1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:03,240 Speaker 1: I learned to play poker sitting at the bar at 2 00:00:03,279 --> 00:00:06,519 Speaker 1: stand Up New York comedy store. There was a bartender 3 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: and I hate that I can't remember his name because 4 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:12,200 Speaker 1: he he would, uh you know, play cards with me 5 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:15,520 Speaker 1: while he was addition drinks or whatever. And he this 6 00:00:15,640 --> 00:00:19,440 Speaker 1: is a mantra that I try to live by. And 7 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:21,560 Speaker 1: he always he would always tell me he was. He 8 00:00:21,640 --> 00:00:24,640 Speaker 1: was like, Cary, whatever you do, play with your balls. 9 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:34,720 Speaker 1: You win big, you lose big. Just play with your balls. Hi, 10 00:00:34,880 --> 00:00:38,200 Speaker 1: my name is Cary Peyton, and uh, I have known 11 00:00:38,240 --> 00:00:42,520 Speaker 1: brand baum Gartner for decades. That's my claim to fame. 12 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:55,640 Speaker 1: He Hi, everybody, and welcome back to Off the Beat 13 00:00:56,040 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: on this Tuesday edition. I am your host, Brian baum Gartner. 14 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: Now I go way back with today's guest. In fact, 15 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:09,720 Speaker 1: I go all the way back to my college days 16 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 1: at good old s MU. Are you sensing a trend? 17 00:01:13,200 --> 00:01:15,680 Speaker 1: I'm gonna have everybody whoever went to s m U 18 00:01:15,840 --> 00:01:18,920 Speaker 1: on the podcast at some point. I guess I was 19 00:01:19,000 --> 00:01:22,760 Speaker 1: lucky enough to go to school with Cary Peyton, who, 20 00:01:22,880 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 1: let me say, he has been a talent since day one. 21 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: I have always admired caries work, but since college, oh, man. 22 00:01:32,120 --> 00:01:35,959 Speaker 1: He has done a lot playing Cyborg for the last 23 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:40,559 Speaker 1: twenty years, roughly twenty years on Teen Titans and many 24 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: other animated DC series. Carry has inspired countless fans, and 25 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 1: he has changed the voice acting game for good. But 26 00:01:49,640 --> 00:01:53,120 Speaker 1: now he is perhaps best known for his on camera 27 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:57,760 Speaker 1: role as the charismatic King Ezekiel on The Walking Dead. 28 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:02,360 Speaker 1: That's right, the original the icon Hank Walking Dead. I'm 29 00:02:02,400 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: so excited to share our conversation as we get into 30 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 1: the nitty gritty of the business people, including carries jump 31 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:13,120 Speaker 1: from voice on camera work, and what it was like 32 00:02:13,240 --> 00:02:16,640 Speaker 1: to join a show as huge as The Walking Dead. 33 00:02:16,720 --> 00:02:19,120 Speaker 1: This is a good one, you guys. You have my 34 00:02:19,240 --> 00:02:23,240 Speaker 1: word on that. So here he is my good friend, 35 00:02:23,800 --> 00:02:33,000 Speaker 1: Cary Peyton, Bubble and Squeak. I love it, Bubble and 36 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:39,359 Speaker 1: Squeak on Bubble and Squeaker cooking at every month, left 37 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:54,480 Speaker 1: over from the night before. What's up? What's going on? 38 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:59,120 Speaker 1: How are you my friend? It has been a very 39 00:02:59,320 --> 00:03:03,080 Speaker 1: very long time, dude, I don't I don't know when 40 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:06,840 Speaker 1: I when was the last time I actually saw you? 41 00:03:07,240 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 1: Were you were you walking through the neighborhood because you 42 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:14,520 Speaker 1: used to live in my in the same neighborhood as 43 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:18,079 Speaker 1: my brother Guy and I would see you taking walks 44 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:21,079 Speaker 1: when I when I uh, when I was just hanging 45 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,800 Speaker 1: out with I think the first time I just screamed 46 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:27,760 Speaker 1: at you, like from the wind from the window as 47 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:33,200 Speaker 1: I walked by. Yes, exactly, exactly. Well listen, I moved away. 48 00:03:33,639 --> 00:03:37,320 Speaker 1: And you're a very busy man. I mean you basically 49 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:41,640 Speaker 1: have been have been living in our old home state 50 00:03:42,200 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 1: for the last several years. Yeah, two years, yeah, yeah, well, yeah, definitely. 51 00:03:46,960 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 1: I used to fly back and forth the lot and 52 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:53,880 Speaker 1: then the pandemic hit and I just got stuck. But yeah, yeah, 53 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:57,960 Speaker 1: it's been it's been a crazy yeah, last couple of years, man, 54 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:00,720 Speaker 1: but it's good. But I literally us got back to 55 00:04:00,760 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 1: Los Angeles and getting you know, settled and everything that 56 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,920 Speaker 1: the pandemic has done so many things. But I used 57 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: to do random studio like home studio recordings as you do, 58 00:04:14,040 --> 00:04:16,080 Speaker 1: you know, but I would just do them in you know, 59 00:04:16,200 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 1: walk in closet and uh and uh. And then over 60 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:22,480 Speaker 1: the course of the pandemic it was like, well now 61 00:04:22,600 --> 00:04:26,320 Speaker 1: not now, you just slowly build, uh build an actual 62 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:29,520 Speaker 1: studio in your house. And so so I'm doing this 63 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:33,120 Speaker 1: for it. I feel like the third time in two years, 64 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:35,840 Speaker 1: you know. So so yeah, yeah, it's been it's uh, 65 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:39,040 Speaker 1: it's been crazy. But I'm I finally got this space 66 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:42,080 Speaker 1: put together. This used to be a bathroom. The fact 67 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:46,080 Speaker 1: that you are such a professional voiceover actor that you're 68 00:04:46,120 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 1: willing to give up a toilet to have to have 69 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:52,919 Speaker 1: a studio, it's true. Now it helps that I've got 70 00:04:52,960 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 1: I've got a few toilets, you know, in the house. 71 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:58,080 Speaker 1: I got a few more that It was funny because 72 00:04:58,200 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 1: I really had to pee one day and I and 73 00:05:01,400 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 1: I read it read it here before this this was finished, 74 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:07,320 Speaker 1: and I read it here and I used the bathroom, 75 00:05:07,360 --> 00:05:09,840 Speaker 1: and I was like, you realize you're giving this up. 76 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:13,200 Speaker 1: You realize you're given up the you know, because it's 77 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 1: right next to the garage, you know, it's like it's 78 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:18,640 Speaker 1: and I was like, you're you're you're giving up the 79 00:05:18,680 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 1: convenience of dancing at the door and being able to 80 00:05:21,440 --> 00:05:25,480 Speaker 1: pop right here. But somehow I will make it work. 81 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 1: You'll make it work. All right, Let's let's go back 82 00:05:29,960 --> 00:05:32,080 Speaker 1: for those of you carry and I. We've known each 83 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:35,560 Speaker 1: other along too long to mention. If I start doing 84 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 1: the math, I'm gonna start getting really uncomfortable. Um. We 85 00:05:39,920 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 1: we'll talk about that in a minute. You grew up 86 00:05:43,880 --> 00:05:47,760 Speaker 1: in in In Georgia, in my home state as well. 87 00:05:48,279 --> 00:05:52,720 Speaker 1: There in uh in Augusta, No no, I was born 88 00:05:52,720 --> 00:05:56,200 Speaker 1: in Augusta and Guy and then we bounced around a 89 00:05:56,240 --> 00:06:00,640 Speaker 1: little bit. But by the third grade I had moved 90 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:03,279 Speaker 1: to Athens, Georgia and that's where I stayed until I 91 00:06:03,320 --> 00:06:06,640 Speaker 1: graduated from high school. So it's Athens, Georgia, home of 92 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:10,400 Speaker 1: the Bulldogs. I uh, we have we have that in common. 93 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:13,480 Speaker 1: I didn't live there, but was there most weekends as 94 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:18,880 Speaker 1: a child as well, rooting on that it was an 95 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:23,320 Speaker 1: awesome town on the weekends. Man, yeah, yeah you could. 96 00:06:23,320 --> 00:06:27,839 Speaker 1: You could get fed just walking walking near the stadium. 97 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:32,040 Speaker 1: You know, you know everybody's tailgating and and yeah yeah throwing. 98 00:06:32,080 --> 00:06:35,840 Speaker 1: You're hunger, you want to eat. When did you realize 99 00:06:36,640 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 1: that you had a passion at least for acting? Man, 100 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:46,280 Speaker 1: it was it was really early, It was really early on. 101 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:50,760 Speaker 1: I um, I remember going to see the first thing 102 00:06:50,839 --> 00:06:53,760 Speaker 1: I remembered that that honestly made me want to become 103 00:06:53,800 --> 00:06:58,720 Speaker 1: an actor. I think it was the first grade. There 104 00:06:58,800 --> 00:07:00,760 Speaker 1: might be it might have been something else that that 105 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:03,000 Speaker 1: I that that I don't remember but the first but 106 00:07:03,080 --> 00:07:05,240 Speaker 1: in the first grade, we went to see a community 107 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:11,720 Speaker 1: theater production of syra No de bergierac in in Anniston, Alabama. 108 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 1: My dad was was at Fort McClellan, Alabama. He was 109 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 1: a captain in the army, and uh, we were stationed 110 00:07:19,920 --> 00:07:23,120 Speaker 1: there for a while and we went to see syran No. 111 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:27,080 Speaker 1: And I just remember watching this dude and just thinking, 112 00:07:27,760 --> 00:07:30,120 Speaker 1: this is the coolest guy I've ever seen in my life. 113 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:33,480 Speaker 1: He's the coolest guy I've ever seen in my life, 114 00:07:33,640 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 1: you know what, And and that he reminded me of 115 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:40,600 Speaker 1: the Fox from Robin Hood, you know, the Disney movie, 116 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:43,560 Speaker 1: which was my favorite growing up probably still is my 117 00:07:43,560 --> 00:07:46,960 Speaker 1: my my favorite. And uh, you know, he's he's literally 118 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:51,480 Speaker 1: you know, sword fighting, he's he's the wittiest, he's the sharpest, 119 00:07:51,600 --> 00:07:55,240 Speaker 1: he's you know, he's he's got everything. And uh, I 120 00:07:55,280 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 1: think it was lost on me that that he was 121 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:00,120 Speaker 1: kind of so down on himself. When I first watched Sara. Oh, 122 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:02,040 Speaker 1: you know, all I could see is that he was 123 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 1: the most amazing thing I've ever seen, and I was like, 124 00:08:04,520 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 1: I want to do that, and um, I don't know. 125 00:08:07,680 --> 00:08:10,560 Speaker 1: At some point I went home and found a bunch 126 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 1: of rocks and washed them and started uh painting them. 127 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:17,160 Speaker 1: And then I started going door to door to my 128 00:08:17,240 --> 00:08:21,000 Speaker 1: neighbors trying to sell rocks. And one of my neighbors 129 00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:24,400 Speaker 1: called my mom and said, your boys out here selling rocks, 130 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 1: trying to sell rocks to us, and and my mom said, 131 00:08:28,480 --> 00:08:31,160 Speaker 1: you know at we cup home and uh it said 132 00:08:31,160 --> 00:08:32,760 Speaker 1: why are you selling rocks? And I was like, I 133 00:08:32,800 --> 00:08:37,200 Speaker 1: need capital to start my theater company. And she was 134 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:40,920 Speaker 1: like what and and uh. I don't know where I 135 00:08:40,960 --> 00:08:43,640 Speaker 1: came up with this, but this is what my mom told. 136 00:08:43,679 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 1: I remember, I remember trying to sell the rocks. Um, 137 00:08:47,200 --> 00:08:49,439 Speaker 1: but uh, I was. I was going to start a 138 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 1: theater company and perform in in the in the backyard 139 00:08:53,360 --> 00:08:55,520 Speaker 1: of our house, you know. And there was just like 140 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,960 Speaker 1: nothing but like Georgia woods out in the out back 141 00:08:58,960 --> 00:09:01,640 Speaker 1: of the house. It up, but that was that was 142 00:09:01,720 --> 00:09:06,120 Speaker 1: it for me. I remember watching uh Syra nota Bergerac 143 00:09:06,160 --> 00:09:08,600 Speaker 1: and being like, that's what I want to do. And 144 00:09:08,640 --> 00:09:12,120 Speaker 1: then there was a TV show called Emergency that was 145 00:09:12,160 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 1: about paramedics and uh and it was around the same 146 00:09:16,240 --> 00:09:19,280 Speaker 1: time and uh and I remember thinking I want to 147 00:09:19,320 --> 00:09:21,400 Speaker 1: be a paramedic. And then I saw Syen no, and 148 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:23,199 Speaker 1: I was like, no, I don't want to be a paramedic. 