Lucky Vanous
- Actor
- Director
Born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, Lucky joined the Army at 18 and
was selected to join the 1st Ranger Battalion (Black Berets), the elite
anti-terrorist and anti-guerilla response team. In the Rangers he
traveled extensively and was trained in many military skills including
demolitions, scuba diving and low level parachuting. After completing
his duty with the Rangers he attended the University of Nebraska at
Lincoln. While vacationing in New York with a friend, Lucky was spotted
by an agent for the prestigious Elite Modeling Agency, who signed him
on the spot. His first assignment found him being shot for GQ MAGAZINE
by internationally renowned photographer Francesco Scavullo. During the
next five years he traveled and lived throughout Europe and Asia, hiked
the Himalayas and made 12 remote excursions into Alaska. Lucky
continued his studies at NYU and Fordham University, studying political
science and history, but soon found his academic career put on hold
when he landed a role as a construction worker in a Diet Coke
commercial. The spot became one of Coca-Cola's most successful
commercial campaigns, which led to appearances successfully promoting
Diet Coke throughout the United States and Europe. Once he made the
decision to pursue an acting career, Lucky sought out the best
available training - Alan Savage in NY, Howard Fine (Advanced scene
study), Groundlings and Jessica Drake (speech) in Los Angeles. He
completed his first starring role in the feature film "Chapter Perfect"
(Spring 1995), guest starred on the NBC comedy "WINGS" and with Carol
Burnett on "ALL MY CHILDREN" anniversary special for ABC, and was
selected to co-host part of the 1994 CLIO Awards with Kelsey Grammer.
In 1997 Lucky starred in Aaron Spelling's "PACIFIC PALISADES", which
aired on Fox and in 1998, starred in feature film, JACK OF HEARTS (1999
release) and guest starred on one episode of PENSACOLA WINGS OF GOLD
(aired in January of 1999). In February of 1999 he was featured in
HANGING UP, directed by Diane Keaton. He resides in Los Angeles.