AMC Was kind enough to send this over.
Actor Vincent M. Ward, who plays Oscar on AMC’s The Walking Dead, describes how his life has paralleled Oscar’s, shares a secret skill he kept from his cast-mates and ponders a crime-fighting future for Axel and Oscar.
Q: Have you turned into a full-fledged zombie nerd now that you’ve been on the show?
A: No. I can’t say that I have. But I enjoyed what I was doing on the show — big time — and meeting some real cool people. To hear how excited and enthused everyone is about the comic books? I’m thinking I might start reading some!
Q: You’ve played cops, pimps, bodyguards, and a CIA agent. Why do you think you’re so often cast as a tough guy?
A: I believe it’s because of my height and my build — a lot of times they don’t want you to make the star look like a midget. At 6’4”, 250 lbs., yeah, sometimes you get typecast! Right now, I’m able to say, “No, I don’t want that part,” and wait patiently to play other parts. But Oscar, he was a good guy.
Q: You were a decorated athlete in high school. How do you find yourself a professional actor?
A: I’ve always been an entertainer. I used to dance on the court when I played basketball. And I used to dance in a rap group, opening up shows for people like MC Hammer, Public Enemy and Special Ed. I used to love dancing. Right after high school, instead of going to college, I was out touring with the rap group and having fun.
Q: Did those dancing skills come in handy on set?
A: Not really. It was all business. Nobody knew that I could really cut a rug.