149 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:29,439 Speaker 1: I want to be on a TV show about paramedics. Okay, yeah. Yeah. 150 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 1: So it was all around the first grade that that 151 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:36,400 Speaker 1: it that that it first came together, that that this 152 00:09:36,520 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 1: was something that I wanted to do. I wanted to 153 00:09:38,920 --> 00:09:42,480 Speaker 1: be Syra. No, that's that's by the way, have you 154 00:09:42,520 --> 00:09:47,600 Speaker 1: played Sera? Now? No? No, no, there's still time. There's 155 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:50,760 Speaker 1: still time. There's still time. So so you decide that 156 00:09:50,800 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 1: you sell rocks and you're trying to make capital, but 157 00:09:54,480 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 1: what what are you doing than doing school plays? Is that? Yeah? I? Um? 158 00:10:02,200 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: I told yeah, yeah, Well I told my mom, like 159 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 1: the Sears catalogs would come in the in the in 160 00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:09,880 Speaker 1: the middle, and I was like, and I would show 161 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 1: the models in them, Like, Mom, I can do that. 162 00:10:13,120 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 1: They're just standing there with clothes. I can do that, 163 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:18,319 Speaker 1: you know, call up Sears, you know. And I started 164 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:21,400 Speaker 1: telling my mom to call people and do something, you know, 165 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:25,600 Speaker 1: and and so, uh, when we finally got settled in Athens, 166 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 1: I started doing yeah, community theater. I remember I played 167 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 1: a frog, you know, and like a tiny little theater show. 168 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:36,640 Speaker 1: And I think I played um Christmas past in like 169 00:10:36,960 --> 00:10:42,320 Speaker 1: a children's theater production of of Christmas Carol, Christmas Carol, 170 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:45,600 Speaker 1: and yeah, a little stuff like that. But it was 171 00:10:45,679 --> 00:10:49,480 Speaker 1: just kind of here and there, you know. And then 172 00:10:49,760 --> 00:10:53,839 Speaker 1: what what what happened is I I saw this, uh, 173 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 1: this contest for Showtime, the Showtime Kid Talent Quest. They 174 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:01,160 Speaker 1: had like a children's hour and they wanted, you know, 175 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 1: kids to introduce the movies. And uh, I didn't really 176 00:11:05,520 --> 00:11:08,640 Speaker 1: sing or dance or anything, but I love Saturday Night Live. 177 00:11:09,040 --> 00:11:11,640 Speaker 1: I watched Saturday. I stayed up, you know, every night 178 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 1: to watch Saturday Night Live. And so I tried to 179 00:11:14,440 --> 00:11:17,960 Speaker 1: do these little skits on this huge video camera. You 180 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:20,960 Speaker 1: know that it was. It was immense and uh, I 181 00:11:21,000 --> 00:11:23,720 Speaker 1: didn't know how to edit, so I would just press 182 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:26,800 Speaker 1: record and then my mom would press pause and I 183 00:11:26,800 --> 00:11:29,800 Speaker 1: would change my clothes into the other character and then 184 00:11:30,080 --> 00:11:33,800 Speaker 1: and then unpaused, you know, reading or whatever it was. 185 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 1: It was the most convoluted thing. But I I made 186 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:40,680 Speaker 1: this this crazy video and sent it in and uh 187 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:42,720 Speaker 1: and honestly, I think they were like, you know, they 188 00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 1: had all of these people who were singing and dancing 189 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:46,920 Speaker 1: and doing stuff, and then it was this you know, 190 00:11:47,040 --> 00:11:51,280 Speaker 1: probably this one kid who was doing weird comedy skits 191 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:54,640 Speaker 1: pretending to be Rod Serling. It was just so yeah, yeah, 192 00:11:54,720 --> 00:11:57,560 Speaker 1: so probably weird, but some I won that contest and 193 00:11:57,559 --> 00:12:00,640 Speaker 1: they came me to New York. Yeah when I was twelve, 194 00:12:01,000 --> 00:12:06,560 Speaker 1: and the research says fourteen the first annual talent quest. 195 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:09,240 Speaker 1: But they flew you to New York. This is the 196 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:11,559 Speaker 1: first time, I must go. Yeah, maybe I was thirteen 197 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:13,959 Speaker 1: when I when I recorded it, yeah, first time it 198 00:12:14,120 --> 00:12:16,400 Speaker 1: well yeah yeah, first time in New York. The whole 199 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:20,240 Speaker 1: family went we I recorded it over all of it 200 00:12:20,320 --> 00:12:23,560 Speaker 1: over a few days, and oh that was the thing, 201 00:12:23,679 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 1: so so so yeah. I had started getting into this 202 00:12:27,240 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 1: idea of um of uh. I loved Eddie Murphy. He 203 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:33,280 Speaker 1: was my favorite growing up because of Mr Rogers Neighborhood 204 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:35,959 Speaker 1: and and Gumby and all of that from Saturday Night 205 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:38,320 Speaker 1: Live and and I would sneak and listen to his 206 00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:43,360 Speaker 1: you know, raunchy comedy shows. Just loved him. Wanted to 207 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:47,120 Speaker 1: be Eddie Murphy and so um I went to this camp. 208 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:49,880 Speaker 1: It was like it was like a two week maybe 209 00:12:49,960 --> 00:12:53,920 Speaker 1: three week uh camp up in the mountains of South Carolina, 210 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:58,640 Speaker 1: Callowe Calorween, North Carolina. They had a talent contest and 211 00:12:58,440 --> 00:13:01,160 Speaker 1: the and um, one of the guys that I befriended 212 00:13:01,200 --> 00:13:03,240 Speaker 1: who had been there a few times, he had done 213 00:13:03,240 --> 00:13:06,120 Speaker 1: a stand up comedy routine and I was joking with 214 00:13:06,160 --> 00:13:09,040 Speaker 1: everybody at the lunch table and he said, Hey, can 215 00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 1: I use that in my comedy routine? And I said, no, 216 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:17,959 Speaker 1: I'm going to use it in my comedy. And so 217 00:13:18,080 --> 00:13:20,440 Speaker 1: that that was the first time I got on stage 218 00:13:20,480 --> 00:13:23,640 Speaker 1: to to do stand up comedy, and uh, I ended 219 00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 1: up winning the talent contest at the at the camp. 220 00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:31,679 Speaker 1: And then so at the second annual Showtime Kid Talent Quest, 221 00:13:32,360 --> 00:13:34,560 Speaker 1: they had had the other winners come up and do 222 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:38,000 Speaker 1: their talent and I had just made a stupid video, 223 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:40,800 Speaker 1: so I didn't have any talent to, you know. So 224 00:13:40,800 --> 00:13:43,760 Speaker 1: so I started doing stand up comedy like in these malls, 225 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 1: you know, you know, at like yeah, thirteen or fourteen, 226 00:13:46,960 --> 00:13:49,120 Speaker 1: I was I was say, only fourteen by then. And 227 00:13:49,160 --> 00:13:52,680 Speaker 1: then I started um going to comedy clubs and trying 228 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:55,040 Speaker 1: to get into comedy clubs. And they were they were like, 229 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:57,679 Speaker 1: you can't come in here, kid, You're you're you're like 230 00:13:57,880 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 1: a baby. But my mom was very isn't it. And 231 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:05,920 Speaker 1: she found my my who would become my my Jewish grandmother, 232 00:14:06,080 --> 00:14:10,239 Speaker 1: Edith Sims. She was She was a comedy booker who 233 00:14:10,320 --> 00:14:13,520 Speaker 1: worked in Atlanta and New York for some reason. Yeah, 234 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:16,000 Speaker 1: and and I went up and bombed the first time. 235 00:14:16,640 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 1: And I came back and she said, I can't put 236 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 1: you back on. And then I did. I did some 237 00:14:21,880 --> 00:14:24,760 Speaker 1: impressions of Oh my God, I did an impression of 238 00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:27,680 Speaker 1: Bill Cosby, and I did an impression of Pat Robertson 239 00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 1: from the Seven. You know, so imagine like a black kid, 240 00:14:30,920 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 1: fourteen year old black kid doing doing uh Pat roberts 241 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:38,600 Speaker 1: and yes exactly, you know, barely open your eyes when 242 00:14:38,640 --> 00:14:42,280 Speaker 1: you talk, and and uh. And so she was like, okay, okay, 243 00:14:42,320 --> 00:14:45,160 Speaker 1: you can do Pat Robertson for everybody. And and that 244 00:14:45,280 --> 00:14:48,200 Speaker 1: night I I killed and she was like, I was 245 00:14:48,240 --> 00:14:51,359 Speaker 1: like her new best friend. I would go up to 246 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 1: New York for I don't know, a couple of weeks, 247 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:58,520 Speaker 1: for a couple of summers, and do stand up comedy 248 00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:01,440 Speaker 1: at these at these different play in New York City 249 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:03,400 Speaker 1: and a stand up New York comedy store at the 250 00:15:03,480 --> 00:15:06,160 Speaker 1: Village Gate and uh in the in the Village, a 251 00:15:06,200 --> 00:15:09,600 Speaker 1: couple of divy places. I kind of uh you know, 252 00:15:09,800 --> 00:15:13,960 Speaker 1: is just cultivating that performing thing. And then and then 253 00:15:14,120 --> 00:15:16,720 Speaker 1: comedians started to depress the hell out of me that 254 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:19,920 Speaker 1: comedians are are are an amazing group because they are 255 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:25,160 Speaker 1: wonderfully talented. I mean I would sit there for weeks 256 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 1: and so and and there'd be a new crop of 257 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:30,440 Speaker 1: comedians that would come through every week, and I would 258 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 1: sit at the bar and listen to them all and 259 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:34,840 Speaker 1: just think, Oh my god, they're all so funny, they're 260 00:15:34,880 --> 00:15:37,320 Speaker 1: all so great. You know, I want to, you know, 261 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:39,160 Speaker 1: learn to be be like these guys. And they would 262 00:15:39,200 --> 00:15:41,000 Speaker 1: come to the bar and talk to me, and some 263 00:15:41,080 --> 00:15:46,280 Speaker 1: of them were positive. Of them were positive, and at 264 00:15:46,560 --> 00:15:50,960 Speaker 1: at we're just mad that they hadn't been discovered yet. 265 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:54,000 Speaker 1: And I'm sitting at the bar, you know, having a 266 00:15:54,080 --> 00:15:58,240 Speaker 1: sprite and they they are drinking hard and being being like, kid, 267 00:15:58,240 --> 00:16:00,280 Speaker 1: are you gonna take me with you when you get 268 00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 1: to be a big shot? And I was like sure, 269 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:04,920 Speaker 1: and they were like, no, you won't know, you won't 270 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:08,160 Speaker 1: That's what Chris Rock said, No you won't. You know. 271 00:16:08,400 --> 00:16:09,800 Speaker 1: It was just I was like, I was like, you 272 00:16:09,800 --> 00:16:11,480 Speaker 1: know what, I think I've got to find something better 273 00:16:11,520 --> 00:16:14,200 Speaker 1: to do it. So I went back home. It started 274 00:16:14,400 --> 00:16:18,880 Speaker 1: doing theater more and uh, I auditioned for an art 275 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:24,400 Speaker 1: school and that's where my theater bent really started. I 276 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:27,520 Speaker 1: went to Northside High School School of the Arts for 277 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:30,680 Speaker 1: a semester because it was, um it was in Atlanta 278 00:16:30,680 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 1: and my folks lived in Athens. But I did it 279 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 1: for a semester and that's where I met our mutual professors, 280 00:16:39,400 --> 00:16:43,680 Speaker 1: Charlie Hilfert and uh and Dale Moffat. Yeah. Yeah, I 281 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:47,120 Speaker 1: auditioned for them when I was in a junior in 282 00:16:47,240 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 1: high school. And then when when it came back around 283 00:16:50,280 --> 00:16:52,680 Speaker 1: for me to find a place to go to go 284 00:16:52,760 --> 00:16:56,000 Speaker 1: to college, Uh, you know, I auditioned for them again. 285 00:16:56,400 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 1: But but that's where that relationship started and and I really, 286 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:04,960 Speaker 1: you know, developed that love of thing. Is so crazy 287 00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:09,040 Speaker 1: though the idea as a fourteen year old you're like 288 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:15,919 Speaker 1: in the middle of like hardcore stand up culture. I 289 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:19,120 Speaker 1: mean even just you saying sitting at the bar watching 290 00:17:19,119 --> 00:17:23,280 Speaker 1: these guys and imagining that I mean your experience there. 291 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:26,680 Speaker 1: I learned to play poker sitting at the bar at 292 00:17:26,720 --> 00:17:29,960 Speaker 1: stand up New York comedy store. There was a bartender 293 00:17:30,040 --> 00:17:33,240 Speaker 1: and I hate that I can't remember his name because 294 00:17:33,240 --> 00:17:35,639 Speaker 1: he he would uh you know, play cards with me 295 00:17:35,680 --> 00:17:38,960 Speaker 1: while he was addishing drinks or whatever. And he this 296 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:42,879 Speaker 1: is a mantra that I try to live by. And 297 00:17:42,920 --> 00:17:45,000 Speaker 1: he always he would always tell me he was He 298 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:48,080 Speaker 1: was like, Cary, whatever you do, play with your balls, 299 00:17:48,800 --> 00:17:52,520 Speaker 1: you win big, you lose big. Just play with your balls. 300 00:17:53,359 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 1: I I never forget that. And it was like, it's like, 301 00:17:56,920 --> 00:17:59,800 Speaker 1: you know, if you're gonna do something that go for it. 302 00:18:00,000 --> 00:18:22,520 Speaker 1: Way with your pauls Oh my god, So you do theater. 303 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:26,359 Speaker 1: And yes, the two people car I just mentioned, Charlie 304 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:31,720 Speaker 1: Helford and Dale Moffatt were well. They were the papas 305 00:18:32,000 --> 00:18:38,639 Speaker 1: and the grandpa's and the moms and everything at Smulder Statesman, 306 00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:43,240 Speaker 1: the Elder Statesman, you auditioned to get into SMU and 307 00:18:43,520 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 1: spoiler alert, Carry and I ended up at college together. 