Who is Drew Moerlein?
The entertainment world is full of talented people, but Drew Moerlein (pronounced MORE-line) stands out for all the right reasons. This 6-foot actor, producer, and writer has managed to make his mark across Broadway, television, film, and now video games—a pretty impressive feat in today’s competitive landscape.
Right now, everyone’s talking about his biggest role yet: Captain America in Skydance New Media’s upcoming video game “Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra,” which hits shelves in 2025. Landing this iconic role represents years of hard work paying off in a big way.
What makes Drew different isn’t just his acting chops. He’s got a sharp business mind and treats his career like the entrepreneurial venture it really is. While many actors focus solely on the craft, Drew understands that sustainable success means thinking like both an artist and a CEO.
Growing Up Creative
Small Town Beginnings
Drew Moerlein’s story starts in Freeville, a tiny town outside Ithaca in upstate New York. Born on May 25th, he grew up in a house where creativity wasn’t just encouraged—it was everywhere. His dad sculpted, his mom danced and worked as a nurse, and art was simply part of daily life.
The Moerlein family did things a bit differently. For years, they didn’t even own a TV, instead checking out shows like “Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman” and “Roots” from the library. Rather than feeling deprived, this actually sparked Drew’s imagination in ways that probably wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
Most of his childhood was spent outdoors—playing in the creek behind their house, fishing in local ponds, and soaking up stories from his Alaska-raised father. These early experiences with nature and storytelling would later influence his approach to fitness and his appreciation for authentic, grounded performances.
Finding Theater in New Hampshire
When Drew turned eleven, the family packed up for New Hampshire after his father landed a teaching job at Derryfield School. This move changed everything for Drew’s artistic development, especially when he and his brother eventually became students there.
Derryfield’s theater program became Drew’s second home. Under teachers Jim Spiegel and Laurel Devino, he discovered what real acting training looked like. This wasn’t just school plays—it was serious craft development that gave him his first taste of collaborative storytelling.
The foundation he built at Derryfield led him straight to Syracuse University for a BFA in Acting. The intensive training there equipped him with the technical skills and professional discipline that would prove essential throughout his career.
Making It in New York
The Actor’s Life
Fresh out of Syracuse, Drew made the classic move to New York City. Like countless actors before him, he settled in Astoria, Queens, ready to take on the theater capital of America. The next decade would test everything he’d learned about persistence and craft.
Those early years meant the usual actor survival jobs—waiting tables, bartending, endless auditions. But Drew caught some breaks early on, landing commercial work that provided both income and valuable camera experience. More importantly, it was during this Astoria period that he met Adrienne, who would become his wife and biggest supporter.
Adrienne’s role in Drew’s success can’t be overstated. As he puts it, she became his “rock,” helping him navigate the emotional ups and downs that come with pursuing an acting career in one of the world’s toughest markets.
Broadway Breakthrough
Drew’s big break came with “American Psycho,” the Tony Award-nominated musical where he originated the role of Paul Owen. This Broadway debut wasn’t just another credit—it was his introduction to the highest level of American theater.
Working on a Tony-nominated show taught Drew lessons you can’t get anywhere else. The collaborative intensity, the demanding schedule, performing for New York’s most discerning audiences—all of it contributed to his growth as both a performer and a professional.
That Broadway success became his launching pad into television and film, proving he could handle complex characters and work effectively with established casts.
Building a Screen Career
Television Work
Drew’s move from stage to screen was smart and strategic. His guest spots on established shows like “NCIS: New Orleans” and “Blue Bloods” showed he could adapt to television’s fast pace and different production demands.
His most memorable TV role was probably Dusty in “South of Hell,” where he got to work opposite Mena Suvari. The character was described as “unassuming but sinister”—exactly the kind of complex role that lets an actor show real range.
Each television experience taught him something new about camera work, different production styles, and how episodic storytelling works. These weren’t just jobs; they were building blocks for a more versatile career.
Film Portfolio
Drew’s movie work shows impressive range, from cult horror to mainstream comedy. His early role in “V/H/S,” which premiered at Sundance and became a horror cult classic, established his credibility in the genre film world.
More recently, “Bloodline Killer” showcased his evolution as both actor and producer. Working alongside Tyrese Gibson, Bruce Dern, and Shawnee Smith while also executive producing demonstrated his commitment to being involved in projects from start to finish.
Other notable credits include “Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose” with Simon Pegg and Christopher Lloyd, and “The Ballad of a Hustler,” which has been making waves on the festival circuit. His filmography spans horror, thriller, comedy, and drama—proof that he’s not interested in being typecast.
