Housewife in Hollywood - housewifeinhollywood.com

I’ve wanted to be a pirate since my first ride on Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland.  Okay maybe I’d rather pretend to be one, without the dangers of walking the plank, or having my throat slit by the undead looking for a cursed coin of gold.

 

Maxie Santillan is an actor with the good fortune of playing a pirate in the movie version of Disney’s beloved ride. Maxie is not only a character actor with a lot of moxie, he’s also a great guy. He works with various charities like Make a Wish Foundation, CODA, CHOC and anything to do with autism.

I wanted to find out more about this spirited actor, now you can to. Here’s my conversation with Maxie Santillan, Jr.

 

HIH:   I read that you were a roofer for 30 years before you started your acting career. Was it difficult learning about the industry or did on the job training in film/TV come easy for you?
 
Maxie:   Actually on the job training was easy and came to me easy. As many people before me said the world is a stage. We all act in almost every aspects of our lives. When meeting that certain boy or girl for the first time, at business meetings with that person you really can’t stand, but you have a smile on your face anyway. In some way or another, we are all actors. The difference is doing it on cue with the direction of others guiding the scene, acting comes real easy for me. It’s just doing it.
  
HIH:   You grew up in Burbank and went to school with celebrities such as Manuel Padilla, Jr., Ronnie Howard, Clint Howard, and Randy Rhoads to name a few. Did you have a desire to act when you were in school?
 
Maxie:   Of course I wanted to be an actor. Growing up in Burbank, Hollywood, it’s all around you. I’d go to the park and see Ron Howard playing basketball. Manuel Padilla Jr. and myself dating the same girl. Seeing  Randy Rhodes playing guitar in back yard parties. It was all cool and normal. When your around famous people it’s hard not to say you wouldn’t want to be apart of it, especially when you know you can do it. 
  
HIH:   Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, was your first credit playing one of the undead. What was the environment like while filming? Any pirate stories you can share with us?
 
Maxie:   It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. It was very upbeat and a family orientated atmosphere. We had the run of the island and on off days we would just go hotel hopping. We worked six days a week and on the seventh day, production would have some kind of party or event happening. All the stars were very approachable and friendly. We would play Frisbee and football with Kiera, party with Geoffery, talk and take pictures with Johnny and Orlando, it was a very fun and relaxed atmosphere through out the whole shoot. We were in the Caribbean for six weeks, where I got to meet Jimmy Buffet also. 
 
HIH:   Do you have any recommendations for people out there who want to break into acting?
 
Maxie:  Don’t let anyone say you can’t. Just do it. It won’t come to you, you have to go out and get it. Which means talking to other actors on the set getting other info which helped them. It may not necessarily work for you, but you still have the info to try. Just do it, that’s all I can say, do it. 
 
HIH:   You made headlines with Paris Hilton as her Yogi. The paparazzi, internet, and news media were in a flurry over you being her Shaman. Tell us about that adventure. 
Maxie:   First of all, all I can say is I got to live it for at least one night in my life. It was a bit overwhelming, I don’t think I could live that lifestyle. Paris Hilton was great. I have nothing but respect for her. She made me feel real relaxed right from the get go. We had a lot of fun. The paparazzi are out of hand and at times out right dangerous. Then to have a chance to show the lies that the paparazzi and tabloids are printing was great. It will definitely be something I’ll remember for a long long time. 
 
HIH:   You played an undead pirate alongside one of the best character actors, Johnny Depp, in Pirates of the Caribbean. Did you have a chance to talk with Mr. Depp on the set?
 
Maxie:  On the cave set, on the Disney studio in Burbank, getting ready to shoot a scene with Johnny. He’s standing about three feet away from me. I see a little girl behind the cameras. I ask Johnny is that your daughter? He smiles and says yeah that’s my baby. I asked how old she was, he said four. I told him my four year old was turning 22. He laughed. I said you have preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, then you realize hell I’m getting old! He laughed. After that every time he’d see me, whether on the set or at one of the production parties, he always asked how was the family. On the last day of shooting in the Caribbean, we were waiting for boats to take us back to shore, when Johnny’s boat came by, Johnny says hey Maxie, do you know my assistant Buck? I said yes, he said I got something for you brother, I got something for you, and his boat headed for shore. When I got to shore I found Buck, who gave me a photo of Johnny in costume as Captain Jack Sparrow, that he signed for me. It said For fellow pirate Maxie and family, with respect, Captain Jack Sparrow, Johnny Depp. That’s a cool Johnny story. 
 
HIH:   You’ve worked on the following shows, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and My Name is Earl. What are the differences you’ve experienced when working for television compared to film?
 
Maxie:   When doing a film, even though you may have a small part or a large part, its considered your film. When doing television, your a guest on somebody else’s set, and you feel like a guest, not a family member. 
 
HIH:   Were you a Spongebob fan before you played Gummy the Pirate in Spongebob Squarepants The Movie?
 
Maxie:  To be honest, no. I could not understand the appeal of Spongebob. Now that I’ve done this film I’m still not a fan but I love all the kids that do. And if I could make a kid happy being Gummy, then I’m Gummy. 
 
HIH:   What’s up next for you? When and where can we see you on the big or small screen again?
 
Maxie:  This fall I’m doing a guest appearance on Frank TV for TBS, Its a sketch comedy show with Frank Caliendo. I also have several films that will hopefully be seen this year. One of which I’m especially proud of because I got a starring credit, is Mutant Vampire Zombies from the Hood. Also coming out will be Hyenas, Life is Hot in Cracktown, American High School, and Foodstamps. Hopefully more auditions and TV shows to come. 
 
HIH:   I noticed on your MySpace page that you like The Beatles. What’s one of your favorite Beatles tunes?
 
Maxie:  Actually, I don’t think the Beatles recorded a song I didn’t like. I’m a real John Lennon fan but I love the balance of Lennon/McCartney. To me the greatest song EVER written was Imagine by John Lennon. The Beatles changed the world and my life.