From flag-waving honor to finishing on the podium, the Hollywood actor-director shares how endurance, teamwork, and a historic race pushed him to new limits.
When Hollywood meets the endurance world of inline skating, sparks are bound to fly. Earlier this summer, actor, writer, and director Samuel L. Pierce took center stage at the legendary Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France, where he was invited to open the prestigious 24H Rollers. Following in the footsteps of Brad Pitt, Pierce had the honor of announcing the start of the 24-hour race — but his role didn’t end there.
In this conversation, Samuel reflects on the adrenaline of race day and the unforgettable moments that came with stepping into such a legendary sporting event.
At the Starting Line
Take us back to that moment on the Le Mans track, what was going through your mind as you stepped up to officially start the 24H Rollers?
It was an incredible experience. There was so much going on with the crowd and the energy, thousands of skaters and racers all preparing, and even though we had rehearsed the day before, nothing could really prepare me for that moment. Walking the entire track to the starting line was incredible. I met Christophe Audoire, the organizer of the race, who handed me the French flag, and together we continued to the line where we waited for the cue. Then came the big moment: we waved the flag, stepped aside, and suddenly the skaters had to sprint across the track, put on their skates, and launch into the race — just like the drivers at Le Mans. That year was historic, with SPSPSK breaking the all-time record, which made the atmosphere even more electric. It was amazing how fast some of the skaters got off the line. From there, the 24 hours of magic began.
Following in the footsteps of Brad Pitt is no small thing, how did it feel to stand in that role and set the skaters in motion?
Brad Pitt started the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the cars, and I had the chance to start the 24 Hours Rollers. Both are very prestigious in their own way, and while they aren’t the same race, they are similar in spirit, especially because it all happens on the same legendary track. To stand where he once stood and play that role was surreal. What stood out most for me wasn’t just waving the flag, it was connecting with people, representing Off The Line in Europe for the first time, and sharing the story behind the film. Following in the footsteps of someone like Pitt is an honor, and just like a lot of actors and producers, my main goal is to push myself to the next level, never stop pushing, and always try to be better.
Looking back, is there one image or memory from the opening ceremony that feels unforgettable?
The unforgettable image for me is definitely seeing everyone lined up, from so many different countries, all ready to take on the challenge of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The energy, the determination, and the sense of community in that moment was overwhelming.
Racing & Camaraderie:
You didn’t just wave the flag, you joined in. What was it like actually skating in the 24-hour race alongside athletes from across the globe?
It was absolutely insane. I had never really skated outdoors or marathon distances competitively before, but I picked it up pretty quickly thanks to my team, the Short Track Ice Stars, which included a few skaters with short track ice skating backgrounds. The team was mainly made up of French racers — a group of nine — and when I joined, we became ten. The race itself is intense and exhausting. One lap is around 4.5 kilometers, or about 2.5 miles, and a good time is anything under 8 minutes 30 seconds. My fastest lap was 7 minutes 59 seconds, which I’m still very proud of.
Being part of a competitive team in the top division, Prestige, was thrilling. We started in 7th place, but after 24 hours of pushing through the long night with minimal sleep (most had 3-4 hours of sleep) we finished in 3rd place in our division. The race was intense and historic, with SPSPSK actually breaking the all-time record during the event, which added even more energy and inspiration for everyone on the track. Racing in the heat on such little sleep really pushes you to the extreme, and it was an unforgettable experience in endurance, teamwork, and determination.
The 24H Rollers is often described as much more than a race — it’s about endurance, spirit, and community. How did you experience that first-hand?
Unlike most races, the 24 Hours Rollers gives you a lot of time to think and plan strategy — who sleeps when, who runs when, and when to attack, whether that means picking up the pace to lap other teams or just pushing your own limits. One of the unique things about a 24-hour race is that a bad start isn’t a disaster; there’s plenty of time to make up ground and adjust your approach.
During the night, we were actually two laps down from 4th place, but we attacked and were able to catch back up, which was an incredible feeling. You also have to stay mentally sharp, because while many people in the division can sprint one lap, the real challenge is being able to keep attacking lap after lap for the full 24 hours.
At night, we had to adjust our team because two skaters couldn’t race due to age restrictions, so we were down to eight and split into two teams. Each of us was skating about two laps per hour.
The experience taught me a lot about endurance, strategy, and teamwork. I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to race in the 24 Hours Rollers and even bring home my first world medal. Ultimately, unlike most races in this sport, it’s really about being a team and lifting each other up to make it through the full 24 hours.
Closing Reflection
“Excitement, inspiration, and joy,” Pierce says, best capture his time at Le Mans. What began as an honor to wave the flag became an adventure of endurance, teamwork, and global connection.
