In this episode of Next Act with Jeff Ornstein, Jeff sits down with actor Tom McElroy to talk about a life shaped by faith, storytelling, theater, film, and unexpected turns.

Tom shares how he moved from ministry into acting, what drew him to the stage, and why performance became more than a career path. He reflects on working in Chicago theater, appearing in productions like Prison Break, Chicago Fire, and The Dark Knight, and the lessons he has learned from decades in a difficult but deeply meaningful business.

This conversation is about faith, resilience, creative calling, and the strange, funny, and powerful moments that come from chasing the work you feel called to do.