{{Short description|American actor and producer (born 1991)}}
{{Infobox person | image = File:Luke Pensabene at San Diego Film Week 2017.jpg | caption = Pensabene in 2017 | birth_name = Luke Anthony Pensabene | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1991}} | birth_place = New York, U.S. | education = {{hlist|PS 8 Shirlee Solomon School|St. Joseph by the Sea High School}} | occupation = {{hlist|Film actor|film producer|cinematographer}} | years_active = 2013–present | notable_works = {{Plainlist| *''Friend of the World'' *''Hacksaw'' *''South of 8'' }} | awards = The Vigil Honor 2010 }}
'''Luke Anthony Pensabene''' is an American film actor, film producer, cinematographer, and United States Marine Corps veteran. He appeared in the films ''Fletcher and Jenks'' (2016), ''The Phantom Hour'' (2016), and produced the films ''South of 8'' (2016), ''Friend of the World'' (2020), and ''Hacksaw'' (2020). Pensabene is a recipient of The Vigil Honor and was nominated for acting at the GI Film Festival San Diego in 2017.
== Early life == Pensabene was born in 1991 at Staten Island University Hospital.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=1991-07-31 |title=Births Staten Island University Hospital |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-births-staten-isla/169446160/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=Staten Island Advance |pages=28 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He grew up in Great Kills, Staten Island, attending PS 8 Shirlee Solomon School<ref>{{Cite news |date=2001-11-10 |title=Thank-you notes from PS 8 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-thank-you-notes-fr/169456989/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=Staten Island Advance |pages=21 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-02-21 |title=What famous person would you like to meet? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-what-famous-person/169467474/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=Staten Island Advance |pages=180 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and started yoga at the age of 10.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sammartino |first=Jennifer |date=2002-05-13 |title=Yoga for kids: Children experience the benefits of increased flexibility and concentration |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-yoga-for-kids-chi/169456131/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=Staten Island Advance |pages=85 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 2002, Pensabene was a trombonist in Staten Island's Boroughwide Band for the annual "Salute to Music" concert at Carnegie Hall.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lore |first=Diane C. |date=2002-06-25 |title=Student musicians step into the spotlight at Carnegie Hall |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-student-musicians/169467453/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=Staten Island Advance |pages=38 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> While attending St. Joseph by the Sea High School, he competed in track in 2005 for the 2.5 mile run at the 79th CHSAA Intersectional Cross Country Championship at Van Cortlandt Park<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alvez |first=Derek |date=2005-11-13 |title=Lewis cops CHSAA Intersectional title |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-lewis-cops-chsaa-i/169467353/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=Staten Island Advance |pages=95 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and the distance medley for the Martin Luther King Jr. relays at Fort Washington Avenue Armory in 2006.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kochman |first1=George |last2=Alvez |first2=Derek |date=2006-01-17 |title=HS Track and field: King Relays: Tot girls, Sea boys win frosh crowns |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-hs-track-and-field/169456477/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=Staten Island Advance |pages=30 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 2008, Pensabene was one of ten boy scouts at Camp Aquehonga to earn over 50 merit badges.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-08-20 |title=Youth: Boy Scout Troop 41 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-youth-boy-scout-t/169456323/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=Staten Island Advance |pages=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He had previously achieved Scout, First Class and Star rankings<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-03-25 |title=Boy Scout Troop 41 holds Court of Honor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-boy-scout-troop-41/169467373/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=Staten Island Advance |pages=122 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-07-02 |title=Boy Scout Troop 41 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-boy-scout-troop-41/169456567/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=Staten Island Advance |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2005-11-15 |title=Youth Boy Scout Troop 41 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/staten-island-advance-youth-boy-scout-tr/169457077/ |access-date=2025-04-03 |work=Staten Island Advance |pages=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> before he was awarded The Vigil Honor in 2010.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Vigil honor members |url=https://www.aquehongian112.org/vigil_reps_list.html |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Aquehongian 112}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Pinnavaia |first=Colin |date=2015-07-29 |title=The History of Kintecoying Lodge 4 |url=https://issuu.com/cpinnavaia/docs/2015_07_26_kintecoying_history_book |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=The History of Kintecoying Lodge 4 |page=83 |language=en |via=Issuu}}</ref>
