I am an actor, director, filmmaker, writer, musician, and artist. Some people call me a renaissance man, but I’ve been working in a multi-disciplinary style like this since I was a kid; building models, making up songs and sniffing glue at the same time. Yeah, those were the days!
 
I grew up in Chicago, but I left there in 1979 to travel. First I traveled around the US; by car, bus, train, hitch hiking and riding the rails. I worked many odd jobs along the way; I drove a cab in Chicago, sold balloons at Mardi Gras, slimed fish in Alaska, sang for my supper on the street, painted houses in California, washed dishes in the Catskills, and waited tables in NY. Then I went to Europe and Asia. I trekked the Himalayas, picked grapes in the Beaujolais, was in a Bollywood movie in Bombay, meditated at an Ashram, played music on the street, and studied theatre in Paris before heading back to the US in 1989. I spent ten years traveling and living around the world, and it was good.
 
Back in Chicago, and working as an actor, I met Kris Cahill, a painter and clairvoyant and all around amazing woman. We are married and now live in Los Angeles where I work as an actor and filmmaker.
 
I believe I am here on earth to learn and grow spiritually, and to help others grow as well. I do that by creating art, music, and telling stories. It makes me happy. It makes me love getting up in the morning. So does coffee. I love coffee. And I love what I do. So call me up and let’s work together sometime.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Enjoy your visit and come back soon.
 
Noel Olken
Greece
Edinburgh
Boundary Waters - Minnesota
Noel Olken  © 2004
Paris
South Dakota