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 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.”  

After arriving in Los Angeles, Sansone did what all aspiring actors do: took acting classes, got headshots, an agent, a manager, and started auditioning. In the meantime, he worked at a smoothie shop, parked cars, drove for Uber and Lyft, and worked in property management. Early successes included an appearance in a music video and a Verizon commercial. More recently, he had a guest appearance in Season 4, Episode 3 of S.W.A.T on CBS.

In 2019, he joined the cast of the CW/DC Universe superhero series “Stargirl” on The CW Network in a series regular role, allowing him to focus on full-time acting. “The six months spent shooting the first season of ‘Stargirl’ helped me prepare for ‘Safety,’” he says. Currently, he is shooting Season 2 of “Stargirl,” which will be released some time in 2021. “We are tested for COVID-19 every few days,” Sansone says. “And everyone takes social distancing seriously.”

According to Sansone, his role in “Safety” fell into his lap in a surreal way. “A friend of mine was planning to audition for the part. Although he wanted the role, he thought that I would be a good  fit so he selflessly let me know about the opportunity. Both of us auditioned and I got the part. It is a beautiful script and story and I really wanted it after reading it.”

Some of the film was shot at Memorial Stadium during halftime of a Clemson football game. Fans were aware of the planned filming and were asked to stay in their seats and cheer. The film crew was allowed a little over seven minutes (half of halftime) to shoot several football plays for the movie in front of 70,000 people. Actors in Clemson football gear ran down the hill just as the real team does in pregame.  

A St. Louisan at heart, Sansone gets home when he can. “I miss my family and our farm of course,” he says. “I also miss St. Louis’ sports culture. I grew up going to Cardinals, Rams, and Blues games. I am a die-hard Blues fan and played hockey as a kid. Following the 2019 Stanley Cup win was a blast.”

True to his roots, Sansone mentions Imo’s pizza and going to The Hill with his family, especially to DiGregorio's Italian Market, among other things he misses. “I am incredibly grateful for hometown support,“ he says. “St. Louis supports its own. I appreciate that. It doesn’t go unnoticed.”

He has not gone unnoticed by St. Louisans either. To this gregarious and talented young man, Sophisticated Living says, “break a leg.”