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« Prison Break Blog
Season 2, Week 6
Hi everyone. Thanks again for the comments.
Since Prison Break has been such a success, many people I've met have been interested in what it's like to be an actor. They are asking me how I got started, what I've done and what it's like to works as an actor. I thought you might be interested, too.
I have come to believe in something I call "Destiny." There are many other names for it. In "Destiny" I mean there are certain events that seem unrelated that have drawn me toward and to: where/who/what I am today. I have learned that I should never make plans because my plans rarely if ever work out and the plans that Destiny chooses for me are much more interesting and fulfilling than any that I can come up with. Serendipity's a good name for it, too.
I never wanted to be an actor. It's not something I consciously decided to be. I always envied people who knew what they wanted to do when they where ten! Not my story. I was interested in everything. I always loved to pretend, or as my parents called it "lie." I grew up playing cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians, "army"?all that stuff. My family wasn't well off so my brother, sisters and I would play with what we could find or make. We made a soapbox car out of an old Big Wheel, some plywood, and 2x4s and called it the "X-15". We raced that thing down a hill the size of Everest ? or so we thought ? complete with a parachute as an air break, because our neighbors got tired of our 2x4 drag break tearing up their turf. We'd put on plays and even did a circus or two, complete with cream pies and clowns.
So we made or own fun. I still love to do that.
I always loved music and singing. When I was growing up my Dad was an Episcopal priest (Episcopal priests can marry), and he had a great singing voice. I loved to watch and listen to him in the processional as he sung and walked into the church with the clergy and the choir ? robes flowing and organ crowing.
We drove around in the 60s and 70s in a VW bus with no radio and the only tunes we had where the ones he and our Mom taught us and we would sing ourselves down the highway.
Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, our next-door neighbor was Dr. Robert Haley and he too has an eclectic personality. He turned me onto classical music, blue grass and opera as well as a positive attitude, which all take practice as I've come to find out. Dr. Haley also designed the 2x4 drag break for the X-15.
So, I was and am fascinated by many things. Our family moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and I finished high school there. After graduation I decided that I better work a year or two before I tried college and began working first at a fence company (worst job I ever had) putting the points on 1x4s all day long, four at a time. Then, I worked at a bank in the stock room handing out pens, paper and envelopes. Eventually, I ended up working at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa as a surgical orderly(best job I ever had) and began going to The University of Tulsa, studying Pre-med. That didn't last long. I kept the hospital job and became an "undeclared" major at T.U. and took lots of different classes, including singing lessons. I was singing in the choir at St. Antony's Church in Tulsa and thought some singing lessons might help (Boy, did I need them!). After a year or so, my voice teacher, Jane Carmichael, asked if I would like to audition for the musical. I did and I got the part of Miles Glorious in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way Home from the Forum. I shook like a leaf in every performance. I loved it. I got to sing and pretend I was a Roman soldier! It doesn't get much better than that. I was very impressed by the Director, Nancy Vunovich, and after the run was over, I found myself taking acting classes and ended up graduating with a BFA in Acting.
So serendipity hooked me up with inspired people like Jane Carmichael and Nancy Vunovich who inspired me to become interested in the theatre and especially musical theatre, something I never imagined myself doing. Dr. David Cook at T.U. was also an inspiration and a great help to me.
After graduating from college, I thought, "What am I going to do now? I got an acting degree?" I don't think there is any more unmarketable degree I could have gotten ? maybe a degree in History or English Literature? I could have gone to law school I guess, but I decided I would get a Masters in Fine Arts in theater. That way, if I couldn't get an acting job, then at least I could teach at a university. You can tell I was interested in being rich!
More next time?if you're still interested!
Don't miss all-new episodes of Prison Break, Mondays at 8 pm/ET on Fox.
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Sep 22, 2006 5:48 PM
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Even very interested. Fascinating story you got there. I too, believe in Destiny and I have no doubt that acting and "Prison break" were in yours, just the same as it was in mine to read your blog and get to know you better. Keep writing Wade, I enjoy reading every word and look forward every week to your new blog post.
