Sam Humphrey

Biography

Sam Humphrey is an Australian actor from New Zealand background. He is popular for playing- Tom Thumb in The Greatest Showman(2017), Jai in Jeremy the Dud(2017), James Udagawa in Neighbours.

Childhood- Family

Sam Humphrey was born in 1994 in New Zealand to Sally Humphrey and David Humphrey. He lives in Victoria, Australia. His father is a Caucasian from New Zealand & Mother a South East Asian.

[Sam Humphrey Family: Brother Josiah, sister Esther, Father David, Mother Sally]

Only on the last month of pregnancy could doctors find out that the baby was not growing and could have some disorders.

[Sam Humphrey with his mother, credit: IG]

Apert syndrome: Sam was born with a form of acrocephalosyndactyly (Skeletal Dysplasia), a congenital disorder with malformations of the head, face, hands & feet. In his youth the bones did not grow.

Crohn's disease: He had inflammatory bowel condition as a kid, he has had to go visit Hospitals frequently because of his condition.

Sam'solder brother Josiah Humphrey is an entrepreneur, a mobile app maker, he is a millionaire who co-founded the tech company 'Appster' in 2011. Josaih admired his brother's courage and strengths on a Linkedin post during the release of his brother's first movie.

He has a sister named Esther Humphrey.

His mother on him-

"He was very tidy as a kid, never afraid to be the center of attraction, girls liked to be around him asking questions"

His brother on him-

"I love my brother, I definitely think there is a different confidence, he has sort of embraced himself, I think he can do a lot more, he has all the talent in the world, not only that, he is a genuinely loving, nice and incredible character"

Education

• School: He attended Tawa intermediate school in Wellington, New Zealand in 2006
• Mount Erin Secondary College: He attended Mount Erin from age 7-12
• He has studied at the Australian College of Dramatic Arts
• He attended the Elizabeth Murdoch College.
• Diploma: He has a Diploma of Australian Television Acting from Tanya Powell Modelling Agency.

He had been interested in acting since his preschool. He wanted to get into acting school, but he couldn't afford it, however he got to start learning on the sets very soon.

He studied thetrical arts in high school and has appeared on numerous school productions such as "Midsummers Night's Dream" (as "Puck"), "Alice in the Wonderland" (as "Dormouse")

Career

Sam's acting career started with a small role of James Udagawa in the long running Romance drama "Neighbours" in four episodes in the years 2016 and 2017 (S1E7423, S1E7444, S1E7468, S1E7524)

In the 2016 short movie Richochet, he played the leading role of Man In Black.

Jeremy the Dud (2017)

In the short comedy movie "Jeremy the Dud" written and directed by Ryan Chamley, Sam played Jai. The short movie provided a humorous alternative view on "what if everyone had a disability and a few, the duds, didn't, how patronizing would the majority look at them"

The Greatest Showman (2017)

In the Michael Gracey directed musical biographical drama starring Hugh Jackman in the lead, Sam played Charles Stratton, a dwarf performer in the show popular by his stage name "General Tom Thumb". Sam is quite similar to the real Charles Stratton. [3]

the story revolves around P. T. Barnum, a showman that builds a team of "freaks" to create a popular circus show, which eventually becomes popular but also gets criticism and is burnt down by haters, they eventually rebuild.

Sam was taller for his role in the movie, thus he had to walk on his knees to suit the job, some alterations were made to his voice as well.

As a child, Sam was a great fan of fellow Australian star Hugh Jackman who made it big in the Hollywood, he dreamed of working with him in the future, he eventually did it in this movie. Sam didn't know Hugh Jackman was in the lead of the film, when he came to know about it, it got him more excited. [3]

The movie went on to win multiple awards, including a Golden Globe and an Academy award nomination. Sam celebrated the success of the movie with the other cast members by going on a cruise ship. [3]

Star Wars: Self Tapes

In the comedy series "Star Wars: Self Tapes", a parody of the star wars series, Sam appeared as a bounty hunter called "Nameless", who is hunting down Luke Skywalker to gain his parents' approval. He appeared in all 3 episodes. 

Sam also produced these episodes.

Sam worked as the voice director in the podcast series "Thee Actor's411 Podcast", it was co-written by Martavious Cerrone Gayles and Sam. It starred Martavious Cerrone Gayles, Brian C. Schilling, Que Haywood and others.

