Rory O’Malley finds his way home in Lost & Found in Cleveland

Photo Courtesy of Lost & Found in Cleveland

There’s a certain magic in connecting the dots of a story. And in the case of Lost & Found in Cleveland, those dots start in the very city where actor Rory O’Malley grew up.

He tells us that the Cleveland setting is no coincidence. “I have known Keith Gerchak, the writer-director, since I was a kid. He would perform at the community theater I was at, and my aunt was his second-grade teacher. Everyone is so connected in the Midwest arts world, especially in theater.”

It’s a tiny web of shared history, one that makes the movie feel alive with authenticity. Gerchak credits O’Malley’s aunt as part of the inspiration for the film. She encouraged him to perform when he was a quiet kid, and though she passed away over a decade ago, her spirit lingers in this story.

“To have her be a part of this movie in some way, and that I get to be a part of it as well, it’s really special,” O’Malley says.

This is why O’Malley tells us that he is “always going to be a Midwest guy.” He describes the film as being about the people, not just the city. “It’s really about kindness, curiosity, and the quiet humor that exists in our community,” he says.

Lost & Found in Cleveland follows a quirky group of Midwesterners at a holiday-themed antiques appraisal event, where laughter, surprise valuations, and small-town connections reveal the heart and humor of the city. Naturally, we asked how often O’Malley gets back to Cleveland.

“Four or five times a year,” he says. “I have a six-year-old son and a nearly eighty-year-old mother. You better believe we are back in Cleveland as much as we can. My husband’s from Indianapolis, and we accept them, too. There’s a very specific way of being in the Midwest—a sensibility, a rhythm. That’s why this movie is so special. It’s set around the holidays, and that feels heartwarming and familiar to me.”

Photo by Double G Films

O’Malley’s character in the film is an appraiser, a nod to shows like Antiques Roadshow. He describes immersing himself in the world of valuation shows.

“I never really scheduled watching Antiques Roadshow. It’s not like I knew what day it was on PBS. But when it’s on your TV, you can’t turn it off. You’ve got to find out how much that lamp is worth,” he says with a laugh. “The reactions in the movie, when the prices are revealed, are amazing. People laugh, they gasp—it’s a thrill to watch and experience.”

The movie’s grand hall sequences radiate a level of elegance and bring a sense of nostalgia to the film.

“That was shot in the lobby of Playhouse Square, the main theaters downtown. I grew up going there to see musicals with my family. I had just finished playing King George III in Hamilton the Sunday before filming started on Monday,” O’Malley says. “I didn’t even have to change dressing rooms. It was surreal.”

O’Malley’s career has been full of quirky, unforgettable characters. He cites William Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and, of course, King George III in Hamilton—a role that “unravels as the show goes and turns into a real character.” But in Lost & Found in Cleveland, he finds joy in authenticity over flamboyance.

The forming of the cast itself has been a long time coming, and O’Malley has nothing but admiration for his co-stars, particularly newly minted Emmy-winner Jeff Hiller.

Image Courtesy of Lost & Found in Cleveland

“When Jeff won an Emmy, I collapsed,” O’Malley says. “I texted him and said, ‘I am thinking of you.’ I’ve known Jeff for decades and have admired him forever. That win felt personal—not just for him, but for so many of us in the gay comedy theater world. It was a moment we all celebrated.”

If you’re wondering what’s next for the Broadway powerhouse, he tells us it’s a return to the small screen.

“I just did an episode of High Potential on ABC,” he explains. “But musical theater is my first love. I’m also working on a new movie that I can’t talk about yet, so there’s always something coming up. But theater is always close to my heart.”

Closing the conversation, we circle back to his hometown, where O’Malley emphasizes the city’s role in his life and in the film.

“Being back home for the holidays, seeing family, walking the streets of the city I love—that’s part of what makes this film feel real,” he says. “It’s not just a backdrop. Cleveland is alive in the movie, just like it’s alive in my life.”

Lost &Found in Cleveland isn’t just another film set in the Midwest; it’s a celebration of the people who inhabit the city—earnest, connected, funny, and resilient. It’s about finding treasure in unexpected places, whether it’s a dusty lamp at an estate sale or the shared stories and laughter of a community. And for O’Malley, it’s about coming home.

Lost & Found in Cleveland is in theaters now.

Interview gently edited for content and clarity.