Metro-Detroit actors appear in "The Perks Of Being A Wallflower"

DETROIT(WXYZ) - In "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", local actors Brian Balzerini and Tom Kruszewski play the best friends of the high school quarterback, terrorizing the main cast.

"Wallflower" is based on a novel by Stephen Chbosky, centering around the life of 15-year-old Charlie who's learning how to navigate the testy waters of high school. He's taken in by two seniors, Sam & Patrick who give him a taste of the real world.

Brian Balzerini plays "Linebacker" in the movie. Balzerini grew up in Rochester Hills. He attended Brother Rice high school and went on to study Economics, Management and Sociology at Albion College, where he also played football.

Kruszewski is "Nose Tackle" in the movie. He's a Commerce Township native who dreamed of becoming an architect. He attended Lawrence Tech and graduated with a degree in architecture in 2008.

Both Balzerini and Kruszewski stumbled upon acting after earning degrees and working everyday jobs.

Kruszewski was laid off from his job, and that prompted him to pursue acting beyond his parts as an extra.

Balzerini has been cast in several movies and he's also pursuing a MBA at University of Michigan-Dearborn. He hopes to eventually start his own Film production company.