Well-known handyman gets role in ‘Empire Falls’

SOUTH PORTLAND – Maine’s best-known handyman has landed an appearance in the HBO adaptation of “Empire Falls.”

Kaile Warren, owner of Rent-A-Husband, will appear opposite actor Ed Harris in a scene tentatively set to be filmed Friday in Waterville. Depending on the weather, it could be pushed back until Monday.

Warren will be playing a role he knows well: the owner of a construction company, hired by Harris’ character, restaurateur Miles Robey, to overhaul a bar owned by his former mother-in-law in another part of town.

“We’re so excited. Ed Harris is such a good actor,” Warren said Wednesday. “It’s a good thing I have only two lines.”

Warren started his Rent-A-Husband handyman chain in 1996 and TV appearances made him a home improvement celebrity almost overnight. He has signed a new contract with CBS’ “Early Show” and appears regularly on “Oprah.”

The HBO production was a new experience for Warren. He said he had to join the Screen Actors Guild.

But he wasn’t discouraged by the brevity of his performance. “You’ve got to start somewhere,” he said.