THE TAPESTRY OF TYLER LEPLEY: THRESHOLDS, TRIUMPHS + TAKING THE LEAD!
- 26 Magazine Staff
- Sep 26, 2025
- 8 min read
EDITOR IN CHIEF: COREY GUEVARRA
PHOTOGRAPHY: CYOER PHOTO
GROOMER: ANNETTE CHAISSON
STYLING: ALY GARZA
There is indeed something [undeniable] about Tyler Lepley! Intrigue, mystery, magnetism, he seems a blend of opposing forces, balanced in a way that feels intrinsically authentic. Actor, father, entrepreneur: each [irl] role he takes on is a reflection of his commitment to growth, family and a kind of life worth building.
From Philly [adjacent] football fields to L.A. sound stages, he’s chased his dreams with a clear sense of direction, ever renewed by whatever evolutionary object life’s thrown his way. With a new engagement, business ventures and not 1 but 2 huge starring roles this year alone. He’s living proof that passion and purpose can, not only coexist, but must be foundational for the tenor of aspirational ambition. Here’s our time with actor Tyler Lepley, in truth, timing & triumph:
TYLER, IF WE ASKED THE PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOU BEST TO DESCRIBE YOU, WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY'D SAY?
You know, my fiancé might tease and say that I'm sensitive lol. I think her & the people who really know me would say I'm a very balanced individual though. I definitely am the light and the dark. I’ve got both sides. My mom or some of my friends would also say that I’m an artist: through and through! I wouldn't call myself an empath, but I am a deeply feeling man. At the core of it, my people would likely say that I'm “a deeply feeling person who will always look out for others”.
WE [SECRETLY] PHOTOGRAPHED YOUR COVERSTORY A WHILE BACK + LITERALLY AS WE WRAPPED, THE ENTIRE FILM/TV INDUSTRY WENT ON STRIKE! WHEN YOU THINK BACK, WHAT’S THE BIGGEST THING YOU LEARNED FROM THAT TIME & EXPERIENCE?
The biggest lesson was really a re-affirmation of what matters most in life for me—and it showed up in two parts.
At the forefront was my family. My three children, my fiancé and my parents became even more of an anchor during those challenging months. Going through that time made it crystal clear—they’re my everything!
But there was another revelation: my passion for acting. The pause reminded me how central the craft was to who I was as a person. Like I knew that before, but when life takes something away from you, it always puts things into perspective. During the strike we couldn't go on set, we couldn't even have conversations with writers about projects at all, so it was really just a tough pause as an artist. But it definitely magnified my appreciation for my profession and this creative life I get to live.
WHAT'S THE MOST SPONTANEOUS THING YOU'VE EVER DONE AND HOW DID IT TURN OUT?
Man, honestly, probably getting down on one knee. Asking my fiancé to marry me. I mean it took a couple of years lol, but I just never thought that love would find me the way that it did. So following Cupid's arrow you know, it was by far the most spontaneous for me. And it's turning out great - we're planning the wedding as we speak!
CAN YOU TAKE US BACK A BIT TYLER? WHAT WAS EARLY LIFE LIKE?
So I'm from right outside of Philly -Bucks County, Pennsylvania. I grew up as an only child so I was very headstrong as a kid but my household was always full of love. My parents have been married for over 30 plus years. Early on, I was actually a football player & I always thought I was going to be in the NFL, even ended up getting a scholarship to play football in college. But a couple injuries in and things just didn't go that way. I did end up finishing my degree before I came out here to L.A though. I’m grateful, I had a good upbringing.
HOW & WHEN DID ACTING SHOW UP ON YOUR RADAR AS THE CAREER YOU DEFINITELY WANTED TO PURSUE?
When I moved to L.A. I came here really because I just wasn’t expanding in Philly the way I wanted. A couple of friends and I decided to make the trek together and having that initial support system really made a difference. A few months in, I was working as a personal trainer when one of my clients asked me to audition for a small SAG role he couldn’t cast. It was super low-budget, but that’s where it all started. I ended up going in the room, booked the audition and that was my introduction into the industry. From there I was instantly intrigued. I jumped right into acting classes, got some headshots and just started learning the craft; voice work, reading, body techniques even therapy—anything that would help me sharpen my skills. This was about 15 years ago and it set the foundation for everything that came after.
WHAT'S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED TYLER?
I read once, “The one who walks out of the storm will never be the same as the one who walked in.” Life’s storms are meant to teach, not break you. Obstacles help you grow, build resilience, and shape you for the “next” best you.
AS A FATHER, WHAT'S YOUR GREATEST HOPE FOR YOUR CHILDREN ONE DAY? - WOULD YOU BE OKAY WITH THEM PURSUING SHOW BUSINESS AS WELL? & IF THEY WERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE 26 YEARS FROM NOW, WHAT'S A LASTING PIECE OF ADVICE YOU'D LIKE TO LEAVE IN TIME FOR THEM?