308 00:18:46,880 --> 00:18:53,400 Speaker 1: Now Carry is significantly older one year. Um. But I mean, 309 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:58,600 Speaker 1: here's the thing. S MU is it is a conservatory 310 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:02,000 Speaker 1: training theater program was a conservatory training theater program. It 311 00:19:02,040 --> 00:19:05,120 Speaker 1: still is. So when you make the decision that you're 312 00:19:05,280 --> 00:19:09,080 Speaker 1: going to audition and ultimately go to s m U, 313 00:19:09,680 --> 00:19:12,920 Speaker 1: now things can be derailed, just like with any college 314 00:19:13,359 --> 00:19:16,040 Speaker 1: uh student, But you really are making a commitment. At 315 00:19:16,080 --> 00:19:19,000 Speaker 1: that point, you knew that this was what you wanted 316 00:19:19,040 --> 00:19:22,800 Speaker 1: to do, was that right? Yeah? Yeah, Well here was 317 00:19:22,840 --> 00:19:26,760 Speaker 1: the thing I I told myself, um, the last couple 318 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:29,399 Speaker 1: of years of high school, you know, because I had 319 00:19:29,440 --> 00:19:31,760 Speaker 1: won this contest and I had done you know, I 320 00:19:31,800 --> 00:19:34,359 Speaker 1: was doing stand up and you know, and I was 321 00:19:34,359 --> 00:19:37,199 Speaker 1: doing these different things and and and so I was 322 00:19:37,400 --> 00:19:41,080 Speaker 1: sort of a big deal, you know in my high school, 323 00:19:41,240 --> 00:19:44,959 Speaker 1: I guess for having you know, kind of stepped outside 324 00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:49,280 Speaker 1: of our community and having done something doing Uh yeah, 325 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 1: I haven't done something, but uh but I knew in 326 00:19:52,359 --> 00:19:55,840 Speaker 1: my head I I didn't want I mean, American Idol 327 00:19:55,920 --> 00:19:58,560 Speaker 1: wasn't a thing yet. But I didn't want to be 328 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:02,600 Speaker 1: one of those people that because everybody in their little, 329 00:20:02,680 --> 00:20:06,119 Speaker 1: small hometown told them that they that they were the 330 00:20:06,160 --> 00:20:10,520 Speaker 1: most talented thing, that they were deluding themselves. And and 331 00:20:10,800 --> 00:20:13,639 Speaker 1: we're going to you know, go off with big dreams, 332 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:16,159 Speaker 1: and then you know, Simon Call tells them, you know 333 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:18,560 Speaker 1: that they that they have no idea what what pitches 334 00:20:18,600 --> 00:20:21,520 Speaker 1: and never will and so and so I told myself, 335 00:20:21,560 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 1: I was like, all right, you need more than just 336 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:27,640 Speaker 1: belief in yourself. You need corroboration that you're actually good 337 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 1: at this. And I was like, I was like, you 338 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:34,240 Speaker 1: know what, I'm going to audition for the best schools 339 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:37,560 Speaker 1: in the country for theater, and if I get into 340 00:20:37,560 --> 00:20:40,720 Speaker 1: those schools, then that then that means something because and 341 00:20:40,760 --> 00:20:44,080 Speaker 1: it doesn't mean everything, but it means something because when 342 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 1: you're auditioning for a school, they're they're gonna take a 343 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:49,960 Speaker 1: certain amount of kids. When you're auditioning for a role, 344 00:20:50,240 --> 00:20:54,000 Speaker 1: they're taking one. So so so you know, it's like 345 00:20:54,119 --> 00:20:57,800 Speaker 1: it's like, it's like, this is just preliminary. This doesn't 346 00:20:57,840 --> 00:21:00,000 Speaker 1: mean that you that you got it, but it means 347 00:21:00,040 --> 00:21:02,439 Speaker 1: you got a chance. And all I needed was a chance. 348 00:21:02,480 --> 00:21:06,920 Speaker 1: And so I auditioned for let's see, I didn't audition 349 00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:09,640 Speaker 1: for like the North Carolina School of the Arts because 350 00:21:09,680 --> 00:21:11,359 Speaker 1: my dad was a doctor and I had to go 351 00:21:11,440 --> 00:21:17,320 Speaker 1: to like an actual university university, Carnegie Mellon I auditioned for, 352 00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 1: and then s m U in Florida State. I think 353 00:21:21,000 --> 00:21:23,760 Speaker 1: that was that was it. And then I and then I, 354 00:21:23,920 --> 00:21:25,880 Speaker 1: uh was like, you know what, if I don't get 355 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:27,959 Speaker 1: into any of those, then I don't know that that 356 00:21:28,000 --> 00:21:30,400 Speaker 1: means you know what, you can have fun out here 357 00:21:30,400 --> 00:21:33,240 Speaker 1: doing this. But but let's not get crazy. And I 358 00:21:33,400 --> 00:21:36,359 Speaker 1: and my fallback was, you know what, I could always 359 00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:41,919 Speaker 1: teach history because my favorite teachers of history like performed history. 360 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:44,560 Speaker 1: You know. It was like, you know, I remember one 361 00:21:44,560 --> 00:21:48,600 Speaker 1: of my favorite teachers in high school was Mr Cavalier, 362 00:21:48,760 --> 00:21:51,479 Speaker 1: David Cavalier, and uh, I mean, I don't know how 363 00:21:51,480 --> 00:21:54,800 Speaker 1: many times he was, you know, standing on somebody's desk 364 00:21:54,920 --> 00:21:57,560 Speaker 1: literally captain, my captain, you know what I mean, just 365 00:21:57,640 --> 00:22:01,120 Speaker 1: like you know, you know, preaching to to the class. 366 00:22:01,119 --> 00:22:03,440 Speaker 1: And and I was like, you know, maybe maybe that's 367 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:06,280 Speaker 1: as big as my my audience is supposed to get, 368 00:22:06,359 --> 00:22:09,000 Speaker 1: you know. But if I get into these places, then 369 00:22:09,040 --> 00:22:11,159 Speaker 1: maybe I got a shot to do more. And I 370 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 1: got in everywhere that I auditioned. But the cheapest place 371 00:22:14,600 --> 00:22:17,040 Speaker 1: to go was Florida State because of the state school. 372 00:22:17,400 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 1: And so I sent my dorm deposit to Florida State. 373 00:22:21,920 --> 00:22:25,840 Speaker 1: And then Charlie Helfort called from SMU and said, hey, 374 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:28,200 Speaker 1: you know, are you coming down from Mustang days to 375 00:22:28,320 --> 00:22:32,359 Speaker 1: check out the school? And U s MU, even in 376 00:22:32,400 --> 00:22:37,840 Speaker 1: those days, was not inexpensive to go to SMU, and 377 00:22:37,920 --> 00:22:40,399 Speaker 1: I had just I didn't even think about going to SMU. 378 00:22:40,440 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 1: I was like, no, my folks aren't aren't paying you know. 379 00:22:44,160 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 1: I mean, my dad's a doctor, but he's a pediatrician, 380 00:22:46,400 --> 00:22:48,439 Speaker 1: you know what I mean. He's taking like you know, 381 00:22:48,640 --> 00:22:51,920 Speaker 1: he's taking ten dollar copays. You know. It's where we're doing, 382 00:22:51,960 --> 00:22:53,879 Speaker 1: all right, we're letting. I living high on the hoggin. 383 00:22:54,000 --> 00:22:55,879 Speaker 1: So I was I was like, I gotta pay for 384 00:22:55,920 --> 00:22:59,720 Speaker 1: this myself. But but little did I know that, um 385 00:23:00,040 --> 00:23:03,600 Speaker 1: some you had quite the endowment. And uh and I 386 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:06,199 Speaker 1: swear it was like I felt like I was getting 387 00:23:06,240 --> 00:23:09,960 Speaker 1: recruited for a football team, like a college football team. 388 00:23:10,280 --> 00:23:13,199 Speaker 1: Like I got flown in. They showed me, you know, 389 00:23:13,280 --> 00:23:16,080 Speaker 1: the facility, you know. I mean it was like I 390 00:23:16,119 --> 00:23:19,040 Speaker 1: was like, whoa, this is amazing. And then uh and 391 00:23:19,040 --> 00:23:21,280 Speaker 1: then I got there and all the students were like, 392 00:23:21,640 --> 00:23:25,479 Speaker 1: they were like, man, hold out, hold out for a 393 00:23:25,480 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 1: full scholarship. They've got the money. You hold out, dude, 394 00:23:29,720 --> 00:23:31,920 Speaker 1: it's you know. And they're all telling me to hold that. 395 00:23:32,119 --> 00:23:33,800 Speaker 1: And I go running back to my mom who's having 396 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:37,240 Speaker 1: a meeting with Charlie, and she was like, well, if 397 00:23:37,280 --> 00:23:40,280 Speaker 1: you if you wanna, um wanna go here. I was like, yeah, 398 00:23:40,280 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 1: I want to go here. She was like, well, it's 399 00:23:41,760 --> 00:23:43,560 Speaker 1: all set up and I was like, did you hold out? 400 00:23:43,920 --> 00:23:45,920 Speaker 1: She was like, well, they gave me like an eight 401 00:23:46,080 --> 00:23:48,800 Speaker 1: percent and I was like, oh mom, we could have 402 00:23:48,840 --> 00:23:54,720 Speaker 1: got the fall. She felt so guilty for so long 403 00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:57,520 Speaker 1: because she was like, because of course every year, because 404 00:23:57,560 --> 00:24:01,120 Speaker 1: if you get a full scholarship, if the if tuition 405 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:04,159 Speaker 1: goes up, they still pay the full thing. If you 406 00:24:04,240 --> 00:24:09,760 Speaker 1: get scholars if then no, no, if that goes up, 407 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,359 Speaker 1: it don't go up eighty percent. You just got to start. 408 00:24:13,000 --> 00:24:16,520 Speaker 1: So yeah, so eventually I did pay off my student 409 00:24:16,560 --> 00:24:19,399 Speaker 1: los and everything. But yeah, yeah, that was that was 410 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:23,080 Speaker 1: my very It's very interesting. I've never heard that story 411 00:24:23,080 --> 00:24:25,480 Speaker 1: from you before, and and I don't know if I've 412 00:24:26,200 --> 00:24:30,439 Speaker 1: publicly told this either, but like you, my dad was 413 00:24:30,480 --> 00:24:33,400 Speaker 1: a doctor, right, so you hear doctor, But my dad 414 00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:37,000 Speaker 1: was a doctor at at Emory University. He so he was, 415 00:24:37,359 --> 00:24:39,919 Speaker 1: you know, a teacher and you know, had made that 416 00:24:39,960 --> 00:24:43,760 Speaker 1: decision for his family and because of certain situations, had 417 00:24:43,800 --> 00:24:45,919 Speaker 1: to pay a lot of money for me to go 418 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:51,159 Speaker 1: to high school there in Atlanta, and basically said, because 419 00:24:51,200 --> 00:24:55,359 Speaker 1: he's on staff at Emery, I have a free ride 420 00:24:55,359 --> 00:25:01,120 Speaker 1: at Emory. Emory University an amazing school. My sister school. Yeah, 421 00:25:01,160 --> 00:25:06,120 Speaker 1: a room board, like it was like everything. And so 422 00:25:06,359 --> 00:25:09,280 Speaker 1: when it came time, he was like, I really think 423 00:25:09,320 --> 00:25:12,840 Speaker 1: you should go check out Emory's theater department again if 424 00:25:12,880 --> 00:25:15,400 Speaker 1: we went to a show and I'm like, yeah, this 425 00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:20,119 Speaker 1: is not this is not and he said, okay, well 426 00:25:20,280 --> 00:25:25,040 Speaker 1: you know here, the offer here is free. So I 427 00:25:25,080 --> 00:25:28,119 Speaker 1: traveled to eSIM had a very similar experience, which was 428 00:25:28,200 --> 00:25:31,840 Speaker 1: just like guys, I'm sold. And and just so you know, 429 00:25:32,040 --> 00:25:34,440 Speaker 1: it would be like you he mentioned football, and I've 430 00:25:34,520 --> 00:25:37,000 Speaker 1: used that analogy all the time. People don't understand like 431 00:25:37,359 --> 00:25:41,280 Speaker 1: you're doing plays, you're doing like you're you're kind of 432 00:25:41,480 --> 00:25:44,639 Speaker 1: like a football player or a basketball player, like you're 433 00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:50,280 Speaker 1: you're constantly working within the theater for this conservatory training program. 434 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:53,000 Speaker 1: I almost never saw a football game at SMU because 435 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:56,560 Speaker 1: we were always in rehearsal. We were always in rehearsal. 436 00:25:56,640 --> 00:26:00,400 Speaker 1: Yeah you know I did do that, but but yes, 437 00:26:00,440 --> 00:26:02,640 Speaker 1: I hear a point. No, but your point is right. 438 00:26:02,720 --> 00:26:06,920 Speaker 1: And and it's hard for people to kind of comprehend, like, wait, 439 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:10,919 Speaker 1: what theater like you're but no, they are. They have 440 00:26:10,960 --> 00:26:15,720 Speaker 1: an incredible endowment and they are incredibly supportive of not 441 00:26:15,880 --> 00:26:18,040 Speaker 1: just theater but all of the arts. The Meadow School 442 00:26:18,080 --> 00:26:20,600 Speaker 1: of the Arts there at s m U is a 443 00:26:20,600 --> 00:26:23,560 Speaker 1: fantastic place. So I've done some of I've done some 444 00:26:23,640 --> 00:26:28,360 Speaker 1: amazing theater shows. Still some of the most incredible, like 445 00:26:28,359 --> 00:26:33,680 Speaker 1: like like pyrotechnic you know, stuff that that that I've 446 00:26:33,720 --> 00:26:38,160 Speaker 1: ever seen done on a stage was at my college. 447 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:44,320 Speaker 1: They have there's like an oil spring like flowing like 448 00:26:44,320 --> 00:26:47,159 Speaker 1: like right up through the Greer Garson stiff you know, 449 00:26:47,240 --> 00:26:51,119 Speaker 1: thrust stage and s MU just spewing out money to 450 00:26:51,200 --> 00:26:56,280 Speaker 1: be spent on these theater productions. It is incredible the 451 00:26:56,280 --> 00:26:59,160 Speaker 1: the amount of money that that they that they put 452 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:02,840 Speaker 1: towards this pro Graham and uh, yeah, I imagine it 453 00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:04,679 Speaker 1: is hard to believe. I went back a couple of 454 00:27:04,720 --> 00:27:09,119 Speaker 1: years ago for for actually um a film festival and 455 00:27:09,320 --> 00:27:11,320 Speaker 1: uh and went back to s m U and saw 456 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:14,960 Speaker 1: a show and and and was just shocked again that 457 00:27:15,119 --> 00:27:19,240 Speaker 1: I was like, Wow, they're doing They're doing five performances 458 00:27:19,280 --> 00:27:22,080 Speaker 1: of this and then it's going away. And I was 459 00:27:22,160 --> 00:27:26,560 Speaker 1: just amazed at the at the production value that they 460 00:27:26,600 --> 00:27:28,800 Speaker 1: that they put on at that school. If you get 461 00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 1: a chance to go to SMU for theater, you really 462 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:34,800 Speaker 1: should go. Yeah. That's the that's the that's the sum 463 00:27:34,840 --> 00:27:39,359 Speaker 1: total of it. I it's like Oregon, like because of 464 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:41,520 Speaker 1: all the Nike money. Like if you're an athlete, you 465 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:44,720 Speaker 1: go to Oregon, you see the you know, the workout 466 00:27:44,760 --> 00:27:46,879 Speaker 1: facilities in the locker room and everything that they have 467 00:27:46,960 --> 00:27:49,439 Speaker 1: at their disposal there because of the it's kind of 468 00:27:49,480 --> 00:27:52,720 Speaker 1: like that. I mean I went to USC Florida State, 469 00:27:52,840 --> 00:27:55,359 Speaker 1: you know, a bunch of you know, both public and 470 00:27:55,400 --> 00:28:00,639 Speaker 1: private schools, and then showed up coming from USC in 471 00:28:00,760 --> 00:28:04,920 Speaker 1: Los Angeles through Dallas and you step onto s m 472 00:28:05,000 --> 00:28:09,600 Speaker 1: us campus and you see their like for fully functional 473 00:28:10,520 --> 00:28:14,280 Speaker 1: stages of different varieties, and you're like, well, it's kind 474 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:17,440 Speaker 1: of a no brainer if they'll take me. Yeah, yeah, 475 00:28:17,680 --> 00:28:23,440 Speaker 1: it's it's crazy. Um. I you've mentioned this before. Your dad, 476 00:28:23,680 --> 00:28:29,960 Speaker 1: who I've met a number of times, just amazing, amazing guy. 477 00:28:30,200 --> 00:28:34,399 Speaker 1: Um he was not originally a big fan of your 478 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:38,840 Speaker 1: acting career until he saw you in a production of 479 00:28:39,000 --> 00:28:44,600 Speaker 1: Hamlet in your twice Is this right? Yeah? Yeah? Yeah? I. Um, 480 00:28:45,040 --> 00:28:47,480 Speaker 1: Like I said, my dad's a doctor and you know, 481 00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:52,680 Speaker 1: very practical, very practical sort of fellow. My my my 482 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:54,920 Speaker 1: mom was always the one who was kind of pushing 483 00:28:55,400 --> 00:29:00,680 Speaker 1: me towards my arts thing. My mom was had biology 484 00:29:00,720 --> 00:29:04,120 Speaker 1: degree and UH ended up having UH an arts degree. 