From Hollywood actor to U.S. History teacher
October 9, 2012
To Mr. Christopher Castile, acting was a natural born talent, but as he got older, he realized teaching was his true calling. It was during the first couple of weeks of school in Downey High when Mr. Castile shared with his class a little bit about himself. He shared hobbies, interests and even mentioned he was expecting a daughter who was on the way, but what shocked his students most was when he shared his past career as an actor.
“We were shocked,” Daisy Paez ,11, said. “You wouldn’t think a history teacher would’ve had an acting career.”
Castile began his acting career at the age of seven when his grandfather introduced him to his friend’s wife who worked for a talent agent named Judy Savage. She instantly fell in love with his humorous personality, and he soon started getting casted for a variety of commercials like: M&M’s, McDonald’s, Capri Sun, TJ Max, Kellogg’s Snacks, etc.
“I lost count after 20 commercials,” the former actor said, “but I’m sure it didn’t go more than 30.”
Being casted as Ted Newton in Beethoven the sequel was a very familiar role for him.
“Most of the time I played that nerdy kid,” Castile said, “so playing Ted was a comfortable role.”
After Beethoven, he continued his career on the show Step by Step as Mark Foster from 1992-1998 and provided the voice of Eugene Horowitz on the Nickelodeon series Hey Arnold! It was soon after that he retired and attended a public high school where he met his wife. He explained that he just wasn’t as interested in acting anymore and he wanted to do other things like spend time with his friends and girlfriend, play golf, and go to college.
“I just wanted to be normal,” Castile said, “I didn’t have the time to do what any other normal teenager did at the time.”
Castile is currently a U.S. History teacher at Downey High School and a Political Science professor at Biola University. For him, teaching is the most fun and exciting job he’s ever had. He simply loves what he does and how challenging teaching is.
“Being a high school teacher, I actually have to be good at what I do,” Castile said. “In college it’s up to the students to get the material, being a college professor you don’t necessarily have to be good at teaching but know what you’re talking about.”
Castile always finds a way to fill his class with humor and a positive environment; this makes his students pay attention and truly understand the lessons.
“You really feel like you know him as a person,” Renyoantonio Perez ,11, said, “I enjoy his class a lot.”
Castile explained that working as an actor is far more exhausting and didn’t get much out of it. He loves teaching because it’s far more fulfilling and loves to see his students smiling faces every day.
Lopez hopes to move out right after graduating from high school and attend Barnard University in NYC. There she would like to major in something that relates to writing. A special moment for Lopez was last year when she went to Laguna Beach with her brother, for her birthday. It was special because everything was perfect that day and her brother whom she hardly spends time with was there. Lopez is very enthusiastic for The Downey Legend and hopes to take on special and exciting tasks.
The soft-spoken Menendez lives her life to the fullest of its potential each and every day. She is a proud film enthusiast, lover of Asian cuisine, and self-proclaimed introvert – though she claims to enjoy wasting away the weekends with her friends. Nonetheless, rather than having a traditional quinceñera with the spotlight on her, Menendez chose to travel Europe alone. “I’ve always wanted to go, just to see new places I’d never seen before.” Menendez says. “I wanted something new. She still longs to travel the rest of the world – all the while, documenting her trips through a camera lens. A small girl, Menendez has big dreams ahead of herself.
Cool story
Very cool.. Mr. Castile.. Glad to see you are a success story…
I remember watching you in both Beethoven movies as well as Step By Step. Loved Hey Arnold too. You look great. Sound like you are a terrific regular guy and a fun teacher to boot. I remember reading a story about you being a Christian. I hope you still are.