Musician. Actor. Performer. Impressionist.
Kevin Randell wears a wide range of hats that showcase his many talents.
“I’m a Swiss army knife of entertainment,” Randell said. “You never know what you’re going to get.”
The 50-year-old Owasson’s knack for theatrics has led him to receive both statewide and national acclaim through various outlets such as movies, TV shows, stage performances, studio recordings and more.
Randell’s time in the spotlight began at an early age when he first performed in an elementary school play, which then grew into a passion for the creative arts. It wasn’t long until he started honing his humorous side by adapting the personalities of his favorite comics from popular movies.
“I’ve been doing comedic entertainment all of my life,” Randell said. “Artists like Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy and Robin Williams started doing theatrical roles like ‘Austin Powers,’ ‘The Nutty Professor,’ and that inspired me because I could imitate them.”
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He landed a career in sales and banking with degrees in developmental psychology and sports administration while continuing to pursue acting and voiceover work. Transitioning to his current job as an Uber driver in April 2023, however, allowed him to fully express his hidden talents with others.
“I realize I’m these people’s first impression into Tulsa, so I talk with them and I kind of gauge them, and I’m able to do a 5- to 15-minute skit,” said Randell, whose route has led him to not only entertain his customers but also chauffeur different performers.
“It’s a great networking tool. I have picked up fellow comedians; I’ve picked up movie stars; I’ve picked up musicians and bands and I’ve picked up people who perform at the PAC in the Broadway musicals. That’s opened up opportunities.”
Whether it’s working on the set of Sylvester Stallone’s “Tulsa King,” performing at the historic Tootsies Orchid Lounge in Nashville, Tennessee, or impersonating over 60 actors and cartoon characters,” Randell boasts a dynamic repertoire.
His latest role as a stand-in for the character Larry in Stallone’s recent hit series on Paramount+ — his most notable cinematic role to date — follows others on the big screen, including a background role as a law office partner in “A Christmas…Present” with Candace Cameron Bure and an extra in four of six episodes of the Pure Flix film, “A Thousand Tomorrows.”
Additionally, Randell made the first round of interviews to be a contestant on “Press Your Luck” as well as the final round of interviews to appear on “Deal or No Deal.” He also auditioned for a speaking role on Hulu’s “Reservation Dogs.”
“The great thing is, is the experience,” Randell said about his time spent on the backlots of Hollywood. “I’ve learned so much about the industry, a lot of things that happen behind the scenes.”
When he’s not gracing the film spotlight, Randell can be seen — or heard, rather — perfecting his nearly five dozen impressions, which include the likes of Shrek, Darth Vader, Matthew McConaughey, Sean Connery and more. He also dabbles in various accents that span the globe, from English and Scottish to German and Russian.
This has also led him to land different voiceover roles and run the microphone for commercials and PA announcements on local radio stations such as Glenpool’s KXOJ-FM — all packaged with his same signature humor.
“I love being a light in the world,” he said, “hopefully maybe being that moment where somebody’s having a really, really bad day and maybe something I say or I do or the voiceover, the accents, causes them to laugh.”
Randell doesn’t limit his voice to just the airwaves, however. He even uplifts others through musical numbers accompanied by an acoustic guitar as his instrument of choice.
Aside from performing at the aforementioned Tootsies Orchid Lounge in Nashville, he has also taken the stage at the town’s associated Ryman Auditorium, performed the national anthem at Tulsa Drillers games and been named a finalist in the U.S. Country Showdown, to name a few.
His musical highlight, however, is recently recording a new country song, “Home,” out of Drapp Studios in Broken Arrow about his experiences with overcoming grief that he hopes to officially release in the coming months.
“This came at a time when I was at a dead end, I was unemployed, I had a couple of friends that had passed away and I was mourning their loss; I was rock bottom,” Randell said. “I want to use this (song) as a platform to share my faith.”
That message, paired with Randell’s multi-ranged talent and humor, is paving the way for him to pursue more lofty goals such as finding an agent, getting signed and even singing The Star-Spangled Banner at an NFL game.
More importantly, he wants to continue enlivening people’s spirits through the art of comedy.
“I want to be remembered as the guy that made people laugh,” Randell said. “Knowing that I’m using the talents God gave me with a purpose, that is my biggest motivation.”
Photos: Meet these Owasso-area residents who have graced the national spotlight
Samantha Yestrebsky: Amazon’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”
Owasson Samantha Yestrebsky, whose recent work involves screen time on the hit comedy-drama TV series, “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and the coming-of-age web series, “Mosaic,” has always had a knack for the performing arts.
The 21-year-old aspiring actress has come a long way since moving to New York only two years ago to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.
Her latest claim to fame came with a background role on season 2, episode 9 of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” in which she played a telephone operator during a telethon.
Story: Aspiring Owasso actress Samantha Yestrebsky graces stage, silver screen
Photo: J. Demetrie Photography
Gracee Shriver: NBC’s “The Voice”
Gracee Shriver, a 16-year-old from Owasso, made her television debut when she auditioned for coaches on NBC’s “The Voice” on Oct. 15, 2019. She did so well that Gwen Stefani and Kelly Clarkson pleaded for Shriver to join their teams.