Becoming Captain America
Landing the Role
When news broke that Drew Moerlein would play Captain America in “Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra,” it marked a huge moment for both his career and video game storytelling. This Skydance New Media project represents something new—cinematic gaming that blends high-quality performance with interactive entertainment.
Set in Nazi-occupied Paris, the game puts Captain America in one of history’s darkest chapters. Drew has to embody the character’s moral strength during humanity’s greatest test, which requires more than just physical presence—it demands understanding what Captain America represents as a symbol.
The technical side of video game acting presented unique challenges. Unlike film or TV, Drew had to imagine entire digital environments that would be created later. But as he points out, that’s really what actors do all the time—create believable circumstances through imagination.
The Character’s Meaning
Drew approaches Captain America with deep respect for the character’s history and what he represents today. Created in 1940 as an anti-Nazi figure, Captain America embodies the fight between good and evil in its purest form.
In Drew’s interpretation, Captain America is “a beacon of light” who tries to resolve conflicts peacefully but will use force when necessary to defeat evil. This philosophy aligns with Drew’s personal values about leading with kindness while standing firm against wrongdoing.
Given today’s global conflicts and divisions, Drew sees Captain America’s message as more relevant than ever. The role isn’t just an acting job—it’s a responsibility to audiences who need heroes that represent hope and moral clarity.
The Business Side
Producer and Entrepreneur
Drew’s move into producing wasn’t just about creative control—it was strategic career expansion. His producing credits include “Bloodline Killer,” “Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose,” “What Remains of Us” with Kit Harington, and “The Plantation.”
This behind-the-camera work has given him insights into development, financing, marketing, and distribution. Understanding these aspects makes him a better collaborator in his acting work because he grasps the pressures producers and directors face.
More importantly, producing aligns with his philosophy that actors need to think like business owners, not just artists waiting for the next job.
Multiple Revenue Streams
Drew’s approach to his career is refreshingly practical. He calls himself a “Swiss army knife,” working across voiceover, video games, film, TV, Broadway, regional theater, narration, audiobooks, animation, and modeling.
This diversification isn’t just about money—though financial stability matters. It’s about exploring different aspects of performance and storytelling while building a sustainable career in an unpredictable industry.
Drew is passionate about sharing this business mindset with other actors. He regularly speaks about the importance of multiple revenue streams and treating your career as an entrepreneurial venture rather than just hoping for the next big break.
Personal Life
Family Support
Drew’s marriage to Adrienne has been crucial to his success. They met during his Astoria years, and she’s been his constant support through all the career ups and downs.
Their relationship faced an early test when Drew got a starring TV role that required him to be in Charleston, South Carolina, within 72 hours—just six days before their wedding. His agents gave him three days off for the ceremony, but they had to cancel their honeymoon.
This experience perfectly illustrates the sacrifices that come with an acting career. Drew and Adrienne’s ability to navigate these challenges has only strengthened their partnership.
Fitness and Balance
Physical fitness isn’t just vanity for Drew—it’s professional necessity. He runs 25 miles a week, hits the gym regularly, and has a home setup with a pull-up bar and punching bag for calisthenics.
But exercise is about more than staying in shape. Drew relies on the endorphins from intense workouts as his “preferred natural drug” for mental health. This holistic approach reflects his understanding that peak performance requires both physical and mental preparation.
For roles like Captain America, this fitness commitment is essential. The character’s superhuman abilities need to be convincingly portrayed through the actor’s physical presence and conditioning.
Looking Ahead
Drew Moerlein represents something new in entertainment—someone who combines artistic excellence with business smarts, traditional skills with cutting-edge technology, and personal integrity with professional ambition. His journey from small-town New York to portraying America’s most iconic superhero shows what’s possible with persistence, versatility, and strategic thinking.
The upcoming “Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra” isn’t just another role—it’s proof of his ability to embody characters that inspire audiences. Taking on such an iconic figure during one of history’s darkest periods speaks to both his acting abilities and his understanding of the character’s deeper meaning.
Maybe most importantly, Drew’s career approach offers a roadmap for other entertainers. His emphasis on diversification, business thinking, and multiple revenue streams provides practical guidance for success in an increasingly complex industry.
As 2025 approaches and “Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra” gets ready for release, Drew Moerlein is positioned for even greater success. His combination of talent, work ethic, and strategic vision shows what it means to be a modern entertainment professional—someone who creates opportunities, builds businesses, and inspires others to pursue their artistic and entrepreneurial dreams.
