Ken Olandt, an American actor, producer and co-founder of Unified Film Organization, LLC. Olandt is best known for starring roles in Summer School, Leprechaun and April Fool’s Day.
Olandt was born on April 22, 1958 in Richmond California. The 2nd son of Robert H. Olandt, an oil executive and Beverly Olandt who is a polio survivor. Olandt’s childhood and formative years were spent in Vancouver, British Columbia where his love for ice-hockey was born.
Olandt attended the Art Center College of Design, studying advertising and illustration. While meeting friends at a Hollywood restaurant Olandt was approached by talent agent, Harry Gold to consider acting. This chance meeting led to a flurry of auditions. Within the first month, Olandt had received a test option for a role on One Life to Live, Guest Starring role on Matt Houston and a screen test with John Milius and cast for the lead role Red Dawn.
Olandt’s acting career was now in gear and lead to being a regularly hired performer on Aaron Spelling, Stephen J. Cannell and Glen Larson, television productions. 1985 was a pivotal point for Olandt. Olandt was cast in a regular role as Dooley on Riptide, and he married dancer, Janine Olandt. For their honeymoon, Arron Spelling gave Olandt a guest role on the Love Boat- French Riviera Cruise – Movie of the Week.
The opportunity to enter into the realm of Feature Film actor came along in his role as Larry Kazimias in the Paramount Production, Summer School directed by Carl Reiner.
A succession of starring roles in both Feature film and as regular on Series Television followed. In 1995 Olandt co-founded an independent feature film licensing company (UFO), which specialized in special effect driven action and adventure films. The company was the pioneer in desk-top level computer effects and independent action movie making.
Olandt suspended his acting pursuits to focus on the duties of producing, finance and foreign licensing. The company produced 3 movies a year and eventually was sold in 2000 to a publicly held German distribution company. The sale took the company to Bulgaria at which point, Olandt sold his operational and transitioned into financing.
In 2015, at the request of his eldest daughter Taylor Olandt, a singer/song writer and actress Olandt auditioned for and was booked on a Sprint National Commercial.
Olandt and his wife have 5 children.