Shriver sang Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow” on Monday night’s episode and caused first Clarkson and then Stefani to turn their chairs around.
Clarkson said, “I feel like I’m going to go nuts if you don’t pick me,” at which point Shriver chose her as her personal coach in the competition.
Story: Kelly Clarkson, Gwen Stefani duel for Owasso teen on ‘The Voice’
Photo: Justin Lubin/NBC
Lacey Stout: Food Network’s “Worst Cooks in America”
Owasson Lacey Stout burns food, leaves out key ingredients and brings a poor presentation to the plate. There is, however, a silver lining to her shortcomings in the kitchen: They landed her on the 12th season of “Worst Cooks in America,” which premiered in Jan. 2018.
The show pitted Stout against 15 other contestants from across the county in a friendly competition to transform them from kitchen disasters into skilled cooks.
In the show’s first episode, hosts Anne Burrell and Tyler Florence get to know the contestants by having them prepare a meal they would normally make for their family, and Stout said her plate, a chicken dish, was “tragic, super tragic.”
Story: Owasso woman to compete on Food Network’s ‘Worst Cooks in America’ in January
Photo: Food Network
Reese Mishler: Warner Bros.’ “The Gallows”
Nearly 10 years removed from starring in theater productions at Owasso High School, Reese Mishler moved from making short films and appearing in a webseries in Hollywood to being one of the leads in “The Gallows,” a horror film that opened in 2015.
Since then, the actor has fielded numerous offers and has appeared in the psychological thriller “FOG CITY” and the Syfy adventure “CAR 86.”
His other works include: 2016’s “The Harrow,” 2017’s “Candyland” and this year’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Story: Owasso actor Reese Mishler graduates into first major film role with ‘The Gallows’
Photo: Warner Bros.
Chris Cleveland: Stars Go Dim
Owasso native Chris Cleveland is the face of the Christian band Stars Go Dim, which he founded in late 2007. The band has grown to popularity with songs like “Stars” and “Walking Like Giants” as well as its hit single “You Are Loved.”
Cleveland, who was raised in Owasso and now lives in Franklin, Tenn., has had the privilege of traveling the world, bringing the hope of God to others and encouraging them in their Christian walk through his music and the message behind it.
“I’m proud to be a Ram … and I’m proud of what I’ve seen Owasso grow into,” Cleveland said. “This message of hope and of identity and value and worth and love, I just encourage Owasso to keep being that for each other.”
Story: Owasso musician performs with other Christian artists on 15th annual K-LOVE Cruise
Photo: WORD Entertainment
Tom Mortimer: NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior”
Owasson Tom Mortimer has competed on NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” four times, dedicating his runs to his son, Landon, who was diagnosed with epilepsy in March 2018. Here, the father-son duo is pictured at Mortimer’s Owasso gym, Airbenders, in Oct. 2019.
Kendra Tyler: Nat Geo’s “The Long Road Home”
U.S. Army Spc. Evan Tyler and his wife Kendra of Owasso, currently stationed at the Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii, recently got a chance to be a part of a special televised program honoring their fellow troops.
While Evan was away on deployment about a year ago, Kendra was paying homage to his, and others’, service by starring as an extra in National Geographic’s “The Long Road Home,” an eight-part military mini-series that premiered in Nov. 2017.
Kendra starred in an emotional scene in Episode 7, which explores the story of Sgt. Eric Bourquin, a soldier who joined the Army to escape an unstable and violent home. She was one of several extras who reacted to him being taken away from his parents by police.
Story: Owasso military spouse stars in National Geographic’s mini-series ‘The Long Road Home’
Photo: Courtesy of the Tylers
Tanea Brooks, Impact Wrestling
Tanea Brooks is an American professional wrestler, model, actress and dancer. She is best known for her work with Impact Wrestling under the ring name “Rebel.”
Brooks, born and raised in Owasso, became a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader at the age of 18 after a year as a University of Tulsa dance team member, in which she appeared on the cover of Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’ swimsuit calendar.
She eventually moved to Los Angeles to further her career in acting, modeling and dancing.
Story: Owasso talent competes with dance group for top 24 spot
Photo: Courtesy of Tanea Brooks
Gary Guffey: NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior
Gary Guffey auditioned for “American Ninja Warrior” during its 8th season in Oklahoma City in 2016. He grew up in Skiatook, but lives in Collinsville and graduated from Collinsville High School.
With a background in mixed martial arts, boxing, wrestling and jiu-jitsu, Guffey was prepared for the challenges of the course. Despite his best efforts, he was unable to conquer the rotating logs.
Out of the 125 people, Guffey was among only about six Oklahomans to compete in the auditions, which were held on May 13 aired on June 20, 2016.
Story: Gary Guffey, Jr. competes on American Ninja Warrior
Photo: Courtesy of Gary Guffey
