Actor Dennis Andres stars in the new CBC TV hit series Strays, but he’s also appeared in numerous commercials, feature films, and television shows with a long list of credits including Workin’ Moms, Star Trek: Discovery, Lady Psycho Killer, and the pilot episode of ABC’s The Greatest American Hero. Before his acting debut, he was a contractor, which is where the 35-year-old developed his love of big trucks. He drives a 2014 Ram 1500 pickup and rides a 2015 Harley-Davidson Road Glide Special motorcycle.
When did you start riding a bike?
I got my licence in my early 20s – the exact time I got my G1. I wasn’t able to get a bike right away, so my motorcycle licence had run its course and I had to start from scratch all over again with my M1, M2, and M. I desperately wanted to get back on a bike.
I started riding on a 2005 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883. It was fantastic. It was bulletproof. I ripped the entire bike apart and rebuilt it to my own liking. Learning to wrench on your bike and do your own maintenance was easy on that bike. It was a good, clean bike that was user- and rider-friendly with a great platform for someone to get their feet wet. It had a great price tag and it allowed me to learn as much as I can on the basic fundamentals of a motorcycle.
Any mishaps riding?
I’ve crashed on a dirt bike. The dirt and the grass is a lot more forgiving than asphalt. By the grace of God, I’ve been very, very lucky – knock on wood. I try to ride very responsibility and I read the traffic’s body language to the best of my ability.
Does riding a bike make you a better driver?
Definitely. You become a better driver. Now, more than ever with cellphones and sound systems that drown out the surrounding noise, my theory is “loud pipes save lives” – that’s a common phrase in the bike world. Being a biker, you definitely become hyper-aware of your surroundings. At the end of the day, four wheels is always going to beat two wheels in any kind of negative altercation on the road.
Why did you buy a Ram 1500?
This is my second Ram – my first vehicle was a Ram. But the whole starving artist thing at the time forced me to downgrade to a Volkswagen Golf, which is essentially a recycling bin on wheels. It was a great car – it took me to California and back. I was a contractor doing renovations to survive while I was pursuing my acting career, so the Golf saw its day and I needed to get into a pickup truck for hauling materials and tools. I tried out Fords, Chevys, and for some reason, I went back to the Ram. Outside of the dial shift knob, I’m very happy. I’ve got my eye on a [Ram] 2500 now.
A Ram 2500! Do you really need a big truck like that?
Need is a strong word. At the end of the day, the 2500 may be overkill now that I’m acting full-time and doing renovations for fun and flipping houses on the side. Boys and their toys.
What does a Ram say about you?
It says I appreciate a safe, comfortable, mean-looking ride while being cognisant of what my wallet is trying to counterbalance.
It must cost a fortune to fill up!
Definitely. I’m happy with the vehicle, but with gas prices these days, I’m ready to get a bicycle again. The Harley saw a lot of driving this year to avoid filling up the truck.
Would you ever consider getting an electric truck?
I don’t know if I’m ready for that platform with the amount of driving I do. I drive a lot. I have 270,000 kilometres on my Ram. My truck broke down around Christmas time, 2021. I was driving to Ottawa and the water pump seized, the belt snapped, and all of a sudden, my entire dashboard started going haywire. I pulled off on the side of the highway and I was fortunate it wasn’t a blistering cold day. CAA took care of me and took me to a local dealership… the techs were coming up on closing time near Christmas and they got me a water pump and back on the road. Now, imagine that with an electric vehicle? I don’t know if I’m ready for that platform, but I’m definitely curious to see where it goes and I’m considering a switch once I’m confident with that platform.
I want to see where Dodge takes their electric platform. So far, I don’t like what I’m seeing. The way they’re making newer vehicles – I don’t like the spaceship thing. I like simplicity. I want them to work out some of the kinks on their electric platforms… Once car companies fine-tune their platforms so that the vehicles don’t look like the Jetsons own it and the infrastructure improves, I might make the switch.
What’s your dream car?
A 1954 Chevy two-door coupe with a big block is my dream car. I love the look. And that particular vehicle I think is super badass. I love the look of the older cars. I find in newer cars, if you’re not close enough to see the emblem, you don’t know what they are. There’s a lot more character and personality in the way that cars used to look.
Sidebar: Dennis Andres
Profession
Actor
Age
35
Hometown
Berlin, Germany; immigrated to Hamilton, Ont., in 1995
My Rides
A 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 and a 2015 Harley Davidson Road Glide Special
Notable Achievements
- Acting credits include a supporting role of Ian Matthews in the CBC series Workin’ Moms, supporting lead role in Lady Psycho Killer starring Malcolm McDowell, Michael Madsen, Daniel Baldwin, and Guillermo Del Toro’s The Strain along with credits in Star Trek: Discovery, Dark Matter and Killjoys.
- Trained extensively in Mixed Martial Arts and football, garnering a top spot in national championships in both activities
- Joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2006 where he served with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
Currently on
Season 2 of the comedy series Strays, airing Tuesdays at 8:30 pm (9 NT) on CBC and CBC Gem.
