Kirby Heyborne (born October 8, 1976) is an American actor, musician, singer, songwriter, narrator and comedian. He is known for his work in

films A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmospher ...

centered around the culture of

the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian Christian church that considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ. The ...

(LDS Church). Heyborne has also worked extensively as an audiobook narrator, narrating more than 300 books. He has won two

Odyssey Award The Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production is an annual award conferred by the American Library Association upon the publisher of "the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United State ...

s and an Audie Award for Middle Grade Title. In 2015, ''

Booklist ''Booklist'' is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. ''Booklist''s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is av ...

'' named him a Voice of Choice narrator.

Early life and education

Heyborne graduated from Alta High School in 1995 where he was student body president. He is a member of the LDS Church and served as a

missionary A missionary is a member of a Religious denomination, religious group which is sent into an area in order to promote its faith or provide services to people, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care, and economic development.Tho ...

for the church in the

Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic ( ; es, República Dominicana, ) is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean region. It occupies the eastern five-eighths of the island, which it shares with ...

. He later graduated from the

University of Utah The University of Utah (U of U, UofU, or simply The U) is a public research university in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is the flagship institution of the Utah System of Higher Education. The university was established in 1850 as the University of D ...

with a degree in Economics.

Career

Heyborne is both an actor and a musician. He has released several CDs on which he sings and plays the guitar. However, Heyborne first became widely popular in LDS Church culture after starring in the film '' The R.M.'' (2003). His first appearance in a non-LDS film was as "Teddy" in ''

The Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical farce and slapstick. Six Stooges appear ...

'' (2012). He is also an accomplished narrator, and has provided voice work for many novels, short stories, and non-fiction titles. Heyborne generated some controversy in the

Latter-day The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, informally known as the LDS Church or Mormon Church, is a nontrinitarian Christian church that considers itself to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ. The chu ...

Saint community in 2008 after deciding to appear in a

Miller Lite Miller Lite is a 4.2% ABV light American lager beer sold by Molson Coors (previously MillerCoors) of Chicago, Illinois. The company also produces Miller Genuine Draft and Miller High Life. Miller Lite competes mainly with Anheuser-Busch ...

beer commercial. Devout members of the LDS Church do not drink alcohol, and his appearance in a beer commercial was perceived as hypocritical. Heyborne stated that he would prefer to act only in roles aligned with his faith but was unable to predict which offers he might receive. He interpreted the Miller Lite opportunity as an answer to prayer, and a way to feed his family. He was later denied the chance to play at LDS Church-owned

Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU, sometimes referred to colloquially as The Y) is a private research university in Provo, Utah. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ...

(BYU), where he had often played in the past, allegedly due to his involvement with the commercial. He also had appeared in a

Best Buy Best Buy Co. Inc. is an American multinational consumer electronics retailer headquartered in Richfield, Minnesota. Originally founded by Richard M. Schulze and James Wheeler in 1966 as an audio specialty store called Sound of Music, it was rebra ...

commercial in late-summer 2013, promoting sales for

Verizon Verizon Communications Inc., commonly known as Verizon, is an American multinational telecommunications conglomerate and a corporate component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is headquartered at 1095 Avenue of the Americas in ...

phones for an upcoming back-to-school sale. This commercial aired during the CBS primetime lineup on August 26, 2013. In 2019, he began as host for a new show on

BYUtv BYU TV (stylized as BYUtv) is a television channel, founded in 2000, which is owned and operated as a part of Brigham Young University (BYU). The channel, available through cable and satellite distributors in the United States, produces a numbe ...

called "Making Good."

Awards and honors

In 2015, ''

'' named Heyborne a Voice of Choice narrator, noting that he has a "skill at voicing accents and dialects, perhaps enhanced by his musical knowledge and ear, comes up frequently in reviews."

Awards

"Best of" lists

Works

Filmography

*''Social Suicide'' (2001) - Tuff Christopherson *'' The Singles Ward'' (2002) - Dalen Martin *'' The R.M.'' (2003) - Jared Phelps *''

The Work and the Story ''The Work and the Story'' is a 2003 Mormon mockumentary comedy film written and directed by Nathan Smith Jones and starring Nathan Smith Jones, Jen Hoskins, Eric Artel, Dan Merkley, and Richard Dutcher. The title of the film is a reference t ...