485 00:29:04,480 --> 00:29:08,360 Speaker 1: She was going to be UH a biology UH illustrator, 486 00:29:08,760 --> 00:29:11,920 Speaker 1: and UM ended up getting her masters. And it's a 487 00:29:12,080 --> 00:29:13,800 Speaker 1: it's an amazing story. I have to tell you that 488 00:29:13,880 --> 00:29:19,160 Speaker 1: story as as well about about my mom. She years ago, UH, 489 00:29:19,320 --> 00:29:23,360 Speaker 1: like when as I was being born, UM was about 490 00:29:23,400 --> 00:29:27,200 Speaker 1: to graduate from Mercer University and making Georgia, and UH 491 00:29:27,360 --> 00:29:30,440 Speaker 1: she had her biology degree, but she was pregnant with 492 00:29:30,440 --> 00:29:34,440 Speaker 1: with me. My dad was already in medical school at 493 00:29:34,600 --> 00:29:37,680 Speaker 1: at UH in Augusta, and so they were living apart 494 00:29:37,720 --> 00:29:40,560 Speaker 1: from from each other, and she was gonna give birth 495 00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:44,520 Speaker 1: birth right around the time of graduation. And my mom 496 00:29:45,680 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 1: was what you would call, uh, I guess a troublemaker. 497 00:29:48,280 --> 00:29:50,840 Speaker 1: She was. She she was a bit of an activist, 498 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:52,800 Speaker 1: you know, imagine growing up it, you know, as a 499 00:29:52,800 --> 00:29:57,800 Speaker 1: teenager in the sixties. And her paintings reflected that those 500 00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:01,240 Speaker 1: sorts of things. And the president of the art department, 501 00:30:01,240 --> 00:30:03,760 Speaker 1: the dean of the art department UH called a lot 502 00:30:03,800 --> 00:30:07,640 Speaker 1: of her paintings too controversial to be shown in gallery. 503 00:30:08,040 --> 00:30:13,600 Speaker 1: And in order to graduate, she had to be a 504 00:30:13,680 --> 00:30:16,280 Speaker 1: part of the gallery showing and he wouldn't let her 505 00:30:16,280 --> 00:30:18,960 Speaker 1: become a part of the gallery showing and and so doing. Uh. 506 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:22,640 Speaker 1: She was not allowed to graduate with her arts major, 507 00:30:23,160 --> 00:30:26,960 Speaker 1: although she did graduate with her biology major. But uh, 508 00:30:27,000 --> 00:30:30,640 Speaker 1: cool story is um, at the age of uh seventy two, 509 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:34,560 Speaker 1: she finally walked uh and got got her degree. Um. 510 00:30:34,640 --> 00:30:38,560 Speaker 1: She she was as she does, you know, as talkative Peyton's. 511 00:30:38,600 --> 00:30:41,520 Speaker 1: She was sitting at a bench at the Atlanta airport 512 00:30:41,600 --> 00:30:44,080 Speaker 1: waiting to get driven back home, and was sitting with 513 00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:47,080 Speaker 1: a woman who happened to be a professor at Mercer University. 514 00:30:47,120 --> 00:30:49,000 Speaker 1: And she was like, she was like, you know, I 515 00:30:49,040 --> 00:30:52,640 Speaker 1: never got my arts degree. They wouldn't give it to me. 516 00:30:52,960 --> 00:30:56,160 Speaker 1: And that started a conversation and and so that was 517 00:30:56,240 --> 00:30:59,880 Speaker 1: a big wrong that was finally righted. And uh and 518 00:31:00,120 --> 00:31:03,320 Speaker 1: just a few months before my my my dad died. 519 00:31:03,400 --> 00:31:06,280 Speaker 1: But but my mom has always been a fighter and 520 00:31:06,280 --> 00:31:08,800 Speaker 1: and uh and always been a proponent of the arts. 521 00:31:08,840 --> 00:31:12,760 Speaker 1: And and my dad was always, uh, you know, supportive 522 00:31:12,800 --> 00:31:15,920 Speaker 1: of the arts. But he also was like, you know what, 523 00:31:16,560 --> 00:31:20,240 Speaker 1: it's also a good idea to get a chemistry minor, 524 00:31:20,520 --> 00:31:23,440 Speaker 1: maybe so you can work in a lab. Carry And 525 00:31:23,840 --> 00:31:26,040 Speaker 1: I would I would tell if I said, Dad, you know, 526 00:31:27,200 --> 00:31:30,160 Speaker 1: people like me getting a minor in chemistry and working 527 00:31:30,160 --> 00:31:33,480 Speaker 1: in a lab. That's the way scandals happen. That's the 528 00:31:33,520 --> 00:31:35,720 Speaker 1: way the wrong person goes to jail for a crime 529 00:31:35,760 --> 00:31:38,240 Speaker 1: they didn't commit. I was like, I was like, I 530 00:31:39,160 --> 00:31:41,360 Speaker 1: am not I'm not the one to do that. And 531 00:31:41,440 --> 00:31:46,080 Speaker 1: so he he was as supportive as he could be. 532 00:31:47,720 --> 00:31:51,160 Speaker 1: And by saying that, I mean he just didn't say anything, 533 00:31:51,360 --> 00:31:55,239 Speaker 1: you know, like for a long time, I would just 534 00:31:55,320 --> 00:31:58,680 Speaker 1: not hear anything from him. Uh as far as you know, 535 00:31:59,120 --> 00:32:04,000 Speaker 1: you know, my major of choice was concerned, and uh 536 00:32:04,040 --> 00:32:08,200 Speaker 1: I remember I took business Calculus at SMU just so 537 00:32:08,280 --> 00:32:10,160 Speaker 1: that my dad would feel like I was taking a 538 00:32:10,160 --> 00:32:14,200 Speaker 1: class that sounded like actual college because because you you know, 539 00:32:14,280 --> 00:32:18,880 Speaker 1: the the classes that we took, you know that our 540 00:32:18,960 --> 00:32:23,400 Speaker 1: first major like like like like like it's it's it's 541 00:32:23,480 --> 00:32:27,960 Speaker 1: the tent pole class that you take as a freshman 542 00:32:28,400 --> 00:32:31,800 Speaker 1: at at s MU. You know, with with Dale Moffatt 543 00:32:32,120 --> 00:32:37,360 Speaker 1: is called experiencing. Experiencing. So I'm gonna tell my dad, 544 00:32:37,360 --> 00:32:40,320 Speaker 1: who was a chemistry major who who like literally like 545 00:32:40,440 --> 00:32:44,600 Speaker 1: made like like patents for you know, you know before 546 00:32:44,640 --> 00:32:46,760 Speaker 1: like while he was still in school, before he ended 547 00:32:46,840 --> 00:32:49,400 Speaker 1: up becoming a doctor. You know, he was like, what 548 00:32:49,480 --> 00:32:53,320 Speaker 1: are you taking your class, you're taking experiencing movement for theater, 549 00:32:53,680 --> 00:32:56,240 Speaker 1: you know what I mean? These are the things that 550 00:32:56,240 --> 00:32:58,840 Speaker 1: I could tell him. So I took business calculus just 551 00:32:59,400 --> 00:33:01,640 Speaker 1: so that he would it would feel like I was 552 00:33:01,680 --> 00:33:05,560 Speaker 1: actually taking a college course. And um, I'm actually I 553 00:33:05,640 --> 00:33:09,320 Speaker 1: was actually pretty good at business calculus because now I 554 00:33:09,320 --> 00:33:11,720 Speaker 1: gotta be plus in there. I don't understand how I'm 555 00:33:11,800 --> 00:33:15,200 Speaker 1: I'm some sort of savant but um but yeah, yeah, no. 556 00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:19,600 Speaker 1: My dad was less than encouraging at first. And then 557 00:33:19,760 --> 00:33:23,440 Speaker 1: I did. Uh. I did a production of Hamlet, actually 558 00:33:23,480 --> 00:33:25,640 Speaker 1: not at s MU, but but with a bunch of 559 00:33:25,760 --> 00:33:30,640 Speaker 1: um friends and graduates of of SMU. I played Horatio, 560 00:33:31,360 --> 00:33:33,560 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, I'm I'm the guy who gets 561 00:33:33,600 --> 00:33:36,320 Speaker 1: down on his knees and and talks to a ghost, 562 00:33:36,480 --> 00:33:39,600 Speaker 1: you know. And and I remember in that in that moment, 563 00:33:39,760 --> 00:33:42,600 Speaker 1: you know, with like tears in my eyes and pleading 564 00:33:42,640 --> 00:33:46,160 Speaker 1: to this non existent ghost in a dark room. And 565 00:33:46,240 --> 00:33:49,280 Speaker 1: my folks, you know who, you know, rarely made it 566 00:33:49,320 --> 00:33:51,840 Speaker 1: all the way from Georgia to to to Texas came 567 00:33:51,880 --> 00:33:54,960 Speaker 1: to see that that production and it's you know, it's 568 00:33:54,960 --> 00:33:57,600 Speaker 1: a little black box theater production, you know, not not 569 00:33:57,600 --> 00:34:00,000 Speaker 1: not not uh not all of the bells and whistles 570 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:03,000 Speaker 1: that we were talking about before. And uh, I just 571 00:34:03,040 --> 00:34:08,800 Speaker 1: remember my mom coming back afterwards, and she was so excited, 572 00:34:09,200 --> 00:34:13,160 Speaker 1: you know. She was like, Cary, your dad after he 573 00:34:13,200 --> 00:34:15,799 Speaker 1: saw you in that show. And uh and and she 574 00:34:15,840 --> 00:34:18,400 Speaker 1: would never tell me, and she literally shouldn't. And I 575 00:34:18,440 --> 00:34:21,280 Speaker 1: never told you this before, but whenever somebody was asking, 576 00:34:21,360 --> 00:34:23,160 Speaker 1: you know, what's carry doing, he was like, oh, I 577 00:34:23,200 --> 00:34:25,600 Speaker 1: don't know. He's waiting tables or something and doing some 578 00:34:25,760 --> 00:34:29,439 Speaker 1: theater thing. And uh. And my mom was so good. 579 00:34:29,480 --> 00:34:32,000 Speaker 1: She never told me. I never knew that my dad would, 580 00:34:32,040 --> 00:34:36,160 Speaker 1: you know, disparage me in any way, you know, as 581 00:34:36,160 --> 00:34:39,640 Speaker 1: far as me not being that chemistry major, but uh, 582 00:34:39,680 --> 00:34:41,920 Speaker 1: but he was just you know, didn't understand what I 583 00:34:42,000 --> 00:34:44,680 Speaker 1: was doing. And then and then uh but she said, 584 00:34:44,960 --> 00:34:48,080 Speaker 1: ever since he saw that that our production of Hamlet, 585 00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:50,799 Speaker 1: he would go on and on and on about me 586 00:34:50,840 --> 00:34:53,840 Speaker 1: being an actor and how how I was a great actor, 587 00:34:53,920 --> 00:34:56,719 Speaker 1: and he was he was so excited to see see, uh, 588 00:34:56,840 --> 00:35:01,200 Speaker 1: see what I'm gonna do next, and and uh at 589 00:35:01,239 --> 00:35:04,279 Speaker 1: that point, you know, it's funny because that kind of 590 00:35:04,280 --> 00:35:06,200 Speaker 1: stuff kind of rolls off my back a little bit. 591 00:35:06,440 --> 00:35:09,040 Speaker 1: But uh, like as far as you know, my dad 592 00:35:09,360 --> 00:35:13,000 Speaker 1: being you know, uh, you know, not the most vocal supporter, 593 00:35:13,120 --> 00:35:16,520 Speaker 1: you know, because that's just my dad, and I expect that. 594 00:35:16,880 --> 00:35:22,239 Speaker 1: But knowing that he started changing the way that that 595 00:35:22,320 --> 00:35:24,759 Speaker 1: he spoke to people about me, that was that was 596 00:35:24,840 --> 00:35:28,200 Speaker 1: kind of all the validation I needed, you know, like, 597 00:35:28,320 --> 00:35:30,839 Speaker 1: uh like from then on, it was like, it's time 598 00:35:30,840 --> 00:35:33,520 Speaker 1: to go to l A. It's time to kick this 599 00:35:33,600 --> 00:35:36,880 Speaker 1: thing into gear. And I never had a lack of confidence, 600 00:35:37,680 --> 00:35:40,239 Speaker 1: you know. I mean I was pretty cocky already, but 601 00:35:40,360 --> 00:35:44,120 Speaker 1: that that that that one, that's all I needed. I 602 00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:47,319 Speaker 1: knew that I was. Yeah, I told myself when I'm 603 00:35:47,320 --> 00:35:51,279 Speaker 1: when I when I drove to l A, I put 604 00:35:51,280 --> 00:35:56,280 Speaker 1: in uh this um uh CD of John Lennon Wheels 605 00:35:56,280 --> 00:35:58,000 Speaker 1: Go Round and Round. Do you know that song? You know, 606 00:35:58,920 --> 00:36:02,319 Speaker 1: starts off people saying crazy doing what I'm doing, you know. 607 00:36:02,360 --> 00:36:04,920 Speaker 1: And they were always everybody was always like, oh, it's 608 00:36:04,920 --> 00:36:06,680 Speaker 1: a horrible time to go to l A. This is 609 00:36:06,680 --> 00:36:08,279 Speaker 1: not a good time to go to l A. And 610 00:36:08,440 --> 00:36:10,359 Speaker 1: uh and I would tell them and I would just say, 611 00:36:10,440 --> 00:36:13,719 Speaker 1: you know, it's a horrible time. For nineties seven of 612 00:36:13,800 --> 00:36:16,040 Speaker 1: the people who moved to l A, you know, but 613 00:36:16,120 --> 00:36:18,840 Speaker 1: for three it's the right time to go to l A. 614 00:36:18,960 --> 00:36:23,160 Speaker 1: And I'm I'm gonna bet on being that three and yeah, 615 00:36:23,480 --> 00:36:27,759 Speaker 1: and that John Lennon and my dad Man is the 616 00:36:27,840 --> 00:36:30,480 Speaker 1: three of us driving to l A. Baby you go, 617 00:36:49,200 --> 00:36:51,960 Speaker 1: you moved to l A. As you said. Yeah. Here's 618 00:36:51,960 --> 00:36:55,800 Speaker 1: the thing people I think don't realize being an actor 619 00:36:56,440 --> 00:37:00,040 Speaker 1: in Los Angeles. Being an actor period and film and 620 00:37:00,120 --> 00:37:05,719 Speaker 1: television is very difficult. There is one thing that is 621 00:37:06,080 --> 00:37:13,440 Speaker 1: decidedly more difficult, and very quickly after moving to Los Angeles, 622 00:37:13,760 --> 00:37:17,640 Speaker 1: you become a voice actor. And now let me say 623 00:37:17,640 --> 00:37:21,800 Speaker 1: this to people. It's hard for people to understand because 624 00:37:21,840 --> 00:37:25,880 Speaker 1: when you're on a television show, you are seen, and 625 00:37:26,000 --> 00:37:29,799 Speaker 1: there's things like exclusivity. You can only do one show 626 00:37:29,800 --> 00:37:32,719 Speaker 1: at a time. People will get tired of seeing your 627 00:37:32,760 --> 00:37:37,120 Speaker 1: face and so they have to they whoever the they is, 628 00:37:37,840 --> 00:37:42,120 Speaker 1: one must focus on in general and individual project at once. 629 00:37:42,640 --> 00:37:46,359 Speaker 1: The thing about voice acting is that it's the most 630 00:37:46,400 --> 00:37:52,200 Speaker 1: difficult thing to get into because casting directors, directors, voice 631 00:37:52,239 --> 00:37:58,000 Speaker 1: directors studios um fall in love with people who are 632 00:37:58,040 --> 00:38:03,080 Speaker 1: reliable and good and every show they do they just 633 00:38:03,320 --> 00:38:08,200 Speaker 1: hire the same people. So it's incredibly difficult to break in. 634 00:38:08,600 --> 00:38:14,520 Speaker 1: Yet you break in very quickly. How how was that 635 00:38:14,680 --> 00:38:17,840 Speaker 1: experience for you and how did you feel like it 636 00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:21,359 Speaker 1: compared to the theater work that that you had been 637 00:38:21,520 --> 00:38:25,480 Speaker 1: mostly focused on before it. I it kind of harkened 638 00:38:25,480 --> 00:38:27,960 Speaker 1: back to the theater stuff because the thing is is 639 00:38:28,000 --> 00:38:31,520 Speaker 1: that coming to l a you have you know it. 640 00:38:31,320 --> 00:38:33,520 Speaker 1: It has so much to do with what you look like. 641 00:38:33,719 --> 00:38:36,680 Speaker 1: You know, even you know on the in the breakdown 642 00:38:37,120 --> 00:38:40,120 Speaker 1: that that you get you know, it's like man female, 643 00:38:40,440 --> 00:38:44,320 Speaker 1: you know, uh, Caucasian, African American, blah blah blah. They're 644 00:38:44,320 --> 00:38:47,839 Speaker 1: all of these stipulations about how you look that go 645 00:38:47,920 --> 00:38:51,320 Speaker 1: into which role that you're going that you're going to take. 646 00:38:51,719 --> 00:38:54,560 Speaker 1: And even for me getting here, you know, I'm five ten, 647 00:38:55,280 --> 00:38:58,600 Speaker 1: a hundred and seventy pounds. I'm I'm not a big, 648 00:38:58,640 --> 00:39:01,880 Speaker 1: you know, brawny black dude. And there are so many 649 00:39:01,920 --> 00:39:06,560 Speaker 1: parts where when you're building the team like that tank dude, 650 00:39:06,640 --> 00:39:10,160 Speaker 1: like that be a baracus, Mr T. You know that 651 00:39:10,520 --> 00:39:14,600 Speaker 1: the big intimidating black guy who's on the tent on 652 00:39:14,640 --> 00:39:16,719 Speaker 1: the team is uh, you know, that's just not me, 653 00:39:16,840 --> 00:39:19,439 Speaker 1: you know, and um, there are a lot of um, 654 00:39:19,800 --> 00:39:21,840 Speaker 1: a lot of things that that even being you know, 655 00:39:22,239 --> 00:39:25,640 Speaker 1: young African American. But still I'm not the right type. 656 00:39:25,680 --> 00:39:28,560 Speaker 1: You know, I'm I'm I'm a whole lot more uh, 657 00:39:29,280 --> 00:39:32,719 Speaker 1: you know, Disney Kid than than kind of your your hard, 658 00:39:32,760 --> 00:39:36,160 Speaker 1: intimidated sort of dude. And so, uh it's so I 659 00:39:36,800 --> 00:39:40,040 Speaker 1: couldn't um, you know, break into you know those things. 