Kazy Tauginas

Rising star Kazy Tauginas is a former restaurateur and Golden Gloves boxer turned actor.

Growing up just outside of Chicago, Tauginas played many different sports, settling on figure skating before he discovered a natural talent for boxing after college. His grace on the ice helped him in the ring, where he fought in 13 amateur bouts.

After trying his hand in the restaurant business, Tauginas turned to acting and writing, a passion that led him to the New York Film Academy, where he graduated from their Conservatory Acting for Film.

Tauginas has appeared in numerous theatre, film and television roles. His television credits include the upcoming "American Rust", "Blue Bloods," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "The Blacklist," "Blindspot," "Turn: Washington's Spies" and "Sneaky Pete."

Tauginas' film work includes "Dolemite is My Name", "The Equalizer 2", "John Wick," "Odd Man Rush," "Sollers Point," "Tom Clancy's Without Remorse" and the indie horror thriller "Shimmer".

After realizing he had a knack for creating content, Tauginas drew inspiration from his mother who'd been diagnosed with Lupus, and his own boxing experience, and decided to write "Standing Eight," a short about a boxer who is forced to retire and contend with life outside of the ring after being diagnosed with systemic lupus. Since its completion, "Standing Eight" has screened at film festivals worldwide and won numerous awards. "Standing Eight" is currently available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo OnDemand with proceeds going to support the Lupus Foundation of America. Following the success of the film, Tauginas continues to advocate for those in the lupus community.