He isn't just "the brother." You've seen him in the background of a hundred paparazzi shots, usually looking like he's about to carry a very important briefcase or perhaps just enjoying a casual Sunday at a Chiefs game. But for a while there, Austin Swift was actually trying to make a real go of it in Hollywood. It wasn't some half-baked vanity project either. He went to school for this stuff.
Honestly, people kind of forget that he studied film and acting at the University of Notre Dame. He didn't just walk onto a set because of his last name. He spent his college years in plays like Six Characters in Search of an Author. He even interned at Lionsgate, doing the unglamorous work of mailing out screeners.
The Early Days: Thrillers and Ben Affleck
His big break came in 2016. It was a weirdly busy year for him. He landed a role in a thriller called I.T., which starred Pierce Brosnan. He played a character named Lance. It wasn't a massive part, but it was a start. Basically, he was testing the waters.
Then came Live by Night. This was a bigger deal. It was a Ben Affleck joint—directed by and starring Affleck himself. Austin played a character named Mayweather. If you blink, you might miss him, but being in a high-budget period crime drama is a solid line on any resume.
People always wonder if it’s easier or harder to act when your sister is arguably the most famous person on the planet. Austin told People back in 2018 that he’s naturally a pretty reserved guy. Acting was actually a way for him to break out of that shell. It’s kinda funny when you think about it. The guy who stays out of the spotlight for a living chose a career that puts a giant spotlight on your face.
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Breaking into Television
Television was also on the menu for a bit. In 2017, he popped up in a couple of episodes of a show called Embeds. It was a political comedy/drama produced by Megyn Kelly. He played a guy named Colin. It didn't set the world on fire, but it showed he could handle a recurring gig.
He also had a guest spot on Still the King. You remember that one? It was the Billy Ray Cyrus sitcom on CMT. Austin played Tyler in an episode called "Showcase Showdown." It was a bit more lighthearted than his earlier thriller work. It’s a shame he didn't do more comedy, because he actually has pretty decent timing.
The Indie Era and Horror
By 2018 and 2019, Austin started leaning into the indie scene.
- Cover Versions (2018): He played Kirk. This was a "whodunnit" style movie set at a music festival. It’s sort of meta when you think about his real life, but the movie itself was a gritty mystery.
- Braking for Whales (2019): This one was originally titled Whaling. He played J.T. and starred alongside Tom Felton (yes, Draco Malfoy). It’s a quirky dramedy about siblings, which is a bit on the nose, but he held his own.
- We Summon the Darkness (2019): This is probably his most "cult classic" role. It’s a heavy metal horror-thriller. Austin played Ivan. Warning: his character doesn't exactly have a happy ending. He was also a co-producer on this one, which was a hint at where his career was headed.
Why He Stopped Acting
You might have noticed a pattern. His acting credits pretty much dry up after 2019. Why?
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He shifted gears.
Austin realized he was actually really good at the business side of things. He’s currently a huge part of the "Swift" ecosystem. He handles a lot of the music licensing for her songs in movies and TV shows. If you’ve noticed that Taylor's music is suddenly everywhere—from The Summer I Turned Pretty to Heartstopper—that’s largely Austin's doing. He’s the one negotiating those deals and making sure the "Taylor’s Version" tracks get the spotlight.
He also moved into heavy-duty production. He was an executive producer on Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions. He also produced the music video for "I Bet You Think About Me," which was directed by Blake Lively. He even got an ACM Award nomination for that one.
Looking for Him on Screen Today
If you’re looking for Austin Swift movies and TV shows today, you’re more likely to find him in "Self" credits or archive footage.
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- The Best Day (Taylor's Version): He’s all over those home movies.
- Christmas Tree Farm: You can see him as a kid in the snow.
- Anti-Hero: He played one of the "ghosts" in the music video. It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo, but it’s him.
It’s clear he’s found his niche. Some people are born for the stage, and some are born to run the theater. Austin seems to be the latter. He’s managed to build a massive career behind the scenes while keeping his privacy relatively intact—which, in that family, is a literal superpower.
If you want to track down his actual acting work, your best bet is starting with We Summon the Darkness for a fun horror flick or Braking for Whales for something more indie. Just don't expect a 2026 blockbuster starring him anytime soon; he’s far too busy running a billion-dollar music empire's licensing department.
To see his most recent "work" in action, pay attention to the end credits of any major TV show using a Taylor Swift song. You'll often find his influence there, even if his face isn't on the poster. Check out the Folklore documentary on Disney+ if you want to see the production quality he's now known for.