I think my greatest hope for my children is that they listen to the little voice within and be whoever they want to be. Put a plan behind their goals, put one foot in front of the other and climb right up any mountain.
Would I be okay with them pursuing show business as well? I would, but not as children. I think I just I want them to experience early life authentically and if they do want to be an artist later on, then bet, they’ll have real experiences to draw from.
With this being said, I do support their creativity at present as well though, I do support if they want to do plays and be artistic. Like sometimes they’ll even break down scripts with me, so there’s full support for artistry without actually being in the industry at an early age. I think I’d like to leave that for them to explore [if they’d care to] when they’re older.
Lasting pieces of advice 26 years from now? I would tell Leo, I would tell Jade, and I would tell Zai, Please live the life that you see for yourself as opposed to the life others see for you. Be direct about it and be unapologetic! Live life to the fullest and love it for every moment that it presents to you. Squeeze every last drop out of this thing, it's a beautiful experience -if you allow it to be.
TYLER, WHAT WAS IT LIKE LANDING YOUR FIRST BIG ROLE? -IS THERE STILL A DREAM ROLE YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH?
You know, the idea of a “big” role is so subjective. For me, there were a lot of milestones along the way. My very first speaking role on TV was just a little one-liner on 90210 about 14 or 15 years ago but at the time, that was “big” you know? I’d say the role that really put me on the map in the eyes of the industry was ‘The Haves and the Have Nots’ for sure. Can’t describe how amazing it was to be able to work with the MOGUL Tyler Perry. I’d always watched his stuff before working with him, so to be able to be on a show where he was at the helm, that was really big for me.
We spent nine seasons on that show, filming well over 150, maybe even close to 200 episodes. And that time felt like a boot camp for my craft—working with seasoned actors, tackling scenes and learning how a production of that scale really runs. It definitely gave me the tools and confidence to take on the projects that came after.
As for a dream role, I wouldn’t say I have one specific part in mind. Right now, I’m more interested in continuing to work with other dynamic filmmakers and actors who push me to grow and sharpen my craft. Collaborators like Barry Jenkins, Tyler Perry again, Ryan Murphy, Ryan Coogler are the kinds of creative minds I’d love to work with. For me, it’s less about a single role and more about the opportunity to continue working with really driven filmmakers and creatives.
OK SO NOW TELL US ALL ABOUT THIS EXCITING NEW PROJECT, YOUR CHARACTER & WHY IT'S A MUST SEE!!
Yeah man!! So ‘Ruth and Boaz’ is a modern adaption of the classic story from the Book of Ruth. It showcases love in a patient way that I feel everyone will benefit from after seeing it. It teaches us how real love can manifest itself in the most unexpected ways when you pour into your relationships and your purpose.
Boaz as a character, shows a driven man who works hard to bring his dreams as a wine maker into reality. He’s also a faithful man who knows to seek divine guidance as he makes his way through uncharted territories. He serves his newfound relationship unconditionally and is then blessed to find the love of his life in the process!
To me, this is like the movie of the year! It’s a really hopeful film & we’re in a time where hope is so important, it’s needed.
IF YOU WEREN'T ACTING, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'D BE DOING INSTEAD TYLER?
I recently took a calculated gamble and got into the restaurant business with my spot Lepley’s in Tampa. As a man, as a provider I’ve always wanted to make sure I created numerous streams alongside my acting career. The strike ironically provided the space and time for me to dive into this venture.
If I wasn't acting, I think entrepreneurship and just continuing to expand in spaces of business while building my portfolio is where I would’ve landed full time.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HIDDEN TALENTS OR SKILLS FANS WOULD SURPRISED BY?
Ha! Well… I’m kind of like my family barber believe it or not lol. – I was never licensed or anything – but I do cut my own hair. So any fade that you've seen on TV or a movie, that's [all] me. I cut my kid's hair. I've cut my fiancé's hair. And I’m actually about to cut my dad's hair after this -lol.
WHAT'S THE MOST UNUSUAL THING YOU'VE LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF WHILE FILMING A ROLE TYLER?
I think I’m always surprised when art imitates life, when I unexpectedly find a piece of myself in a role that I’m playing. Sometimes there’s new layers of my own self I learn about when I'm diving into different aspects of a role. Overall I think what I've discovered is that all of the contrasting parts of myself actually bring balance to who I am as a human being.
+ FINALLY OUR FAVORITE QUESTION: TYLER LEPLEY, WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF LUXURY?
Luxury is comfort. What you're wearing should feel comfortable to you. Your lifestyle should feel comfortable to you. Comfort just means peace. Comfortable in your skin. Comfortable in your surroundings. If you’re wearing a plain white T-shirt, make it comfortable. If you’re wearing the latest Dior or CHANEL, make it comfortable. True luxury is about feeling at ease, completely.
