Mike Ferguson has spent his career building two very different audiences. While adults may recognize him from his work in action and horror, Ferguson has spent the past six years developing a new audience through family-friendly comedy.
Ferguson recently joined the conversation to discuss his work across genres, his growing presence on streaming platforms and his feature directorial debut, “Midnight Market.”
Known for playing physically imposing characters, Ferguson said his background in action and horror has always been part of his career. However, his work in children’s comedy has allowed him to explore a different side of his abilities.
“Action and horror has been my movie stuff, but for the past six years I've been doing comedy, children's comedy on YouTube, which is now on Disney+,” Ferguson said.
That comedy work has grown into multiple projects on Disney+, including “The Stokes Twins,” where Ferguson plays Mike Ferguson Bounty Hunter. The character combines his physicality with an intentionally exaggerated comedic style.
Ferguson said the response from younger audiences has been one of the most unexpected parts of his career. He recalled being approached by children and families in public who recognized him from his work online and on streaming platforms.
“I want to make people laugh and it's weird because I go in these public spaces and children know who I am,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson is now bringing his comedy experience and action background together in “Midnight Market,” a family horror project that marks his feature directorial debut. He wrote the story and worked with longtime collaborator David Parks, who served as the film’s cinematographer and wrote the screenplay.
Although the project was made without a large budget, Ferguson said he relied on relationships throughout the industry to bring the production together and create the look he wanted. He also surrounded himself with comedians and performers who could help balance the darker elements of the story.
For Ferguson, the project represents more than simply stepping into the director’s chair. It is part of a larger push toward creating and owning his own work.
“Creating itself,” Ferguson said when asked which part of the creative process excites him most.
That philosophy has also influenced his recent work as a producer. Ferguson said he produced several films last year and has continued expanding his role behind the camera.
Rather than focusing solely on acting, Ferguson is looking toward ownership and building a catalog of projects he can control creatively.
“As actors, we don't own our catalog. We make stuff for other people. And the back end ain't that good,” Ferguson said. “I'm producing now for ownership. Ownership of my catalog.”
With projects spanning comedy, horror, action and family entertainment, Ferguson is continuing to expand the types of stories he can tell while building a career that reaches audiences of all ages.
