Sydney actor Sam Rechner stars alongside Michelle Williams and Paul Dano in new Spielberg film

The nephew of TV couple Peter Overton and Jessica Rowe has scored a role in new Steven Spielberg film The Fabelmans with just one other credit to his name – but “impostor syndrome” keeps him “grounded”.

It is an impressive feat to land your first big gig in a Steven Spielberg film.

Sydney actor Sam Rechner stars alongside Michelle Williams and Paul Dano in Spielberg’s coming of age drama, The Fabelmans, which is based loosely on the award-winning director’s life.

“It is incredible and I thank my lucky stars every day for that,” Rechner told Confidential, returning to Sydney from an LA premiere of the film that has garnered huge buzz going into the Hollywood awards season.

“Being in Australia, they were looking for their guy in the US and the UK and they found me in Australia on a Zoom and gave me the job. How fortunate can you get to be sent straight to the top to work with the best.”

Rechner grew up in Sydney’s Lindfield and finished Year 12 in 2019. He has a twin brother and a younger sister and is the nephew of TV couple Peter Overton and Jessica Rowe.

Sydney actor Sam Rechner is starring in a new Steven Spielberg film, The Fabelmans. Picture: Justin Lloyd

He’s the nephew of Jessica Rowe and Peter Overton. Picture: John Appleyard

“They are the first people I would go to on how to chase that aspiration and on what to do and what not to do,” he said.

“Pete has been my biggest supporter. We have a very similar way of carrying ourselves in that we have a lot of self-criticism, which keeps us wanting to strive and keep working hard. I’ve learnt from him that you need to put the work in and also recognise what you’ve done.”

Rechner at the 2022 AFI Fest – "The Fabelmans" Closing Night Gala Premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Picture: Steve Granitz/FilmMagic

The Fabelmans had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and opens in cinemas in Australia on January 5.

Rechner plays high school bully Logan Hall with Gabriel LaBelle, Seth Rogen and Judd Hirsch also in the cast.

“It is working with the best in every role in the industry,” Rechner said.

“They just made life so simple and so comfortable. To be nervous and feeling that impostor syndrome I guess, they completely made me feel like I belonged to be there. It was incredible to work with those people.”

Impostor syndrome, he said, “keeps you grounded”.

Rechner’s only other acting experience was in 2022 film, Ruby’s Choice, with Coco Jack Gillies, Jacqueline McKenzie and Jane Seymour.

“It has felt like overnight in terms of how little time I’ve had in the industry,” he said. “I just want to be working with good people.”