A Beard Known ’Round the World: Garey Faulkner – Cincinnati Magazine

Some people grow a beard and declare themselves a “beard guy.” Garey Faulkner grew a beard and became the Beard Guy.

Can you tell me the origin story of your beard?

I worked in an orthopedic doctor’s office and was clean-shaven for about 10 years. A coworker was giving me crap about being not being manly looking and having a baby face. She bet me to not shave for a year for $1,000 to a charity of my choice. Six months in when she realized I was going to win, she backed out. But it opened the door for me.

What kinds of opportunities has your beard brought you?

I started getting opportunities from businesses in Cincinnati. Back in 2011 I was asked by a company to walk in the parade on St. Patrick’s Day. My wife made me a kilt, and we painted my head gold and my beard green. It ended up being featured on USA Today. The same company later wanted me to do it again but go a little harder for Reds Opening Day. That year I painted my head like a baseball. It ended up being a snowball effect from there. I randomly get booked to work in movies and TV shows [like the recent movie The Bikeriders]. I get to do a lot of charity work and meet a lot of people. It’s been an interesting journey.

Tell me more about your beard competition titles.

I started competing in the World Championships of Facial Hair, which they have once every three years. Before COVID I competed in Belgium, and I ended up getting bronze. I just won the Daytona National Championship in the Full Beard Freestyle category. It’s the hardest category to win because you don’t know what your opponents are going to do. There’s also a local club called the Cincinnati Beard Barons that have an event coming up at Southgate House, too.

What are some of your favorite beard looks you’ve done?

I’d have to go with the one we did in Daytona. I also have a handful of Bengals ones I really like. One thing you’ll notice is I never do the same look twice. When there’s an away game on a Sunday or Monday, my artists paint me before I leave, and I will stay painted for three days until the game.

So, what’s next for the beard? Will you ever shave it?

I’m still having a lot of fun with it. People ask me what it would take to get me to shave, but I’ve never really considered it. I did say I would shave when the Bengals win back-to-back Super Bowls. With the likeliness of that happening, it would be worth it to me.

What do you think makes Cincinnati wonderfully weird?

I think one weird aspect is people always ask you where you went to high school. I find that so bizarre. Another thing is how opinionated people are on the chili. It’s cutthroat. I love chili, and I’m expected to pick just one? It’s not fair. They’re all good.