Ed Lester

For Ed Lester, acting has been a lifelong passion. After growing up in Florida and completing his military service, Ed began to pursue that urge to perform. Having relocated to the Chicago area, Ed found his acting opportunities burgeoning. A turning point was his encounter with prominent Chicago agent Shirley Hamilton, who observed him running lines with his 8-year-old son at an audition for child actors. Ms. Hamilton declared that Ed's son was "very talented" and so was his dad. Both father and son were promptly signed by the agency. Subsequently, Ed appeared in several local stage productions as well as advertising and industrial films. Finding himself a single parent with two young sons, Ed suspended his acting career in order to provide stability and support for his boys. During that time he launched a successful management company and worked in the health insurance industry. Ed never lost his love of acting, however, and he continued to hone his craft by seeking improvisation training at Chicago's celebrated Second City and completing courses in cold reading and on- camera techniques at The Audition Center. Ed is focusing on his acting career, building on his reputation as a popular performer in local stage productions, and expanding his presence in Chicago's vibrant film industry. Ed is featured in a supporting role in the film Cooke Concrete, which will mark its World Premiere at the Cinequest Film and VR Festival in February and March of 2018 in San Jose, California. With his diverse background in film, theater, industrial and commercial productions, Ed is well-prepared and eager to pursue new challenges in the entertainment arena. Ed is represented for acting, voice and print by Shirley Hamilton Inc.