We are excited to present to our readers of this online publication an interview with an amazing young man who has decided to pursue his passion and dreams of becoming an actor. What makes his story so compelling is his tenacious attitude of not giving up on his dreams and his willingness to give it his all so that he will make it in the entertainment industry. We also admire the fact that Clayton Cannon has decided to step out on faith and take some big and bold chances with his career.
We know with his drive and determination Clayton Cannon is on his way of becoming a household name. Here is his story in this super cool feature with Junior’s Cave Golden Isles Online Magazine. Enjoy!
Isaac: Clayton, we are excited about the fact you have decided to do an interview with our Internet publication. One of our goals for this publication is to feature the hottest & newest stars in the Indie Culture. We feel that you are one of those up and coming stars who fits this description. You were born in Fayettville, North Carolina mainly because your father was stationed there in the army. What can you tell us about your fondest memories growing up in North Carolina?
Clayton: I cannot say I have any memories of North Carolina. My dad got out of the army two months after I was born and moved us all to Houston, Texas. My fondest memory is of Manvel, Texas. It had one stop light (if you blinked you missed it). We had a brick house with a half acre yard which seemed enormous at the time. My family used to bread Doberman Pinschers. We had thirteen dogs at one time. I remember running through the yard getting tackled by doberman puppies.
Isaac: Awesome memories!!
Isaac: You have an interesting ethnic background which includes your father who is of Scottish and Native American (Cherokee) descent and your mother who is of Puerto Rican descent. Elaborate on how growing up under those wonderful cultures shaped you to be the man you are today?
Clayton: I take great pride in my heritage. My grandmother on my mom's side was a professional singer and dancer. That is probably were my passion for Latin music and dance comes from, but having said that to this day my mom still gets on my back about me learning Spanish. Both my brother and sister speak fluent Spanish. The funniest thing is my dad speaks better Spanish than all of us.
Isaac: You have always been active into sports even at a younger age. How important to you are sports & fitness?
Clayton: My parents gave me the opportunity to try everything and see what I took to. As soon as I could walk, I was involved in everything from acrobatics to soccer. Even to this day I still do gymnastics weekly, workout, and compete in Brazilian jujitsu.
Isaac: That’s amazing. :-)
Clayton Cannon
Photo courtesy of Clayton Cannon
Isaac: When I was reading about your background online, I found interesting that you started boxing at the age of 9. You were rewarded the win of the “Houston Texas National Golden Gloves” tournament by the age of 14. Your father decided that he wanted you to pursue something else to help you with your boxing. Elaborate on what this something was and how did this help you with your boxing and discovering a new passion; acting.
Clayton: My dad was always involved in everything I participated in. I still remember it, he came to me and said “I think you should try ballet” he gave us the example of Baryshnikov and said that they were the greatest athletes in the world. They had amazing coordination and balance and great explosive power. At first I was like “Dad, I like sports! There is no way your going to get my in a pair of tights!” I ended up taking a class at a small studio for 6 months. From there, I auditioned for the Houston Ballet and ended up staying there on scholarship for 2 years under Camille Swayze. At such a young age, I got to perform at the Houston Grand Ole Opry (Wortham). I performed in Aida, Manon, and the famous Nutcracker. In all truth, that is were the stage bug bit me.
Isaac: What made you decide to join the US Marine Corp at the age of 19 and what did you took from your experience serving in the US Marine Corp?
Clayton: The God's honest truth is that, I got my girlfriend at the time pregnant. We were both so young and did not know what to do. My dad stepped in and said “Son you are going to do her right! You are going to marry her and join the Marine Corp.” So that is what I did. I ended up in an infantry unit based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. I did not know it then but those four years turned out to be, not only the toughest year of my life but also the best. I made life long friends and experiences that no one can ever take away from me. I learned from my service in the marines that there is literally nothing you cannot do, if you put your mind to it!
Isaac: After the US Marine Corp, you went on to study at the University of Houston. During that time, you mainly studied Theater. Was this the time when you got the “acting bug”? What drew you to want to become an actor?
Clayton: I can remember putting on a “performance” with my young brother and sister in our living room. We would break out the karaoke machine, sing songs, and dance for my parents. So I knew that I liked to perform. When I got out of the marines, I knew I wanted to go to college. Hell, they were going to pay for it and I was going to do something I really enjoyed. I jumped right into the play the university was putting on. I felt right at home being on stage...it was a rush that was unexplainable. As an actor, I got to delve into so many different characters and be who ever I wanted to be.
Clayton Cannon
Photo courtesy of Clayton Cannon
Isaac: List some of your earlier works that you did as an actor to get your start into the entertainment industry.
Clayton: Early in my career when I was still in Houston I did a few regional commercials and independent films. After making the jump to L.A., …things got really slow on the acting front. I was blessed enough to be getting steady print work and a lot of fitness magazines. But no acting work! Then I got approached to do some HBO (Cinemax) type programs; which I knew nothing about. So I asked my agent at the time if I should do that type of show. He said “why not, cannot hurt, even David Duchovny started there. I worked on a Cinemax show for the first time...and kept getting asked back. I got kinda stuck in a rut in regards to that genre. With nothing else going on, it seemed foolish (at the time) to turn down work, what ever it may be. I quit cold turkey on that kinda show. As far as the last few years, I have booked a couple national commercials, series regular on a TV show, and currently have a lead in a music video on MTV.
Isaac: What are you hoping to achieve with your acting and what do you feel it will take to get you to the next point in your acting?
Clayton: At this point in my life, acting is my life. It is what I want to do for a living...it is what makes me happy. I do not have any delusions of grandeur or wanting to be a huge movie star (although that would be nice). I just want to be a working actor...show up on set every day and to be able to live out my passion.
Isaac: How important is it for you to get your name out their in Hollywood and why?
Clayton: It is very important to get your name out there in Hollywood. It is what matters most. I was raised to be humble and let your actions speak for you. At this point in my career and in my life, it seems being humbles leads to you being over looked. You have to stand up and scream “Here I am …look at me!”.
Isaac: THAT is the truth!! :-)
Isaac: Let us talk about your move to Los Angles. What has living in Los Angles mean to you and your career? Are you making the connections that you need to be successful in your opinion?
Clayton: Not in any way shape or form. I am not making any useful connections. California is tough and you have to be tough back. Everyone has a scam or a promise. Your only option is to keep moving forward and never give up and Lord willing your time or connection will come.
Isaac: You are also a personal trainer. What aspects of being a personal trainer do you love?
Clayton: I was a personal trainer for years. It was a cool feeling to motivate someone to accomplish their best physical self.
Isaac: You have also been a male model in the past. How did modeling pave the wave for you and your endeavors/goals?
Clayton: Modeling was never a goal of mine. I always considered myself funny looking. The first time someone approached me about modeling... I looked around behind me; I was like you cannot be talking to me. Modeling is fun, and I enjoy it. To have someone take pictures of you and tell you how good you look, that is cool. But with that being said, to this point, it has not really paved the way to an acting career.
Isaac: Ultimately, where do you see yourself and your plans to become a successful actor in Hollywood?
Clayton: I have been living in LA for 8 years now. And over that time I have learnt to take things in stride. There is a feeling out process with this city, and you cannot take anything personal. You have to be grateful for, and try to absorb the positive things you got going on. Let all the negative stuff roll right off your back. I am a stubborn guy; I am not going anywhere. I am going to make this happen....I might be Morgan Freeman’s age when it does happen, but I plan to go for the gold star!
Isaac: Final thoughts…..
Clayton: You have got to keep pushing towards your goals or those things that make you happy. I wake up everyday and try and remind myself to just enjoy the journey.