660 00:39:40,040 --> 00:39:42,000 Speaker 1: There were still plenty of things for me to to 661 00:39:42,360 --> 00:39:46,440 Speaker 1: audition for, but but with voice over, you know, it 662 00:39:46,600 --> 00:39:48,879 Speaker 1: was like the shackles are taken off, and you can 663 00:39:48,920 --> 00:39:52,080 Speaker 1: be anything, not just like a big, brawny dude, but 664 00:39:52,360 --> 00:39:55,120 Speaker 1: I can be monsters, I can be mice, I can 665 00:39:55,200 --> 00:39:59,239 Speaker 1: be anything. And that reminded me of theater. It could 666 00:39:59,280 --> 00:40:03,080 Speaker 1: be anything that the imagination desired. I I played, uh, 667 00:40:03,440 --> 00:40:07,480 Speaker 1: the creature in Frankenstein once, and I played him even 668 00:40:07,480 --> 00:40:10,759 Speaker 1: though I was you know, I was little. I I 669 00:40:10,840 --> 00:40:15,560 Speaker 1: just I just imagined myself as uh as armed, armed 670 00:40:15,560 --> 00:40:18,920 Speaker 1: to the teeth, like like like like I always had, 671 00:40:18,960 --> 00:40:21,040 Speaker 1: you know, some kind of power to be able to 672 00:40:21,120 --> 00:40:23,840 Speaker 1: just snap someone's neck like I had a Sometimes I 673 00:40:23,880 --> 00:40:25,640 Speaker 1: would just think of myself as sitting there with a 674 00:40:25,640 --> 00:40:28,520 Speaker 1: big gun in my hand, and that's what was imitating 675 00:40:28,960 --> 00:40:33,400 Speaker 1: or imitating intimidating to the people around me. And so 676 00:40:33,440 --> 00:40:37,560 Speaker 1: I walked with this swagger and this in vulnerability, and 677 00:40:37,560 --> 00:40:40,480 Speaker 1: it had everything to do with my own imagination and 678 00:40:40,520 --> 00:40:43,120 Speaker 1: I could do anything on stage and uh, and the 679 00:40:43,200 --> 00:40:45,960 Speaker 1: people would go along with it, you know because uh, 680 00:40:46,080 --> 00:40:48,799 Speaker 1: you know, if you gave them uh the reason, then 681 00:40:48,800 --> 00:40:50,920 Speaker 1: they would go along with it. And in in uh 682 00:40:50,960 --> 00:40:54,680 Speaker 1: in voiceover. You know, you're only limited by your your 683 00:40:55,200 --> 00:41:00,240 Speaker 1: vocal maneuverability. So uh, that's what That's what I I think, 684 00:41:00,400 --> 00:41:04,719 Speaker 1: you know, really helped. Is that my my theater experience 685 00:41:04,760 --> 00:41:07,719 Speaker 1: and training you know, gave me you know this, I 686 00:41:07,719 --> 00:41:11,720 Speaker 1: mean the first time I I auditioned, it was so freeing. 687 00:41:12,440 --> 00:41:15,279 Speaker 1: I I slapped the microphone and and slapped it because 688 00:41:15,320 --> 00:41:18,160 Speaker 1: I was I was just so I felt so alive, 689 00:41:18,680 --> 00:41:20,360 Speaker 1: you know that that you could kind of do and 690 00:41:20,440 --> 00:41:24,480 Speaker 1: be anything. But But the funny thing is about uh, 691 00:41:24,520 --> 00:41:28,560 Speaker 1: it's another SMU connection that got me that that first 692 00:41:28,600 --> 00:41:32,240 Speaker 1: audition and that first job, which was Cyborg from Teen Titans. 693 00:41:33,000 --> 00:41:37,120 Speaker 1: I had known longer than you, for a year, longer 694 00:41:37,440 --> 00:41:40,200 Speaker 1: then then I've known you. I had known one of 695 00:41:40,200 --> 00:41:44,200 Speaker 1: my one of my best friends, David Slack, was a 696 00:41:44,880 --> 00:41:46,960 Speaker 1: was a theater major and SMU as well, and he 697 00:41:47,040 --> 00:41:50,560 Speaker 1: moved to l a before I did and started assisting 698 00:41:51,120 --> 00:41:55,480 Speaker 1: and writing on cartoons. He uh, he like Jackie Chan 699 00:41:55,560 --> 00:42:00,360 Speaker 1: Adventures and and Men in Black and he he was 700 00:42:00,400 --> 00:42:02,160 Speaker 1: always telling me, you know what, carry you should get 701 00:42:02,160 --> 00:42:04,160 Speaker 1: into voice over. I don't know how to get into 702 00:42:04,239 --> 00:42:06,680 Speaker 1: voice over. You know, everybody says you should get into it. 703 00:42:06,719 --> 00:42:09,480 Speaker 1: How do you get I asked my my my agents, 704 00:42:09,520 --> 00:42:11,359 Speaker 1: and they were like, oh, you don't even want to try. 705 00:42:11,560 --> 00:42:14,480 Speaker 1: You can't. I mean, they're my agents and they're they 706 00:42:14,480 --> 00:42:16,600 Speaker 1: were like, yeah, it's impossible, you can't. You know, you 707 00:42:16,640 --> 00:42:18,680 Speaker 1: have to get a job before they'll give you a job. 708 00:42:18,719 --> 00:42:21,400 Speaker 1: It's it's crazy, you know, and um. But but I 709 00:42:21,400 --> 00:42:24,399 Speaker 1: would just always kind of ask and um. And then 710 00:42:24,480 --> 00:42:27,759 Speaker 1: finally David called me up and he was like, carry, 711 00:42:27,840 --> 00:42:31,040 Speaker 1: I've never done this before, but I I'm I'm on 712 00:42:31,160 --> 00:42:33,040 Speaker 1: I'm on this show. I'm like, I'm like the main 713 00:42:33,120 --> 00:42:36,680 Speaker 1: writer on this show. And uh, and I think this 714 00:42:36,960 --> 00:42:40,680 Speaker 1: part is perfect for you, and so I'm gonna try 715 00:42:40,719 --> 00:42:44,320 Speaker 1: and get you an audition and uh and I was like, okay, 716 00:42:44,440 --> 00:42:48,640 Speaker 1: So I I sent him my my resume and head 717 00:42:48,680 --> 00:42:51,840 Speaker 1: shot as if that mattered at all, you know, in 718 00:42:51,960 --> 00:42:55,200 Speaker 1: voice over your head shot because I've never done it before. 719 00:42:55,200 --> 00:42:58,600 Speaker 1: I don't know, but they called me, but they called 720 00:42:58,640 --> 00:43:01,440 Speaker 1: me and uh and and let me audition, and I 721 00:43:01,560 --> 00:43:05,560 Speaker 1: was just first of all, I I remembered the character 722 00:43:05,640 --> 00:43:08,279 Speaker 1: from my from my own comic books, you know that 723 00:43:08,440 --> 00:43:11,319 Speaker 1: this uh, this cyborg character, because I remember, you know, 724 00:43:11,400 --> 00:43:13,080 Speaker 1: you you look, you look in comic books and you 725 00:43:13,120 --> 00:43:16,640 Speaker 1: look for any kind of of similarity at least I did, 726 00:43:16,880 --> 00:43:18,799 Speaker 1: you know too, and be be like, oh, that's me. 727 00:43:18,880 --> 00:43:20,840 Speaker 1: I'm gonna be that guy, you know. And for me, 728 00:43:20,880 --> 00:43:23,920 Speaker 1: it was always Spider Man because he was skinny and scared. 729 00:43:23,960 --> 00:43:26,560 Speaker 1: He was skinny and the nerd and and and he 730 00:43:26,680 --> 00:43:28,440 Speaker 1: came alive when he put on a mask, and I 731 00:43:28,480 --> 00:43:31,280 Speaker 1: was like, dude, that's me. That's me. And so Spider 732 00:43:31,280 --> 00:43:33,680 Speaker 1: Man has always been my favorite. But of the teen 733 00:43:33,760 --> 00:43:38,200 Speaker 1: Titans on that cover, the black dude, that's me, you know. 734 00:43:38,280 --> 00:43:42,120 Speaker 1: So I don't play Cyborg in the playground. And I 735 00:43:42,160 --> 00:43:45,920 Speaker 1: went to UH to audition for this. And this cool 736 00:43:46,640 --> 00:43:50,200 Speaker 1: outdoor mall, Sherman Oaks Galleria in in UH in Los 737 00:43:50,239 --> 00:43:54,640 Speaker 1: Angeles is like this open air mall that you walk through, 738 00:43:54,680 --> 00:43:57,640 Speaker 1: but there there's a part of it that that used 739 00:43:57,680 --> 00:44:02,600 Speaker 1: to be the main headquarters of of Warner Brothers Animation Studios, 740 00:44:02,960 --> 00:44:06,359 Speaker 1: and it was like glass and the lobby went up 741 00:44:06,400 --> 00:44:08,799 Speaker 1: like seven floors, you know, it was it looked like 742 00:44:08,800 --> 00:44:11,960 Speaker 1: one of those fancy, you know, high rise you know, 743 00:44:12,040 --> 00:44:17,120 Speaker 1: San Francisco, Silicon Valley sort of situations. Yeah. Yeah, and 744 00:44:17,120 --> 00:44:18,600 Speaker 1: and uh and it was just kind of like you 745 00:44:18,680 --> 00:44:21,680 Speaker 1: opened the door and you're like whoa. You know, it's 746 00:44:21,719 --> 00:44:25,239 Speaker 1: like like like the Willy Wonka of of uh, you know, 747 00:44:25,320 --> 00:44:28,520 Speaker 1: of animation. And you and and I go in there 748 00:44:28,520 --> 00:44:33,760 Speaker 1: to audition and I look in the lobby and every 749 00:44:33,800 --> 00:44:37,960 Speaker 1: black dude from nineties television is sitting there. You know. 750 00:44:38,280 --> 00:44:41,839 Speaker 1: It's like all the guys from Living Color arkles over here, 751 00:44:42,160 --> 00:44:43,680 Speaker 1: you know, I mean, you know what I mean, It's 752 00:44:43,719 --> 00:44:46,319 Speaker 1: like Cockroach is sitting over there from The Cosby Show. 753 00:44:46,640 --> 00:44:49,600 Speaker 1: It was like they're all sitting there. And I was like, well, 754 00:44:49,719 --> 00:44:52,919 Speaker 1: I'm in the right place, and uh, I probably won't 755 00:44:52,920 --> 00:44:56,759 Speaker 1: get this, but this is really exciting. And I went 756 00:44:56,800 --> 00:45:00,480 Speaker 1: in there and just had a ball just you know, 757 00:45:00,960 --> 00:45:04,720 Speaker 1: I mean, my my face hurt from smiling. After after 758 00:45:04,719 --> 00:45:06,720 Speaker 1: that audition, I just thought it was so much fun. 759 00:45:07,160 --> 00:45:11,440 Speaker 1: And um. The casting director, the legendary casting director Andrea 760 00:45:11,520 --> 00:45:14,560 Speaker 1: Romano asked me what I had done before, and I 761 00:45:14,560 --> 00:45:17,440 Speaker 1: had done a video game in Dallas, Texas once and 762 00:45:17,480 --> 00:45:20,080 Speaker 1: I remember she said never heard of it. And I 763 00:45:20,120 --> 00:45:24,080 Speaker 1: was like, yeah, yeah, I probably hadn't and uh, but 764 00:45:24,200 --> 00:45:26,920 Speaker 1: I was. I was just so excited and uh and 765 00:45:26,960 --> 00:45:30,360 Speaker 1: walked out of there, um feeling great. And then a 766 00:45:30,400 --> 00:45:32,640 Speaker 1: couple of weeks later, David called me up and he 767 00:45:32,680 --> 00:45:35,600 Speaker 1: was like, all right, I think you might get it. 768 00:45:35,600 --> 00:45:37,560 Speaker 1: It's like down to you and like a couple of people, 769 00:45:37,600 --> 00:45:39,560 Speaker 1: I think you could get it. Man, he was like, 770 00:45:39,600 --> 00:45:41,319 Speaker 1: he was like I was. I would be in the 771 00:45:41,320 --> 00:45:44,680 Speaker 1: halls and um and they'd be talking about like different 772 00:45:44,760 --> 00:45:46,959 Speaker 1: people or whatever, and they were like, yeah, we really 773 00:45:46,960 --> 00:45:49,600 Speaker 1: like this Carry Payton guy and he and and he day. 774 00:45:49,680 --> 00:45:52,600 Speaker 1: It would be like that's my friend, that's my friend. 775 00:45:53,200 --> 00:45:56,000 Speaker 1: He was so excited, bro, and they were like really 776 00:45:56,640 --> 00:46:00,960 Speaker 1: yeah and so uh and so the the story goes 777 00:46:01,040 --> 00:46:05,200 Speaker 1: that Sam Register, who's vice president of animation at at 778 00:46:05,239 --> 00:46:10,160 Speaker 1: Warner Brothers, asked for the three best options and to 779 00:46:10,840 --> 00:46:14,560 Speaker 1: leave them unlabeled, just A, B and C and I 780 00:46:15,480 --> 00:46:19,439 Speaker 1: and he's the reason that I that I got the 781 00:46:19,520 --> 00:46:24,120 Speaker 1: job of Cyborg. David Slacken and and Sam Register, he uh, 782 00:46:24,120 --> 00:46:26,000 Speaker 1: he picked me. I don't know who the other two were, 783 00:46:26,600 --> 00:46:35,080 Speaker 1: but life changing. Life changing. Yeah, I didn't. But if 784 00:46:35,080 --> 00:46:37,000 Speaker 1: not for that, I'd still be wondering how to get 785 00:46:37,000 --> 00:46:42,120 Speaker 1: into voice over if not for that. No, I didn't 786 00:46:42,160 --> 00:46:45,879 Speaker 1: realize that was your first audition, first audition, I mean, 787 00:46:45,920 --> 00:46:48,960 Speaker 1: you got You don't understand he does. He's he just 788 00:46:49,040 --> 00:46:52,680 Speaker 1: came from a session. He's works nineteen hours a day 789 00:46:52,760 --> 00:46:56,600 Speaker 1: just recording things. I don't. I still can't figure it out. 790 00:46:57,360 --> 00:47:00,080 Speaker 1: I get one job and I'm over the moon, and 791 00:47:00,120 --> 00:47:02,839 Speaker 1: so this guy is doing it all the time. I 792 00:47:02,880 --> 00:47:06,560 Speaker 1: didn't realize that was your first job. So you have been. 793 00:47:07,760 --> 00:47:10,600 Speaker 1: I'm trying to do the math, but you probably know 794 00:47:11,680 --> 00:47:16,400 Speaker 1: because by the way, it's it's Teen Titans, It's it's 795 00:47:16,719 --> 00:47:22,000 Speaker 1: Teen Titans Go. It's Lego d C Comics, It's Batman Beleaguered, 796 00:47:22,000 --> 00:47:26,920 Speaker 1: it's justin Lee, Justice League Action. He has voiced Cyborg 797 00:47:27,080 --> 00:47:30,640 Speaker 1: in all of these shows. How many years now have 798 00:47:30,880 --> 00:47:34,480 Speaker 1: you been? I mean it's fair to say the voice 799 00:47:34,480 --> 00:47:38,680 Speaker 1: of Cyborg is this twenty years. It'll be twenty It 800 00:47:38,680 --> 00:47:43,160 Speaker 1: will be officially twenty years, I think in August. In August, 801 00:47:43,200 --> 00:47:47,120 Speaker 1: because well, we we started recording Teen Titans the first 802 00:47:47,160 --> 00:47:50,799 Speaker 1: show in in March or something, and then it came 803 00:47:50,840 --> 00:47:54,040 Speaker 1: out at at Comic Con at San Diego Comic Con. 804 00:47:54,120 --> 00:47:57,120 Speaker 1: I've never been to Comic Con before, and um, and 805 00:47:57,280 --> 00:47:59,799 Speaker 1: we went down there and they and they played it there. 806 00:47:59,800 --> 00:48:03,120 Speaker 1: It was because I either it's it's either nineteen or 807 00:48:03,120 --> 00:48:06,239 Speaker 1: twenty years. I have to check to be sure, but yeah, yeah, 808 00:48:06,280 --> 00:48:09,239 Speaker 1: it's been it's been pretty much two decades. I know, 809 00:48:09,400 --> 00:48:12,359 Speaker 1: it's crazy. What's crazy to me is that there are 810 00:48:12,480 --> 00:48:16,920 Speaker 1: kids who who think about Teen Titans the way that 811 00:48:17,000 --> 00:48:20,880 Speaker 1: we thought about Scooby Doo. You know that that like 812 00:48:20,880 --> 00:48:24,680 Speaker 1: like it was always around. You know that that we've 813 00:48:24,680 --> 00:48:29,319 Speaker 1: been around that long. That uh, that that kids grew 814 00:48:29,400 --> 00:48:31,600 Speaker 1: up and now their kids watched Teen Titans go who 815 00:48:32,040 --> 00:48:34,719 Speaker 1: that That's That's the thing that kind of blows my 816 00:48:34,760 --> 00:48:39,879 Speaker 1: mind that we've been around that long. Unbelievable. Yeah, such 817 00:48:39,920 --> 00:48:43,920 Speaker 1: a such a great story. I did not realize that 818 00:48:44,000 --> 00:48:46,600 Speaker 1: was the first one. I knew David Slack had helped 819 00:48:46,640 --> 00:48:50,120 Speaker 1: you out. But that is that's unbelievable. And I love 820 00:48:50,200 --> 00:48:53,480 Speaker 1: also that that he did that he said label ABC 821 00:48:54,400 --> 00:48:57,160 Speaker 1: and let me just pick the voice because ultimately what 822 00:48:57,480 --> 00:49:00,360 Speaker 1: what their name is doesn't matter. There they're going to 823 00:49:00,440 --> 00:49:03,840 Speaker 1: deliver it or they're not, and and gave you a shot. 824 00:49:03,960 --> 00:49:10,920 Speaker 1: I love that. We have to discuss your your latest triumph, 825 00:49:11,360 --> 00:49:16,480 Speaker 1: The Walking Dead, King Ezekiel. Would you say this is 826 00:49:16,560 --> 00:49:21,160 Speaker 1: your this is this is your crowning on screen moment 827 00:49:21,320 --> 00:49:26,160 Speaker 1: thus far, getting without Walking Dead one of the biggest 828 00:49:26,200 --> 00:49:30,080 Speaker 1: TV franchises ever. Were you a fan of the show 829 00:49:30,320 --> 00:49:33,120 Speaker 1: before joining Yeah, yeah, I was a fan of the show. 830 00:49:33,239 --> 00:49:35,640 Speaker 1: I was, um. I was a frustrated fan of the 831 00:49:35,640 --> 00:49:41,320 Speaker 1: show because the main character Rick. In order to to 832 00:49:41,320 --> 00:49:44,120 Speaker 1: to have a show that that um that stays compelling 833 00:49:44,200 --> 00:49:46,920 Speaker 1: for so many years, you kind of have to have 834 00:49:46,960 --> 00:49:51,000 Speaker 1: a leader who makes poor decisions. Rick makes poor decisions 835 00:49:51,040 --> 00:49:54,719 Speaker 1: all the time. He he saves people that should never 836 00:49:54,800 --> 00:49:57,520 Speaker 1: have been saved. You know, you know, it's like he 837 00:49:57,600 --> 00:50:01,200 Speaker 1: walks into a place that seems idyllic, fine, and next 838 00:50:01,200 --> 00:50:03,759 Speaker 1: thing you know, you know, it's overrun with zombies and 839 00:50:04,040 --> 00:50:06,440 Speaker 1: the walls are falling down. It's just like, you know, 840 00:50:06,640 --> 00:50:08,840 Speaker 1: you know, I would I would always scream at the 841 00:50:08,840 --> 00:50:12,880 Speaker 1: TV and just be like, don't listen to him, just 842 00:50:13,080 --> 00:50:16,719 Speaker 1: because he's got that Shares uniform on. Don't listen to him. 843 00:50:18,680 --> 00:50:21,040 Speaker 1: I kid, but I don't Andy Lincoln, who plays him 844 00:50:21,160 --> 00:50:23,719 Speaker 1: is it's one of the finest actors I have ever 845 00:50:23,760 --> 00:50:26,960 Speaker 1: worked with and one of the most incredible people I've 846 00:50:27,000 --> 00:50:30,360 Speaker 1: ever worked with. And uh, it's so, it's so. I 847 00:50:30,360 --> 00:50:33,239 Speaker 1: I have this love in my heart for Andy as 848 00:50:33,400 --> 00:50:36,560 Speaker 1: as Rick. But uh, but but Rick himself would frustrate 849 00:50:36,600 --> 00:50:39,000 Speaker 1: the hell out of me as uh. You know, before 850 00:50:39,040 --> 00:50:41,239 Speaker 1: I became a fan of the I mean before I 851 00:50:41,280 --> 00:50:45,239 Speaker 1: became uh ezekiel on the show. But yeah, yeah, but 852 00:50:45,239 --> 00:50:47,879 Speaker 1: I couldn't stop watching. I always uh, I would get 853 00:50:47,960 --> 00:50:49,440 Speaker 1: up and walk out, and then I would come back 854 00:50:49,480 --> 00:50:53,920 Speaker 1: and turn it on again. It's it's such an amazing show. Yeah, yeah, no, 855 00:50:54,040 --> 00:51:14,040 Speaker 1: I was a big fan. Yeah yeah. Tell me about 856 00:51:14,040 --> 00:51:17,040 Speaker 1: your audition process. How how did that? How did that 857 00:51:17,080 --> 00:51:21,359 Speaker 1: come about? Well, let me tell you, Brian. I want 858 00:51:21,360 --> 00:51:26,480 Speaker 1: to tell you even before the audition process, I came 859 00:51:26,520 --> 00:51:30,719 Speaker 1: to l A. And in my head I was like, 860 00:51:30,760 --> 00:51:32,720 Speaker 1: you come to l A. This is how it works. 