In the animation comedy series Reso Rocket, Sam voices Narrator Mob Boss. Frank Forte voice T-Bone in this cartoon thriller following adventures of a cursed vizen and her beloved witch-Hound.

The Little Guy Ventures Inc.

In December 2022 he started The Little Guy Ventures Inc., which he used to producer indie films and short movies. It is based in Los Angeles, California.

ENF PRODUCTIONS

He started working at ENF PRODUCTIONS in May 2024, as a full time Chief Investment Officer and Executive producer. His work includes raising capital, managing investment strategy, ensuring film is on schedule and budget, among other managerial stuff. ENF Productions is based in Los Angeles, California.  [2]

Filmography

Facts & Trivia

• Suicide attempt: Given his hard trials, times to Hospitals and doctors, Sam attempted suicide many times. His family support, his faith in God, his courage and dream to become an actor have helped him overcome the mental depression.
• He and parents were told that he would not live beyond 18, the challenge inspired him to live it fully.
• He was occasionally followed by people around the mall asking him if he was lost and looking for his parents. He knew they were worried about him, but it was a bit annoying as it would repeat over and over
• His Goals for life:
  • Win an Oscar
  • Possibly marry and have a child
• He has lot of star wars clothes collection, and doesn't want to get rid of it.
• He does a scarily similar Smeagol(character from Lord of the Rings) impersonation.
• He doesn't like dancing.
• There are about 3 people who have the similar condition as him, but he has never met anyone else. He has had dwarf friends with whom he says he could relate with.
• He wants to increase his height to 150 through stretching exercises.
• Driving: He uses a booster seat in his car to be able to drive and hit the right peddles.
• He loves animals and has a kitten for pet.
• 'Attitude Live' made a great biographical video on him in 2016.
• Memmo.me messages: you can request him to make a customized wish video to your loved ones on special occasions.
• Motivational speaker: He is often requested to speak in mental health & disability awareness, where he talks of his own struggles and how he is overcoming them to achieve success
•  

Physical fitness

[Credits: Sam's Instagram post]

Sam is a physical fitness enthusiast, he believes in three dialy habits for success:

1. Meditation
2. Workout
3. Reading

Activism & Philanthropy

• He wants to set up a charitable foundation to eradicate poverty. To shelter homeless people and integrate them in society.
• SAG SFTRA Strike: He supported the actors guild members strike demanding salary hike for the actors in October 2023

Quotes

• [About disease] It makes me unique, people can point me out from a crowd, plus I get to do weird adventures like climbing up the shelves in shopping centers.
• I'm like Jack and the Beanstalk [adventurous]
• [About dating] People don't necessarily see me a datable type, I'm like a kid to them, it's a little bit weird you know. I hope that when people get to know me, it's my personality the wins them over.
• One thing I want people to know about me is that I'm more than my disability, I'm more than just a short person. I'm funny, I'm charismatic, I'm sensitive, I like to have a laugh. When you see me, don't stare at my height, some and talk to me, I like to chat.
• No matter who you are, what you look like, what your abilities are, there is a place for you and a place to make a difference in the world.
• I tried to kill myself a few times but the thought of what it would do to my family and friends was too much and ultimately I just couldn't bring myself to end my life.
• I have always loved to be the centre of attention, which not many people enjoy. 
• I went to the dark side in my teen years, bit depressed. I have come out that.
• I am a workout junkie, I keep pushing until I literally can't anymore.
• I wear a lot of adult clothes like suits and avoid kiddy stuff which my mother buys me.
• Every day you need to be working to get that next job, do as many auditions as you can get, just grind until you get that next paycheck and do it all over again.
• I have spent most my life in my bedroom.
• I have always wanted to be independent, no matter what.
• My biggest challenge that I have overcome has been to fulfil my life long dream of becoming a professional actor.
• I'll definitely be typecast, especially initially.
• I don't have a backup plan, if there is plan B we won't give our full to plan A. It is all or nothing for me.
• Every year I wasn't sure if I was going to be alive for the next one; that was hard to live with
• I get mistaken for a kid quite a lot.
• There is a joke in our household, that my brother got the height, my sister got the brains and I got what was left.

Sources

1. Sam Humphrey on wikipedia
2. Sam Humphrey's LinkedIn profile
3. Purpose with Pamela interview
4.