Best known for his role as David Cunningham in the hit movie Deadpool, Hugh Scott is a multi-talented actor with roles in hit TV shows Big Love, The Closer, NCIS and films Prom Night and Runner Runner. His career started in commercials working with notable brands like Pepsi, Volkswagen and Microsoft. Scott is also an accomplished voice-over actor and was the voice behind restaurant chain Del Taco. Scott is also an advocate for higher education and safety for at-risk youth lending his support to organizations like Hillsides charity organization. It’s a foundation that provides high quality care to young people in need so that they will thrive as contributing members of society. Not to be outdone by his current success, we are sure to see more of Hugh Scott in the future!RAINE: As a non-fan to the Deadpool franchise, how did you prepare for your role as the Worm?SCOTT: One of the things I love about acting is that every role is different, and every role requires a somewhat different approach. Not having been exposed to Deadpool very much outside of the Wolverine movie, getting cast as Worm gave me a chance to really dive into the material and do some research. I hesitate to call it research because it was really fun. I love the specific and hilarious comedic style, and I love how conflicted Wade Wilson is compared to other Marvel characters, so I became a fan instantly. My scenes with Ryan speak a lot about but what friendship means during a dark time in one’s life, so I really approached the scene work from that perspective.RAINE: There are plenty of movies in the superhero genre. What makes Deadpool different from similar movies?SCOTT: Deadpool doesn’t want to be a superhero. And he is definitely not cut from the same cloth as other superhero’s. He has a bent moral compass and he obviously has a pretty irreverent sense of humor. I know director Tim Miller and Ryan Reynolds worked very hard with the writers (Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick) to get the very specific tone of Deadpool right. Based on the fan response, I think it is safe to say they did an awesome job.

“In my view, experience is the best teacher for an actor.”

RAINE: As a kid you were in a near fatal car accident. How have you used that incident as a driving force in your life?SCOTT: When I was five, I was run over by a car and had to spend several months in the hospital. I had several injuries and had to learn to walk all over again. The first thing I remember about the accident is waking up in the hospital after an initial surgery, and the doctor telling me what a lucky person I was just to wake up. It’s an easy thing to forget as I movethrough my adult life, but I constantly remind myself of that doctor’s words. I believe that despite what happens, life is a gift and it is something I strive to take full ownership of.RAINE: How did you get your first big break as an actor?SCOTT: I view my character as consisting of lots of little breaks, rather than a single big break. I was scouted for commercials while I was in college and was able to earn my SAG card by working in commercials. Shortly after graduating, I booked a Guest Star role on CSI: NY and that role led to several more opportunities in hour long dramas. I also count gettingDeadpool as a big break! I’m pretty grateful for every opportunity I get to act, and I look forward to my next one.RAINE: Aside from acting you also do voice-over work. What was it like being the voice behind the food chain Del-Taco?SCOTT: Working for Del Taco was a great gig. They are based here in southern California and definitely a part of the local culture. The job included internet, On-Camera TV commercials and Voice-Over. Voice-Over work is very competitive and is a highly technical type of performance, but I really love doing it. I was thrilled to be part of that campaign.RAINE: What are some of the other projects that you are working on in 2016?SCOTT: I can’t talk too much about it, but I just shot a small but very dramatic role in the Suicide Squad reshoots. Working with David Ayer was a dream come true. I’ve been a fan of his since he wrote Training Day and I’ve enjoyed his rise as one of the best directors of the day.RAINE: How do you maintain a balance between your work and life?SCOTT: Being an actor is definitely a roller coaster ride. I am constantly in and out of work and I never know where my next opportunity is going to come from. For me, the challenge remains to stay self-disciplined and focused so that I am ready to go to work when the phone rings. My girlfriend is also a working actor and we support each other and help each other with auditions and in preparing for jobs.RAINE: Words of wisdom for other aspiring actors?SCOTT: Acting is such an intangible thing that it makes it hard to give advice about. Something I really believe about acting is that you learn by doing it. You can read a book about acting, or listen to a lecture or even watch a Robert DeNiro movie marathon and you’ll definitely learn something. But in my view, experience is the best teacher for an actor. Just like you can’tlearn to swim on dry land—you can’t really learn to act by thinking about it or talking about it. My (very humble) advice to any aspiring actor is to find and create opportunities to act. Even the smallest opportunities offer the same experience of immersing yourself and being present in the context of a dramatic scene.