the standard weekly contract.
The movie has aired numerous times on the Hallmark channel.
“The nice part is you get residuals, so every time it airs, you will see money from that,” he said.
For the NFL commercial, he played Brad, a sports jock. Simultaneously, he had the Dunkin’ Donuts commercial shot in downtown LA, where he delivered one line.
On Super Bowl Sunday, Tim watched the game with his girlfriend, waiting for his commercials to air.
“Seconds after they played, my phone started blowing up,” he said. “It was overwhelming.”
Tim looks back on the last few years with gratitude.
“It’s all been such a blessing,” he said. “It’s been a humbling thing, just growing the confidence. … You just have to put yourself out there.”
Tim said the most challenging part is the fast-paced life in LA, in an industry where you “have to ride the wave.”
“I’m inching closer and closer to making a living between acting and modeling,” he said.
At times, Tim said he has to pinch himself to make sure he is not dreaming about his life — and career — in Hollywood, where he has met interesting people from all walks of life.
“It really is the melting pot of the world,” he said.
He is grateful for the work ethic his parents instilled in him and his siblings growing up on the farm.
“I feel blessed that God has been so good to me,” he said. “I’m super grateful, and I don’t take it for granted.”
His goal is to someday give back for his good fortune. It stems from years ago, when he visited his brother, who was in a hospital in Minneapolis, and he saw families going through challenging times.
“It’s my mission statement as I entertain and inspire people that I would be blessed to use this platform for something bigger than myself,” he said.
Tim continues building a community of actor friends in LA but never forgets his Stearns County roots.
“I still think, at the end of the day, whatever magnitude of success I achieve, I’ll still be a small-town farm kid at heart,” he said.
