Young actor performing since he was a child

Dalton Wynegar performs on stage as the Narrator from "Into the Woods." • Photos Submitted

By Tom Victoria

Dalton Wynegar was destined to be a performer.

The 24 year old has worked as an extra in several high-profile television shows, but has performed since he was a child. 

During his first professional gig while still attending college, Dalton had the opportunity to work for one of the top directors in the world.

He was an extra in a first-season episode of Netflix’s “Mindhunter” that was directed by the show’s co-executive producer, David Fincher. The director is the man behind such movies as “The Social Network,” “Fight Club” and “Seven.”

Dalton, who was an acting student at Point Park University in Pittsburgh then, was in the episode filmed in the Butler County Courthouse. The northwestern Pennsylvania courthouse was subbing for the Floyd County Courthouse in Georgia circa the 1970s.

“It was a very awesome experience,” Dalton said. “I didn’t know what to expect. I was inspired by how many takes they do to get it right.”

He worked a 14.5-hour day to film several scenes. For a scene inside a courtroom, Fincher didn’t take any short cuts.

“We did 26 takes,” Dalton said.

He said Fincher shot from different angles to capture each lead’s face.

“He would focus on one actor at a time,” Dalton said.

While the lead actors recited dialogue, Dalton would pantomime to simulate an unheard background conversation. He said it’s not vital what an actor pretends to say in such a scenario, it is the intent that is important.

“You just try to be truthful to what it’s all about,” Dalton said. “Improvisation and imagination, as long as it’s real to you.”

“You just try to be truthful to what it’s all about … Improvisation and imagination, as long as it’s real to you.”

— Dalton Wynegar

Since then, Dalton has been an extra on HBO’s “The Deuce” and Showtime’s “Billions.” Both shows were filming in different parts of New York, the Bronx and Manhattan, respectively. 

“They were both a lot of fun,” he said. “I was really grateful for both experiences and it furthered my love of film. They are priceless experiences.”

Performing is in his DNA. His father, Mike Wynegar, is a disc jockey who incorporated comedy bits into his music-playing service for events.

“It was fun to see,” Dalton said.

Mike taught his son to entertain at a very young age. When Dalton was a tyke no older than 4, he performed a song-and-dance number for his mom on Valentine’s Day.

“I did a whole performance for her,” he said.

As Dalton grew older, he participated in stage productions. He said practice is the best preparation to put on a good show.

“Rehearsal is crucial,” Dalton said.

For him, acting takes dedication.

“You just have to be committed, especially stage,” Dalton said. “When you perform on stage, that production is truly with you until you close it.”

Dalton Wynegar

He landed the Mindhunter gig due to looking the part.

“They were looking for certain types,” Dalton said. “I happened to have long hair at the time.”

Fincher handpicked college students from their photographs.

“David would go through the photos and picked them personally,” Dalton said.

He was elated to be selected for an episode of the show about FBI agents profiling serial killers. 

Dalton was sent to a Pittsburgh warehouse for a fitting of period clothing. On the set, Fincher’s assistant directors would relay his instructions to the extras.

“It’s a very long process,” Dalton said about filming.

He said a budding actor can’t become complacent. 

“There is always something you can do for yourself, whether it’s training, studying or creating your own work,” Dalton said. “This is what keeps me going — always striving to learn something new and grow into the artist I want to be.”

He spreads his time between his New York pad, his parents’ home in York, Pennsylvania and his girlfriend’s place in Philadelphia.

“New York City has been quite the adventure for myself so far,” Dalton said. “I have loved every second of it, although at times, I do miss a simpler life.”

He said acting was his choice for a profession, not to attain fame or fortune.

“I wanted to do something I love.”

Dalton Wynegar explores New York, where he pursues acting opportunities.