Actor, model, spokesperson

Stuart C. Fitelson (November 17, 1932) - known as Seattle Stu is a self-described “freak of nature” due to his long-term athletic performances since he has been playing league baseball, hockey, and basketball on senior championship teams in Seattle, Washington for the past 17 years.  He is an active tennis player and track competitor and wins medals in the NW Senior Games.


He is well-known in the sports he plays and his teammates are inspired by his experience as a competitor.  He also has an active lifestyle that includes jazz drumming and dancing at clubs in the Seattle area.


In 2011 he played on the championship basketball team at the Washington Athletic Club, the league winning Orange team in the Greater Seattle Hockey League and the Puget Sound Senior (hardball) Baseball League champion Crawfords team.


Stu has been written up in numerous newspapers around the country and has been featured in advertisements for various vitamin and health products.  His stamina, sense of humor and high energy has made him a natural sales person.  His past participation in the Toastmasters International gave him the training to appear in front of large groups; although, he has never been shy about performing sports, dancing and even singing old jazz tunes.

 

  • Early years
    Born in Bridgeport, CT he had some experiences as a child near the end of the Great Depression that shaped his life.  After the family moved to Rhode Island, he attended several schools and eventually gained admission to The University of Rhode Island.  His natural abilities in sports flourished where he played varsity basketball in 1953 & 54.  After graduation he joined the Coast Guard, where he picked up tennis as a favorite sport.  His team won the combined military basketball championship and he personally won the tennis doubles as well as being a finalist in the singles in 1957 & 58.

Europe
Working for the famous tennis player, Fred Perry, at a top Hollywood, Florida hotel introduced Stu to great tennis and business contacts.  He encouraged him to go on the European tour.  Without any contacts or plan, Stu embarked on a career as an international, journeyman tennis player throughout Europe.  Playing for expenses only, he attracted press coverage, as he was often the only American entrant in tournaments in France, Spain, Italy, Austria, England, Cyprus, Greece, Israel and Switzerland.  The experiences provided great depth to his game and wonderful clippings and stories.


  • New York City
    Following in his father’s successful career in insurance sales, Stu flourished in the competitive New York environment and is now a Life Member of the Million Dollar Roundtable.  He loved New York and honed his business skills that he draws on today.  He left New York City in 1979.

  • Palm Beach, Florida Stu taught tennis and played tennis in the Sunshine state for several years and dabbled in politics as a candidate for the State House of Representatives.  He enjoyed the year round sports activities in Florida and continued to build his insurance business at the same time.  After twenty-one years, he left Palm Beach in 1994.

Personal life
Married for 35 years to an understanding Finnish wife, he also has four children and two grandchildren.  Stu lives in Seattle, Washington and plays in all kinds of weather.