An Interview with Terry Schappert
Terry Schappert is a problem solver. As a former Green Beret, sniper and medic, he can take you apart and then put you back together. He has hosted numerous shows showcasing his skills, including Warriors on the History Channel, Dude, You’re Screwed and a Shark Week special on Discovery Channel.
On his new show Hollywood Weapons on the Outdoor Channel, Schappert, along with Larry Zanoff, the leading professional armorer of the movie industry, put some of Hollywood’s most memorable action scenes to the test. Premiering tonight at 9 p.m., the show dissects and recreates scenes from Criminal Minds, Jaws, Die Hard, Rambo, Star Trek, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, among others.
Wondering what to watch on TV on Monday nights? Problem solved.
This interview originally appeared in the Monday, April 3 edition of the daily Bright email. Sign up at GetBrightEmail.com.
What’s your morning routine?
You’d be surprised by how I don’t have the same routine every day, especially as a former Army guy. The one consistent thing I have to do every day is walk my dog Rooney — wherever we are. Trust me, there are days I don’t feel like getting out of bed, but having him with me guarantees I get my butt in gear.
After, I usually grab coffee and do something physical. Swim in the ocean, train martial arts, or lift weights. I do at least something physical every day, but the timing depends. Other than that, there are days I don’t do anything else and lie on my ass and watch old movies or read a book.
What book, movie or TV show did you last recommend to a friend?
A book called Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan. Something about the way he writes on growing up, his family, his loves and failures and successes — all while intertwined with surfing, makes one hell of a book. It actually got me to finally go out and surf — even at my old age!
A good TV show is Penny Dreadful on Showtime. It’s really atmospheric and creepy. I saw the first two seasons and it was good stuff — sexy, violent, visual, literary — all in the right dose!
Movie — Night of the Hunter. Robert Mitchum was one hell of an actor. He is so damn threatening and dangerous in this movie. There’s a weird dream/nightmare vibe throughout that really stays with you when it’s over.
Don’t watch Hollywood Weapons. The host is annoying…. Just kidding — you BETTER watch it!
What’s the last picture you took on your phone?
One on the beach with Rooney, my dog. Still haven’t mastered the idea of always having my phone with me. I never take many pictures, and looking back, I often wish I had. But, I’m also not that idiot always taking pictures in the middle of the fun. That dude is annoying as hell, and we all know him.
What’s your favorite piece of art in your home?
I have a lot of really great things I’m lucky to have. I would say probably the handmade spear that the Zulus made for me when I filmed Warriors. They blessed them specifically for me. It’s lethal art. I also have a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien’s map of Middle Earth. Reading Lord of the Rings was formative for what I’ve done with my life. I became what I became in no small part because of that book.
Finally on the art thing — I have some paintings, drawings, and sculptures from my brother. All of them special. Trust me, that guy got all the talent in the family….
If you could, what is one thing you would go back and tell yourself early in your career/life?
I would go back and tell myself that it’s ok to fail. I’ve learned it and understood it, but when you’re younger you don’t realize that it’s ok to fall on your ass. In a way, though, it was probably better that I WAS afraid of failing. It drove me to push through pain, uncertainty, and weakness. I was afraid of looking weak; of letting the team down. I guess that’s probably not a bad thing.
Watch a preview of Hollywood Weapons here:
