Do you think that you would like to do any more reality tv?
I actually am. I was picked up the day after the first episode to be the American in a group from people all over the world taking a 10 day hike and camp through the Grand Canyon and Natural Bridge. It will be showing on Sky TV around the world for the next 3 years. So that is some good exposure. I am also trying to pull a Rob and Amber and
sending an application into the Amazing Race at one my producers request. They think I have a good shot, and if it gets them good attention since that is what I was known from.
How did you learn about the show?
It was last May and I was at a strange point in my life where I had just dropped out of school do to financial reasons and was forced to sell everything I owned for food money, it wasn't a real happy time in my life. I took the first job available to me at a hotel called The Don CeSar as a cabana boy. After working there for about a month, one
of my fellow cabana boys mentioned to me "you know they are doing try outs for Gilligan's Island down at the Pier [St. Pete], you'r a goofy guy, you should do it!"
At the time it seemed like a backhanded compliment. However, later that night I found myself sitting in an empty house with nothing to do so I went downtown to check it out. While there I decided I would audition for Professor since I'm very analytical and a biology student. Come to find that the only person I was qualified for was Gilligan. So I during the interview I explained them my philosophies on Optimism and climbed a girder and swung around through the building, the rest as they say is history.
Why did you decide to do it?
Multiple reasons. I did it to win the money for my mom's sickness. I did it for the experience. I did it because it was actually an upgrade in my living conditions
Do you talk to any of the other cast a ways?
I keep in contact with all of them. I think I made more friends out there than anyone else, it's just my personality. The only one who doesn't return my calls is Shawn.
Was there anyone that you bonded with quickly?
Charlie and Andy. Charlie was like a father figure to me, he really is a great person, a little loud, but a heck of a guy. Andy and I share the most in common in real life. I was eager to meeting the professor since I've spent so long in the student role. He was my hunting buddy out there. Him and I were killing and eating anything we could catch. He's one of the nicest guys you could know. The show portrays us as rivals, but he was my best friend out there.
How long were you on the island?
My mind and heart are still there. Seriously, I'd love to live like that once I'm established in life.
How long did you have to get ready before you left for the island?
When I went in for the interview in May, somehow I knew I got the part. When they confirmed it on July 4th they wondered why I wasn't acting surprized. So I had months of training I was up to running 10 miles a night before the show.
Where exactly is the island?
They put us up in hotels in Cancun before the shoot, and then blind folded us and took us South from there. It was the same undisclosed location as where Dick Cheyney lives.
What was your favorite thing about doing the show?
Fishing and hunting. I was kinda bummed to see they had huts for us because I wanted to rough it. Any scene on the show where you don't see me means I was out fishing. I loved diving in the reef and spearing my dinner. If you went too deep over the edge, that was where the sharks were. Just awesome living that line between predator and
prey.
What was your least favorite thing about doing the show?
Leaving. Living out there was 100% preferable to my normal life at the time. Major separation anxiety. I still get all sentimental seeing it on TV.
Had you done any acting or been on any other shows before?
As a child I won on Legends of the Hidden Temple with the big talking rock. If you want to watch it, I have it in the random section of my website.
Beyond that I am somehow that guy that witnesses all kinds of news events and gives the reporters first hand accounts. I also had a part as a waiter on a TV show called The Spot.
What did the people you work with think about you going on the show?
My life is a lot more strange and random than most. Probably by my own design. No one was really shocked. I practiced my skills and taught myself how to make and weave rope from different plant leaves and bark while working the cabana hut.
What did your family think about you going on the show?
They kinda wondered what took me so long. Reality TV had been out for 5 years.
What were the Gingers like? Were they down to earth?
Angie wasn't down to earth. She was exactly the Hollywood model you'd expect, but she was so aggressive and feisty, that you couldn't help but admire her. I thought I'd try to go after her till she was taken off. Erika is down to Earth, she's an actress who almost seemed shy to a degree, she's the kinda girl you take home to meet the family.
Do you think that you would like to do any more reality tv?
I actually am. I was picked up the day after the first episode to be the American in a group from people all over the world taking a 10 day hike and camp through the Grand Canyon and Natural Bridge. It will be showing on Sky TV around the world for the next 3 years. So that is some good exposure. I am also trying to pull a Rob and Amber and sending an application into the Amazing Race at one my producers request. They think I have a good shot, and if it gets them good attention since that is what I was known from.
Who did you have the most in common with?
I would say different facets of a couple people. Spiritually like Tiy-E. Scientifically and analytically like Andy. Innocently like Mandy. And larger than life like Charlie.
I'd also like to ad a note about editing. Editing can make you look like you do things, or pulll out your extremes, but everyone is essentially how they are portrayed. Editing can't do anything to the essence of who you are.
Be sure to check out Zac's site!
