HBO Stuntman Michael Bertrando Sworn Into Kennett Square Council
Michael Bertrando, a local business owner and professional stuntman known for doubling Mark Ruffalo in the HBO series Task, has been sworn in as the newest member of the Kennett Square Borough Council. Bertrando took the oath of office on Monday to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of former council member Julie Hamilton. He will hold the seat until December 2027, bringing a unique blend of Hollywood experience and Main Street commerce to the borough’s governance.
Bertrando is a familiar face in Kennett Square, where he helps run Sam’s Sub Shop, an eighty-year-old family business that has been a staple of the community for decades. Despite his recent brush with high-profile television production, Bertrando emphasizes his deep roots in the area. His background is eclectic; before returning home to assist his aging parents with the sandwich shop, he traveled internationally as a professional clown and performed in the improv comedy circuits of New York and Chicago.
The path to the council seat was not without its internal conflicts. Bertrando admits that he initially hesitated to accept the role of Mark Ruffalo’s stand-in for Task, fearing it would interfere with his responsibilities at the sub shop. He described feeling “bogged down” by the demands of the family business before the HBO opportunity “fuel-injected” his creative drive. Now, he faces the challenge of balancing three distinct demands: his acting career, the daily operations of a legacy local business, and the granular duties of municipal politics.
His appointment brings a specific perspective to the council, as Bertrando notes he is currently the only small business owner on the board. This dual identity—acting on a global stage while serving sandwiches on State Street—may raise questions among some constituents regarding his availability and focus. While his creative work takes him across the country, Bertrando argues that his best work is rooted in Kennett Square. He has stated his legislative priorities will include advocating for greater arts programming, such as a theater in the municipal complex, and ensuring transparency regarding environmental developments at the former National Vulcanized Fiber site.
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