First- how did your acting career begin?
It was off and on – it started with school plays and working on commercials while I was in high school. I was always a cinema fan – I was a kid of the 80’s. Movies like Back to the Future got to me. They drew me in. I did different things like workshops and classes but that was in the 90s – there were limited opportunities then.
I had a daughter and took a break from acting. But then the internet kicked in and that and social media helped. I got back into it. That at the independent film market really grew and that helped level the playing field too.
Do you remember you early acting opportunities?
My first time was a school play – I played Ebenezier Scrooge. I knew I loved it then. Fast-forward to 2011 and the Dark Knight. I got cast in scenes outside of the prison breakout. I met casting directors and others in the industry then and that helped me with some direction and edging towards the independent film market. I developed a love for the independent film scene – that has got me noticed. Seeing it all for the first time as an actor – it was like seeing Hulk Hogan for the first time. It all felt larger than life. Stepping through that door captivates you.
How did you land the Dark Knight role?
I stood in line with 2,000 people for like three hours! It was like the beginning of American Idol – I didn’t think I was going to get in. I finally did and met with them. After that I waited for my phone to ring and it did. They liked my background as a boxer – they had a fight scene – it was a featured spot with choreography. Learning from that – from the stunt coordinator and seeing how they put it all together was amazing.
And seeing how they transitioned Oakland to Gotham – it’s hard to describe. They had it look like 1950’s New York.
How did boxing further impact your acting career – have you worked with local guys like Yankello or Spadafora?
I certainly knew of those guys. I was an amateur boxer and boxed out of Brookline in Pittsburgh – I fought in the Golden Gloves circuit in Ohio, Pittsburgh and West Virginia. I never went pro though. It’s a tough game and there was so much up-and-coming talent then.
Do you have any upcoming projects you can talk about?
I do – I have a TV series pilot called Strange Angels – based on the book series. It’s a boxing drama – a modern film noir with a twist and takes place in Pittsburgh. We’re pushing for it to get picked up now and are getting it in front of investors. We have an open screening for the public August 21st and the Lindsey Theater. It seems like it has legs and the local boxing community has been involved helping to promote it. We just need to see how the pilot goes – we have the rest of the series written.
You’re also a big boxing and hockey fan right? How did that affect your career?
I am a die-hard wrestling fan since I was a little kid – before Hulk Hogan. Wrestlers have to be good actors – there’s the physical stuff, but it’s a lot like live theater. Watching how they do it – there’s an art to it. I’ve worked with a lot of wrestlers.
Who have you worked with?
I worked with Roddy Piper a year and a half before he passed away. We did a movie called Pro Wrestlers Versus Zombies. He did his own choreography and Shane Douglas – a Pittsburgh guy too – helped direct it. He reenacted the coconut scene in the movie in a prison scene. He handled himself as a pro. People don’t understand that Roddy Piper was a SAAG actor – he took acting seriously. You can see why wrestlers transition so well into acting. I did a movie with James Storm too a few years ago and the same thing applies to him.
Do you have a preference of directing, producing or acting?
Acting is my first and foremost love. I love bringing a character to life. I love creating that interpretation of that person. I like writing too – second best.
As a Pittsburgh guy – there are a number of Pittsburgh-born actors – do you speak with any of them – have any helped you?
I was fortunate to speak with some of them, yes. David Newell and I share the same agent, and I’ve spoken with Tom Savini a few times. He keeps to himself but he’s vocal in the industry. My number one influence has been Michael Keaton. I’ve never met Michael but seeing a guy from Pittsburgh overcome the odds like he has and succeed as Batman when people didn’t think he could do it was a big inspiration to me.
How has Pittsburgh influenced you as an actor?
Seeing how it supports its own – how people support the community. It’s a working-class town – it takes care of its own. And it stands by its sports teams.
I’m a hockey fan first and love the Black and Yellow – I’m friends with ex-Pens like Ken Wregget and Eddie Johnston. They’ve told me things about the team that add to what I’ve seen growing up watching them.
I also love the Pirates ands Steelers. Pittsburgh teams and people don’t stay down when knocked down – I like the Rocky Balboa attitude!
Ever think of doing a sports-related production?
I never did a hockey film and I’ve love to do one while I can still skate! I did a boxing movie – The Sandman. I’d love to do a hockey movie – I think there’s a market for it!