'' (2003) - Ephraim Thomas *''

Saints and Soldiers ''Saints and Soldiers'' is a 2003 war drama film directed by Ryan Little and produced by Little and Adam Abel. It is loosely based on events that took place after the Malmedy massacre during the Battle of the Bulge. The film stars Corbin Allred, ...

'' (2003) - Flight Sergeant Oberon Winley *'' The Book of Mormon Movie, Vol. 1: The Journey'' (2003) - Sam *'' The Best Two Years'' (2003) - Elder Hezekiah Calhoun *'' Everwood'' (2003) - Mr. Perkins *''Hoops'' (2004) - Ethan *'' Sons of Provo'' (2004) - Kirby Laybourne *''The Last Chapter'' (2004) - Jonathan *''

Pirates of the Great Salt Lake Mormon cinema usually refers to films with themes relevant to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The term has also been used to refer to films that do not necessarily reflect Mormon themes but have been made ...

'' (2006) - Kirk Redgrave/Nose Beard *''Lazy Muncie'' (2006) - Himself *'' Free Ride'' (2006) - Dylan Hudney *''Take a Chance'' (2006) - Eugene Buddles *''Praise to the Man'' (2006) - Oliver Cowdery *''Together Again for the First Time'' (2008) - Roger Wolders *''The Singles 2nd Ward'' (2007) - Dalen Martin *''Scout Camp'' (2009) - Kerry *''Midway to Heaven'' (2011) - David *''

'' (2012) - Teddy *''Sorry'' (2013) *'' The Client List'' (2013, TV series, season 1 episode 7) *'' Extinct'' (2017, TV series) - voice of Red Drone

Discography

*''Inside'' - (2005) *''Braver Days'' ( May 2006) *''Merry White Tree in the Night'' (Oct 2006) *''The RM Soundtrack'' - "

If You Could Hie to Kolob Kolob is a star or planet described in the Book of Abraham, a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement. Several Latter Day Saint denominations hold the Book of Abraham to have been translated from an Egyptian papyrus scroll by Joseph Sm ...

" *''Sons of Provo'' Soundtrack *''The Gone Away World'' by Nick Harkaway - Narrator (2008) *''Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist'' by Rachel Cohn &

David Levithan David Levithan (born September 7, 1972) is an American young adult fiction author and editor."David Levithan". October 30, 2008. Gale Database. ''Contemporary Authors Online''. UWM Golda Meir Library, Milwaukee. July 1, 2009. He has written numer ...

- Narrator (2008) *''The Elm Tree'' - Released March 31, 2009 *''The Long Walk'' by

Stephen King Stephen Edwin King (born September 21, 1947) is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels. Described as the "King of Horror", a play on his surname and a reference to his high ...

writing as Richard Bachman - Narrator (2010) *''Fat Vampire'' by Adam Rex - Narrator (2010) *''Rotters'' by Daniel Kraus - Narrator (2011) *''Everybody Sees the Ants'' by A. S. King - Narrator (2012) *''Come to Zion, Vol. 1: The Winds and the Waves'' by Dean Hughes - Narrator (2012) * '' Gone Girl'' by Gillian Flynn - Narrator (with Julia Whelan) (2012) *''Scowler'' by Daniel Kraus - Narrator (2013) *''Breathe'' by

Abbi Glines Abbi Glines (Abigail Glines) (born 16 April 1977) is an American New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling novelist. Her new-adult fiction titled ''Fallen Too Far'' was self-published on eBook and paperback in 2012. The rema ...

- Narrator (2013) *''Taipei'' by Tao Lin - Narrator (2013) *''Come to Zion, Vol. 2: Through Cloud and Sunshine'' by Dean Hughes - Narrator (2013) *''Fifteen Minutes'' by

Karen Kingsbury Karen Kingsbury (born June 8, 1963) is an American Christian novelist born in Fairfax, Virginia. She was a sports writer for the ''Los Angeles Times'' and later wrote for the ''Los Angeles Daily News''. Her first book, '' Missy's Murder'' (1991), ...

- Narrator (2013) *'' Hollow City'' by Ransom Riggs - Narrator (2014) *''Rumble'' by

Ellen Hopkins Ellen Louise Hopkins (born March 26, 1955) is a novelist who has published several ''New York Times'' bestselling novels that are popular among the teenage and young adult audience. Personal life Hopkins was adopted by Albert and Valeria Wagner ...

