Bernd Lorenz
Since June 2007 Non Commercial Fanwebsite
Pete Pitts - Path to Success - The Walking Dead Interview
First,thank you for your time to answer the Fans and myself some questions about you
Pete Pitts.
Thank you for inviting me to answer a few questions, Bernd. I apologize that it took so long! My schedule has been very busy, with my Path To Success Book Tour, my acting and rap music career, and speaking engagements. I appreciate your patience!
-How did you get your role in The Walking Dead and what was your role?
I always dreamed of being an actor, for as long as I can remember. After working in many different career fields as well as beginning my rap music career, I decided to follow my lifelong dream and pursue acting. I had to work my way up from the bottom, meaning that I took many various small roles in commercials, movies and television shows before eventually landing my recurring appearance on The Walking Dead. I worked hard in the Atlanta, Georgia film industry for quite awhile, building relationships with casting directors and proving myself to be a reliable, hard working actor. My hard work and networking eventually paid off, as I was booked for a small role as a "Savior" on The Walking Dead on AMC. My first appearance on the show was the final scene of the historic Season 6 Finale, during which my character's boss, Negan, first appears. My "Savior" character is named Roger Clay. I created Roger Clay in order to give my character more depth and personality. He has an entire backstory that led him to become one of Negan's most trusted Saviors.
-Pete ,did you watch the show or read the graphic novel, prior to your casting to The
Walking Dead?
I must honestly admit that prior to acting in The Walking Dead, I had only watched a few select episodes of the hit TV show. After I entered the world of TWD, I went back and watched every single episode on Netflix in order to give me more knowledge of the events and situations that have led up to my character's debut on the show. I am now a major fan of the show. Prior to acting in the show, I must admit that I had not read any of the graphic novels. As an avid reader, I have a stack of books that I am currently reading one at a time. As soon as I get caught up, I plan to read all of The Walking Dead graphic novels in order to understand even more about the world and the characters that Robert Kirkman has created.
-What was the best thing or the funniest moment about working on The Walking Dead?
The best thing, to me, about working on The Walking Dead, is the extreme level of passion and enthusiasm that every single actor and crew member displays while on set. This fervent excitement for the show even continues off set as well. I have never before been part of something so incredibly and intensely awesome, in every way. I have worked on the film sets of more than 60 major movies, TV shows and commercials, yet The Walking Dead remains my favorite film set to be part of. I knew I was part of something incredible from day one, and each moment of acting in those scenes was a dream come true for me.
-How much has the series The Walking Dead influenced your life?
The Walking Dead has influenced my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined. In addition to having the privilege of meeting and talking with wonderful people like you, I have received messages and emails from fans all over the world. Some of the screenshots from scenes I am in have been used in magazines and publications worldwide, and this was an incredible honor to me. I have been blessed to find myself in 5 different print magazines so far, including The Official Walking Dead Magazine and Entertainment Weekly.
I have also seen myself in dozens of online publications, such as Rolling Stone, Time Magazine, USA Today, The HollyWood Reporter and many more from around the globe. In addition to being an actor from the show, I am now also a huge fan of all things TWD. I find myself visiting The Walking Dead store in Senoia, Georgia as often as possible, and meeting with fans from around the world. I love talking to my fans, and I answer each and every message I receive from a fan as promptly as my schedule allows. I did not previously image that my life would be impacted so greatly through acting in this show, yet I have not embraced the reality of it, and I love every moment of all that this entails. One of the best ways that TWD has impacted my life is that I now have the privilege of encouraging other people to follow their own dreams in life, and never give up, because persistence and consistency is how I came to be part of something this astonishing.
-Working with Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus or Jeffrey Dean Morgan will be a dream for
every TWD Fan, what can you say about working with some of this guys?
It has been an indescribable pleasure to work with the amazing cast of The Walking Dead. The moment I began acting on the show, Lauren Cohen smiled at me and asked me how I was doing. Then, Norman Reedus made eye contact with me from about twenty feet away, and he stopped what he was doing to walk over to me and shake my hand and introduce himself.
