28 OCT 2022 · Sam Anselmo, (formerly Damian Costello) was born on March 15th, 1988 in Knoxville Tennessee to Karl Porfirio, and now estranged mother Della Mason. Sam has lived a very interesting life, on Cruise Ships as a musician, and as a film and stage actor, and as of 2022, runs a film production company "The Ground Up Productions" and a talent agency "Gumo Talent Agency". He also co-owns a coffee shop "The Ground Up" with his wife Christie Porfirio in Branson, Missouri.
Sam worked on his first Cruise Line (Norwegian Cruise Lines) as a drummer at the age of 15, and continued to do so until age 20 when he moved to Brazil in 2009. He moved with hopes of finding something new in life, and wanted to start fresh in a new place, but soon realized that the Midwest in the United States was where he belonged. While in Brazil, He worked in what he calls a 'Warzone' in Sao Paulo, fighting Drug and Crime cartels with a vigilance squad (Policia Civil SP), He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree while in Brazil, and transferred back to the United States, but when things got too crazy, he moved back to the USA in 2016. Costello said "It was like a movie, and I was method acting in a major role" when he speaks of the things he saw in Brazil. "It's time to make actual movies now, without the risk of my life", he said in a recent interview.
When the pandemic of 2019 hit the United States, he decided to take a break officially in 2020, parting ways with former companies, clients, and more and took a 2 year hiatus until mid 2022 when he decided to come back, and officially change his name from "Damian Costello" to "Sam Anselmo". The reason for this is, his Nonno, ("grandfather" in Italian) , Anselmo Porfirio, passed away in Italy. Because of strict rules set in place by the Italian Government, family were not allowed at the funeral. Then "Damian Costello" decided to honor his late grandfather and adopt the name "Anselmo". His grandfathers nickname was "Sam" while living in the United States in the 60's through the 80's, so he decided to take both names, "Sam Anselmo".
Sam is planning a major return with the film "Pray They Stand Down" with an all new cast and crew. Rumor has it that he will assume the lead role as "Chad Sikeston".
Sam is on a mission to do good in the world. He doesn't do this for fame, or fortune, or anything that's complicated...He says "I want to make enough money to be happy and support my family, and I want enough money to help people. "