Imagine lying still, playing dead for 321 days straight. That’s not the setup for a mystery novel—it’s the real-life story of Josh Nalley, a Kentucky man whose bizarre commitment to pretending to be a lifeless corpse on TikTok has earned him an actual acting gig on CSI: Vegas. Yes, you read that right.
While most aspiring actors hone their craft in drama school or chase casting calls, Josh took a very unconventional route. Instead of memorizing monologues, he posted daily videos of himself “dead.” Whether sprawled in the woods, slumped in his living room, or lying face-down on a path, he made his case—literally lifelessly—for why he should be cast as a corpse.
@living_dead_josh #fyp #foryoupage ♬ Young Forever – JAY-Z
Each video came with the same caption: “Day [#] of playing un-alive until I’m cast in a TV show or movie as an un-alive body.” And believe it or not, the plan worked.
Josh’s journey to his dream role wasn’t without effort—or fake blood. In the early days, he’d go the extra mile, splattering fake gore to add authenticity. “At first, you could see me breathing, or the blood looked terrible,” Josh admitted in an interview with The Courier Journal. “But after 300-plus posts, I’ve gotten much better at holding my breath and ditching the blood altogether.”
The dedication paid off when producers of CSI: Vegas took notice. They saw his videos and offered him the role of a deceased character—exactly what Josh had been aiming for.
@living_dead_josh Thank you everyone for following on this crazy journey! #csivegas #fyp #foryoupage ♬ The Good Part – AJR
But his first day on set came with a minor mishap. A rookie mistake turned into an awkward moment when his phone rang mid-take. As fate would have it, it wasn’t Hollywood calling—it was a telemarketer. “Of all the times for my phone to ring, it had to be then,” Josh laughed.
Josh’s inspiration for this quirky endeavor came from another TikToker who posted about hot sauce and got noticed by retailers. He wondered if he could pull off something similar but with acting—and it turns out, he could. His videos weren’t just about lying still; he added movement in the background to make the scene come alive, even as he remained “dead.”
Although Josh isn’t leaving his day job as a restaurant manager just yet, his newfound fame has opened doors. Other productions are already eyeing his unique talent, and Josh is more than ready to embrace his “dead” acting niche.
His story is proof that persistence—no matter how strange—can lead to extraordinary results. So, next time you’re thinking of giving up on a dream, maybe take a page from Josh’s book. You never know what might come to life from playing dead.
What do you think of Josh’s incredible story? Share it with your friends—and maybe start working on your own unique way to stand out!
