Fancast Exclusive: Meet The Most Likeable (Delivery)Man On TV

By Tom Rose
Fancast.com

Windell Middlebrooks is living The High Life. You know Windell, he plays Earl, the everyman Delivery Guy in the popular Miller High Life commercials. He rolls up with a
hand truck and invades those establishments that have gotten too big for their britches. “$11.50 for a hamburger. Y’all must be crazy!” Then he empties the fridge.

Not ringing a bell? How about linebacker Gleason, The Dancing Football Player? He’s so excited about his first TD in the Pros he does an acrobatic End Zone dance. He’s been stowing a bottle of Dr. Pepper in his sock just for the occasion.

Not there yet? Y’all must be crazy. Ok, how about the Delivery Guy on Entourage? The Landlord on My Name Is Earl? C’mon - Boogie on The Bernie Mac Show? How about The Plumber on Hannah Montana? Yes! He’s THAT GUY! Finally.

If you are not familiar with Windell’s impressive body of work thus far, don’t worry. There’s more to come. Nothing sears the mind more than a memorable character from a great TV commercial. Especially when the Actor is good. Real Good. Such popularity inevitably leads to more work. So we caught up with Windell Middlebrooks to see what’s on tap and if he’s living the high life.

Q: You have to be the most likeable guy on TV. What’s it like when you go out in public?

A: Oh! It’s funny because I get recognized a lot - I see people trying to figure out if it’s me or not. Or I’ll hear someone scream out my name and then yell out “Ya’ll must be crazy!” from across the street. My favorite is when they recognize me from Dr. Pepper as The Dancing Lineman and I hear “Do the booty pop!” The look on people’s faces who don’t realize what’s going on is priceless. I also get asked to leave voice mails for people and call somebody’s grandmother; it can be so random sometimes. Or if it’s from a TV show they want to know when I am going to be on again. I’m pretty used to it now, but my family and friends are still adjusting to being watched while eating or seeing me stop to take a picture with a fan.

Q: You made your first big splash with the Miller High Life “Take Back The High Life” and “Are You Living The High Life?” ads. They’re very funny and we love them because your character is so memorable. What did you think about the campaign when you first read for the part?

A: I laughed my butt off because I thought “Finally I get to say what I’ve thought so many times before!” I also thought yes! This represents the hardworking, down to earth, simple man. I remember telling the people at the audition that this character is just like my grandfather and uncles. This is so much of who I am and what I’ve been raised with that I couldn’t help but be excited.

Q: How have the Miller spots impacted your career since then?

A: Well, they have given me great exposure and it introduces people to my type of humor — because I’m a nut, that’s just who I am. Some think I’m funny, I think I’m crazy. Anyhow, many doors are being opened because of the commercials and I’m very excited about that.

Q: Which spot was your favorite?

A: The Bistro is still one of my favorites. Maybe because it’s one of the first ones we filmed (and the look on the people’s faces). But the “Skybox” commercial cracks me up as well. I think it’s the silence when I ask what inning it is that gets me.

Q: Steve Ivey at Kramer Management tells us you sang the National Anthem at Miller Park. We didn’t know you sing! What was that like?

A: First, let me say I’m an actor who sings — which, in my mind, is very different than a singer. But it was awesome. I’ve always wanted to sing the National Anthem at least once at a stadium. I can’t describe the feeling of the people, the flag waving, the words of the song, which I felt was honoring our troops; it’s something I’ll never forget. And yes I was nervous, but it was nerves plus emotion, plus adrenaline…….. Just Whooooooo!

Q: What are your favorite songs to sing?

A: I’m a gospel and blues man. I guess you could say soul music.

Q: How did you get your start in acting?

A: Well, my family says that when I was a kid I would always say “I’m gonna be on TV one day, just watch.” (I don’t remember saying that, but if they say so then fine). What I do know is that I figured out that I wanted to be an actor my sophomore year of high school. I just knew that was it. While doing plays in High School I enjoyed making people laugh, think, and feel by bringing great stories and great characters to life. And that’s what I enjoy doing today.

Q: Can you tell us a little more about your background? Your education?

A: Well, I am a man who definitely believes in education. I wouldn’t trade my college experience for anything in the world. I think that’s where I learned a lot about life that I bring into my work. I have a Bachelor’s in Theatre/Communications from Sterling College in Kansas and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California-Irvine. I was a Chancellor’s Scholar at UC-Irvine and one of nine actors selected into the program out of two thousand applicants. I am also an alumnus of the Los Angeles Film Studies Center in LA.– It was my semester away from the wheat fields of Kansas to learn about the entertainment industry.

Q: What’s your personal life like? Married? Kids?

A: I’m a happily single Man! Not hitched just yet and definitely no little Windells running around yet. Don’t get me wrong — I love kids. But I love to spoil them and give them back to their parents. I’m just gonna take time and live the dream for now. But who knows what the future holds.

Q: You’ve done Guest Spots on Entourage, My Name Is Earl, The Bernie Mac Show and Hannah Montana. So the obvious question is: what’s Miley Cyrus really like?

A: Ya’ll crack me up! Miley and Billy Ray were both very awesome to work with. They made me feel right at home. Especially with the twang, my twang kicked right in. I can usually spot good down-to-earth people a mile away, and I knew right off they were great. If we had some biscuits and gravy it would have been on up in there!

Q: Any good Entourage stories you can tell us? How big is your Posse?

A: Oh yeah! The boys from Entourage are great. I wish you could’ve heard some of the stuff said between takes. Kevin Dillon and I talked about everything under the sun while standing out on Hollywood Blvd. We kept laughing because people would walk through our shots, hoping to be “discovered” we guess, who knows. As for my posse, it is very small. I’m a big believer that the folks who liked you when you were “nothing” are the ones you want around you when you’re “something”.

Q: What’s next? Can we expect to see you on the Silver Screen anytime soon?

A:Well, I’ll be seen regularly on Disney right now as Kirby The Security Guard on the new show “The Suite Life on Deck” coming this fall. It’s a spin-off of “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.” I just finished shooting an episode of a new show coming this fall on Comedy Central called “Chocolate News.” And as for the Silver Screen, I’ll be appearing in the feature film “Playboys” being released by Fox Atomic. But keep your eyes out — I have several things in the works, including some projects that should be released in ‘09.

Thanks Windell. We look forward to a long and illustrious career for you, and we’ll be watching on Fancast.

Thanks Ya’ll, I appreciate it very much. Be cool.