S I D E H U S T L E S
When not on stage or screen, Brendan applies his creativity to entrepreneurial efforts, often intersecting with his personal interests. He’s been published, both as playwright and in academic, peer-reviewed papers. He’s held provisional patents on technical systems and methods for storytelling technology. He’s created his own physical board game and virtual video game. And his personal clothing is part of the Smithsonian Museum’s collection of artifacts from the 2023 Summer of Labor Organizing.
publishing
Brendan made a fitness card game with his friend and personal trainer, Michael. The duo designed four decks of a collectible, tabletop game where players built up fantasy characters through personal exercise. The BattleMat game was funding through a successful Kickstarter Campaign and supported an online community and mobile app for over three years. When they paused sales, all remaining inventory was donated to youth programs in Los Angeles and New York.
The day after the Hollywood Writers Guild went on strike, Brendan showed up in solidarity and was quickly referred by WGA Strike Captains to support SAG-AFTRA’s organizing efforts. Almost immediately, he became a recognized leader at Paramount Studios, affectionately known as “the pineapple hat guy.”
Journalists and celebrities sought him out both online and on the line for commentary and updates. Today, his strike uniform and signature pineapple hat are preserved in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, and Brendan remains an active voice in union service and community organizing.