REFEREE Alex Chilowicz previously combined refereeing with work on films such as Toy Story 4.
The EFL ref, 38, hails from New Jersey and only relocated to England in 2023.
Prior to the move, Chilowicz officiated in MLS, as well as in college soccer.
During this period, the multi-talented whistler used his musical prowess to work on several exciting projects off the pitch.
Chilowicz is a gifted saxophonist and has been part of the music department on a number of blockbuster films.
His resume includes Toy Story 4, Venom, La La Land, Ghostbusters and Fifty Shades.
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Alongside his early steps in refereeing, Chilowicz attended the Jazz Studies programme at William Paterson University in New Jersey.
He subsequently joined the Local 802 musicians union, and in 2013 revealed: “My musical goal in New York City is to try and be an all-around musician, devoted to teaching, outreach and performances in traditional and non-traditional venues.”
Well, 12 years on, you could call Exeter City’s ramshackle St James’ Park home a non-traditional venue.
The Devon stadium is one of several EFL grounds that Chilowicz has refereed at this season, with others including Wigan, Cardiff and Rotherham.
In addition to refereeing in the EFL, Chilowicz also works as a VAR in the Premier League.
Just yesterday, the American was assistant VAR at Stockley Park for Sunderland‘s 1-0 Wear-Tyne derby victory over Newcastle.
Chilowicz’s most recent film credits came in 2022, while he finished up in MLS at the end of the 2023 season.
He worked on Once Upon a One More Time, the Britney Spears-themed Broadway show in New York, that summer.
And in December 2023 he made his EFL officiating debut, joining Aussie Jarred Gillet as an overseas-born ref working in English football.
Chilowicz has already drawn praise from an unusual source – fiery former Leeds, Rotherham and Stevenage boss Steve Evans.
While managing the latter, Evans said of Chilowicz: “I thought the referee had real good control. He’s an American, he’s come from the MLS, and people should note his name.
“And I’m not saying this because we’ve won, I don’t act like that, but he’ll end up in the Premier League.
“And he’s good enough to be in the Premier League.
“His decisions for both teams, his awareness, his positional sense and I actually said that to him on the pitch.
“The last two I said that to now operate in the Premier League, David Cook for example.
“When I saw him in the lower leagues, I said he’s end up in the Premier League and [Chilowicz] will.”
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