Louis Spencer has stepped into the entertainment world with his debut film appearance, choosing to pursue acting under a different name than his famous family surname.
The 31-year-old viscount, who is the eldest son of Princess Diana‘s brother Earl Charles Spencer, appears in the short film “Pinch & Ouch” using the stage name “Louis Lyons.”
Spencer’s decision to adopt a pseudonym allows him to build his acting career on his own merits rather than capitalizing on his connection to the royal family.
‘Pinch & Ouch’ Tackles Important Subject Matter
The 17-minute film tells a troubling story about manipulation and abuse within the entertainment industry. Written, directed by, and starring Nicole Kent, “Pinch & Ouch” draws from Kent’s personal experiences in Hollywood, according to Vanity Fair.
Spencer portrays Sam, the boyfriend of Kent’s character Lil, an aspiring actress who travels to Los Angeles during the pandemic to study with a renowned acting coach. Throughout the film, Spencer’s character repeatedly cautions Lil to be careful of her instructor, who may have questionable intentions.
“She’s an actress so ambitious that she flies to Los Angeles during Covid pandemic lockdowns to take acting classes from ‘the legend who trained everyone in Hollywood,'” according to Daily Mail. In the film, Louis’s character warns her: “I really don’t think this is a very good idea,” before Lil travels to meet the acting coach, who turns out to be a sexual predator.
Kent praised Spencer’s work on the project during a conversation at artist Hannah Shergold’s solo exhibition at London’s Mall galleries. “Louis is amazing to work with and a great actor,” she stated, per the outlet.
She emphasized the film’s significance, adding: “It’s such an important film because it highlights the dangers many actors face – and reveals the warning signs to watch out for.”
Louis Spencer’s Training & Family Background
Spencer pursued his passion for acting through formal education. After completing his studies at Edinburgh University, he enrolled in an acting course at ArtsEd, a prestigious West London drama school, according to Vanity Fair. The institution has trained numerous notable performers including Julie Andrews, Simone Ashley, and Leo Woodall.
According to his IMDb page, “Pinch & Ouch” is Spencer’s first and only credit under the stage name Louis Lyons.
Spencer, also known as Viscount Althorp, is set to inherit the Althorp estate in Northamptonshire one day. The 13,000-acre property is where his aunt Princess Diana is buried. Per The Sun, he’ll inherit what’s estimated to be “a staggering £100m” fortune.
The viscount grew up in South Africa with his mother Victoria Aitken following his parents’ divorce, according to Vanity Fair. His three sisters—Lady Kitty, Lady Eliza, and Lady Amelia—work as models and influencers and are regular fixtures on the London social scene, according to Marie Claire.
Unlike his sisters who frequently make public appearances, Spencer maintains a lower profile.
The four siblings share two half-siblings from their father’s second marriage to Caroline Freud, as well as a third half-sibling, Charlotte Diana Spencer, from Earl Spencer’s third marriage to Karen Gordon.
The Spencer family has another celebration on the horizon, as Lady Eliza announced her engagement to longtime boyfriend Channing Millard in August.
Spencer’s father Charles, a historian, addressed his own experiences with abuse in his memoir last year. He claimed he suffered sexual abuse at Maidwell Hall School in Northamptonshire during the 1970s.
Mood Dream Productions shared a trailer for “Pinch & Ouch” on Instagram earlier this year, showing Spencer in his role as Sam.
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Princess Diana’s Nephew Lands First Film Role Under Stage Name