== Career == Pensabene is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.<ref name=":1" /> In 2021, he produced ''Graduation Afternoon'', a Stephen King adaptation by author Marie D. Jones that was directed by Rob Padilla Jr..<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Garrido |first=Oscar |date=2020 |title=Insomnia: The new anthology of short stories by Stephen King |url=https://www.stephenking.com.ar/archivo/INSOMNIA%20265.pdf |journal=Insomnia Magazine |language=es |volume=265 |pages=43–49 |via=StephenKing.com}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Marie D. |date=2019-07-03 |title=Meet Marie Jones of Where's Lucy? Productions in San Marcos |url=https://sdvoyager.com/interview/meet-marie-jones-wheres-lucy-productions-san-marcos/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=SDVoyager |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Gray Area Multimedia === {{See also|C Street Inn}} Pensabene, along with Jeanette Di Pinza and Tony Olmos, formed a production company called Rosewood Five Studios<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-05 |title=Pushing Creative Boundaries And Bringing Captivating Stories To Life |url=https://rosewoodfive.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240728055347/https://rosewoodfive.com/ |archive-date=2024-07-28 |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=Rosewood Five |language=en-GB}}</ref> that was located at 1150 Seventh Ave in the basement of the C Street Inn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Morgan |date=2022-08-24 |title=Some tenants of downtown hotel fear city eviction will lead to homelessness |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2022/08/24/some-tenants-of-downtown-hotel-fear-city-eviction-will-lead-to-homelessness/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241004230333/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2022/08/24/some-tenants-of-downtown-hotel-fear-city-eviction-will-lead-to-homelessness/ |archive-date=2024-10-04 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Friend of the World at Gray Area Multimedia - filming location |url=https://www.sceen-it.com/sceen/6176/Friend-of-the-World/Gray-Area-Multimedia |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Sceen It |language=en-US}}</ref> After the production of films like ''South of 8'',<ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Golden III |first=Lee B. |date=2015-10-29 |title=Watch The New Trailer For Tony Olmos's Grim Crime Pic, SOUTH OF 8 |url=https://filmcombatsyndicate.com/watch-new-trailer-for-tony-olmos-gri/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Film Combat Syndicate |language=en-US}}</ref> ''The Phantom Hour'',<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yni6FY81qYA |title=Making Movies - Behind the Scenes of "The Phantom Hour" |date=2019-08-02 |last=Charybdis Pictures |type=Video |language=English |access-date=2024-10-05 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and a production of the San Diego International Fringe Festival in 2017,<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Eadie |first=Bill |date=2017-06-27 |title=Handicapping the Fringe – San Diego Story |url=https://sandiegostory.com/handicapping-the-fringe/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=San Diego Story}}</ref> the venue became Gray Area Multimedia, which was solely managed by Pensabene.<ref name="Times of SD" />
Under the Gray Area banner, the location housed the film productions of ''Friend of the World'' by Brian Patrick Butler,<ref name="Times of SD" /> ''Hacksaw'' by Anthony Leone,<ref name=":3" /> ''Touch'' by Justin Burquist,<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Teaser & Poster for Short Horror Thriller 'Touch' by Justin Burquist |date=2022-07-05 |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2022/07/05/teaser-poster-for-short-horror-thriller-touch-by-justin-burquist/ |language=en-US |last=Brewer |first=Mac |access-date=2024-10-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706023118/https://www.horrorsociety.com/2022/07/05/teaser-poster-for-short-horror-thriller-touch-by-justin-burquist/ |archive-date=2022-07-06 |website=Horror Society}}</ref> and ''Everybody Dies by the End'' by Ian Tripp and Ryan Schafer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Everybody Dies by the End |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/everybody_dies_by_the_end |access-date=2024-10-05 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |language=en}}</ref> === ''Mike & Fred vs. The Dead'' === In 2023, Pensabene was a co-producer for the stoner comedy film ''Mike & Fred vs. The Dead'' by film director Anthony Leone and executive producer James Cullen Bressack. The film is about two stoners navigating through a lockdown of the undead.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-01-24 |title=Stoner Comedy Horror MIKE & FRED VS THE DEAD To Gain US Release |url=https://horrorcultfilms.co.uk/2023/01/stoner-comedy-horror-mike-fred-vs-the-dead-to-gain-us-release/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=Horror Cult Films |language=en-US}}</ref> It starred Amy Cay, Brian Patrick Butler, George Jac, Felissa Rose<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-03-07 |title='MIKE AND FRED VS. THE DEAD' Trailer: Killin' Zombies, Smokin' Weed |url=https://pophorror.com/mike-and-fred-vs-the-dead-trailer-killin-zombies-smokin-weed/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=PopHorror |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Mike & Fred Vs. The Dead {{!}} Cast and Crew {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mike_and_fred_vs_the_dead/cast-and-crew |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> and featured Sadie Katz,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stagno |first=Michael |title=ThrillFlix Tabs 'Scream Queens' Sadie Katz & Felissa Rose to Host… – Galaxtic Pop |url=https://galaxticpop.com/thrillflix-tabs-scream-queens-sadie-katz-felissa-rose-to-host-room-236/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |language=en-US}}</ref> Michael C. Burgess,<ref name=":9" /> and Nick Young.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike & Fred vs The Dead Summary, Latest News, Trailer, Cast, Where to Watch and More |url=https://screenrant.com/db/movie/mike-fred-vs-the-dead/ |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}</ref> It was produced by Brain Damage Films and Leone Films.<ref name=":8" />
