Brent Huff is an award-winning actor, writer, and director best known for his recurring roles in Shameless, The Rookie, The Rookie: Feds, Pensacola: Wings of Gold, and Black Scorpion. His early career took off in the 1980s when he starred in the French cult classic The Perils of Gwendoline. Over the years, Brent has been recognized with several honors, including awards from the Stony Brook Film Festival, the International Family Film Festival, and the Studio City Film Festival.
Q. I am a big fan of The Rookie. So, I want to start with something casual. How did you first get cast as Officer Smitty, and do you see any part of yourself in the character, or maybe even more sides of you in real life?
When I first auditioned for The Rookie it was for only a one day part. I would have never dreamed I would be a recurring character on the show for 8 seasons.
The character has certainly changed over the 8 seasons. I first played Smitty as a tough, grizzled police officer who did not particularly like Rookies. I love how the writers turned Smitty into a comedic character. It’s been a lot of fun and a blessing.
Q. You have been on some famous TV sets like Mad Men, Shameless, The West Wing, JAG. Was there a behind-the-scenes moment that really stuck with you, or maybe taught you something new?
I’ve had the opportunity to work with some very talented actors, writers and directors. I’ve learned something new with each show. Sometimes what to do and sometimes what not to do. One of the beautiful things about being an artist is that we are always looking for ways to grow and be more creative.
When legendary basketball coach John Wooden was in his 90’s he would still attend basketball seminars with his notebook in hand. Coach Wooden was always looking for new ideas and ways to get better. He famously said, “Make each day your masterpiece. Help others. Drink deeply from good books. Make friendship a fine art.” That’s not a bad piece of advice.
Q. You have worn many hats in the film world. You are a director, actor, and writer. Of all these roles, which one comes most naturally to you, and does switching those roles ever give you a fresh perspective on storytelling?
I would say that acting is my most natural role. I have always sort of been a performer. I would drive my parents crazy. I knew back in high school that I wanted to be an actor. I didn’t have any desire to write or direct until after I had been in this business for several years. I am pretty sure my English teachers would never have thought in a million years that I would write several produced films. I have now written my first book titled, My Playbook for Life. Who knew?
Q. Since the 80s, the filmmaking landscape has changed so much, like, nowadays there are so many remakes and not as many fresh, original ideas. I know you have been in the industry since the 80s, what is your take on the creative direction of film today?
Well, since the 80’s there have been both great changes and not so great changes in the film industry. Now young filmmakers with basically no budget can make a film on their phone if they want. How cool is that? That wasn’t an option in the 80s. If you really want to make content now, you absolutely can. You can enter your film in festivals and put your film on Youtube. You can also promote your film and yourself on social media. That wasn’t possible in the 80s.
The downside is that it is nearly impossible to get your low budget independent film in the theaters. I love watching films with an audience in theaters.
In the 80s people could see the DVD’s of my independent films in Blockbuster right beside studio titles like Titanic. Blockbuster gave the Indies more of a level playing field. My hope is rather than spend 200 million on a superhero movie the studios would make 20 ten-million-dollar movies that are thought provoking.
Now we have A.I. to contend with. The Genie is out of the bottle with A.I. Who knows what the future of filmmaking is. It’s scary. As a voice-over artist I already see what A.I. is doing in that part of the industry.
I know A.I. is coming for a lot of jobs. Not just show business.
Q. You have directed documentaries too, for example, your 2012 film Behind the Orange Curtain, which zooms in on teen prescription drug abuse in Orange County. Is there a big change in headspace when you switch from directing a feature film, where you are focused on plot and structure, to a real documentary, which tends to take on a life of its own?
In documentaries I start with an outline illustrating how I see the story unfold. Then I might interview one person who completely changes the narrative. That’s exciting and unexpected. With documentaries it’s all about uncovering the truth. The director is on a fact-finding mission. With journalism today I see articles or documentaries that lie by omission. You don’t get the entire truth. Filmmakers and journalists need to cover a story from all angles.
Q. During your modeling days, you lived in Paris and Milan. Did both cities leave its own kind of mark on you, personally, artistically, and culturally?
I must say I love both Paris and Milan. Both cities enjoy great culture. I can start with the savory food, architecture and extraordinary museums. I could be walking on the Champs Elysses in Paris or the Galleria in Milan and be dazzled by everyday people wearing incredible fashion. It’s inspiring. You don’t see men in Paris or Milan wearing board shorts and flip flops.
Q. You have done a lot of international travel, especially your film career that has taken you all over the world. Since this interview is for a travel site, would you like to share some of your favorite travel stories from your time abroad?
One of the great things about my career as both a model and an actor is that I have been able to travel to so many countries. Countries I would have never thought of visiting like Romania and Serbia. When I am working on location for a film I might get to stay in a foreign country for three or four months and really get to know the people and the culture. When I lived in Milan, just about every weekend I would go with other models on short train trips. From Milan it is a two-and-a-half-hour trip to Venice or Portofino. It’s only 35 minutes to Lake Como. What’s not to love about that? Some people think Milan is too industrial. I disagree.
Another favorite country is Argentina. South America is not on most Americans travel lists but it should be. Buenos Aires is a beautiful city. The food, especially the Bife De Lomo. (Filet Mignon). If you go to Argentina you must visit the waterfalls in Iguazu Falls. It’s where Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay meet. The 1986 movie, The Mission, with Robert Deniro and Jeremy Irons was filmed there. The falls are breathtaking.
Q. We all hear that life is short and we should try new things. I know you recently did a cold plunge. Are there any other experiences, maybe outside your comfort zone, you are thinking about trying next?
I’ve tried a lot of things outside my comfort zone. I climbed sheer mountain cliffs in Bad Mitterndorf, Austria, I swam across the waterfalls in Iguazu Falls and bungee jumped in Thailand.
I did barrel rolls with an ex-fighter pilot in an F-16. I am not interested in skydiving but… I would like to run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain. Don’t tell my wife.
Q. Your message to our readers?
I am from a small town in Missouri. When I was a kid I would watch movies that would take me to places all over the world. It was escapism. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to be an actor. James Bond movies were my favorite. I am very fortunate that being in movies and modeling has fulfilled most of my travel dreams. The next location on my bucket list is Iceland. See you there!
All photographs credit: Brent Huff
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