We’re looking forward to introducing you to Brent Huff. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Brent, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I have always walked down a very focused path. Maybe it’s because I have ADHD but I am always focused on a singular plan for the day from the minute I wake up. Right now I am just finishing my first book, which is titled, My Playbook for Life. It is a self-improvement book that I believe can help people find fulfillment, purpose, dedication and meaning in life.
I am always looking to gain knowledge and I continue to study why some succeed and some do not. Who wants an average life? Not me. I don’t have all the answers for sure, but I’ve uncovered nuggets of wisdom that will help anyone who wants to change their lives for the better.
My book is a little different because I use skills that I have honed as an actor. These skills will definitely help you as far as creativity, discipline, agency and self-confidence. Aren’t we are all really ‘actors’ every time we walk out of the house? Who are we going to be today? Is today going to be our masterpiece? What if we all walked out of the house and said to ourselves, “I was meant to win!”
Don’t just fake it until you make it. Fake it until you become it!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a working actor, director and writer living in Los Angeles. I arrived here right after college so I have basically been in the film and television business my entire life. Even after all these years I have never lost my drive to create and storytell either in front of behind the camera. I love what I do.
I have appeared in numerous films and television shows. I have also written and directed several movies, including both scripted and documentaries. I am just beginning my eighth year playing the role of Smitty in the ABC show, The Rookie.
My latest documentary Creating Giants is about to hit the film festival circuit. Creating Giants is an expose’ about Harvard University and how they have mistreated and fired some of their top professors.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
All the way back in elementary school I remember when the principle of the school brought my parents in to discuss how I was doing in school. He told me and my parents that something was seriously wrong with me and that I was a slow learner.
He also said I didn’t show any interest in school and I couldn’t sit still. Although this was true, I was crushed and embarrassed. This was before kids were diagnosed with ADHD or dyslexia. I had both. So early on I thought I wasn’t as smart as the rest of the kids.
It wasn’t until I was much older that I realized I simply wasn’t interesed in the subjects at school and that was why I was unfocused. Now I know ADHD is my superpower. When I find something that I am interested in, I stay razor focus and I finish. I have never started a screenplay or film project that I did not finished. Ever. I am definitely a right brain thinker. I can live with that.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In high school I was a jock. I was on the track team and was the co-captain of the basketball team. I desperately wanted to play basketball at a D-1 school but I didn’t get any scholarship offers. Zero. I practiced morning, noon and night to improve my game. Playing basketball in college was my dream, and I was not going to be denied. I wrote Norm Stewart, the legendary head basketball coach at the University of Missouri and asked for a try out. To my surprise he let me try out and I actually made the team. A dream come true! Something I had worked really hard for.
Before the regular season started Mizzou had what was called the ‘Black and Gold’ inter-squad game. Before the game the staff gave me a XXL size jersey. It swallowed me. It looked ridiculous. Comical. I was so embarrassed in front of my friends and family. To make matters worse and scored a whooping 2 points.
I didn’t sleep all night and the night day I walked into coach Stewart’s office and quit. I quit not only a coach who took a chance on me, I quit on the the team and most importantly, I quit on myself. I was a huge mistake. I mistake I will never forget.
After that I told myself I would never ever quit on anything or anybody ever again.
In Hollywood, you have many ups and downs, but I have never thought about quitting. It’s just not going to happen.
You get confidence for doing the hard stuff and watching yourself not quit. The road to success and failure is the same. It’s just that the exit for failure is one stop earlier.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
I am a Christ follower. There are a lot of people who agree with me and my faith, but there is also a lot
of folks who absolutely don’t. I don’t force my Christian views down anyones throat but if someone asks, yes I believe in God.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would stop going to raves and night clubs three nights a week. Kidding. I really don’t know what I would stop doing if I only had 10 years left. I’ve already tried to get rid of most of my bad habits.
A better question for me is if I only had 10 years left, what would I start doing? There are so many things on my bucket list and so litle time. My to-do list will still be full on the day I check out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brenthuff.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brenthuff11/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-huff-4136698/
- Twitter: @brenthuff11
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brent.huff.9
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@brenthuff11
- Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brenthuff11
Threads: @brenthuff11
Image Credits
Profile photo: Tandem Photography
8 extra photos;
1: Jon Snow
2: LaLa Land
3: Derek Mayes
4: Ulricka Vingsbo-Dennis
8: Michael Chaney
