At just 13, Austin native Callie Haverda already has a long list of acting credits to her name, from national commercials with the likes of Troy Aikman to her latest movie now on Netflix.

In Netflix’s feature film, The Lost Husband starring Josh Duhamel and Leslie Bibb, and filmed on location across Texas, Haverda co-stars as the daughter, Abby. This rising teen talent is known for her earlier roles in the TV series Shut Eye, and films such as Stage V, Paper Memories and The Adventures of Pepper and Paula.

When did you first want to act?

My first commercial was at around six years old, and soon after I worked on “The Adventures of Pepper and Paula.” I actually wasn’t allowed to act until I was old enough to decide for myself this was what I really wanted to do. After working for the first time, I just fell in love with the whole experience, and knew I couldn’t stop!

Which do you prefer—TV or film?

I really enjoy everything. Any script I can get my hands on or any project. But I mostly prefer to work on horror/thrillers. A very hard scene for me was a scene in the TV show, Shut Eye. I was with Isabella Rossellini and Havana Guppy who play my grandmother and sister, and we had just found our house burned to a crisp. The scene was especially challenging because our ‘house’ was just a huge green screen. So all of our emotions were made while staring at a big screen in a parking lot!

How did your role as Abby in “The Lost Husband” come about? 

I was recommended for the role by a casting director I have auditioned for plenty of times. I got the audition sent directly to me. I was in California at the time so my mom just  filmed me in our apartment and got it sent over. I then had a Skype callback session where I talked with the director Vicky Wight and the producers. When I got the call that I’d booked it, we flew back to Texas right away, and I had an amazing time filming. Josh Duhamel and Leslie Bibb were both really fun and spent a lot of time with us so the chemistry on set was very natural, and we were comfortable with each other.

How did your interest in ventriloquism come about? What do you think about ventriloquist Darci Lynne?

I do enjoy ventriloquism, [although] it’s just a side hobby of mine. I have these little puppet animals including a mouse that my brother and I used to make videos with, trying out our ventriloquist skills. Darci Lynn is amazing! I don’t follow her career very much but I do remember watching her on “America’s Got Talent.”

What do you like to do when you have some free time? 

In my free time I enjoy riding horses, painting, learning to play guitar and piano . Of course, like most teens I also enjoy making TikToks. But most of my free time is consumed by writing. I have an old typewriter I acquired a few years ago and am constantly writing poems, and short stories along with a novel I am currently working on! I always think about being an author, or a forensic scientist if acting doesn’t work out.

You’ve been in over 20 national commercials. 

Yes, I just finished filming a recent commercial for Citibank in association with the Girl Scouts. It is an empowering commercial helping girls share their voice in a civil society. I was so glad I got to be a part of it. I’ve also been in commercials for Prevagen and Hyundai, KFC, Homewood Suites, Kaleo, and an HEB Super Bowl commercial with Dallas Cowboys former quarterback, Troy Aikman.

What would you say to someone who has a talent or desire to act? 

I would first give them a very well deserved “break a leg.” The business can be very tough. and you are really challenged when you’re an actor. But just keep pushing forward because something will come, and even though there are so many people auditioning for the same thing there is only one you, and if it’s right it will work out.

Cover photo courtesy Callie Haverda

Bob Valleau is a freelance writer living in McKinney, Texas.