When most students are asked the question, “What do you want to do in life?” they often respond with uncertainty, unsure of what career they want to pursue for the rest of their lives. Actor, writer and producer William Catlett, a 2001 graduate of T.C. Williams High School, visited Minnie Howard to share his personal journey toward answering that question. His goal was to provide guidance and encouragement to students who may still be unsure about their future paths.
Catlett is an acclaimed actor and producer best known for his work in films and television shows such as “The Mentalist,” “Brothers in Atlanta” and the upcoming series “Crystal Lake,” which serves as a prequel to the slasher franchise “Friday the 13th.” He also appeared in the Netflix comedy-thriller series “True Story,” which starred Kevin Hart and Wesley Snipes.
During the event, Catlett shared the story of how and when he decided to pursue a career in acting. Students in attendance also had the opportunity to ask questions about his career, experiences and creative process as an actor.
As a child, Catlett said he did not know what he wanted to pursue in life. Before discovering acting, he played basketball and had not yet identified a clear career goal. One specific experience, however, triggered his passion for acting. Catlett retold a story of how one day, he bought 50 Cent’s G-Unit sneakers at a Foot Locker, where he met a cashier who stood out to him because of his noticeably white teeth. Curious, Catlett asked the cashier what he did for a living, and the cashier replied that he was an actor. That interaction eventually led Catlett to attend acting classes, which further ignited his interest and set him on his career path.
“The grace to act is really my dad’s gift,” Catlett said. Catlett explained that his father had also wanted to pursue a career in acting at a young age, which helped him gain early support from his parents. However, he said that a few years later, conflict arose regarding his career choices. While working as a waiter in Los Angeles, Catlett felt that acting was “within his spirit” and decided to quit his job to focus fully on acting. He chose not to tell his parents at the time.
“I didn’t want others to kill my dream by demotivating me,” Catlett said. “Nobody’s going to go after your dream like you,” Catlett said. When asked about self-doubt, he explained that instead of allowing doubt to stop him, he committed to trusting his path. “Along the path, there will come doubts,” he said. “Pushing through those doubts and overcoming them is what’s key.”
Catlett also shared strategies he uses to build confidence and deflect negativity. One phrase he often uses with his children is “Who’s the greatest?” to encourage self-belief. He also said he repeats affirmations such as “I’m a movie star” to himself daily as a reminder of how far he has come. “It’s up to you to keep your dream alive,” Catlett said.
He also discussed how being around more successful actors can feel intimidating. “When you’re around these people, you can shrink yourself knowing these people have done more than you,” Catlett said. He explained that overcoming” those feelings is necessary to grow in the industry. Catlett said he first felt truly recognized in his career when prominent actors acknowledged his work and expressed appreciation for his talent.
When asked whether he had any regrets, Catlett said he does not dwell on the past. “I don’t feel regret as there’s no point in dwelling on the past,” he said. “If I were to speak to myself about anything, I would rather absorb the information being passed.”
Catlett also spoke about managing the busy schedule that often comes with acting. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing. “You can’t do everything at the same time,” he said. He added that he divides his schedule into time blocks and allows himself breaks to stay motivated and avoid burnout.
Students were surprised by an unexpected appearance from actor Kamil McFadden, who is best known for his role as “Ernie Cooper” on Disney Channel’s K.C. Undercover. McFadden shared insight into his experience on the show and explained how he related to his character, noting that both worked hard to achieve their dreams.
Catlett emphasized that every role he plays represents a piece of himself. He said he often chooses roles based on personal connections he finds within scripts and whether elements of the character reflect his own life experiences. “It’s mostly figuring out who the character is,” Catlett said when discussing his approach to acting.
Along with acting advice, Catlett also shared general life advice. He explained that friendships change as people grow older. “Every friend that you have now is not meant to continue on the journey,” he said, adding that while some friendships last, others do not.
Catlett also mentioned that one of his biggest inspirations was his high school teacher Michael Diggins. Diggins, recently retired, was in attendance and beamed with pride as he listened to how Catlett described the difference he made in his life while in high school.
After the event, senior Zeanise Grandberry shared her thoughts on Catlett’s visit. “I feel like this motivated me a lot,” Grandberry said. “Not really in the acting area, because that’s not what I want to pursue, but just hearing about his trials and tribulations helped me realize who I am and what I need to focus on.”
Although Catlett focused largely on acting throughout his talk, he concluded by offering advice to students who have not yet found their path. “When you’re in class and you’re daydreaming and you don’t want to be there,” Catlett said, “what do you dream about?”
