DURHAM, N.C. — A Triangle man once facing death row is now helping others through film. 

Mike Rae Anderson served 17 years in prison. When he was paroled, he turned his life around and started producing and acting. 

“While I was incarcerated, I was able to reach back into myself and find that creative moment. Writing poetry, writing plays, performing the plays, when I found that creative stroke in me, man, I knew that’s who I was," Anderson said.

Now, Anderson stars in a recently released film called “Shark Waters,” and mentors youth through his nonprofit, Polished Souls Foundation. 

“That’s a lot [of] what I try to teach the youth, as well as guys that re-enter back into society, you can take your gift, and let it make way," Anderson said. 

Anderson is currently directing a film called “The Score” and will be seen acting in the TV series “Sins of the City.”