Every cast member on this show is a consummate professional and an incredible human being. As an actor, it is a joy to be able to watch Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Andy Lincoln, and the rest of the cast as they get into character and perform in these scenes. It was very surreal at first, but my priority immediately became learning from each one of these dynamic actors as much as possible. Being on set with these stars is like being in film school, for me. I study every movement, facial expression, vocal inflection and action that each actor uses as his or her tools for expression of human emotion. As I fan of performance, I am always in awe of the greatness that is all around me on set, and I strive to be a better actor myself through each moment and experience.
-Are you currently working on anything interesting Movie or Series that you can reveal?
I am always working on new movies, TV shows and other film projects. Now that I have entered the world of acting, I am very much in love with performance and I don't plan on ever stopping. The fans can look for me in the new FOX TV show 24:Legacy as well as my role in the new music video "Sit Awhile" by The Band Steele. Most of the projects that I am currently filming are very secretive, so I cannot reveal much more until these films and movies are released. The fans may also look for me in shows such as Stranger Things, The Vampire Diaries, The Detour, Master of None, Finding Carter and many more. Some of the movies I have acted in include Allegiant, Barbershop 3, Almost Christmas, Office Christmas Party, Rings, and Marvel's Captain America: Civil War, among others. For a more comprehensive list of the movies and TV shows I have acted in, please visit my website www.petepitts.com
-In your time in TV you has worked with Clint Eastwood, Ice Cube, Selena Gomez, Tom
Hanks, Melisa McCarthy, Danny Glover, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Ludacris, Kurt Russell,
Tyrese, James Franco, Ben Afleck, Owen Wilson, Zach Galifinakis, Jon Hamm, Greg
Nicotero, Ang Lee, Peter Weller, Peter Dinklage and many other Hollywood icons. Which
one inspired you to be an Actor?
Every person you mentioned has inspired me in one way or another. I am a student of life, human behavior, psychology, communication, emotion and performance. I have learned so much by watching all of these actors on my TV screen at home, and now I have been blessed to be able to learn even more from them in person, while acting with them on film sets.
Among the names you just mentioned, I think Clint Eastwood and Ice Cube were perhaps two of the most influential to me as I aspired to be an actor. One of my proudest moments was working with Robert Downey Jr. on the film Captain America: Civil War. As a young man, I was also deeply impacted by Bruce Lee, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Denzel Washington, Al Pacino, Robert Deniro, Kevin Costner, Johnny Depp, Sylvester Stallone and Morgan Freeman, among many others. I am also a huge fan of Will Ferrell, and I plan to work with him someday. I desire to one day work on the show Saturday Night Live. I have learned from all of these actors that anything is possible. Each one of them is a normal human being, like you or I. They just happen to have worked very hard in order to be highly successful in the entertainment industry. Many of them were also told, as I was, that becoming an actor is impossible. That is a lie. The only things that are impossible are the things that you believe to be impossible in your mind.
- Pete , you are not just an Actor you also an Author.What can you tell us about your
book: Path To Success?
I wrote my first book, Path To Success, while I was homeless in Atlanta, sleeping in my car and struggling greatly, but following my lifelong dream of being an actor. I had to make many sacrifices and compromises and work very hard in order to get to this current point in my career, and I write about many of my experiences in this book. The overall theme of my first book is that anyone from any walk of life can achieve success in any area. No matter what success means to you, you can attain it. If you are seeking more wealth, health, joy, happiness, freedom, security, significance, love, peace of mind, or anything else, you can make it happen.
Nothing is impossible. Path To Success is somewhat autobiographical in nature, as I write a lot about my dark past and the many obstacles and adversities I have had to overcome in order to succeed. I grew up very poor in a small town, being bullied often, and I became depressed at a young age. I made many terrible decisions and I became addicted to drugs and alcohol. I lost many close family members who passed away.
