Daryn Tufts

Tufts’ film career began in 2002 with the release of The Singles Ward, regarded as the first LDS comedy feature film. Tufts played the role of Eldon, the Franklin Day Planner enthusiast and acted as script doctor, writing and editing several scenes in the film’s script. The Singles Ward was a box office success that launched the genre of LDS comedies as well as Tufts’ acting career.

In 2013, Tufts wrote K9 Adventures: Legend of The Lost Gold, a family adventure movie, directed by Stephen Shimek and starring Luke Perry, Brooke Langton, and Ariana Bagley.

In 2011, Tufts directed his second feature film, Inside, which he also wrote. The movie stars Luke Goss, Paul Rae, Isaac C. Singleton, Jr., and Derek Phillips (actor).

On March 1, 2011, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend was released on DVD.

A novelization of the film, written by Elodia Strain, was published by Cedar Fort, Inc. on August 8, 2011.

In June, 2011, Daryn Tufts directed Inside, a horror feature film that he also wrote. The movie stars Luke Goss, Paul Rae, Derek Phillips (actor), and Isaac Singleton. The film premiered at the first Salt Lake City Comic Con in 2013, where it won Best Feature Film, Best Editing, Best Actor (Isaac Singleton, Jr.), and Best Director.

In 2010, Tufts returned to ComedySportz and currently performs periodically. In September 2013, Daryn produced and performed in The Garrens Comedy Troupe 20th Anniversary Reunion Spectacular! at Brigham Young University.

My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend had its world premiere April 24, 2010 to a sold out audience at the Newport Beach Film Festival in Newport Beach, California.

On October 22, 2010, the movie began a limited theatrical run in Salt Lake City, Utah, and scored $10,300 on its opening weekend on just two screens. That per-screen average, of $5,150, was higher than that of many of the weekend’s top 10 films, resulting in the film’s expansion to three other theaters.

In December, 2010, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend experienced a national release through WB Digital’s pay-per-view and VOD platforms. The movie is also currently available in High Definition through NetFlix Streaming Video On-Demand, Hulu, and iTunes.

In 2009, Tufts directed his first feature film, My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend, which he also wrote. Produced by Rick McFarland (FiftyFilms) and Alyssa Milano (Peace by Peace Productions), My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend stars Alyssa Milano, Christopher Gorham, Michael Landes, Beau Bridges, Carol Kane, and Tom Lenk.

Currently (and since 2007), Tufts can be seen across the state of Utah as Therm: The Questar Gas Energy Wiseguy (official Questar Gas Spokesperson)

American Mormon in Europe was released by Excel Entertainment Group in 2006.

In 2006, Tufts released Stalking Santa, his first national feature film that was not associated with any LDS characters, references, or themes. The film is a comedy centered around a man’s obsession to scientifically prove the existence of Santa Claus. Daryn was the screenwriter and co-producer of the project and acted in one of the lead roles.

Released by Excel Entertainment Group in 2005, American Mormon took a unique look at the LDS religion and culture from an outside point of view. The documentary was highly successful and led Excel to partner with Tufts and Knudsen to produce a sequel – American Mormon in Europe. For it, the two men traveled across Western Europe, including Italy, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. Along with discovering what people from different parts of the world knew about Mormons, Tufts and Knudsen decided to add a new element to this documentary. All over Europe, the two men also talked, on camera, with members of the LDS faith to document the experiences of people who are members of the LDS church outside of the United States. This included an in-depth discussion with LDS members who lived in West and East Berlin when the Berlin Wall came down and a visit to the Gadfield Elm Chapel, the oldest LDS chapel on earth, in Herefordshire, England.

In 2004, Tufts began working on American Mormon, his first documentary. Partnering with local actor and businessman Jed Knudsen, Tufts began traveling across the United States, shooting the documentary. American Mormon was shot in Washington, D.C., New York City, New Orleans, Memphis, Las Vegas Los Angeles and other locations. Tufts, on camera, approached random people. Upon their consent, Tufts interviewed these people, “man on the street” style with one objective: find out what people across the United States know about Mormons. After several weeks of traveling and shooting, Tufts and Knudsen began to compile the footage which would become a comedic cross-section of people from all over the country.

After The Singles Ward, Tufts went on to appear in the films The R.M., The Home Teachers, Church Ball, and The Singles 2nd Ward, the sequel to the 2002 film.

Daryn Tufts (born April 1, 1973 in Arcadia, California) is a writer, director, producer, and actor. Tufts’s writing, producing, and directing credits include feature films, documentaries, and television commercials and he has acted in several successful independent films. Tufts has also performed and taught sketch comedy and improvisational comedy with several professional comedy troupes and is the commercial spokesperson for the Questar Corporation (gas company). He currently lives in Holladay, Utah.