Who: Actor Marcus T. Smith

Bio: Smith is from Tempe. He is a senior studying linguistics and German. He is producer of The Charles Darwin Experience, a member of the UA men’s club volleyball team and a resident assistant in Coronado Residence Hall.

Wildcat: What inspires you?

Smith: Seeing people that never give up succeed, as well as being told that I can’t do something. This makes me work 10 times harder and usually pays off in a way that allows me to surpass my previous expectations.

W: Which actors inspire you?

S: Jamie Foxx – he can sing, play piano, and act. Don Cheadle – he’s just amazing.

W: What is your favorite show? Why?

S: “”Flavor of Love,”” because NewYork is ridiculous. She is the best girl in the house.

W: Give me one line of your favorite song.

S: “”Got my medulla oblongata electrified,”” from “”Slow Down”” by Alicia Keys.

W: When did you start acting?

S: Freshman year of college, when I enrolled in an acting 100 class.

W: Where do you want to be in 10 years?

S: I will be on Broadway in New York, having starred in at least five shows. I will have made at least two movies, I will have started up a multimillion-dollar clothing line, as well as another business. Can’t reveal that information. I will have released an album. Basically, I will be set for life and doing something I love to do.

W: Early bird or night owl?

S: Night owl. I can’t wake up for anything in the morning.

W: Do you have any fun food combinations?

S: Not really, although I love cornbread and milk and grits. They’re delicious.

W: What makes you unique as an actor?

S: I do not fit the mold of other actors, especially black actors, because I am 6(-foot-)5 and do musical theater. I am a triple threat as well. In addition, I believe that my singing voice is a very unique one that is special to me because I can sing R&B, gospel, opera, classical, jazz and musical theater. A lot of other actors – musical theatre actors – can’t do that.

W: What do you think about Tucson?

S: UA is a great place to be; but I don’t think that I could live here for the rest of my life. It’s a flat, wide city. I need congestion and skyscrapers. New York, here I come!

W: What is your life motto?

S: “”Success is the sweetest revenge.””