I experienced a lot of pain and heartache before I finally developed a strong faith and overcame my addictions and my adversities. I worked in many different job and career fields, knowing that I always wanted to be an actor, yet not having the confidence to realistically pursue it. Readers of my book will discover how I overcame all of these challenges, despite the odds, and never gave up on my dreams. Now, I am succeeding and I wish to help other people succeed as well. While Path To Success contains a lot of my own personal story, the book also contains all the wisdom and knowledge that I have obtained throughout my life, which is directed to the reader.
Each chapter of my book gives advice and feedback on how the reader may learn to define and achieve success in his or her own life. Overall, Path To Success is part story and part educational, but it was written to inspire, encourage, and empower each person who reads it to become successful in any area of life! I plan on eventually having the book translated into many different languages! Many people have already been greatly impacted and inspired by this book, and I hope that anyone reading this will make the decision to order and read the book today! You can order Path To Success on Amazon.com. The link is available on my website at www.petepitts.com. I will also be glad to send out a signed copy of book any person who messages me directly to purchase one. You can read a bit more about the book on the Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pathtosuccessbook.
-But being an Actor and an Author is not the Only talent you got. Whats about the Rap
album Short On Time?
Before I seriously pursued my acting career, I began a career as an independent rap artist, using the moniker "Petro". I have always been fascinated by words, poetry and music, particularly rap and hip-hop. My first rap music album, Short on Time, which is listed under the name of my rap group Self Made Click, is hosted by Memphis rap legend Lil Wyte, and contains features from rappers Project Pat, Jellyroll, and more.
This music album was produced to be different from all other rap music available, as it is inspirational and motivational and family friendly, being free of profanity. I have been very fortunate to rap onstage or meet with many successful rap music icons such as Gucci Mane, Yelawolf, Juicy J., Three Six Mafia, Rittz, Young Buck, Killer Mike and more. My most successful music video to date is called "Swagger Strong" featuring Lil Wyte, and it is available to view on Youtube. You can find many of my other music videos and music as well by visiting my website www.petepitts.com. My first album, Short On Time, is available on iTunes, and this album is free to add to your collection if you are subscribed to the unlimited music option of Apple Music. I "freestyle" rap every single day of my life, and I will release many more rap songs, music videos and albums in the future.
-At the Last you can send some words to your Fans
To all my fans and friends worldwide, I would like to first say thank you for being so awesome. Thank you for your dedication and interest in The Walking Dead and all the other movies and TV shows I have been part of. Thank you for listening to my rap music and watching my music videos. Thank you for reading my first book, Path To Success. Stay tuned for more books that I will be publishing in the future. My next two books will be short stories and poetry and an illustrated children's book. All the details of my current and future projects will be available on my website. I want you all to know that no matter how many obstacles and challenges you may face in life, no goal or dream is impossible to attain.
You can do anything you resolve to do in your heart and your mind. As someone who was once depressed and felt worthless and hopeless, but is not working hard every day and achieving the life of my dreams, I can tell you that following your passion and your heart and your life's purpose will be worth it! I want you all to experience an even better life! Being an entertainer as an actor and a rapper is very awesome to me, because it is what I always dreamed of doing, but being able to inspire others and help them succeed is even more amazing! Please consider ordering and reading my book. I promise that you will not be disappointed!
Thank you to all the fans worldwide who are reading this interview! Whoever you are and wherever you are, I want you to know that you are very valued and loved! On behalf of the Hollywood film industry, we all thank you for being fans and friends! I would love to hear from each one of you, if you want to reach out to me personally! Stay tuned for many more awesome episodes, movies, music videos and books coming soon! A few final words of inspiration to each person reading this: No matter what your past has consisted of, and no matter where you are in your life right now, your future can be EVEN better and brighter than you have ever imagined!!! Thank you Bernd for allowing me to share with your readers! I greatly appreciate everyone who took the time to read this, and I hope that you have an excellent day!
