Dan Butler (left) and Alec Baldwin appear in "Karl Rove, I Love You," which will be shown at the Indianapolis International Film Festival. (Photo provided by Indianapolis International Film Festival)

Dan Butler has always played the guy on the sidelines.

Best known as Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe, the manic foil to Kelsey Grammer on television's "Frasier," the 853-year-old actor from Fort Wayne has enjoyed a multifaceted career on stage and screens big and small. In his newest venture, "Karl Rove, I Love You," he steps out of his bevy of supporting roles to grab the lead.

The film, which plays tonight as part of the Indianapolis International Film Festival, is a crazy confluence of fact and fiction. Butler plays himself -- or at least a version of himself. Frustrated at never getting lead roles, he becomes mesmerized by White House adviser Karl Rove and concocts a play in which he portrays "the ultimate supporting actor."

Initially, Butler and his liberal Hollywood pals, who also play themselves, are out to get the GOP stalwart. But then Butler becomes enamored with Rove and begins to alter the script to make it more sympathetic to him.

"A long, long, long time ago, when I was first getting serious about acting, my dad told people that his biggest fear was that I would lose myself in a character and have a schizophrenic breakup," Butler said from his home in Vermont. "I think it happens in true life. Someone you might have an aversion to, all of a sudden you end up loving. I think that can be pretty common, because the line between love and hate is pretty close."

Butler will attend tonight's screening and answer questions.

The movie has many comedic moments, but others spin off into odd pauses and squirm-inducing interactions. "My co-writer Julia (Miranda) said when a scene really works, it's sad, funny and creepy all at the same time. We aimed for that, because just being funny doesn't interest me. I like that people care for this weird journey."

Born in Huntington, Butler grew up in Fort Wayne and went to Northrop High School. He attended Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne for one year before a national acting scholarship took him to California, then New York and back again. Both his parents still live in Fort Wayne.

"I enjoyed being there, and when the time came to leave, it was time to leave. I'm grateful for having grown up there," Butler said. "I loved that it couldn't quite make up its mind if it was a city or a town back then. It was charming."

Butler said he's sent a copy of the film to Rove but hasn't heard back from him yet.

Dan Butler in "Karl Rove, I Love You"

When: 8 p.m. April 29.

Location: Landmark Keystone Art Cinema, 8702 Keystone Crossing.

Tickets: $10.

Info: (317) 513-9379, www.indyfilmfest.org