We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Troy D. Williams. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Troy below.
Troy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
As I am nearing a decade in this industry, I’ve become very selective of the projects I choose to do. In the very beginning of my career, I auditioned for everything because I was so excited to be pursuing my dream. However, in this craft, once you begin to make a name for yourself, you have to ensure you are putting your best foot forward with quality projects. If a project is not meaninful to me, it is extremely difficult for me to really get into the role. I’ve done some very meaningful projects that have reached many people, and that is what I will continue to do. My last project feature film “The Book False Prophet”, (Written and Produced by Betty Humphrey Breeden, and Directed by Kenneithia Mitchell) was very meaningful. I played the lead role of Pastor Jack. This was a character that I was really able to get into. I really needed to understand the mindset of this character to tell his truths. He was such a diverse, complex character, that preparing for the role took me on an amazing journey. This film was about a pastor who began making really bad decisions and spiraling down the wrong path. My objective was to get an understanding of why he was doing what he was doing. The internal battle was real.
This film would go on to win a total of 9 awards throughout various film festivals around the world (5 Best Feature Film/ 2 Best Actor/ Best Actress/ Best Supporting Actor). We also experienced the greatest accomplishment of landing a distribution deal. In addition to the awards and accolades, I cannot tell you how many people expressed to me just how much this film impacted them. We received everything from “this film made me self-reflect”, “I really connected with this film”, “this film made me want to pursue my own walk in Christ”, “this film made me cry”, and the list goes on. As a true storyteller these are the things that keep me going. Not many people truly understand what us actors go through to put on these performances and bring these characters to life. It is only through meaningful projects that I feel I can truly reach people.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Williams began his career in the entertainment industry doing runway modeling in 2005. He modeled for F.A C.E.S. Modeling Troupe and Set it Off Productions. It was during his time in F.A.C.E.S. where he would meet his beautiful wife Candace Curry-Williams. After experiencing great success in the modeling industry, Troy walked away from modeling officially in 2008. He then decided to fall back on his degree (UCF- Bachelor of Science in Business Management 2007) and began his career in Corporate America. From 2010-2012 Williams would also have a short stint in Semi-Professional football where he played two seasons with the Orlando Rage. Troy had great aspirations to make it to the pro level, but he would never achieve this goal. However, his career would end on a high note, the Rage would go on to win a championship in 2012. With his football career behind him, he was looking for something to give him that same adrenaline rush that sports had given him for so much of his life. Williams officially made his acting debut in film, in 2015. He is most known for his lead role in feature film ‘The Book False Prophet’ (2021), TV Series Fatal Attraction (Murder in Midtown 2020) on TV One, and for his lead role in feature film ‘The Watchman’s Edict’ (now titled Doomsday Clock) (2017) — available on Amazon Prime, Tubi. Troy won Best Actor in 2019 at the Southeast Regional Film Festival, he would also go on to win 2 Best Actor awards for his portrayal of Pastor Jack in ‘The Book False Prophet’. In 2020 he launched his production company, Thoroughbred Films LLC, and began producing content. Thoroughbred Films LLC has produced a short film “A Positive Outcome’ (co-produced with Maria LaVee), ‘Relentless: The Watchman’s Edict Documentary’ (co-produced with Leslie Gray Photography), ‘The Book False Prophet’ (co-produced with Destined 4 Greatness Productions LLC), talk show ‘Limelight Conversations’ (co-produced with C.A.S.II Films & Leslie Gray Photography), and is set to produce a feature film in 2024.
https://linktr.ee/
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is having the ability to reach and connect with people through storytelling. I cannot tell you how rewarding it is to put everything you have in a performance, and then have people connect with your character(s). It makes all the hard work in pre-production worth it. Through storytelling, we have the power to change lives, we have the power to give people hope when they are feeling hopeless. I take this craft very seriously, it’s more than just a hobby to me. As creatives, we have a responsibility to do the work to ensure we are telling stories the right way. When you tell a story the right way, you can impact millions of people.
Another cool aspect of being a creative is you become a more well-rounded person in every day life. I’ve had the opportunity to play so many different characters that were nothing like me in real life. I love this so much because I’ve later met people in life that were just like some of the characters I played, and I was able to understand them much better. Acting helps you become a better communicator.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
You must always have a goal and/or a mission to accomplish anything in life. When I first began my acting career, I was doing it to find my purpose in life. I wanted to find something I could be great in. Once I found sheer joy in acting, I thought I had found my purpose. But a few years into the craft, my mission began to change as I realized my purpose was far bigger than just me. Through acting I’ve been able to inspire people, especially the youth. Once I realized how much I could inspire people through my craft, my purpose became much clearer. I want to show my own kids, and kids around the world that you can accomplish great things through hard work, dedication, and passion. No matter where you come from, no matter how much you have to overcome, you can make something great of yourself. I’ve been able to go around and speak to kids about the importance of being a dreamer and never losing sight of their dreams. I’ve been able to get the message across that the arts can be just as cool as sports if you work hard at it.
I can’t tell you how many youth have reached out to me to learn more about the craft. Whether it be how to get started in the craft, what to expect, how to excel in this craft, etc. I’m grateful to be that person who can give them great insight based on my experiences. I didn’t have anyone I could reach out to in the beginning of my journey, so I had to figure everything out as I went. It’s a blessing to be a resource.
Somewhere along the journey I realized that this is God’s plan. He is using me through this craft to inspire others. Many people may not understand this, but I’ve been called to do something great. Never in a million years would I had ever thought I’d be an actor in this lifetime. Especially being a kid who’s greatest fear in life was public speaking. But my story is a testimony that exemplifies the value of the old saying “keep on living, God isn’t through with me yet”.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/troydwilliams
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troydwilliams/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/troydwilliams941
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/troywilliams941?t=fkQvVqr7qci49ixj7O_90w&s=09
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC–SUonw-879RTmTwI_NRtg
- Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm7788142/
Image Credits
Leslie Gray Photography Michae Allen Ron Bowjack