861 00:51:33,880 --> 00:51:36,920 Speaker 1: You get into pilot season, you go and you audition 862 00:51:37,000 --> 00:51:40,880 Speaker 1: for pilots, You get a pilot, and then you know 863 00:51:41,040 --> 00:51:44,319 Speaker 1: you you worked at that pilot. It gets on the air, 864 00:51:44,840 --> 00:51:48,399 Speaker 1: it becomes a big hit and and and that's how 865 00:51:48,600 --> 00:51:53,160 Speaker 1: my in my head, that's how my career is going 866 00:51:53,239 --> 00:51:56,359 Speaker 1: to go. I'm going to land a pilot one way 867 00:51:56,440 --> 00:52:00,520 Speaker 1: or another, drama, comedy, doesn't matter. That's that's how you 868 00:52:00,600 --> 00:52:04,880 Speaker 1: do it. And for years, for years coming to to 869 00:52:05,080 --> 00:52:08,560 Speaker 1: l A. I got here when I was like twenty nine, 870 00:52:09,080 --> 00:52:13,040 Speaker 1: so for for almost fifteen years, I I um. In 871 00:52:13,080 --> 00:52:18,200 Speaker 1: those fifteen years, I did nine pilots pilot almost every year, yes, 872 00:52:18,840 --> 00:52:22,640 Speaker 1: almost every year, and I was lucky to get those, 873 00:52:23,280 --> 00:52:26,879 Speaker 1: but I was, but it was also became really frustrating 874 00:52:27,200 --> 00:52:29,840 Speaker 1: because I was I was like, you know, I got 875 00:52:30,000 --> 00:52:33,799 Speaker 1: the There's one show that that I got on that 876 00:52:33,800 --> 00:52:38,840 Speaker 1: that was canceled after one episode on ABC called Emily's 877 00:52:38,880 --> 00:52:43,560 Speaker 1: Reasons Why Not. There was another show that actually was 878 00:52:43,640 --> 00:52:47,600 Speaker 1: on for a season or two, but I got fired 879 00:52:47,640 --> 00:52:52,799 Speaker 1: after the pilot, and uh and so so uh and 880 00:52:52,800 --> 00:52:55,879 Speaker 1: and seven others that that that didn't uh that never 881 00:52:55,920 --> 00:52:59,040 Speaker 1: even made the light light of day. And UH. I 882 00:52:59,360 --> 00:53:03,640 Speaker 1: remember sitting and thinking to myself, maybe a pilot isn't 883 00:53:03,640 --> 00:53:06,560 Speaker 1: what I need, you know, and uh. And I would 884 00:53:06,560 --> 00:53:09,600 Speaker 1: always have these I would always say these things to myself. 885 00:53:09,640 --> 00:53:11,960 Speaker 1: I was like, I was like, you know, at the 886 00:53:12,000 --> 00:53:14,799 Speaker 1: beginning of the year or at some point throughout the year, 887 00:53:14,800 --> 00:53:17,040 Speaker 1: I always say, I need a job that feeds my 888 00:53:17,120 --> 00:53:21,600 Speaker 1: belly and a job that feeds my soul. And sometimes 889 00:53:21,719 --> 00:53:25,840 Speaker 1: those jobs are very different. And so every once in 890 00:53:25,920 --> 00:53:29,040 Speaker 1: a while you get a job that that does both 891 00:53:29,080 --> 00:53:31,279 Speaker 1: at the same time, that it feeds your belly and 892 00:53:31,280 --> 00:53:33,560 Speaker 1: it feeds your soul, and that those are the really 893 00:53:33,640 --> 00:53:36,840 Speaker 1: lucky ones. But um, I would I would kind of 894 00:53:36,880 --> 00:53:40,080 Speaker 1: tell myself, you know that this is the plan moving forward, 895 00:53:40,360 --> 00:53:42,160 Speaker 1: and and uh, and as long as you've got a 896 00:53:42,840 --> 00:53:44,600 Speaker 1: job that feeds your belly and a job that feeds 897 00:53:44,640 --> 00:53:47,400 Speaker 1: your sold, you're gonna be fine. And I had always 898 00:53:47,440 --> 00:53:49,560 Speaker 1: told myself, all right, this is you know, we're gonna 899 00:53:49,560 --> 00:53:51,680 Speaker 1: go get another pilot. We're gonna go get another pilot. 900 00:53:52,120 --> 00:53:54,239 Speaker 1: And uh, I started telling myself, I don't think I 901 00:53:54,280 --> 00:53:57,759 Speaker 1: need a pilot. I think that's I don't. I think 902 00:53:57,800 --> 00:53:59,839 Speaker 1: that's just been banging my head up against the wall. 903 00:54:00,480 --> 00:54:05,160 Speaker 1: And I told um, my manager who happens to be 904 00:54:05,200 --> 00:54:10,160 Speaker 1: your manager as well, Ted Getkis and Danielle Rivera. But 905 00:54:10,320 --> 00:54:12,480 Speaker 1: you know, you know what I love about about the 906 00:54:12,520 --> 00:54:15,000 Speaker 1: fact that I introduced you guys is that there is 907 00:54:15,080 --> 00:54:18,759 Speaker 1: nothing better than than than people thinking that you're doing 908 00:54:18,880 --> 00:54:23,400 Speaker 1: them a favor when actually you're just you just see 909 00:54:23,480 --> 00:54:25,960 Speaker 1: something that that is going to be magic, you know, 910 00:54:26,360 --> 00:54:29,919 Speaker 1: and uh and uh and I and I've always seen 911 00:54:30,000 --> 00:54:33,040 Speaker 1: magic with with you, Brian, and and as soon as 912 00:54:33,040 --> 00:54:35,640 Speaker 1: I met Ted and Danielle, I was like, I was like, 913 00:54:35,719 --> 00:54:38,239 Speaker 1: you know what when you said you you are you 914 00:54:38,280 --> 00:54:41,040 Speaker 1: were looking for somebody to represent you. I was like, 915 00:54:41,120 --> 00:54:44,479 Speaker 1: I know, I know, I know this is gonna work. 916 00:54:44,840 --> 00:54:47,720 Speaker 1: It's uh, it's it's it's my happiness and my pleasure. 917 00:54:48,080 --> 00:54:54,200 Speaker 1: But yes, I told our manager, uh Ted Gekis daniel Rivera. 918 00:54:54,280 --> 00:54:57,759 Speaker 1: I said, I don't think we need a pilot. We 919 00:54:57,840 --> 00:55:00,839 Speaker 1: need an introduction. We need you know, because I've been 920 00:55:00,880 --> 00:55:05,600 Speaker 1: doing this, doing the this for for over a decade now, 921 00:55:06,160 --> 00:55:10,240 Speaker 1: and I've been very successful in in voiceover and stuff, 922 00:55:10,520 --> 00:55:15,839 Speaker 1: but but nobody knows knows my face. They still don't 923 00:55:15,840 --> 00:55:18,400 Speaker 1: know my face, and I I just need I just 924 00:55:18,480 --> 00:55:21,719 Speaker 1: need an introduction. I need someone to say, and here's car, 925 00:55:22,640 --> 00:55:24,839 Speaker 1: this is this is who you've been looking for. And 926 00:55:24,880 --> 00:55:28,600 Speaker 1: I never forget it. I was like watching all of 927 00:55:28,640 --> 00:55:32,880 Speaker 1: these zombies, you know, walking this parade at San Diego 928 00:55:33,000 --> 00:55:35,440 Speaker 1: Comic Con, and I thought to myself and I was 929 00:55:35,480 --> 00:55:38,040 Speaker 1: actually thinking more about like Star Trek and that kind 930 00:55:38,080 --> 00:55:39,840 Speaker 1: of thing, and I was like, I need one of 931 00:55:39,880 --> 00:55:43,759 Speaker 1: these comic Con shows, one of these, like one of 932 00:55:43,800 --> 00:55:47,319 Speaker 1: these kind of sci fi so sort of things, because man, 933 00:55:47,360 --> 00:55:50,839 Speaker 1: those fans are I mean, once you got them, they 934 00:55:51,040 --> 00:55:53,480 Speaker 1: love you, you know. And uh, and I just thought, 935 00:55:53,520 --> 00:55:56,000 Speaker 1: I was like, I need an introduction. I don't need 936 00:55:56,040 --> 00:55:57,520 Speaker 1: a pilot. I just need to get on one of 937 00:55:57,520 --> 00:56:01,840 Speaker 1: these comic Con shows and the next pilot season. I 938 00:56:01,880 --> 00:56:05,799 Speaker 1: remember going through an auditioning for a few things and 939 00:56:05,880 --> 00:56:10,399 Speaker 1: not really liking anything except for this one show called 940 00:56:10,440 --> 00:56:14,040 Speaker 1: The Good Place. I read that pilot. I thought it 941 00:56:14,280 --> 00:56:18,160 Speaker 1: was brilliant. I was like, this is it, this is 942 00:56:18,200 --> 00:56:21,160 Speaker 1: the one and and so I went in there. I 943 00:56:21,239 --> 00:56:26,759 Speaker 1: met I met Michael Shore. I did the audition, and 944 00:56:27,360 --> 00:56:31,560 Speaker 1: I made the cameraman laugh, and I was like, it 945 00:56:31,680 --> 00:56:34,400 Speaker 1: didn't get any better than that. You you made the 946 00:56:34,480 --> 00:56:40,200 Speaker 1: cameraman break. If somebody actually breaks in the in the audition, 947 00:56:40,520 --> 00:56:42,480 Speaker 1: that's just sitting back there. You know, you had a 948 00:56:42,480 --> 00:56:45,400 Speaker 1: good audition. And so I walked out of their feelings 949 00:56:45,520 --> 00:56:50,200 Speaker 1: so good. And I never heard from him. I never 950 00:56:50,280 --> 00:56:55,240 Speaker 1: heard from him, and I was I was so bummed. 951 00:56:55,320 --> 00:56:57,640 Speaker 1: I was so bummed because I really thought that I 952 00:56:57,680 --> 00:56:59,880 Speaker 1: had I had knocked it out of the park and 953 00:57:00,040 --> 00:57:02,120 Speaker 1: and uh, and I was I was just kind of 954 00:57:02,160 --> 00:57:05,240 Speaker 1: hanging my head about it and thinking, damn, I really 955 00:57:05,280 --> 00:57:09,400 Speaker 1: wanted that show. Uh. And then a month, maybe a 956 00:57:09,440 --> 00:57:13,279 Speaker 1: month and a half later, came the audition for King Ezekiel. 957 00:57:13,719 --> 00:57:16,320 Speaker 1: And had I gotten a good place, I obviously, you know, 958 00:57:16,520 --> 00:57:18,840 Speaker 1: would not have auditioned, you know, and would not have 959 00:57:18,880 --> 00:57:22,720 Speaker 1: gotten King Ezekiel. And so you know, everything happens for 960 00:57:22,760 --> 00:57:26,080 Speaker 1: a reason. And but but that was that was like 961 00:57:26,120 --> 00:57:28,640 Speaker 1: the first time in like three years that I didn't 962 00:57:28,640 --> 00:57:31,560 Speaker 1: book a pilot. And uh, and I I kind of 963 00:57:31,640 --> 00:57:33,080 Speaker 1: you know, when you're in the middle of trying to 964 00:57:33,120 --> 00:57:35,400 Speaker 1: get a pilot, you kind of forget about that, that 965 00:57:35,400 --> 00:57:38,760 Speaker 1: that whole you know, conversation you have with your manager 966 00:57:38,800 --> 00:57:41,640 Speaker 1: about I don't think I need a pilot, you know, 967 00:57:42,120 --> 00:57:46,200 Speaker 1: let's come along, and yeah, yeah, yeah, oh man, this 968 00:57:46,240 --> 00:57:50,000 Speaker 1: is so weird. I remember I auditioned and was what 969 00:57:50,040 --> 00:57:52,800 Speaker 1: do you call it, testing for another pilot that I 970 00:57:52,880 --> 00:57:56,040 Speaker 1: really didn't want. And I just didn't, you know, because 971 00:57:56,080 --> 00:57:57,760 Speaker 1: I was thinking in my head, I was just like 972 00:57:58,520 --> 00:58:01,400 Speaker 1: I I always extrapolate this out over the years, and 973 00:58:01,400 --> 00:58:03,040 Speaker 1: I was like, is this what you want to do 974 00:58:03,480 --> 00:58:06,600 Speaker 1: over the course of many, many, many years, and I 975 00:58:06,640 --> 00:58:08,920 Speaker 1: didn't know if it was for me, you know. But 976 00:58:09,000 --> 00:58:13,000 Speaker 1: at the same time, you know, I'm I'm not carry 977 00:58:13,080 --> 00:58:16,200 Speaker 1: Peyton that anybody knows except you know, you know, really 978 00:58:16,880 --> 00:58:21,400 Speaker 1: really you know, uh intense cartoon fans, you know. And 979 00:58:21,400 --> 00:58:23,600 Speaker 1: and I was like, he if they want you to test, 980 00:58:23,600 --> 00:58:26,240 Speaker 1: you should go desperate job, you know. And I remember 981 00:58:26,400 --> 00:58:30,720 Speaker 1: feeling so weird testing and not really having my heart 982 00:58:30,760 --> 00:58:33,240 Speaker 1: in it. And then and then the good place coming 983 00:58:33,240 --> 00:58:36,520 Speaker 1: along and I went full bore and just just nothing. 984 00:58:37,000 --> 00:58:38,800 Speaker 1: But then you know, you get what you want and 985 00:58:38,840 --> 00:58:41,880 Speaker 1: I got my introduction. I got I gotta, I gotta 986 00:58:41,920 --> 00:58:45,200 Speaker 1: an introduction with a tiger sitting next to me. I mean, honestly, 987 00:58:45,240 --> 00:58:49,720 Speaker 1: you couldn't ask for a better introduction. No, did you 988 00:58:49,760 --> 00:58:53,560 Speaker 1: work with the tiger? Did you? There was no tiger. 989 00:58:53,920 --> 00:58:58,440 Speaker 1: That tiger was from the Life of Pie. Remember the 990 00:58:58,480 --> 00:59:02,120 Speaker 1: movie The Life of Pie? Yeah? Yeah. What happened is, well, 991 00:59:02,160 --> 00:59:05,560 Speaker 1: you know that the studio that that built that c 992 00:59:05,680 --> 00:59:11,120 Speaker 1: g I Tiger like went broke because they put everything 993 00:59:11,280 --> 00:59:13,400 Speaker 1: into that. But they also kind of low balled the 994 00:59:13,440 --> 00:59:15,080 Speaker 1: price so that they could get the job in the 995 00:59:15,120 --> 00:59:19,160 Speaker 1: first place. And and so they built this beautiful tiger 996 00:59:19,200 --> 00:59:21,680 Speaker 1: in the in the computer obviously, and then uh, and 997 00:59:21,720 --> 00:59:23,560 Speaker 1: then it went broke and they and they had to 998 00:59:23,600 --> 00:59:27,360 Speaker 1: sell that information for that tiger, and they sold it 999 00:59:27,440 --> 00:59:30,520 Speaker 1: to a m C. And so a m C took 1000 00:59:30,560 --> 00:59:34,480 Speaker 1: that life of pie tiger and turned into Shiva. Wow, 1001 00:59:35,280 --> 00:59:39,720 Speaker 1: did not know that there's there's some behind the scenes knowledge. Crazy. 1002 00:59:39,800 --> 00:59:43,600 Speaker 1: How how long would it take you to get ready there, 1003 00:59:44,400 --> 00:59:48,440 Speaker 1: your hair, your wardrobe. By the time we got you know, 1004 00:59:48,560 --> 00:59:52,000 Speaker 1: good at it, it was it was maybe forty minutes, 1005 00:59:52,000 --> 00:59:56,400 Speaker 1: forty five minutes. Yeah, yeah, when we got good at it. 1006 00:59:56,560 --> 00:59:58,760 Speaker 1: Now now it took me an hour and a half 1007 00:59:58,800 --> 01:00:04,360 Speaker 1: to work in an office. Yeah, man, we we had 1008 01:00:04,640 --> 01:00:08,480 Speaker 1: we had it down. Uh. Vincent Gideon. Uh, it was 1009 01:00:08,560 --> 01:00:12,360 Speaker 1: my hair stylist and and wig stylist. And he would 1010 01:00:12,520 --> 01:00:15,920 Speaker 1: glue it onto my head every day. Uh. Vincent Gideon. 1011 01:00:16,080 --> 01:00:19,800 Speaker 1: He's he's like a legend in in uh in Atlanta, Georgia. Um, 1012 01:00:19,880 --> 01:00:22,280 Speaker 1: you know he works on you know, all all the 1013 01:00:22,320 --> 01:00:25,520 Speaker 1: big stuff, Marvel stuff. But for the last ten years, 1014 01:00:25,760 --> 01:00:28,640 Speaker 1: it's been The Walking Dead and and uh and he 1015 01:00:28,680 --> 01:00:30,960 Speaker 1: would he would get that thing on and and then 1016 01:00:31,480 --> 01:00:34,840 Speaker 1: Scott Edo, who was the head of the makeup department, 1017 01:00:35,240 --> 01:00:37,880 Speaker 1: who would finish up cleaning me up. And and then 1018 01:00:37,920 --> 01:00:39,520 Speaker 1: if we had more things to do, it would take 1019 01:00:39,560 --> 01:00:41,320 Speaker 1: more time. If I if I had cuts on my 1020 01:00:41,400 --> 01:00:45,960 Speaker 1: face or more special effects stuff, which would be uh 1021 01:00:46,080 --> 01:00:48,840 Speaker 1: Greg Nickotaro and his team, then uh, then it would 1022 01:00:48,840 --> 01:00:51,640 Speaker 1: take a little longer. But by the time we got going, 1023 01:00:51,800 --> 01:00:56,000 Speaker 1: we were a finally tuned machine. It was forty five minutes. Yeah, 1024 01:00:56,160 --> 01:01:00,160 Speaker 1: how was it for you showing up on again? Such 1025 01:01:00,160 --> 01:01:05,200 Speaker 1: a successful show, most watched show, and I don't even 1026 01:01:05,200 --> 01:01:08,520 Speaker 1: know they call it basic cable anymore. But with the cast, 1027 01:01:08,640 --> 01:01:11,200 Speaker 1: the crew, it's a well oiled machine and you come in. 1028 01:01:11,480 --> 01:01:14,080 Speaker 1: How was it for you those those first days or weeks? 1029 01:01:14,920 --> 01:01:18,920 Speaker 1: It was? It was interesting because the way The Walking 1030 01:01:19,000 --> 01:01:23,240 Speaker 1: Dead works, when they introduced a new character, it's almost 1031 01:01:23,240 --> 01:01:26,160 Speaker 1: like they give you the episode. It didn't feel like 1032 01:01:26,280 --> 01:01:31,000 Speaker 1: somebody else's show. It felt like my show. And I 1033 01:01:31,040 --> 01:01:35,120 Speaker 1: didn't have I didn't have time to worry. I had 1034 01:01:35,120 --> 01:01:39,600 Speaker 1: too much work to do, you know, makes sense? Yeah, 1035 01:01:39,680 --> 01:01:42,760 Speaker 1: And I just you know, I had these big speeches. 