Today I am putting a twist on our Smarty Mom feature and bringing you a Smarty Dad and not just any Smarty Dad. This dad stars in the hit series, Riverdale. Based on characters from the Archie Comics, Riverdale is set in the present day to depict Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and their friends living in the small town of Riverdale.
Photo Credit: Not So Clark Portraits
I first met Skeet in 1998, we were in a wedding together. His brother was marrying one of my dearest friends. At that point in his career he was well known for his leading role in the movie, Scream (1996) as Billy Loomis, the killer. (Those masks are still all over my neighborhood on Halloween!) As a girl that loves to curl up with a good book in the evening, I’d found myself a little behind on the Riverdale following. Thanks to Netflix I got hooked just after watching a few episodes and as of last week, thanks to my CW app, I am up to date. Y’all, I love this show and all it’s characters and the actors that portray them. If you haven’t caught an episode yet, give it a try, you’ll be impressed by the diverse and talented cast. Wednesday nights 8:00 PM on the CW.
I’m happy to introduce you to Skeet Ulrich today.
Skeet plays FP Jones, an alcoholic and dead beat father to Jughead Jones, played by Cole Sprouse. (Y’all remember him from The Suite Life, right?)
Skeet could not be further from his Riverdale character when it comes to being a father. He is one Smarty Dad that has found balance being a single dad raising twin teenagers and meeting the demands of his career that is not so typical.
Name: Skeet Ulrich
Children: Naiia and Jakob (twins who will turn 17 in March)
Originally from: Concord, N.C.
Currently lives: L.A.
When did you know you wanted to be an actor?
I knew acting was what I wanted to do when I was a freshman at UNCW. I was building sets and decided to leave after just three semesters. I left school and went to New York City where I began studying voice and acting at New York University.
Was your family supportive of your decision to leave school and chase this dream?
Not at all! The only one that supported me and believed in me was my step father, Ed.
What do you prefer, movie roles or tv?
Movie roles for sure. When doing a movie there is more time to get it right, to develop the character.
Right now you’ve got Riverdale going on, tell us about a typical day in your life right now.
The show is shot in Canada and I live in LA with my kids. I am a single dad and I’m pretty fortunate that my kids are really good kids. I’m generally in Canada shooting 3-4 days a week and the days aren’t always back to back. When I am working, a typical day starts with hair and make up then rehearsal to shooting from 4 to 15 hours, it just depends.
Do you have a nanny to help with the kids while you are gone?
No nanny, like I said, Naiia and Jakob are good kids. They cook and do laundry and are pretty responsible human beings. I only had a nanny twice for them and that was for 9 months during Jericho and 6 months for Law and Order LA. Naiia actually recently graduated early from high school. She wants to get into acting and I support her but want her to get solid training before hand. Jakob is still in high school, taking the more traditional route. He is into cars, engineering and photography. Pretty much typical teen boy things.
What do y’all like to do when you’re not working and you have time together as a family? Any hobbies?
We really like to just be home together and hang out. On Sundays we generally take a trip to the farmer’s market together. We cook together and watch movies, pretty basic things. I like to garden and we have chickens. (Tina: I got a mini lesson on free range eggs and the color of the yolk, pretty interesting stuff!)
I build furniture too. I even added a two-story addition to my house and built a Pilates studio that has transformed into a gym.
So, your hobbies seem to encompass health in some form. How do you find time to work out and eat healthy with your crazy ever-changing schedule?
I’m fortunate to have a wonderful dietician in my life! Actually, it’s my sister in law, and she really helps me in all aspects of my health and well being. Being on the go a lot, especially now filming Riverdale, I am here and there and my body gets a little confused between the time zones. I also may be home for a few days where I can cook and control what I eat or don’t eat, but when I am traveling, sometimes my choices are limited. Annsley helps me with meal plans and an exercise regimen, and since my situation changes frequently, I’m sure I am her worst client! She provides me with different activities that I can do if I am somewhere and can’t make it to a gym and food options and ideas. It’s balancing the whole body, total health inside and out. Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes not so much. She holds me accountable and that is a driving force.
What do you miss from the South?
Biscuits and gravy!
Where can our readers follow you and keep up with all you have going on?
Instagram: @skeetme1
Who do you have a crush on?
Um, I don’t really have one.
No one? Like my “girl crush” has always been Kelly Ripa who is yours?
Easy, Gena Rowlands.
Favorite people you have worked with?
Jack Nicholson: As Good as it Gets (1997)
Gary Oldman; Nobody’s Baby(2001)
Chris Walken; Touch (1997)
Who would you like to work with one day?
Michael Shannon
Sam Rockwell
Where do you see yourself in 10 years or where do you want to be?
Doing exactly what I’m doing now! Love life as it is!
