Actor, writer, producer, director, and voiceover artist D.B. Sweeney joins The Spark to share the real story behind a decades-long creative career—from breaking in with Francis Ford Coppola to continuing to make meaningful independent films today. This episode explores how preparation, humility, and curiosity have guided Sweeney through Hollywood and beyond.
We also dive into Protector, his upcoming theatrical release, plus lessons from working with legends like James Earl Jones, advice for young creatives, and why making your own work still matters more than ever.
Episode Highlights
02:57 – Choosing acting “because it seemed easy” and getting into NYU
05:39 – Francis Ford Coppola, Gardens of Stone, and the break that changed everything
09:04 – Inside Protector: story, cast, and why the film feels different
14:12 – How role preparation has changed over a 40-year career
18:16 – James Earl Jones and the power of simply showing up
21:00 – Making films for people Hollywood often overlooks
45:55 – Advice for young creatives: stop waiting, start making
Learn More & Connect
Show Notes + Resources: https://creativeassembly.agency/ca-podcast/
Connect With D.B. Sweeney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-b-sweeney-b436b513/
| https://www.dbsweeney.com/
Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner
| https://snapshotinteractive.com
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D.B. Sweeney’s next film release is Protector where he hunts Mila Jovavich with Matthew Modine. Most recently featured in Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis which also stars Adam Driver, Dustin Hoffman, Aubrey Plaza and Jon Voight. His many other critically acclaimed and popular films include Coppola’s Gardens of Stone, Memphis Belle, Fire in the Sky, The Cutting Edge, No Man’s Land, Spawn, Roommates and Eight Men Out (as Shoeless Joe Jackson). He played Dish Boggett in the landmark Lonesome Dove miniseries and the memorably oblivious Larry on Two and a Half Men. His other extensive credits include B Positive, Sharp Objects, Ice, Criminal Minds, 24, CSI, Crash, Jericho, House, Harsh Realm, and multi- Emmy Award winning projects Introducing Dorothy Dandridge and Miss Rose White.
One of America’s pre-eminent voiceover artists, D.B. Sweeney’s list of commercial clients includes Coca Cola, Lincoln Motors, Disney, Bud Light, John Deere, Ford Motor Company, Major League Baseball and NFL Network. He’s narrated all 14 seasons of Mountain Men for History Channel and was selected by Oprah Winfrey as the original voice of her OWN network.
Sweeney made his debut as screenwriter, director and producer with Two Tickets to Paradise. The many awards for the film include Best Picture at the Savannah Film Festival, the Audience Choice Award at The Vail Film Fest, Best Comedy at the Staten Island Fest, Best Director at the Boston Film Festival, Fort Lauderdale Film Festival’s “Renaissance Award” and the Santa Fe Film, Festival’s “Best of the Independent Spirit Award”. His latest project as writer/director, the comedy short film Two Dum Micks, co-starring Sean Astin has been a sensation on the film festival circuit earning over 85 awards.
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