Short bio

Scott Siepker is an actor, writer, producer, and filmmaker. Scott started off as a stage actor at Iowa State University, where he received his bachelor degree in psychology. Scott has gone on to co-found the film company, Iowa Filmmakers, which has been responsible for the Iowa Nice series of hit videos that included a two season run on ESPNU’s College Football Daily. Though Scott is best known for his work as the Iowa Nice Guy, he is a versatile, veteran actor of stage and screen, drama and comedy.

Long bio written by Scott 

I was born on December 27th, 1982 during an ice storm that knocked out the power in Carroll, Iowa which was followed closely by the St. Anthony’s Hospital generators ceasing to work. Lucky for me, the doctors and nurse were able to assist my mother, Janie, by grabbing a few flashlights.

Thus, I, Scott Lawrence Siepker, was born at 12:02am by flashlight.

My father, Terry “Zip” Siepker, quit being a long haul truck driver for Allied Van Lines when I was one year old so that he could be home more with his wife and child. Zip has worked at Pella Windows and Doors ever since.

Janie and Zip had my only sibling, Nick, in January of 1986. This time Janie was able to give birth with the full benefits of electricity.

Growing up in the major metropolitan area of Mount Carmel, IA (population 101 people and 26 pets), I was able to have a true American childhood packed to the brim with bikes, sports, and chasing girls that I said I hated. (I was lying, but so were all the other boys in the gang).

I went to kindergarten in the Carroll public school system, but then switched to the Catholic grade school, Christ The King in Mount Carmel (1st-4th grade) and then to Breda (5th through 8th). My class at Christ the King average about 25 kids, but never more than 6 of those were girls. Not that I had a chance with any of those girls anyway, but I thought I did.

I was the only one of my 25 classmates, and the first one in my family since my Grandfather Artie Schultes, to not attend Kuemper Catholic High School (when Artie went to High School, Kuemper was for girls only). Though I had attended kindergarten with many of my new high school classmates, I didn’t have an easy time finding my way into a group.

After bouncing around my freshman year from group to group, I heard my name called across the lunch room one day my sophomore year. The voice called out “Scott, do you want to sit with us?” I looked over and found that (to my utter surprise, happiness, and fear) the voice belonged to one of the most popular girls in school, Kelsey.

As I sat down at the “cool kids” table, my life changed forever.

Soon I was at Kelsey’s house helping her with her geometry homework and eating supper with her family. The best part, now that Kelsey was becoming my friend, was that I was given access to a lot more friends. Most of them girls which throughout the next 3 years, I had a crush on each them at different times, though I never got to date any of them, as I was “friend Scott.” But this was a role I enjoyed.

These girls began to tell me that I should try out for Speech Team. I had never considered this, but the girls were convinced I would be good at it. I was not convinced, but Kelsey was on the Speech Team so I  tried out with the hope we would land on the same team.

Sadly, Kelsey got put on the Readers Theater team and I was placed on the Choral Reading team.

I was fairly indifferent to being on the Speech Team except for the bus rides to and from competitions where I would get to spend more time hanging around the girls.

But I must of liked performing a little bit as I got onto the Individual speech team that year and then got cast in the one-act play “Daniel Webster and The Devil,” my senior year (actually I stayed in Speech because of girls, but I had moved on from Kelsey by my senior year).  I got to play the historical congressman Daniel Webster. I am not sure what the director was thinking putting me in this role, but I am glad she was thinking it.

Even though I had fun with the one-act play, as I left high school and headed to college at Iowa State University, acting was not on my mind. I was focused on becoming a counseling psychologist. I had come to this focus after spending the previous three years having very long conversations with girls about their issues and problems…and by conversations, I mean that I didn’t talk much at all.

I progressed throughout my freshman year with no thought of becoming an actor. However, before I began my second year at Iowa State, I decided that I wanted to be in a college play. To do this, I thought taking an acting class would be helpful. So I signed up for Acting I with Dr. Patrick Gouran in the fall semester of 2002.

I was bad. I mean really bad. This would be the case for about the next two years. With that said, I have no idea what Dr. Gouran (Doc as I referred to him) saw in me, but he saw something. So when there was a late drop out in A Christmas Carol that November, Doc (who was playing Scrooge) forwarded my name onto the director, Jane Cox.

Here is the actually emails that were sent:

—– Original Message —–

From: “Gouran, Patrick” <pgouran@iastate.edu>

To: <ssiepker@iastate.edu>

Cc: <jfcox@iastate.edu>

Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 12:07 PM

Subject: Available to play a role in A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Scott:

I have suggested to Jane Cox, the director for A CHRISTMAS CAROL, that you
MIGHT be available to take a role in the upcoming production.  I spoke
highly of your talents.  If this of any interest to you, please contact Jane
at the email address above.

Gouran

And my reply (typo and all):

—–Original Message—–

From: Scott Lawrence Siepker [mailto:ssiepker@iastate.edu]
Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 1:04 PM
To: jfcox@iastate.edu
Subject:

Jane

I would be very intrested and available to take a part in A Christmas Carol
that Doc has mentioned.  Just let me know what you need from me and I will
be happy to do it.  Thank you.

Scott Siepker

And with Jane’s reply:

—– Original Message —–

From: “Cox, Jane” <jfcox@iastate.edu>

To: “‘Scott Lawrence Siepker'” <ssiepker@iastate.edu>

Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 2:21 PM

Subject: RE:

Scott,
Is there any chance that you could come to Pearson 214 tonight at 7:00?  I
will understand if you can’t, but it will be our last rehearsal before break
and it would be great to have an opportunity to run the scene with the
little girl and Belle and you before we all leave for a week.  Let me know
if this will work, or if we will need to set a time to meet tomorrow.
Thanks so much for your interest in this!
Jane Cox

…To be continued…