- Narrator (2014) *''The Family of Jesus'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2014) *''Angels Walking'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2014) *''A Generation Rising (Fire and Steel, Vol. 1)'' by Gerald N. Lund - Narrator (2014) *''Only the Brave: The Continuing Story of the San Juan Pioneers'' by Gerald N. Lund - Narrator (2014) *''Come to Zion, Vol. 3: Fresh Courage Take'' by Dean Hughes - Narrator (2014) *''Ashfall'' by Mike Mullin - Narrator (2015) *'' All the Bright Places'' by Jennifer Niven - Narrator (2015) *''The Friends of Jesus'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2015) *''Chasing Sunsets (Angels Walking, book 2)'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2015) *''The Orphan Army: The Nightsiders, book 1'' by

Jonathan Maberry Jonathan Maberry (born May 18, 1958) is an American suspense author, anthology editor, comic book writer, magazine feature writer, playwright, content creator and writing teacher/lecturer. He was named one of the Today's Top Ten Horror Writers. ...

- Narrator (2015) *''The Storm Descends (Fire and Steel, Vol. 2)'' by Gerald N. Lund - Narrator (2015) *'' Library of Souls'' by Ransom Riggs - Narrator (2015) *''Fires of Invention (Mysteries of Cove, Vol. 1)'' by Jeffrey Scott Savage - Narrator (2015) *''Youngblood'' by Matt Gallagher - Narrator (2016) *''To Soar with Eagles'' by Gerald N. Lund - Narrator (2016) *''Brush of Wings (Angels Walking, book 3)'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2016) *''The Shadow Falls (Fire and Steel, Vol. 3)'' by Gerald N. Lund - Narrator (2016) *''Gears of Revolution (Mysteries of Cove, Vol. 2)'' by Jeffrey Scott Savage - Narrator (2016) *''A Baxter Family Christmas (The Baxters)'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2016) *''Dragonwatch: A Fablehaven Adventure (Dragonwatch, Vol. 1)'' by Brandon Mull - Narrator (2017) *''The Proud Shall Stumble (Fire and Steel, Vol. 4)'' by Gerald N. Lund - Narrator (2017) *''Love Story (The Baxters)'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2017) *''In This Moment (The Baxters)'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2017) *''Embers of Destruction (Mysteries of Cove, Vol. 3)'' by Jeffrey Scott Savage - Narrator (2017) *''Out of the Smoke (Fire and Steel, Vol. 5)'' by Gerald N. Lund - Narrator (2018) *’’I Am Not A Serial Killer (John Cleaver, Vol. 1)’’ by Dan Wells - Narrator (2018) *''Dragonwatch: Wrath of the Dragon King (Dragonwatch, Vol. 2)'' by Brandon Mull - Narrator (2018) *''

A Map of Days ''A Map of Days'' is a sequel to 2015 novel ''Library of Souls'' written by Ransom Riggs and fourth book in the series of ''Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children ''Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children'' is a contemporary fantasy d ...

'' by Ransom Riggs - Narrator (2018) *''To the Moon and Back (The Baxters)'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2018) *''When We Were Young (The Baxters)'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2018) *''Two Weeks (The Baxters)'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2019) *''Into the Flames (Fire and Steel, Vol. 6)'' by Gerald N. Lund - Narrator (2019) *''Muddy: Where Faith and Polygamy Collide (Muddy, Vol. 1)'' by Dean Hughes - Narrator (2019) *''Dragonwatch: Master of the Phantom Isle (Dragonwatch, Vol. 3)'' by Brandon Mull - Narrator (2019) *''River: Where Faith and Consecration Converge (Muddy, Vol. 2)'' by Dean Hughes - Narrator (2020) *''The Volunteer Effect'' by Jason Young and Jonathan Malm - Narrator (2020) *''Dragonwatch: Champion of the Titan Games (Dragonwatch, Vol. 4)'' by Brandon Mull - Narrator (2020) *''Someone Like You (The Baxters)'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2020) *''Truly, Madly Deeply (The Baxters)'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2020) *''A Distant Shore'' by Karen Kingsbury - Narrator (with January LaVoy) (2021) *''Dragonwatch: Return of the Dragon Slayers (Dragonwatch, Vol. 5)'' by Brandon Mull - Narrator (2021)

References

External links

Official Kirby Heyborne site
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Heyborne, Kirby 1976 births American Mormon missionaries in the Dominican Republic Living people Musicians from Utah People from Evanston, Wyoming Place of birth missing (living people) University of Utah alumni Latter Day Saints from Wyoming American male film actors American male voice actors Latter Day Saints from Utah