NEWMAN, CA - An 8-year-old boy who wasn't expected to survive as a newborn is now thriving as a commercial actor.
Tyler Nunes, who has endured at least a dozen surgeries after being born with a defective heart valve, is currently appearing in a national TV ad for Chevrolet.
"I think it's fun that you get to pretend to be someone else," Tyler said. "And there are things I can't do in real life but I can pretend to do."
Shortly after the Make-a-Wish Foundation sent Tyler's family to Disney World, he decided he wanted to become an actor.
Tyler's mother, Kathy, enrolled him in a national competition which led them to a manager and agent and multiple offers for commercial work.
Kathy Nunes said she put 51,000 miles on the family car last year traveling to the Los Angeles area for commercial shoots and auditions.
"He can't play certain sports. This is his passion. This is what he wants to do," she said.
Tyler has appeared in ads for the Chevrolet Cruze and Silverado, Belkin home automation and a public service announcement for diabetes awareness.
Earlier this month he auditioned for a role in a major motion picture.
It's a horror film, leading Tyler's mom to joke that her son may land a role in a movie he won't be allowed to see.
by George Warren, GWarren@news10.net
News10/KXTV