== Filmography == {| class="wikitable" |+Feature films !Year !Title !Role !Producer !Notes |- |2016 |''South of 8'' |Benji |{{yes}} |<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Luke Anthony Pensabene Movies List {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/luke_anthony_pensabene |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South of 8 - American Film Institute |url=https://watch.afi.com/movie/south-of-8 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=American Film Institute |language=en}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |2020 |''Friend of the World'' |Ferguson |{{yes|Co-producer}} |<ref name=":0" /><ref name="Times of SD">{{cite interview |last=Stone |first=Ken |title=San Diego's Spielberg? Q&A With Director Brian Butler Near Sci-Fi Film Premiere |url=https://timesofsandiego.com/arts/2020/07/24/san-diegos-spielberg-qa-with-director-brian-butler-near-sci-fi-film-premiere/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=Times of San Diego |date=July 24, 2020}}</ref> |- |''Hacksaw'' |{{n/a}} |{{yes}} |also special effects<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Therkelsen |first=Michael |date=2019-09-15 |title=Review: Anthony Leone's "Hacksaw" |url=https://www.horrorsociety.com/2019/09/15/review-anthony-leones-hacksaw/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Horror Society |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2021 |''The Case of: Dakota Moore'' |{{n/a}} |{{yes|Associate producer}} | |- | rowspan="3" |2022 |''Everybody Dies by the End'' |F.B.I. Agent |{{yes|Associate producer}} |<ref>{{Cite web |title=EVERYBODY DIES BY THE END {{!}} Terror Films |url=https://terrorfilms.net/film/everybody-dies-end |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Terror Films}}</ref> |- |''Last Chance'' |Goon |{{yes}} |also production designer |- |''Mike & Fred vs The Dead'' |{{n/a}} |{{yes|Co-producer}} | |- |2024 |''Dark Chronicles'' |Mike |{{yes|Associate producer}} | |} {| class="wikitable" |+Short films !Year !Title !Role !Producer !Notes |- |2015 |''Hatred'' |Figure |{{no}} |<ref name=":0" /> |- | rowspan="3" |2016 |''Dearest Victoria'' |Ethan |{{yes}} | |- |''Fletcher and Jenks'' |Luke |{{no}} |also cinematographer<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=David |date=2017-10-20 |title=Local talent at a patriotic event |url=https://sdnews.com/local-talent-at-a-patriotic-event/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220230628/https://sdnews.com/local-talent-at-a-patriotic-event/ |archive-date=2023-12-20 |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=San Diego News |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |''The Phantom Hour'' |Nikolai |{{yes|Associate producer}} |<ref name="film threat">{{cite web |last=Shaer |first=Brian |date=July 13, 2020 |title=If nothing else, The Phantom Hour looks as though it was a lot of fun to make |url=https://filmthreat.com/reviews/the-phantom-hour/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=Film Threat}}</ref><ref name="hnn">{{cite web |last=Stormbringer |first=Melee |date=October 29, 2020 |title=Film Review: The Phantom Hour (short film) (2016) |url=https://horrornews.net/160900/film-review-the-phantom-hour-short-film-2016/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=Horror News Net}}</ref><ref name="cinema crazed">{{cite web |last=Black |first=Emilie |date=September 27, 2016 |title=Horrible Imaginings Film Festival 2016 Comedy Shorts Block: Part 1 |url=http://cinema-crazed.com/blog/2016/09/27/horrible-imaginings-film-festival-2016-comedy-shorts-block-part-1/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |work=Cinema Crazed}}</ref> |- |2017 |''Assumption'' |{{n/a}} |{{yes}} |also cinematographer |- | rowspan="2" |2019 |''Baby'' |Tommy |{{yes}} | |- |''Buy Roses for Me'' |Phillipe |{{no}} | |- | rowspan="2" |2020 |''The Girl on the Photo'' |{{n/a}} |{{yes|Associate producer}} | |- |''Kirby'' |{{n/a}} |{{yes|Associate producer}} | |- |2021 |''Graduation Afternoon'' |Party Guest |{{yes}} |<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":0" /> |}
== Accolades == {| class="wikitable" !Organization !Year !Award !Title !Result !Ref. |- |Order of the Arrow |2010 |The Vigil Honor |{{n/a}} |{{won}} |<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> |- |GI Film Festival San Diego |2017 |Best Actor |''Fletcher and Jenks'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-06 |title=GI Film Festival San Diego Selects 12 Titles for Local Film Showcase |url=https://gifilmfestivalsd.org/2017/media-room/gi-film-festival-san-diego-selects-12-titles-for-local-film-showcase/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=GI Film Festival San Diego |language=en-US}}</ref> |}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|id=5903887}} *{{TV Guide person|id=3060439552}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pensabene, Luke}} Category:American film actors Category:1991 births Category:Living people Category:Military personnel from San Diego Category:Military personnel from Staten Island Category:Male actors from San Diego Category:Male actors from Staten Island Category:St. Joseph by the Sea High School alumni Category:Film producers from California Category:Film producers from New York City Category:American cinematographers Category:21st-century United States Marines