1036 01:01:43,040 --> 01:01:44,760 Speaker 1: I had, you know, a lot, a lot to do 1037 01:01:44,840 --> 01:01:49,640 Speaker 1: and say. And so that first episode they kind of 1038 01:01:49,640 --> 01:01:53,240 Speaker 1: whisked me into into Atlanta. I remember I told um, 1039 01:01:53,280 --> 01:01:56,120 Speaker 1: I told someone that I was shooting something in Atlanta, 1040 01:01:56,560 --> 01:01:59,880 Speaker 1: and they said, is it the Walking Dead? And uh, 1041 01:02:00,000 --> 01:02:02,320 Speaker 1: it was a big secret. Nobody was supposed to know 1042 01:02:02,400 --> 01:02:04,480 Speaker 1: that it was me, because uh, you know, there was 1043 01:02:04,520 --> 01:02:07,880 Speaker 1: all the speculation of all of these amazing actors who 1044 01:02:08,160 --> 01:02:10,400 Speaker 1: who were supposed to get this job. And I was like, no, man, 1045 01:02:10,400 --> 01:02:13,200 Speaker 1: it's just a little on me. And at that point, 1046 01:02:13,880 --> 01:02:16,640 Speaker 1: every announcement on the Walking Dead was like a big 1047 01:02:17,040 --> 01:02:20,160 Speaker 1: secret that they wanted to wait till Comic Con to 1048 01:02:20,160 --> 01:02:23,120 Speaker 1: to to bust out. And so I remember telling him, no, 1049 01:02:23,240 --> 01:02:26,240 Speaker 1: it's not the Walking Dead. And after that, I didn't 1050 01:02:26,240 --> 01:02:29,320 Speaker 1: tell anybody else that I got that job, because because 1051 01:02:29,360 --> 01:02:31,680 Speaker 1: as soon as I mentioned Atlanta, the first thing the 1052 01:02:31,680 --> 01:02:34,240 Speaker 1: thing people think of is is walking Dead. And so 1053 01:02:34,280 --> 01:02:36,880 Speaker 1: I started telling people that, yeah, I'm in Vancouver. I 1054 01:02:36,880 --> 01:02:39,160 Speaker 1: told him. I told everybody I was in Vancouver shooting 1055 01:02:39,200 --> 01:02:42,840 Speaker 1: in Vancouver. My parents I didn't tell except yeah, I 1056 01:02:42,840 --> 01:02:46,040 Speaker 1: didn't tell my mom because my mom. I love her 1057 01:02:46,080 --> 01:02:51,360 Speaker 1: to death. She's gotten better, but at the time she 1058 01:02:51,400 --> 01:02:54,080 Speaker 1: could not keep a secret to save her life. So no, no, 1059 01:02:54,200 --> 01:02:57,200 Speaker 1: tell me, my my my mom, Yeah, but my dad's 1060 01:02:57,200 --> 01:03:00,080 Speaker 1: a vault. So I told my dad, and I and 1061 01:03:00,120 --> 01:03:02,360 Speaker 1: my dad would always talk about the fact that, you know, 1062 01:03:02,400 --> 01:03:04,120 Speaker 1: he was the last one to know. So I felt 1063 01:03:04,200 --> 01:03:06,560 Speaker 1: good about telling him that, you know, and he was 1064 01:03:06,600 --> 01:03:07,840 Speaker 1: the first one to know. And I always had a 1065 01:03:07,840 --> 01:03:10,400 Speaker 1: little wink and a smile with him for a few months. 1066 01:03:10,960 --> 01:03:13,360 Speaker 1: There was even the time we were on family vacation 1067 01:03:13,440 --> 01:03:15,919 Speaker 1: after I got the job, and my mom is sitting 1068 01:03:16,000 --> 01:03:19,080 Speaker 1: there in the kitchen making something and she she's not 1069 01:03:19,200 --> 01:03:20,919 Speaker 1: She doesn't look at me, and she just says, carry 1070 01:03:22,400 --> 01:03:24,360 Speaker 1: I feel like there's something that you're not telling me. 1071 01:03:25,960 --> 01:03:27,360 Speaker 1: I don't know what it is, but I feel like 1072 01:03:27,360 --> 01:03:29,520 Speaker 1: there's something that you're not telling me. And my dad 1073 01:03:29,560 --> 01:03:31,240 Speaker 1: was standing next to her and he just looked at me, 1074 01:03:31,280 --> 01:03:35,200 Speaker 1: and I looked at her him and and I said, yeah, yeah, Mom, 1075 01:03:35,200 --> 01:03:37,600 Speaker 1: there's something I'm not telling you. But you know, you 1076 01:03:37,720 --> 01:03:40,520 Speaker 1: can't keep a secret. And she was like, yeah, I know, 1077 01:03:42,160 --> 01:03:44,960 Speaker 1: Well tell me when you can. And I both both 1078 01:03:45,040 --> 01:03:47,520 Speaker 1: me and my dad just went It was like, Dad, 1079 01:03:49,280 --> 01:03:53,920 Speaker 1: that mama's intuition is real, but uh but yeah. So 1080 01:03:54,120 --> 01:03:58,360 Speaker 1: for months, for months, I couldn't tell anyone that I 1081 01:03:58,800 --> 01:04:03,440 Speaker 1: was doing this. Um, because I shot the first episode 1082 01:04:04,120 --> 01:04:07,640 Speaker 1: in May and then I didn't shoot another episode for 1083 01:04:07,680 --> 01:04:10,040 Speaker 1: many months. So so I come back to l A, 1084 01:04:10,840 --> 01:04:12,560 Speaker 1: you know, and I go on vacation for the summer. 1085 01:04:12,680 --> 01:04:15,800 Speaker 1: I do a little this or that, but not until July, 1086 01:04:16,320 --> 01:04:18,360 Speaker 1: at the end of July when they do their big 1087 01:04:18,400 --> 01:04:21,720 Speaker 1: trailer and they reveal you know, me and the Tiger. 1088 01:04:22,440 --> 01:04:26,080 Speaker 1: Nobody has any idea, so so it was very clandestine. 1089 01:04:27,080 --> 01:04:29,440 Speaker 1: They would I had this big wig on, so they 1090 01:04:29,480 --> 01:04:31,680 Speaker 1: would they would throw a tarp over me or a 1091 01:04:31,760 --> 01:04:34,840 Speaker 1: blanket or something like that, even when I was getting 1092 01:04:34,880 --> 01:04:38,480 Speaker 1: in and out of the van going to locations. You know. 1093 01:04:38,600 --> 01:04:42,800 Speaker 1: It was. It was. It was a very weird feeling 1094 01:04:42,880 --> 01:04:47,880 Speaker 1: and situation. But yeah, we we kept a secret it was. 1095 01:04:47,920 --> 01:04:50,440 Speaker 1: It was, Yeah, it was, but but yeah, yeah, have 1096 01:04:50,480 --> 01:04:53,720 Speaker 1: to answer you a question. It it. I didn't feel nervous. 1097 01:04:53,880 --> 01:04:55,880 Speaker 1: I didn't have I didn't feel like I had time 1098 01:04:55,920 --> 01:04:59,800 Speaker 1: to feel nervous. And also I felt like I understood 1099 01:05:00,000 --> 01:05:05,360 Speaker 1: Ezekiel so well, you know that this kind of theatrical presence, 1100 01:05:05,400 --> 01:05:08,480 Speaker 1: this guy who was faking it until he made it, 1101 01:05:08,720 --> 01:05:11,120 Speaker 1: and I had done all of that voice over for 1102 01:05:11,240 --> 01:05:15,040 Speaker 1: like ten, you know, twelve years, and before that in 1103 01:05:15,080 --> 01:05:18,160 Speaker 1: my twenties. I did all of that Shakespeare, all of 1104 01:05:18,200 --> 01:05:22,360 Speaker 1: that theater, and it was like those two things came 1105 01:05:22,400 --> 01:05:25,160 Speaker 1: together because because in the script it never said that 1106 01:05:25,200 --> 01:05:28,000 Speaker 1: he changed his voice. It's it never said that that 1107 01:05:28,120 --> 01:05:32,280 Speaker 1: he he said that he his body language changed. But 1108 01:05:32,400 --> 01:05:34,680 Speaker 1: to me, the first thing I thought was that his 1109 01:05:34,960 --> 01:05:38,280 Speaker 1: voice changed, that he that he spoke with a certain 1110 01:05:38,800 --> 01:05:43,360 Speaker 1: you know, in platitudes, but underneath, you know, afterwards, it 1111 01:05:43,520 --> 01:05:47,040 Speaker 1: was just you know and uh, And the voice change 1112 01:05:47,080 --> 01:05:50,560 Speaker 1: was the difference. The voice changes, what what? What? You know? 1113 01:05:50,760 --> 01:05:54,040 Speaker 1: Perk people up? And I think I think that's why 1114 01:05:54,080 --> 01:05:58,840 Speaker 1: I got the job. You know. Yeah, all of those years, 1115 01:05:58,960 --> 01:06:04,520 Speaker 1: all of that those jobs leading you, training you in 1116 01:06:04,520 --> 01:06:09,640 Speaker 1: a way for this, your biggest job. Obviously, The Walking 1117 01:06:09,680 --> 01:06:12,520 Speaker 1: Dead means, as you said before, so much to so 1118 01:06:12,600 --> 01:06:16,960 Speaker 1: many people. There's the history of the books, the story 1119 01:06:17,400 --> 01:06:21,560 Speaker 1: you as King Ezekiel obviously have become a fan favorite. 1120 01:06:21,640 --> 01:06:28,440 Speaker 1: What are your some of your favorite storylines? Oh my gosh, 1121 01:06:28,480 --> 01:06:31,800 Speaker 1: they're so bittie man. I I mean, I I obviously 1122 01:06:31,880 --> 01:06:35,320 Speaker 1: love Ezekiel's arc and where he's gone, but I really 1123 01:06:35,320 --> 01:06:40,000 Speaker 1: lovely Eugene. Eugene was you know, he he is just 1124 01:06:40,240 --> 01:06:44,880 Speaker 1: a quirky Liar, who who over the course of many years, 1125 01:06:44,960 --> 01:06:50,520 Speaker 1: has become this really incredibly intricate, you know, human being 1126 01:06:51,080 --> 01:06:54,920 Speaker 1: on so many levels. And and Josh McDermott, who I 1127 01:06:55,040 --> 01:06:56,680 Speaker 1: was lucky enough to get to work with a lot 1128 01:06:56,720 --> 01:07:00,120 Speaker 1: the last couple of years, has just been amazing, and 1129 01:07:00,360 --> 01:07:02,760 Speaker 1: I think his work has has been amazing. There's so 1130 01:07:02,840 --> 01:07:05,600 Speaker 1: many Oh my god, I mean, uh, to work with 1131 01:07:05,720 --> 01:07:08,640 Speaker 1: Lenny James, who plays Morgan on the show and he 1132 01:07:08,760 --> 01:07:12,320 Speaker 1: now is is on Fear the Walking Dead, but but uh, 1133 01:07:12,360 --> 01:07:15,400 Speaker 1: you know that to be to be that close to 1134 01:07:15,480 --> 01:07:22,200 Speaker 1: these incredible talents, you know, Melissa McBride who's literally so 1135 01:07:22,200 --> 01:07:27,800 Speaker 1: so sensitive to her environment, it's uncanny. I remember there 1136 01:07:27,840 --> 01:07:30,240 Speaker 1: was a moment that I that they wanted me to 1137 01:07:31,240 --> 01:07:34,439 Speaker 1: to be sitting on my throne at this moment where 1138 01:07:34,440 --> 01:07:37,040 Speaker 1: I was feeling depressed and uh, and I was like, 1139 01:07:37,080 --> 01:07:39,800 Speaker 1: there's no way I can sit on that throne after 1140 01:07:39,840 --> 01:07:43,040 Speaker 1: everything that he's gone through. But the script called for it, 1141 01:07:43,240 --> 01:07:44,720 Speaker 1: and I was and they were like, well, can you 1142 01:07:44,920 --> 01:07:47,280 Speaker 1: get up on stage? And I was like, I was like, 1143 01:07:47,440 --> 01:07:49,600 Speaker 1: I can't see him walk walking up there. I can't 1144 01:07:49,640 --> 01:07:53,760 Speaker 1: see him crawling up there. And uh, Melissa just she 1145 01:07:53,880 --> 01:07:58,640 Speaker 1: was like Cary the rug and and there was the 1146 01:07:58,800 --> 01:08:03,640 Speaker 1: hair for from from Shiva the tiger. This is after 1147 01:08:03,640 --> 01:08:06,760 Speaker 1: the tiger had been killed, and there was uh and 1148 01:08:06,800 --> 01:08:09,360 Speaker 1: we we we had this animatronic tiger that we almost 1149 01:08:09,360 --> 01:08:12,160 Speaker 1: never used, but we would put it there, you know, 1150 01:08:12,240 --> 01:08:14,960 Speaker 1: as a placeholder a lot of times. And uh. But 1151 01:08:14,960 --> 01:08:18,880 Speaker 1: but but the hair on the rug where she sat 1152 01:08:19,040 --> 01:08:22,920 Speaker 1: was still there. And man, I got so emotional all 1153 01:08:22,960 --> 01:08:24,800 Speaker 1: of a sudden, and it was just like it was 1154 01:08:24,880 --> 01:08:28,120 Speaker 1: the rug and it made sense. And I crawled over 1155 01:08:28,160 --> 01:08:30,360 Speaker 1: to it. And I never got in the in the 1156 01:08:30,439 --> 01:08:33,320 Speaker 1: in the chair on the throne. I just sat down 1157 01:08:33,360 --> 01:08:36,040 Speaker 1: next to it and set and just and just played 1158 01:08:36,080 --> 01:08:38,439 Speaker 1: with the the hair on that rug. And you know, 1159 01:08:38,479 --> 01:08:41,080 Speaker 1: it's like hell, any of us ever you know, lost 1160 01:08:41,439 --> 01:08:44,439 Speaker 1: you know, beloved pet you know, it's just like it's 1161 01:08:44,479 --> 01:08:47,840 Speaker 1: like there it is, you know. But yeah, just so 1162 01:08:47,880 --> 01:08:53,400 Speaker 1: many incredible talents. And by that I mean Melissa's like 1163 01:08:53,400 --> 01:08:56,479 Speaker 1: like like one of the best acting teachers I've ever had, 1164 01:08:56,720 --> 01:08:59,640 Speaker 1: you know. And uh and and I got paid for 1165 01:08:59,680 --> 01:09:03,680 Speaker 1: the ass. It's so cool. Yeah, I don't know, just 1166 01:09:03,800 --> 01:09:07,320 Speaker 1: thinking about you know, these these moments of clarity. Yeah, 1167 01:09:25,640 --> 01:09:28,200 Speaker 1: I don't think this is a secret you've just recently 1168 01:09:28,880 --> 01:09:36,080 Speaker 1: finished filming the series finale. I you've already talked about 1169 01:09:36,120 --> 01:09:41,760 Speaker 1: the secrets. Any any hints about what's coming next or 1170 01:09:41,800 --> 01:09:50,720 Speaker 1: do we just need to wait? Fuck you, Brian, you 1171 01:09:50,840 --> 01:09:56,479 Speaker 1: know better, You know better, You of all people know better. Yeah, 1172 01:09:57,000 --> 01:09:59,839 Speaker 1: you won't get you won't get a thing out of me, buddy. 1173 01:10:00,240 --> 01:10:04,000 Speaker 1: I've I've I've I sweated too much in that week 1174 01:10:04,360 --> 01:10:08,080 Speaker 1: to tell you a damn thing. You're gonna You're gonna 1175 01:10:08,160 --> 01:10:10,800 Speaker 1: see it in all of its glory and all of 1176 01:10:10,840 --> 01:10:19,320 Speaker 1: its humidity, is exactly Yeah. I have been so good 1177 01:10:19,360 --> 01:10:23,080 Speaker 1: about not saying anything. I'm so excited for everybody to 1178 01:10:23,160 --> 01:10:27,320 Speaker 1: see what's uh, what's coming up? And and uh, it's 1179 01:10:27,320 --> 01:10:31,439 Speaker 1: it's going to be a beautiful you know, it's not 1180 01:10:31,520 --> 01:10:36,360 Speaker 1: really an ending, it's it's just uh any any good show, 1181 01:10:36,479 --> 01:10:39,600 Speaker 1: you know you've got your imagination goes wild as to 1182 01:10:39,640 --> 01:10:43,240 Speaker 1: what comes next, and and there's plenty coming next. Well, 1183 01:10:43,240 --> 01:10:49,960 Speaker 1: there's forty seven spinoffs they're talking about for for everybody. 1184 01:10:50,240 --> 01:10:55,840 Speaker 1: What about King Ezekiel? I mean, anything is possible. I um, 1185 01:10:55,880 --> 01:11:01,400 Speaker 1: you know, in this business, I I hold out hope 1186 01:11:01,439 --> 01:11:03,519 Speaker 1: that that's not the last time I put that wig on. 1187 01:11:04,040 --> 01:11:07,600 Speaker 1: But you know. Also, you know, nothing is promised, and 1188 01:11:07,600 --> 01:11:09,600 Speaker 1: and you you know, you got to move on to 1189 01:11:09,640 --> 01:11:12,160 Speaker 1: the next job. We we were both been very lucky 1190 01:11:12,200 --> 01:11:15,679 Speaker 1: that that we could, you know, sit on on shows 1191 01:11:15,720 --> 01:11:19,280 Speaker 1: that that had a you know, a long, a long life. 1192 01:11:19,800 --> 01:11:22,680 Speaker 1: But for the most part, you know, besides those, uh, 1193 01:11:22,840 --> 01:11:25,439 Speaker 1: you know, most jobs come and go in this busines 1194 01:11:25,439 --> 01:11:28,720 Speaker 1: and you just gotta keep reworking it. And so so 1195 01:11:28,840 --> 01:11:31,840 Speaker 1: I'll I'll keep my fingers crossed, but at the same time, 1196 01:11:31,880 --> 01:11:35,080 Speaker 1: I look forward to to the next thing that comes out. Whatever. 1197 01:11:35,120 --> 01:11:39,960 Speaker 1: Maybe you're you're so good at at evading the question. 1198 01:11:40,080 --> 01:11:42,880 Speaker 1: I have one more for you. Any thoughts on a 1199 01:11:43,000 --> 01:11:47,479 Speaker 1: rebo a reboot for the Office? Oh yeah, well, it 1200 01:11:47,600 --> 01:11:51,479 Speaker 1: absolutely is going to happen. Kevin will be put in charge. 1201 01:11:52,000 --> 01:11:54,720 Speaker 1: And I have said this for years, and it is 1202 01:11:54,760 --> 01:11:57,800 Speaker 1: not just because I've known you, you know, since the 1203 01:11:57,840 --> 01:12:00,880 Speaker 1: beginning of time. I have always thought went as soon 1204 01:12:00,960 --> 01:12:04,080 Speaker 1: as Michael left, I thought to myself, I was like, 1205 01:12:04,400 --> 01:12:07,680 Speaker 1: the the whole the thing that made that work is 1206 01:12:07,720 --> 01:12:10,280 Speaker 1: that is that you put someone in charge who has 1207 01:12:10,320 --> 01:12:13,680 Speaker 1: no business being in charge. And Pam and Jim have 1208 01:12:13,840 --> 01:12:16,559 Speaker 1: to you know, with duct tape and uh, you know, 1209 01:12:16,720 --> 01:12:19,839 Speaker 1: and glue try to try to hold this thing together. 1210 01:12:20,120 --> 01:12:22,000 Speaker 1: And I was like, what if? What if they just 1211 01:12:22,200 --> 01:12:26,040 Speaker 1: took an aptitude test or did an interview? And somehow 1212 01:12:26,200 --> 01:12:29,040 Speaker 1: they did it sort of with Robert California where for 1213 01:12:29,120 --> 01:12:32,720 Speaker 1: a moment Robert California thought that Kevin might be the 1214 01:12:32,760 --> 01:12:35,599 Speaker 1: smartest person in the room, and I was like, oh God, 1215 01:12:35,720 --> 01:12:39,240 Speaker 1: please go with that, go with that, make him the 1216 01:12:39,280 --> 01:12:43,439 Speaker 1: one in charge. I wanted it so bad because not 1217 01:12:43,439 --> 01:12:46,280 Speaker 1: not only that I thought it would be hilarious, but 1218 01:12:46,280 --> 01:12:50,759 Speaker 1: but I but I think that that people don't still 1219 01:12:50,840 --> 01:12:55,400 Speaker 1: don't realize the incredible talent that is inside of one 1220 01:12:55,760 --> 01:13:00,559 Speaker 1: Brian Baumgartner. I have personally, I have personally seen you 1221 01:13:00,600 --> 01:13:05,920 Speaker 1: play so many different and varied characters and and for 1222 01:13:05,960 --> 01:13:09,479 Speaker 1: you to play Kevin so well that I feel like 1223 01:13:09,600 --> 01:13:13,320 Speaker 1: I feel like if you stepped into one of those 1224 01:13:13,320 --> 01:13:17,120 Speaker 1: other characters from you know that you know starts with Kevin, 1225 01:13:17,160 --> 01:13:20,559 Speaker 1: people would lose their minds. I have always said this, 1226 01:13:21,040 --> 01:13:24,760 Speaker 1: I still I have. I I'm telling you it's going 1227 01:13:24,800 --> 01:13:28,679 Speaker 1: to happen at some point. This just sounds like gushing, 1228 01:13:28,720 --> 01:13:30,840 Speaker 1: but you can tell that I mean what I say. 1229 01:13:31,200 --> 01:13:34,960 Speaker 1: I'm I don't just bullshit. They're pregnant pauses when I 1230 01:13:35,000 --> 01:13:37,920 Speaker 1: when I don't believe something, but this, this I believe. 