Gillian
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Sep 23, 2006 7:05 AM
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More next time?if you're still interested!
lol believe me, we are interested! I cant believe you actually take the time to write up a blog- i think its brillant that you're sharing your experinces, offering advice to those who ask and just generally letting people get a glimpse into your world. Cheers Wade
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Sep 23, 2006 11:27 AM
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A friend, who unfortunately cannot register to the site due to technical problems asked me to post this question for her. She wishes to know if you come from a religious family since your father is a priest
and if so - does it affect whether or not your family watches Prison
Break.
Thanks Wade!
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Sep 23, 2006 6:08 PM
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Just when you really got me warmed up... you finished. I appreciate the time you took to write.
Please write more.
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Sep 25, 2006 1:46 PM
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Hi Wade,
Thank you so much for sharing that. We know how busy you are and for you to share that with us was real "sweet."
Yes please continue sharing more.
Thanks
Aileen
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Sep 25, 2006 4:29 PM
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Hi Wade,
Thank you so much for sharing that. We know how busy you are and for you to share that with us was real "sweet."
Yes please continue sharing more.
Thanks
Aileen
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Sep 25, 2006 4:30 PM
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Hi Wade,
Thank you so much for sharing that. We know how busy you are and for you to share that with us was real "sweet."
Yes please continue sharing more.
Thanks
Aileen
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Sep 25, 2006 4:32 PM
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Wade,
Stumbled upon this blog... Great to hear your story. Though I live in NYC now, the Tulsa group is so proud of your success. I grew up listening to you sing at church and went on to get a theatre degree, following in your footsteps. My dad, big Amos W(formerly from St. Antony's), says hi. Keep on keepin' us entertained!
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Sep 25, 2006 7:07 PM
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Wade;
I'll hunt you down like Bellick if you don't keep blogging!!! Thanks so much for sharing. I've always been drawn to character actors rather than big-name stars because their work is so much more interesting...and they often have longer careers than this season's "flavor of the month." I predict a long, fruitful career for you, my friend.
So, when's Bellick going to break out in song so we can hear your pipes?
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Sep 26, 2006 11:31 AM
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Hi Wade - I'm so glad to see how well you are doing. When we did "Oklahoma" in Tulsa in 1986 (yes, I was Laurie from the east coast), I knew you had the stuff to make it. You were a tremendous Jud Fry. Are you still singing? For all of you Wade Williams fans - he really has the pipes, and he was the best colleague and all around nice guy. I live in Tucson now and am still singing - keep in touch, and good luck to you.
Elena
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Sep 27, 2006 4:50 PM
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I second what a talented actor Wade Williams is. It's a shame he wasn't on this week and hopefully more Bellick in future episodes.
Wade, as I said earlier, you make a great foil for the Brothers.
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Sep 27, 2006 11:01 PM
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Hello Wade, how are you? Thank you for posting this blog. I just wanted to let you know that I think you are a great actor and a great person. I met you first on set of Manhunt back in June. I am a recurring background person on the show. I'm glad to be part of such a great show and to be around such a great group of people. Everyone is so cool. I should be on next weeks episode. I escort Marshall into the Arizona Pen. Here's a pic of the two of us on set back in July. http://www.rileysautographs.com/riley_wade_williams_onset_71306.html Take care and I hope to meet you again.
Best wishes,
Riley
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Sep 28, 2006 3:42 PM
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hey Wade, i wanna congradulate you on all your success. I cant believe i am actually communicating with you lol now i sound like a nerd , but i am a HUGE fan of the show. Its interesting how you said you never wanted to be an actor because you are an amazing actor one of the best on the show i believe. Im dissapointed how we don't get to see your character as much this season, last season we were spoiled lol. I have a request, come to TRL the whole cast of prison break, so i can meet yall! lol anyways i really appreciate you taking the time out to blog ,its fun isnt it..also check out the prison break forum we all love you guys there!
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Oct 1, 2006 12:46 AM
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Saw ya in CSI, and thought it was great...still couldn't get the thought of you not being an officer, but instead, a suspect.
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Oct 6, 2006 12:58 PM
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