Actor, broadcaster, and “Cinema Purgatorio” cast member, John Oliver, is set to wrap up the 2015 Tryon International Film Festival’s Awards Ceremony at the Tryon Fine Arts Center, Saturday night. Oliver, a native of Tryon, will host the awards event at the Tryon Fine Arts Center (TFAC), along with the entire staff and crew who have been working for several months to make Tryon’s first film festival a major success. 

Oliver began his broadcasting career at age 15 in his hometown of Tryon at WTYN, where he appeared on stage at TFAC.

Oliver retired from on-air broadcasting at the age of 30 and began concentrating on a career as an actor, specializing in voiceover.

He has played numerous roles on stage and television with his voice being heard around the world with work for clients such as HBO, ESPN, NFL Films, LodgeNet, HGTV, Food Network, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lowes, Toyota Trucks, PGA and others.

John Oliver hosted and produced “Rockwave,” one of America’s first syndicated music-news and update programs for broadcast television which was sponsored by Coca-Cola.

John is a co-creator and producer for “Rockin’ a hard place,” a 30-minute television show based in a southern music venue.

Along with Patrick Durham of Morningstar Pictures, Mr. Oliver co-founded American Liberty Entertainment, a feature film production company.

For more information about the awards event contact the TFAC box office at robyn@tryonarts.org or call 828-859-8322 ext. 219.  Check the festival schedule for times and dates of all events at tryoninternationalfilmfestival2015.com.

–       Submitted by Kirk Gollwitzer