HUNTER SANSONE
Family-Themed Movie is Perfect for St. Louisan Hunter Sansone Written by Lou Ann Wilcox / Photography by Leigh Keily
The safety of home and family has dual meanings for Hunter Sansone. St. Louis is the hometown of a long list of actors and Sansone is among the newest members of that auspicious group. While he was visiting his immediate family in St. Louis for Thanksgiving, Sophisticated Living caught up with him to learn about his breakout role in the Disney+ Original movie, “Safety,” which made its debut December 11, 2020. Inspired by a true story, “Safety” is about former Clemson University football safety Ray McElrathbey. McElrathbey was a redshirt freshman in 2006 when he was granted custody of his 11-year-old brother to keep him from being sent to foster care. Their mother was battling drug addiction. Aided by his teammates and the Clemson community, he succeeds on the field while simultaneously raising and caring for his brother. Sansone plays Daniel Morelli, Ray’s roommate, teammate, best friend, and the first person Ray meets on campus. He is Ray’s initial confidant about his family situation and need to care for his brother. The 27-year-old Sansone is the only child of Catherine and Gregg Sansone. He grew up in west St. Louis county, attending school during the week in St. Louis and spending weekends at his 22 slmag.net
family’s farm in Franklin County. After his graduation in 2012 from Chaminade College Prep he left for Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. “My character, Daniel, is from Long Island and part of a large Italian family,” says Sansone. “The core theme of the story is family and coming from a big extended Italian family I really connected to the character and to the script. There was a direct parallel to my own upbringing so I knew I had to find a way to be a part of it.” Sansone notes his numerous aunts, uncles and 40 plus first cousins on his father’s side of the family. “Also, the director of ‘Safety,’ Oscar-nominated Reggie Hudlin, is from East St. Louis. At the audition we bonded over our love for St. Louis,” adds Sansone. Sansone’s interest in acting began in high school. “My mom was a performer – a singer. She always said, ‘I think you would enjoy acting.’ I brushed it off for a long time but then I decided to follow her to an acting class. I was hooked!” For the next two years he attended classes at the St. Louis and Springfield, Mo., studios of the Creative Actors Workshop. To ensure the support of his parents, Sansone improved his grades. “My dad was totally on board after that.”
