How “Monk” Star Tony Shalhoub Ended Up in a Murder Mystery Directed by 12-Year-Old Oliver Odwazny-Beebe (Exclusive)

Janey WetzelTue, June 23, 2026 at 9:15 PM UTC

0

Oliver Odwazny-Beebe (left) and Tony Shalhoub in November 2025.Credit: Jonathan Cohrs; Roy Rochlin/Getty -

Oliver Odwazny-Beebe, 12, wrote, directed and stars in The Game Is Murder, a crime mystery inspired by his love of the genre

The documentary Kids Like Me highlights Oliver’s creativity and life with a rare genetic condition

Tony Shalhoub joined Oliver's film after being impressed by the pre-teen's script and its parallels to his Monk character

Oliver Odwazny-Beebe is 12 years old, and he's spent much of his life reading and loving crime-solving tales. Described by loved ones as incredibly quick-witted, the imaginative, clever murder mystery buff channeled his passion into writing, directing and starring in his very own whodunit.

The documentary Kids Like Me chronicles Oliver’s exceptional creative drive and the daily realities he and his family navigate as he lives with a rare genetic condition that isn't identified by name in the film. Kids Like Me also centers on the pre-teen's creative journey to make the movie The Game Is Murder.

The documentary was co-directed by Cynthia Lowen and Jon Cohrs and executive produced Tony Shalhoub, the Emmy-winning actor known for his roles on the TV series Wings, Monk and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

“While our improvisation unfolded under Oliver’s direction into a tale of intrigue and murder, we realized there was a larger story to be told, about an imaginative, charismatic and multidimensional 12-year-old whose storytelling envelops his community," Lowen and Cohrs say in a joint statement.

The result serves as powerful evidence of the magic that happens when a community comes together.

Oliver’s introduction to the murder mystery genre began when he fell in love with Monk, Shalhoub's acclaimed series that originally ran on the USA Network from 2002 to 2009. Shalhoub won three Emmys for his work on the comedy drama, which followed Adrian Monk, a brilliant detective whose severe obsessive-compulsive disorder — triggered by the unsolved murder of his wife — cost him his job but fueled his work as a private consultant.

Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk.Credit: Steve Wilkie/PEACOCK

Shalhoub, 72, was immediately drawn to the documentary because of Oliver’s script for The Game Is Murder, which he thought was imaginative and creative. “I was so fascinated by, you know, the story, Oliver's family,” he says, “I don't know, it just sounded like a fun idea. And I climbed on board.”

Because of Oliver’s love of Monk in particular, there were noticeable parallels between the role of Detective Oliver, which he wrote for himself, and Shalhoub’s beloved titular character. When reading the script, Shalhoub, who makes a special appearance as Dr. Thornton in The Game Is Murder, could immediately see the similarities.

“He drafted his character, and there were parallels to Monk, of course. You know, this person's a bit of a loner. He has a tendency to get into, almost  a depressed state even, much like Monk did,” Shalhoub notes.

“But he works his way out of it and through it, through his job, through his talent. And, I thought Oliver wrote that well and embodied that brilliantly.”

When asked about his favorite part of the filmmaking process as The Game Is Murder's writer, director and star, Oliver says, “I mean, yeah, all of the above pretty much. Writing it was definitely fun, but yeah, all of the above.”

“I just love that there are certain predictable elements,” he adds, “and the least-likely suspect is usually the murderer.”

Advertisement

The Game Is Murder was a huge group effort for Oliver, who also involved a wide range of people from his community and even his immediate family.

“I gave my sister as little screen time as possible,” Oliver says with a laugh when recalling directing his younger sister.

“But even with that, she still shines,” Shalhoub says, jokingly adding, “​​I have nine siblings, so imagine my dilemma.”

The documentary was not Shalhoub’s first producing endeavor. He was also the producer on all 125 episodes of Monk. When it came to Oliver’s project, he was more hands-off. “I mean, I wanted to attach my name to it because I believed in the project,” he explains, “but really it was Oliver that was kind of steering the ship.”

Looking ahead, Oliver is already contemplating a sequel, though his immediate focus is simply hoping his first film resonates with audiences when it's released. One thing is certain: He won’t be veering away from the murder mystery genre anytime soon.

And he already has one person on board for his next project. “By the way, I'm available, just so you know," Shalhoub tells the budding director.

“If Oliver has more stories, more arrows in the quiver, so to speak, I certainly would be open to discussing working with him again, of course,” he adds.

Tony Shalhoub on 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'Credit: Nicole Rivelli/Amazon

As for Kids Like Me, which premiered earlier this month at the Tribeca Festival, the slice-of-life documentary shatters expectations while driving home its core mission: normalizing life with a disability. The creators thoughtfully weave together Oliver’s unique perspective and his family’s daily routines, helping audiences understand that his lived experience is ordinary, yet deeply impactful.

“We want audiences to share in Oliver’s joy of creation, his passion for storytelling and the fierce ways he and his family move through the world. Kids Like Me is a profoundly human story about family, community and love — a story that transcends the divides shaping our nation,” the directors say.

Hopefully, they add, the film “leaves viewers exhilarated by the potential of creativity and invested in dismantling the barriers that young people with disabilities may face in the pursuit of their dreams.”

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”