{"id":144710,"date":"2025-11-01T00:54:16","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T17:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.davestravelcorner.com\/?p=144710"},"modified":"2025-11-04T09:05:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T02:05:29","slug":"brent-huff-award-winning-actor-writer-and-director","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.davestravelcorner.com\/interviews\/brent-huff-award-winning-actor-writer-and-director\/","title":{"rendered":"Brent Huff, Award-Winning Actor, Writer and Director"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"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.<\/p>\n

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?<\/strong><\/p>\n

When I first auditioned for The Rookie it was for only a one day part.\u00a0 I would have never dreamed I would be a recurring character on the show for 8 seasons.<\/p>\n

The character has certainly changed over the 8 seasons.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 It\u2019s been a lot of fun and a blessing.<\/p>\n

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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?\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had the opportunity to work with some very talented actors, writers and directors.\u00a0 I\u2019ve learned something new with each show.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n

When legendary basketball coach John Wooden was in his 90\u2019s he would still attend basketball seminars with his notebook in hand.\u00a0 Coach Wooden was always looking for new ideas and ways to get better.\u00a0 He famously said, \u201cMake each day your masterpiece.\u00a0 Help others. Drink deeply from good books.\u00a0 Make friendship a fine art.\u201d\u00a0 That\u2019s not a bad piece of advice.<\/p>\n

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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?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I would say that acting is my most natural role.\u00a0 I have always sort of been a performer.\u00a0 I would drive my parents crazy.\u00a0 I knew back in high school that I wanted to be an actor.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t have any desire to write or direct until after I had been in this business for several years.\u00a0 I am pretty sure my English teachers would never have thought in a million years that I would write several produced films.\u00a0 I have now written my first book titled, My Playbook for Life.\u00a0 Who knew?<\/p>\n