1231 01:13:39,320 --> 01:13:42,240 Speaker 1: Thank you, Thank you very much for that. That was 1232 01:13:42,320 --> 01:13:46,240 Speaker 1: not expected nor written. But I will send you I will, 1233 01:13:46,360 --> 01:13:49,160 Speaker 1: I will send you a check. I do want to 1234 01:13:49,200 --> 01:13:52,720 Speaker 1: mention to you, well, first off, congratulate, congratulations. On the 1235 01:13:52,840 --> 01:13:55,680 Speaker 1: end of that, I'm very happy for you and to 1236 01:13:55,720 --> 01:13:58,960 Speaker 1: see what comes for you next. I also do want 1237 01:13:58,960 --> 01:14:03,639 Speaker 1: to mention that this is June, which is Pride month, 1238 01:14:03,800 --> 01:14:08,280 Speaker 1: and you have been a big ally of the lb 1239 01:14:08,520 --> 01:14:13,240 Speaker 1: G t Q community, and and you have a son, Carter, 1240 01:14:13,680 --> 01:14:17,200 Speaker 1: who is who is now in that community. You want 1241 01:14:17,200 --> 01:14:20,160 Speaker 1: to tell me a little bit about about his journey 1242 01:14:20,240 --> 01:14:25,240 Speaker 1: and your specific connection now to this community. Yeah, yeah, no, Well, 1243 01:14:25,560 --> 01:14:30,080 Speaker 1: I mean it's funny being growing up in Georgia especially 1244 01:14:30,200 --> 01:14:32,800 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, in the South, kind of a 1245 01:14:32,840 --> 01:14:37,639 Speaker 1: religious upbringing, you know, my feelings about you know, the 1246 01:14:37,880 --> 01:14:41,600 Speaker 1: gay community or being gay, you know, l g B 1247 01:14:41,760 --> 01:14:45,200 Speaker 1: t Q. Plus it was kind of like something that 1248 01:14:45,280 --> 01:14:48,120 Speaker 1: you would see, you know, uh, kind of a cardboard 1249 01:14:48,200 --> 01:14:51,080 Speaker 1: character in a show that was you know, meant to 1250 01:14:51,120 --> 01:14:55,000 Speaker 1: be a joke and um and beyond that, beyond anything 1251 01:14:55,040 --> 01:14:59,360 Speaker 1: beyond that would make you incredibly uncomfortable, you know, because 1252 01:14:59,360 --> 01:15:04,160 Speaker 1: it was outside of your your normal sphere. And uh 1253 01:15:04,200 --> 01:15:06,799 Speaker 1: and all of that changed when I when I became 1254 01:15:07,240 --> 01:15:11,280 Speaker 1: a theater major at UH at S ANDB what even 1255 01:15:11,320 --> 01:15:13,240 Speaker 1: even at the North Side School of the Arts, you know, 1256 01:15:13,280 --> 01:15:17,280 Speaker 1: because it's just more open, it's just more inclusive and 1257 01:15:17,280 --> 01:15:19,479 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, it's it's like, you know, the 1258 01:15:19,680 --> 01:15:23,519 Speaker 1: arts is a is a place where where creativity and 1259 01:15:23,800 --> 01:15:28,360 Speaker 1: diversity is is um is celebrated and where where people 1260 01:15:28,400 --> 01:15:32,679 Speaker 1: who who are feel different can feel nurtured and loved. 1261 01:15:32,680 --> 01:15:35,720 Speaker 1: And and so you know, I've I've been on that 1262 01:15:35,800 --> 01:15:38,920 Speaker 1: journey of of uh of being an ally to the 1263 01:15:39,560 --> 01:15:44,000 Speaker 1: gay and lesbian plus community. But it definitely, uh, you know, 1264 01:15:44,080 --> 01:15:46,760 Speaker 1: took it to another level when when my when my 1265 01:15:46,880 --> 01:15:50,240 Speaker 1: son when he was eight or nine years old, comes 1266 01:15:50,280 --> 01:15:53,120 Speaker 1: back from school and and says that he thinks that 1267 01:15:53,240 --> 01:16:00,160 Speaker 1: he's transgender. And it's funny because when he and he 1268 01:16:00,320 --> 01:16:04,280 Speaker 1: said that, it all made sense, it all made sense. 1269 01:16:05,160 --> 01:16:09,080 Speaker 1: He was he was always a tomboy growing up. He 1270 01:16:09,160 --> 01:16:13,280 Speaker 1: was he was his name he was born female and 1271 01:16:13,280 --> 01:16:17,400 Speaker 1: and we named him Ruby. But but always a tomboy, 1272 01:16:17,479 --> 01:16:20,160 Speaker 1: always wanting to do boy things. Always his best friends 1273 01:16:20,160 --> 01:16:23,519 Speaker 1: were boys. You know, he was the only you know, 1274 01:16:23,560 --> 01:16:25,960 Speaker 1: quote unquote girl on the on the you know y 1275 01:16:26,040 --> 01:16:29,240 Speaker 1: m C a basketball team, you know, not not the 1276 01:16:29,280 --> 01:16:32,240 Speaker 1: girls can't. But he wanted to do karate and he 1277 01:16:32,280 --> 01:16:34,960 Speaker 1: became a black belt when he was like a seven 1278 01:16:35,080 --> 01:16:37,200 Speaker 1: or eight years old. He was just um, you know, 1279 01:16:37,720 --> 01:16:40,320 Speaker 1: when he was three or four, he was like no 1280 01:16:40,400 --> 01:16:44,400 Speaker 1: more dresses. No more dresses that he was. He was like, 1281 01:16:44,760 --> 01:16:47,559 Speaker 1: no more pink you know. His his mom would just 1282 01:16:47,680 --> 01:16:50,639 Speaker 1: cover him in pink freely stuff, you know, because that's 1283 01:16:50,680 --> 01:16:54,000 Speaker 1: what she, you know, wanted for her daughter. And and 1284 01:16:54,040 --> 01:16:56,360 Speaker 1: then um, I remember the last time I got him 1285 01:16:56,400 --> 01:16:58,559 Speaker 1: to wear a dress was at a wedding and I 1286 01:16:58,600 --> 01:17:00,680 Speaker 1: told him it was because it had boy fish all 1287 01:17:00,720 --> 01:17:03,000 Speaker 1: on it and it was and it had cut off sleeves, 1288 01:17:03,160 --> 01:17:05,320 Speaker 1: and I told him it was a samurai. It was 1289 01:17:05,320 --> 01:17:09,400 Speaker 1: a traditional samurai like um like uniform. And I remember 1290 01:17:09,439 --> 01:17:11,760 Speaker 1: halfway through the wedding he walked over to me and 1291 01:17:11,760 --> 01:17:14,839 Speaker 1: it was like, Daddy, this is not a samurai uniform. 1292 01:17:15,439 --> 01:17:17,760 Speaker 1: Somebody must have told him. And I was like, well, 1293 01:17:17,920 --> 01:17:20,439 Speaker 1: it's probably the last time that's gonna happen, and so uh. 1294 01:17:21,560 --> 01:17:24,360 Speaker 1: But but there were all of these clues that that 1295 01:17:24,360 --> 01:17:27,880 Speaker 1: that made it kind of obvious. And and even like 1296 01:17:27,960 --> 01:17:30,440 Speaker 1: at the school dances where they were put on these productions, 1297 01:17:30,479 --> 01:17:34,160 Speaker 1: and I remember one time the choreographer told she was like, 1298 01:17:34,520 --> 01:17:37,240 Speaker 1: all of the boys, you know, uh, you know, uh 1299 01:17:37,520 --> 01:17:40,960 Speaker 1: across your arms and all of the girls put your 1300 01:17:40,960 --> 01:17:43,160 Speaker 1: hands on your hips and that's how we ended. And 1301 01:17:43,280 --> 01:17:45,680 Speaker 1: uh and Carter just you know, walks up and he's like, 1302 01:17:45,760 --> 01:17:49,160 Speaker 1: why why do I have to do that? And not 1303 01:17:49,280 --> 01:17:52,040 Speaker 1: do that? You know, he was always like self assured 1304 01:17:52,080 --> 01:17:54,800 Speaker 1: that way. When it came to this this thing, it 1305 01:17:54,920 --> 01:17:57,280 Speaker 1: was like it was like it was like, I'm going 1306 01:17:57,320 --> 01:18:01,920 Speaker 1: to do this my way. But when he realized what 1307 01:18:01,960 --> 01:18:06,000 Speaker 1: transgender was, he was just telling a story that I 1308 01:18:06,040 --> 01:18:10,160 Speaker 1: never knew that that he would go to sleep wishing 1309 01:18:10,200 --> 01:18:13,439 Speaker 1: that he was a boy, and he would and he said, 1310 01:18:13,720 --> 01:18:16,320 Speaker 1: he said, but that could never happen because only magic 1311 01:18:16,360 --> 01:18:18,640 Speaker 1: can do that because I didn't know what transgender was. 1312 01:18:18,680 --> 01:18:22,360 Speaker 1: I didn't even understand what transgender was or the community was. 1313 01:18:22,880 --> 01:18:28,800 Speaker 1: But when he but when he realized that that that's that, 1314 01:18:28,880 --> 01:18:32,479 Speaker 1: that's who he was. The person that I had seen 1315 01:18:33,000 --> 01:18:35,599 Speaker 1: be the most at home with themselves and the most 1316 01:18:35,680 --> 01:18:40,559 Speaker 1: like no, I'm doing this my way became even more 1317 01:18:42,360 --> 01:18:46,240 Speaker 1: like like calm, like like the like if his shoulders 1318 01:18:46,240 --> 01:18:48,200 Speaker 1: were up, it was like they dropped just a little 1319 01:18:48,200 --> 01:18:51,720 Speaker 1: bit more. There was just the tension if there, if 1320 01:18:51,720 --> 01:18:54,040 Speaker 1: there was any tension at all, you know, went away 1321 01:18:54,520 --> 01:18:58,160 Speaker 1: even more so. And I and I saw him just 1322 01:18:58,160 --> 01:19:01,080 Speaker 1: just blossom in this weird way. Because it's not like 1323 01:19:01,160 --> 01:19:03,640 Speaker 1: he got loud. He's not a loud kid. He's not 1324 01:19:03,680 --> 01:19:06,559 Speaker 1: like me. He's an introvert. But it was it was 1325 01:19:06,640 --> 01:19:10,679 Speaker 1: like a quiet confidence and and and and wholeness about 1326 01:19:10,720 --> 01:19:14,559 Speaker 1: him and uh and and I knew that that that 1327 01:19:16,600 --> 01:19:20,160 Speaker 1: it was scary for me, even though I had always 1328 01:19:21,200 --> 01:19:23,679 Speaker 1: kind of known it. When he said it, I could 1329 01:19:23,720 --> 01:19:25,960 Speaker 1: tell that it was a thing that that was that 1330 01:19:26,120 --> 01:19:28,720 Speaker 1: was always there. It's still scared the ship out of me, 1331 01:19:29,080 --> 01:19:32,760 Speaker 1: you know, because I because you want your kid to 1332 01:19:32,880 --> 01:19:36,720 Speaker 1: be treated, you know, with dignity and respect and and 1333 01:19:36,760 --> 01:19:42,760 Speaker 1: live happily. And uh and you see so many obstacles 1334 01:19:42,800 --> 01:19:48,040 Speaker 1: in the way of of his happiness, you know, And uh, 1335 01:19:48,160 --> 01:19:50,880 Speaker 1: or at least that's what I thought. I was very wrong. 1336 01:19:51,400 --> 01:19:53,760 Speaker 1: I was very wrong. The truth is is that I 1337 01:19:53,800 --> 01:19:56,519 Speaker 1: have never seen a kid more happy. I've never seen 1338 01:19:56,560 --> 01:20:00,720 Speaker 1: a kid more at home. And for me, the hard 1339 01:20:00,800 --> 01:20:03,920 Speaker 1: The hardest thing is when he decided that he was 1340 01:20:03,960 --> 01:20:07,360 Speaker 1: going to change his name and not go by Ruby anymore, 1341 01:20:08,320 --> 01:20:11,519 Speaker 1: because I had thought long and hard about Ruby, because 1342 01:20:11,520 --> 01:20:13,360 Speaker 1: it was like a cute little girl's name, but it 1343 01:20:13,400 --> 01:20:16,280 Speaker 1: was also a badass woman business person, like, like I 1344 01:20:16,320 --> 01:20:18,920 Speaker 1: had this idea of her being like this high powered 1345 01:20:18,960 --> 01:20:21,679 Speaker 1: executive who walks into the offices and everybody's like, oh, ship, 1346 01:20:21,840 --> 01:20:24,200 Speaker 1: you know, Ruby's here. Everybody, get it together, Ruby's coming, 1347 01:20:24,439 --> 01:20:28,519 Speaker 1: you know. I I had to. I had to take 1348 01:20:28,640 --> 01:20:34,759 Speaker 1: that rough draft of his life and change it. And um, 1349 01:20:34,840 --> 01:20:37,800 Speaker 1: and then he decided on Carter. You know, my name 1350 01:20:37,880 --> 01:20:42,440 Speaker 1: is Cary with a K. My brothers Curling and Curtis 1351 01:20:42,479 --> 01:20:47,200 Speaker 1: both with a K. My nephew, Keen is Keen with 1352 01:20:47,240 --> 01:20:53,800 Speaker 1: a K. And so he decides Carter with the K 1353 01:20:55,720 --> 01:21:03,280 Speaker 1: because he wanted the boys. Yeah, yeah, it's it's. Uh. 1354 01:21:03,520 --> 01:21:06,639 Speaker 1: You always think that you're supposed to or or before 1355 01:21:06,680 --> 01:21:10,560 Speaker 1: you have kids, you think that it's your job to 1356 01:21:10,640 --> 01:21:14,679 Speaker 1: teach them, you know, you know, you maybe get nervous 1357 01:21:14,680 --> 01:21:18,920 Speaker 1: about not being able to teach them. And Uh, I 1358 01:21:18,960 --> 01:21:22,759 Speaker 1: have found that that I am the student more often 1359 01:21:22,760 --> 01:21:26,800 Speaker 1: than not. And if I can just reflect it back 1360 01:21:27,320 --> 01:21:30,280 Speaker 1: to them, you know, in a way that's that they 1361 01:21:30,280 --> 01:21:33,800 Speaker 1: can hear and understand that, uh, that I'm doing and 1362 01:21:33,920 --> 01:21:42,280 Speaker 1: I'm doing all right, and uh, I can't. I don't know, man, 1363 01:21:42,320 --> 01:21:46,320 Speaker 1: I'm just I'm just so grateful, you know, to to 1364 01:21:46,439 --> 01:21:49,000 Speaker 1: be in a position to be able to hear and 1365 01:21:49,040 --> 01:21:54,880 Speaker 1: to understand, you know, and love through it all. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, 1366 01:21:54,920 --> 01:21:57,640 Speaker 1: but he's a he's a great kid. And yeah, and 1367 01:21:57,640 --> 01:22:02,360 Speaker 1: I've learned a lot and you know, so you know, 1368 01:22:02,560 --> 01:22:04,720 Speaker 1: that's uh, that's that's where we are now. It's a 1369 01:22:04,720 --> 01:22:08,080 Speaker 1: pretty good listen. I gotta I gotta tell you, Like, 1370 01:22:09,920 --> 01:22:15,120 Speaker 1: when I think of Cary Payton, there is an openness 1371 01:22:16,120 --> 01:22:22,760 Speaker 1: and a joy and a zest for life. Everyone always 1372 01:22:23,000 --> 01:22:25,960 Speaker 1: loves being around you because of the energy that you 1373 01:22:26,040 --> 01:22:30,040 Speaker 1: have in virtually every situation. And it's not surprising to 1374 01:22:30,120 --> 01:22:35,480 Speaker 1: me that in this you have remained open and positive 1375 01:22:35,680 --> 01:22:39,120 Speaker 1: and giving and the fact that you consider it a 1376 01:22:39,160 --> 01:22:43,760 Speaker 1: gift that you have been given by your son um 1377 01:22:44,080 --> 01:22:47,800 Speaker 1: having you experienced this as a family is it is 1378 01:22:47,840 --> 01:22:51,400 Speaker 1: so cool. And I'm I'm so happy for Carter, and 1379 01:22:51,439 --> 01:22:55,679 Speaker 1: I'm happy for you and your family, and I wish 1380 01:22:55,720 --> 01:23:02,160 Speaker 1: you just all the blessings, all of the blessings, dude, 1381 01:23:02,240 --> 01:23:08,599 Speaker 1: because you deserve it. You have worked so hard twenty 1382 01:23:08,720 --> 01:23:13,360 Speaker 1: years as Cyborg now bringing you to Ezekiel and to 1383 01:23:13,479 --> 01:23:16,840 Speaker 1: a place of of great success. I'm so happy for you, 1384 01:23:17,400 --> 01:23:20,000 Speaker 1: and I really appreciate you coming and and talking to 1385 01:23:20,040 --> 01:23:24,160 Speaker 1: me today so Openly's absolutely man. You know, I think 1386 01:23:24,160 --> 01:23:27,960 Speaker 1: that the hardest part of the job and the easiest 1387 01:23:28,000 --> 01:23:30,120 Speaker 1: part of the job is just keeping your head up, 1388 01:23:30,240 --> 01:23:33,120 Speaker 1: you know, keeping your head up and uh and uh 1389 01:23:33,160 --> 01:23:36,000 Speaker 1: and and pushing forward. You know, they you get you 1390 01:23:36,000 --> 01:23:39,080 Speaker 1: get so many you get so many rejections in this 1391 01:23:39,160 --> 01:23:43,280 Speaker 1: business that, um, I find that that the ones who 1392 01:23:43,280 --> 01:23:46,160 Speaker 1: can just stay in it and smile through it, you know, 1393 01:23:47,040 --> 01:23:51,080 Speaker 1: are are winning. You know. That's that's you. That's you 1394 01:23:51,280 --> 01:23:55,080 Speaker 1: always and uh and God bless you for it. Thank 1395 01:23:55,120 --> 01:24:12,320 Speaker 1: you so much, Cary, Thank you, Brian. This is awesome. Cary, Cary, Cary, 1396 01:24:12,360 --> 01:24:15,240 Speaker 1: thank you so much. It was so great catching up 1397 01:24:15,240 --> 01:24:18,680 Speaker 1: with you. I will never forget our days at s 1398 01:24:18,840 --> 01:24:22,400 Speaker 1: m U and the man that you have now become. 1399 01:24:22,560 --> 01:24:25,600 Speaker 1: I respect the hell out of you, my friends. So 1400 01:24:25,760 --> 01:24:29,920 Speaker 1: God bless you and continued success moving forward as you 1401 01:24:30,040 --> 01:24:33,800 Speaker 1: leave the zombies of the Walking Dead, and for all 1402 01:24:33,840 --> 01:24:36,720 Speaker 1: you listening make sure to tune in Thursday to go 1403 01:24:36,960 --> 01:24:40,400 Speaker 1: Off Off the Beat for our sports edition, and of 1404 01:24:40,439 --> 01:24:44,200 Speaker 1: course we're gonna be back here next Tuesday. Once again, 1405 01:24:44,840 --> 01:24:48,400 Speaker 1: you're the best listeners, But if you think we're the best, 1406 01:24:48,960 --> 01:24:52,200 Speaker 1: then feel free to subscribe, leave a review. You know 1407 01:24:52,240 --> 01:24:55,439 Speaker 1: what you're doing. We appreciate that so much. It helps 1408 01:24:55,560 --> 01:24:59,400 Speaker 1: us so much to hear from you. So check in 1409 01:24:59,560 --> 01:25:03,160 Speaker 1: on to Graham or on Apple Reviews and we will 1410 01:25:03,200 --> 01:25:13,680 Speaker 1: see you next week. Off the Beat is hosted an 1411 01:25:13,680 --> 01:25:18,919 Speaker 1: executive produced by me Ryan Baumgartner alongside our executive producer Langley. 1412 01:25:19,240 --> 01:25:23,400 Speaker 1: Our producers are Diego Tapia, Liz Hayes, Hannah Harris, and 1413 01:25:23,479 --> 01:25:27,840 Speaker 1: Emily Carr. Our talent producer is Ryan Papa Zachary, and 1414 01:25:27,920 --> 01:25:32,040 Speaker 1: our intern is Sammy Cats. Our theme song Bubble and 1415 01:25:32,120 --> 01:25:36,320 Speaker 1: Squeak performed by my great friend Creed Bretton and the 1416 01:25:36,360 --> 01:25:53,040 Speaker 1: episode was mixed by seth Olandskipe