HFC alumnus is a professional moustache-and-beard-growing champ
HFC alumnus Danny Lawlor is the first competitor in the biennial World Beard and Moustache Championships to win first place in three categories: full beard, partial beard, and freestyle moustache.
“It makes me feel accomplished, like I’ve done something with my life,” said Lawlor, of Los Angeles, tongue-in-cheek.
This marks the fifth time he’s won the World Beard and Moustache Championships.
“Next year, the championships will be in Blackpool, England,” he said. “I haven’t competed in the freestyle sideburns category. If I can accomplish that, I will have won every traditional category.” He then added: “Everyone needs a goal.”
HFC prepared him for coursework at USC
Born in Southfield, Lawlor – the eldest of two – was raised in Dearborn. He is a graduate of Dearborn High School. During his time at DHS, he was a student of the late Russ Gibb, a long-time donor to HFC and owner of the Grande Ballroom in Detroit. Gibb taught media production at DHS for nearly 40 years, creating a state-of-the-art video studio called WDHS in 1981 for students. It was the first known high school video production facility in the nation.
“Mr. Gibb was like a force of nature. His program was cutting edge and my favorite part of high school,” recalled Lawlor. “Gibb mentioned to a lot of his students that it would make sense for them to get their start at HFC. He encouraged me to enroll. Why not? It’s a great school. It’s nearby and satisfies a lot of needs. I was able to complete a lot of coursework before I transferred to California.”
At HFC (then Henry Ford Community College), Lawlor studied liberal arts with a focus on what is now called media communication arts. He was a member of the Henry Ford II Honors Program. Two of the most influential teachers he had at the College were retired instructors Dr. Nabeel Abraham and James Wanless.
Lawlor transferred to the University of Southern California, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in film production. At USC, he roomed with author Joel Walkowski, with whom he attended DHS and HFC.
“I got a post-doc in growing a moustache,” said Lawlor, laughing.
“Pride is the true pay”
Lawlor is a freelance payroll accountant for film and TV productions, including the upcoming Frisco King with Oscar nominee Samuel L. Jackson. The role allows him to travel to beard and moustache competitions.
He began experimenting with his facial hair during his time at USC. While working on a group film project for CTPR 480: Advanced Production Workshop, he convinced the men working with him to grow moustaches.
“I mean, why not?” he said. “After the class was over, everyone got rid of theirs, but I never did. They’d come up to me, ‘You still have the 480 ‘stache?’ ‘Yep, sure do.’”
Since 2011, Lawlor has been participating in beard and moustache competitions all over the world. It began at a local competition in L.A. On a lark, Lawlor signed up and won second place.
“I got a trophy. I’ve got plenty of trophies. I’ve lost count of how many,” he said. “You get paid in bragging rights. I think pride is the true pay.”
For the love of the game
Lawlor won first place in the freestyle moustache category at the National Beard and Moustache Championships six times and the freestyle full beard category once.
“I just do it for the love of the game because you have to be the best at something. I can style up my beard like not many can,” he said. “The beard was always meant to be temporary. It came about because once I won in the freestyle moustache category, I felt there were more worlds to conquer.”
The beard has presented Lawlor with a unique set of challenges.
“Having the beard can be difficult,” he confessed. “It’s not fun when it’s really hot out. And people have chased me down in bars and on the street to pull on it to see if it’s real. That really hurts! I’ve gotten it caught in a seatbelt. I’ve gotten it caught in the zipper of my jacket. I have to wear hoodies that are button-downs because of that. Still, I’d encourage people to see if there’s a local competition in their area, grow a beard, and have a great time!”
Added Walkowski: "Dan Lawlor grows facial hair the way Mozart writes music or Picasso paints, pursuing a higher purpose the world can't see but will eventually understand."
