A to Zim: 'San Andreas' Star Todd Williams Answers Our 26 Burning Questions
The actor opens up about playing a member of The Rock's search and rescue team in this summer's biggest natural disaster movie.
Throughout the years, Todd Williams has played a hot-shot police officer, a homicide detective, and a powerful vampire hunter. With the highly-anticipated action-adventure disaster film San Andreas hitting theaters this week, he'll add bonafide action star to the list. The actor, who hails from Queens, plays Marcus Cowlings, a member of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's search and rescue team who must navigate destruction after a devastating earthquake rocks California. If Williams looks familiar, you've probably also seen him on In Plain Sight, The Chicago Code, The Vampire Diaries, and Teen Wolf.
The actor took time away from saving the Golden State to answer our 26 burning questions, and tell us what it's like to work with one of Hollywood's biggest action stars.
Action hero you admire most:
Action Jackson of course.
Bravest thing you had to do while filming San Andreas:
Eat a Moreton Bay bug which was delicious. That, and drive on the other side of the road. After that I felt like a boss. Now I’m "ambi-operative." Is that even a word?
Caption this Instagram photo:
The story here is we're looking badass going to lunch...
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson moment you'll always remember:
Just sitting there in Australia between takes with one of the biggest stars in the world and talking about family. #Dope
Embarrassing story you have about filming San Andreas:
Come on now, we walked around in flight suits and shades. What’s there to be embarrassed about? Being too cool?
Favorite character you have played thus far:
No favorite. I love all of them, though Connor Jordan from The Vampire Diaries was pretty badass.
GIF that accurately describes how you feel today:
Look, I’m a Generation X-er. When I was a kid I didn’t have images on the Internet describing my feelings. I just held them inside like every other decent American! What am I saying?! Oh God, I’ve aged out. That’s it. It’s over. Next thing I know I’ll be going outside in a house robe and slippers with church socks on! Nooooooooo! On second thought, give me that GIF of Kim Kardashian's ugly face cry. That’s how I feel!
Hobbies you have that people may not know about:
Well, I’m co-founder of FBC (Fat Boy Clique). It’s an unofficial club comprised of me along with my friend and fellow actor Manny Montana. Basically, we go around eating stuff, taking pictures of eating stuff, and talking to each other about the pictures that we took of the stuff while eating stuff. Membership is highly selective.
Matt Lauria is only a partial member because he doesn’t eat meat.
Ideal morning routine:
Wake up, work out, eat, be amazing, eat.
Job you would have if you weren't an actor:
A songwriter, a homicide detective, or a super hero. That, or a super songwriting detective.
Karaoke song you never get tired of:
"Can You Stand the Rain" by New Edition. I only do Johnny Gill’s part. I got the smooth sexy vocals.
Last TV show you binge-watched:
I’m currently watching Sons of Anarchy and Luther. Oh, and The Chicago Code. There’s this handsome, charming, bald black dude in it:
Movie you saw as a child that scared you even though it wasn't meant to be scary:
The Care Bears Movie. Absolutely terrifying. I still have nightmares.
Nineties music video you still really appreciate:
Anything from Boyz II Men and Jodeci.
One regret you have in life:
I’ll let you know when I have one.
Pet peeve:
Rudeness. Also farting in a public place without adequate ventilation though I guess that would fall under rudeness. I DON’T WANT TO SMELL YOUR INSIDES. Like, I don’t know your name, but I have your gas particles all in my nostrils? If I can tell whodunit, you’re dead to me.
Question you would like to ask a historic figure:
How do you keep your breath fresh? I wouldn't ask any figure in particular just someone who existed before toothpaste and mouthwash.
Revelations you have had about your San Andreas co-stars:
They must feel so lucky to have worked with me.
Song that never fails to pump you up:
The Fury soundtrack by Steven Price gets me ready for war.
#TBT Photo:
This picture was taken at a bar park at the beach in Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Australia. This is where I was introduced to street/bar workouts. There was a very cool guy that was also working on San Andreas named Kelly McNaught. He was invited to train some of us. I'm always down for trying something new when it comes to health and fitness. Since I'd done only weight training prior to this, I figured it would be something interesting to learn.
One of the milestones for everyone that's into this sport (Yes, it's a sport. Go on YouTube. There are a lot of amazing bar athletes out there!) is the Muscle Up. Basically, it's a single move where you do a pull-up and transition into a bar dip. It looks easy but far from it. Anyway, I had been working at it for weeks with no success, but had said I was going to do it before leaving Australia. This was taken the day before I left.
Underrated band you really admire:
Armstrong Leigh because they’re awesome.
Vampires or werewolves? Explain your choice:
Well, what’s the situation? Are we enemies? Am I dating a wonderful woman and on the eve of my proposal she tells me we have to talk? Am I somewhere with both and they’re like, "Listen, Todd, you have to make a choice because your ass it getting bit tonight and it's really important that you’re comfortable with what you’re going to be"? Some answers aren’t so black and white.
Weirdest thing you've had to do on camera:
Commercial auditions.
Since we will not ask you for your favorite "X-word," we'll simply ask for your shameless plug:
SAN ANDREAS. MAY 29th!
YouTube video you can't stop showing your friends:
Motivational videos by Mateusz M.
If you didn't know Zimbio was an entertainment site, what would you think "a Zimbio" was?
An Italian baby zombie.
San Andreas hits theaters May 29.
