From Possum Kingdom to Hollywood, Tanner Beard has always been inspired by his roots at PK

Story by Steve Nussbaum | Photos contributed by Tanner Beard

Tanner Beard was a natural for his portrayal as a Texas Roughneck growing up near Snyder, TX. And his first job was working the West Texas oil patch before heading to Hollywood. Pictured above is from Beard’s character, Marty in “Landman”

Tanner Beard is a Texas-born actor and filmmaker with deep roots in West Texas and a passion for bringing authentic Texas stories to the screen.

Now based full-time in Fort Worth, Beard continues to champion faith-based and independent film projects shot across North Texas.

Beard grew up in Snyder, Texas, where his father worked as a chemical engineer in the oil and gas industry, and h spent time as a youngster at Possum Kingdom Lake, forming early memories in the 1980s of fishing trips and family gatherings.

In the early 2000s, Beard’s family had a lake cabin near Possum Hollow, then another one later on in Gaines Bend from 1999 to 2004. PK remains central to his life, especially Hell’s Gate and its legendary Fourth of July celebrations.

At age 18, Beard spent his last summer before heading to Hollywood working at the Breakers restaurant on the west side of the lake. He often describes his connection to PK as one of the places that inspired so many of his projects.

Tanner Beard with the all-star cast at the premier of “Landman”

Tanner Beard on set in West Texas for the hit series “Landman”

The Legend of Hell’s Gate

Beard’s passion project, “The Legend of Hell’s Gate: An American Conspiracy,” was filmed in 2009. It premiered in Texas and later went through distribution changes, with Lionsgate re-cutting the film into more of an action format rather than the historical saga Beard envisioned.

The heart of the story centers on how Hell’s Gate got its name, weaving in Texas history by including notable figures such as Bass Reeves, Doc Holliday and John Wilkes Booth.

The film explores the long-debated Texas legend that Booth may have lived under the alias “John St. Helens” in Granbury, along with historical references such as Fannie Rae Booth, his cousin..

The movie that really got Tanner Beard in the door was “Mouth of Caddo”

Beard’s movie, “Blood Behind Us” was recently shot in Mineral Wells

The movie was notable for being one of the first Westerns shot in 4K resolution in 2009, giving it a unique visual feel almost by accident, and long before 4K became the industry standard.

Cast members included Powers Boothe (narrator), Buck Taylor, Kevin Alejandro and Barry Tubb.

Beard expressed gratitude for regaining the rights to the film and said he hopes to showcase it again in Texas.

Tanner Beard grew up coming to Possum Kingdom Lake

and has always been inspired by it’s rich history. He used

that inspiration for many of his directing and acting projects.

Behind the scenes of Beard’s latest project, “Once Upon a Time in Texas”. Beard is planning

to debut this film in conjunction with the Dallas International Film Festival.

Beard appears in a recurring role in the American drama series “Landman.” In it, he plays the character of Marty, an oilfield “pirate” type. Beard attended the “Landman” premiere and worked in the series alongside Billy Bob Thornton, whom he described as “one of the coolest people I’ve ever met.” Beard said his oilfield role was personal, because he worked for his father in the oilfield in Snyder before heading to Los Angeles.

Other projects he has been involved with include:

• “Once Upon a Time in Texas,” 15-year anniversary recognition.
• “One in a Million,” a faith-based film shot in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
• “Blood Behind Us,” filmed in 2024 and based on the final work of Michael Madsen.
• “Mouth of Caddo,” an early short film project featuring Powers Boothe.
• A project inspired by the Toadies song “Possum Kingdom.”

“Once Upon a Time in Texas” is Beard’s latest project, and he considers it his “love letter” both to the Lone Star State and Possum Kingdom in particular. Beard is planning to debut this film in conjunction with the Dallas International Film Festival.

“Blood Behind Us” is another project Beard shot in Mineral Wells.

Beard’s family maintains a ranch near Santo, Texas, and he continues to invest in Texas-based storytelling. He believes Texas is making its way to the forefront of the film industry, and he remains passionate about telling stories rooted in the people, landscapes and legends he grew up learning about.

Last year Beard moved his family and production company to Fort Worth to take advantage of the burgeoning Texas film industry. He said he believes Texas stories resonate with people, and no one would be better to tell that story than someone who has lived it.