Rising star Kazy Tauginas is a former restaurateur, who owned a 24-hour restaurant called “The Korner Diner” from 2004-2008, and a Golden Gloves boxer turned actor.

Growing up just outside of Chicago, Tauginas played a different sport each school year, settling on figure skating before he discovered a natural talent for boxing after college. His grace on the ice helped him in the ring, where he fought in 13 amateur bouts.

After trying his hand in the restaurant business, Tauginas turned to acting and writing, a passion that led him to the New York Film Academy, where he graduated from their Conservatory Acting for Film.

Tauginas has appeared in numerous theatre, film and television roles. His television credits include “Person of Interest,” “Blindspot,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Turn: Washington’s Spies,” “Blue Bloods,” “The Good Cop” and “Sneaky Pete.”

Tauginas’ film work includes “John Wick,” “Dolemite is My Name”, “The Broken Tower,” “Terminal Legacy,” “Eleanor,” “Sollers Point,” “Life Is Too Short,” “Empire Gypsy,” “Recruiter” and “Sheer.” Most recently, he was seen as Ari in the box office smash “The Equalizer 2,” starring Denzel Washington.

After writing several short films (and starring in over 20 of them), Tauginas drew inspiration from his mother who’d been diagnosed with Lupus and his own boxing experience, and decided to write “Standing Eight,” a short about a boxer who is forced to retire and contend with life outside of the ring after being diagnosed with systemic lupus. During the spring of 2015 he oversaw two successful Kickstarter campaigns to fully fund the film. Since its completion, “Standing Eight” has won ten festival awards including Trinity International Film Festival’s Best Short Film, and is currently nominated for another four. “Standing Eight” is currently available on Amazon Prime and Vimeo OnDemand with proceeds going to support the Lupus Foundation of America. Following the success of the film, Tauginas continues to advocate for those in the lupus community.

Tauginas resides in New York.

As all the proceeds from Standing Eight movie go to the Lupus Foundation of America, Kazy Tauginas tells us about the work they do and the impact they have in research.

I think the Lupus Foundation of America is a wonderful organization from the people at the top like Steve Gibson to all folks who run the regional support groups. It’s an organization that is truly committed and really cares about those who suffer from Lupus. I’ve been honored to walk alongside them at numerous events on both coasts of the country. I’ve been able to tour the facilities at Exagen, a cutting-edge diagnostic company that was the first to develop a stand-alone test for lupus. I’ve lobbied lawmakers on Capitol Hill to vote to increase funding for research. The Lupus Foundation is working on cutting edge stem cell research that could be a game changer for those suffering from the disease. I’m so grateful to have developed a relationship with this wonderful non-for-profit.

What makes creating this film and donating to the Lupus Foundation important to Kazy Tauginas?

As I was in preproduction for “Standing Eight”, I began interacting with a lot of lupies on social media. So many were suffering with conditions both similar and different from my mother. I realized there was a huge problem with Lupus representation in film and TV. Millions of people suffer from the disease, yet it rarely has been used as a plot device. I then knew that my film was more than just a way to support my mother’s fight, it was there to support everyone suffering from the disease. My end goal, even though I wasn’t sure of how I would get there: was for the film to be a vehicle for raising awareness. In 2018, I walked the red carpet in Hollywood for “The Equalizer 2”. Being that the event was going to get a significant amount of media attention, I decided to wear a lupus awareness pin. LFA caught wind of it and they reached out. They asked to promote “Standing Eight” and our relationship has continued to grow ever since.

What does Kazy Tauginas hope for the public to take away from Standing Eight?

Ideally, I want the film to be a conversation starter about Lupus. It’s only 27 minutes long, so we can’t be everything to everyone when it comes to the effects of the disease, but we can spark thought. I really felt it was important to give the Lupus community a product that is easy to find and share, hence why we landed on Amazon. I’ve received some incredibly heartfelt messages about the film and the effect it has had on audiences. LFA held a premiere event in Hollywood and several regional chapters have screened it at support groups and fundraising events. So, I think it’s safe to say that the film is hitting some of the right notes within the community.

What would Kazy Tauginas like the world to recognize more about lupus?

My wish is for the outside world to immediately recognize Lupus as the debilitating disease that it is. Those who are battling the disease need support, both emotional and physical. It’s really not easy. I saw my mother and father both give up all career aspirations to basically live a life that totally revolved around keeping her healthy. The constant trips to the doctor, chemotherapy, steroids, immunosuppressant drugs. The life of a Lupus warrior is not easy. I know many others who have been dealt that extremely disheartening deck of cards and I truly feel a little love goes a long way, especially for Lupus sufferers.