News Service

3-14-08

ISU entomologist stars in Top 10 finalist in Tide commercial contest

AMES, Iowa -- Something's been bugging Brendan Dunphy, and it hasn't been the mosquitoes he works with daily as a research assistant in the Iowa State University medical entomology lab. A 2007 ISU graduate who earned degrees in zoology, entomology, and animal ecology, Dunphy landed his first acting role in his junior year at Iowa State. And now he'd like to some day make his career in show business.

He now sees a big opportunity as he stars in "The Marriage Proposal," one of 10 national finalists for a Tide To Go commercial contest. The entry, produced by the Bondurant production company Dark Art Films (http://www.darkartfilms.com/), can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/mytalkingstain. Dunphy is the young man wearing the white shirt and red tie.

Contest voting is being conducted through Monday, March 24, on the YouTube site. The winning ad will be aired on prime time television nationally.

Dunphy, who is from Wilton, Iowa, had never participated in theater before coming to Iowa State. His father encouraged him to give it a try and in his first audition during his third year at ISU, he landed the lead role in the ISU Theatre production of "James and the Giant Peach." Director Sarah Zwick-Tapley, a member of the ISU theater faculty, cast Dunphy in the role of "James" for that play and continues to be a mentor for him.

Since that initial fall 2005 audition, Dunphy reports that he is now regularly participating in stage performances, and he's also appeared in six films, some local commercials, and some corporation videos.

"I guess it's a very new thing for me, involvement in show business," Dunphy said. "It takes people by surprise (since he's an entomologist), and I think that surprise is warrented. But it's one of the ways I defy stereotypes."

He's patiently waiting to make show business his career. That may become more of a reality if his commercial wins the Tide To Go contest. But until then, he's perfectly content experiencing "A Bug's Life" during his day job as an ISU entomologist.

"What you'll find is that many people trying to make a name in show business have day jobs," said Dunphy. "It's great because my day job still has something for me to do that I love. I really wanted to work with animals in some way, and I do. So life is good to me. I have just encountered new things that attract me more than the animal world."

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Brendan Dunphy

Quick look

Brendan Dunphy, ISU entomology, is one of 10 national finalists for a Tide To Go commercial con test. The entry, produced by the Bondurant company Dark Art Films, can be seen at www.youtube.com/mytalkingstain.