Hawk Younkins: Horror's Newest Bird of Prey by Owen Keehnen

Athlete turned reality-TV-guy turned actor Hawk Younkins has finally planted both feet firmly in the acting arena. The 6'4" 225 lb. Atlanta born mountain of muscle has crammed a lot into his 25 years - he was a pro wrestler, a guest on reality shows like Blind Date, Meet My Folks, Tough Enough 2, The 5th Wheel, etc. Now he's moving into the film world - some of his roles to date include 'A Devil's Tale' , 'Deadly Games' , 'Venom' , 'Dead Reckoning' , and Steve Oakley's upcoming 'Real Horror TV' . Hawk is about as determined as any young actor I've had the good fortune to meet as you'll soon discover in this exclusive www.racksandrazors.com interview.

 

  First off Hawk I guess we need to get a visual. Can you describe the room where you are answering these questions for the www.racksandrazors.com readers?

I am on my laptop out on the deck of my house in Florida. I am under cover, but it is pouring outside. I can see the ocean. Currently, my dog is licking my feet. You're a sick sick man Hawk.

I want to hear all about your work in the upcoming work in Steve Oakley's 'Real Horror TV'.

Real Horror TV is a somewhat comedic spin of all your favorite reality shows with lots of blood and gore. It's definitely a thriller. It won't play like a normal horror film. It has a Blair Witch-esque reality TV spin to it in every scene. I play Ace Wilson who is a typical Cali/Florida beach bum surfer. He is just in the house to score as much T&A as possible and get out with as much $$$ as possible. He is definitely in for quite a surprise when it comes to his housemates and several other "guests".

Speaking of real TV - that topic must hit a bit close to home. You have a lot of experience in reality TV -tell me about that.

I first cracked realty TV on the MTV show, Tough Enough 2. That is how I became a professional wrestler today. I also made appearances on Blind Date, The 5th Wheel, Meet My Folks and Next Action Star. With the exception of Tough Enough 2, I participated on those shows strictly for the intent of getting my name/face out there to as many people as possible and acted like a jackass/weirdo/goofball/crazy man the whole time so that I would be memorable. You won't see me on any reality shops again EVER unless it's The Ultimate Fighter. I am a serious actor and do not need any reality shows now for publicity.

Did that cement your hunger for the spotlight?

I was a child actor growing up and was Theatre Arts major / Television-Film Production Minor in college while playing football and ice hockey on scholarship. The reality TV basically legitimized my desire to be a "Professional" entertainer...geeeez that makes me sound like a stripper.

I also want to hear about your role in 'A Devil's Tale'.

I played a young man who gets sucked into the realm of Hell and comes back as a vicious demon (along with others) who goes on the warpath to kill everybody I see. That's was a lot of fun, but a lot of work

Do you see a lot more horror in your acting future?

I like to spread myself out amongst drama, action, comedy, (maybe a romantic comedy or two) but horror is definitely a unique genre of film that has survived the test of time and I would love to be a part of it in the future.

Do you think people who knew you as a kid are surprised by your current quest for stardom?

I don't think they are that surprised by the stardom as much as they are surprised by the path I chose. I had NFL and NHL written all over me as a kid.

So what exactly was the route you took from pro wrestler to actor?

Well, I all ready explained my background in film, theatre, etc, but I was kind of discovered at Fox Studios when they were casting for X-Men 2. I nailed the role, but lost it due to political nonsense because they were filming in Canada...bastard CANUCKS...I'm kidding...sort of!!!

Was acting always your ultimate goal?

Acting was always a "Reality" of mine growing up, but I never believed I would be doing what I am doing today when I was a child. Funny how life changes.

Okay - we're pulling in to the Hawk Younkins Drive In. What three scare flicks are they going to featuring on the triple bill and what goodies will they be serving up at the concession stand?

1) A montage of the best scenes from Freddy and Jason movies.

2) Halloween (you can't beat the original baby!)

3) A Richard Simmons video (because that will terrify the &#^% out of anyone Ok...hmmm "Aliens" because that was one terrifying movie. I was a kid when I first saw it and had nightmares for WEEKS! Food wise (Healthy food) ---none of that normal crap they serve...I'm sorry folks, but I am a pro athlete and a health freak so you need to suffer with me. Ok fat free ice cream, twizzlers, and popcorn are allowed

What does it for you horror wise -- vampires, zombies, werewolves, demons, aliens, creatures, witches, psychos, etc.?

Aliens, creatures, demons do it for me.... Michael Myers is the only psycho that does it for me...hmm wait, that sounded homoerotic...ummmm. Vampires and zombies and all need to take a rest.

What makes you go psycho in real life?

Traffic, Bills, Flaky people who over promise and under deliver. I go absolutely nuts...oh and protestors of any kind.... SHUT THE #*@&$ UP and go back to your job/school. Nobody cares and you're blocking the flow of traffic!

What scares you in real life?

I'm scared of bees, wasps, hornets.... I know that sounds pathetic, but I hate those bastards.... the bees make good honey though so they can stay.

Do you have any other upcoming projects you would like to tell the www.racksandrazors.com readers about?

Steve Oakley and I will be doing another horror project starting in July. Until then I will be filming a movie (A BIG MOVIE), but mum is the word on that for now.... I like surprises. Feel free to visit my website www.hawkamania.com or my space page www.myspace.com/hawkamania any time!