“It’s Gonna Knock You Out!” – Chuck Liddell Exclusive Interview

Chuck Liddell was born on December 17, 1969 in Santa Barbara, California. In Hollywood he is known for his work in Movies, such as Kick-Ass 2 (2013), War Pigs (2015) and How High (2001). Prior to his film work he was an Iconic MMA UFC World Light Heavyweight Champion. He is one of the Fighters who put UFC on the map. Chuck Liddell became one of the most recognizable Global Sports Superstar Figures to crossover into TV Commercials, Appearances, Movies and more. It’s an Honor to have him part of the Cast of Nation’s Fire and to top it all off, he is a Legitimate down to Earth True American Success Story. When we asked him about Nation’s Fire he said “It’s Gonna Knock You Out!”

RG: So here we are at Nation’s Fire filming with Chuck Liddell on the set in Burbank, California. Man, it’s great to have you here. What did you think about the movie and your part as Vito?

Chuck Liddell: Oh, it’s been fun. It’s another chance for me to get killed in a movie, so it was good working with everybody and I think it went well.

RG: So you’re playing a role with Krista Grotte and her husband in a pretty heavy-duty scene, and Krista’s been nailing it on this movie. How did you feel about working with Krista?

Chuck Liddell: Oh, it made it real easy. It always helps me when someone’s great across from me to make me look better. So I’m still a little bit new to this and getting more and more confident with it, but it always helps to have someone across from you delivering their lines and making it easy. She is very talented.

RG: Being on the set today, it’s a little different from in the ring. How have you adapted to getting into acting?

Chuck Liddell: Well, the way I’ve adapted, I think I take stuff from training for fights. It’s the same thing, you know. It takes practice. It takes work. It’s hard, and I practice at home. I take classes. I do work. I’ve been working on my craft, and I’m just hoping that each movie, I get better and better. I’m enjoying it.

RG: So being a warrior in the octagon brings you closer to being able to take care of business on the set because it is a lot of preparation?

Chuck Liddell: Yeah. It’s all the same stuff. You want to be really good at what you do. You got to practice. You got to work. No one gets there without hard work and dedication. So I try to put all that effort and things that I used to put into fighting into my acting roles and characters.

RG: Your acting career could go a long way with this. You could act forever, man. What are some actors who have inspired you?

Chuck Liddell: Well, I always like watching the big action things. I like guys like … well, I mean, the Rock’s a big one. He’s one of the biggest actors out there right now, came from WWE, and just a great guy and fun to watch in his movies. He’ll do anything, from the tooth fairy to being a tough guy, so I kind of want to model my career and to do something like that would be great. I want to be able to do funny stuff. I’m more of a comedian guy, a comedic movie guy anyway, so I like to do that. I’m open for anything.

RG: What about a couple of your favorite movies you like to watch or that have inspired you?

Chuck Liddell: Okay, movies that inspire me. Well, it’s pretty obvious, Gladiator was an awesome movie. I loved what that one—he’s fighting for his family and fighting for revenge. For Love of the Game is a great movie. I think, kind of going back over a guy’s career and trying to finish up on a high note is fun to watch. I like a lot of movies. I like it with a message, so movies like that, to me, stick out.

RG: I know you have younger children. How about those kids’ movies? We all have to watch them with our kids a lot, and there are some good ones out there, right?

Chuck Liddell: Oh, there are some great kids’ movies out there. I think The Croods is one of my favorites. I actually really liked The Smurfs movies, the first and the second one. The Smurfs movies were a surprise because I never liked the Smurfs when I was a kid, the actual show, but I liked those movies, they actually turned out being pretty good. They were entertaining for me. I like the movies that my kids really love but also have a little bit of the fun in it for parents. Those are the good movies to watch.

RG: You can’t have a movie without a writer, without a director, man. What do you think of this Thomas Churchill guy you got to work with today?

Chuck Liddell: Well, he’s made it easy to work with him. He really helped, gave me good advice on how to read the character, how he wanted it. He had a very good idea of what he wanted, which always helps let me know what he really wants to get out of me, and I think that helped.

RG: Man, I tell you what. Chuck Liddell, you look pretty awesome on camera, and it was really an honor to have you in this film. I can’t thank you enough, from the cast to the crew, and everybody coming in and just being such a great guy and a great team player for this. Any last words?

Chuck Liddell: I just wish everybody the best and hope this movie turns out great. I thought it was a great story, so it should be good, matter of fact it’s gonna knock you out!

Thank You Chuck it was my pleasure doing this interview with you and I can’t wait to see you as Vito in Nation’s Fire.

Ron Galletti