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The day you thought would never come...
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Chances are that if you’ve been watching television over the past couple weeks you may have noticed the new AT&T ad campaign for its latest Blackberry phones.
Shortly after the campaign started, MMA fans began to notice that one of the commercial’s stars looked very familiar.
With an unmistakable gruffness, chiseled jaw line, and trademark mustache it became clear that the commercials were the latest foray into acting for former UFC and Pride star Don “The Predator” Frye.
“I got lucky, the luck of the Irish,” said Frye of his recent acting exploits. “Michael Mann likes me for some reason. He’s put me to work three times; on Miami Vice, Public Enemies, and then he chose me for the AT&T commercial.
“I always have a great time working with Michael Mann. He’s a class act. The food is top of the line, the accommodations are top of the line, and he treats everybody with respect – that is very uncommon in the MMA world.”
While Frye had initially intended acting to be something of a side gig, he has enjoyed increasingly better opportunities from it, leading him to decide it is time to step away from the sport that first put him on the worldwide scene.
“I’m pretty much quitting MMA. I’ve had enough of the (expletive). I’m done with it,” announced Frye. “The competitive urges still flow through me, but I’m tired of the (expletive) of the promoters.
“I’m tired of the (expletive) treatment, being lied to and tired of getting bounced checks from people. They can go pound sand as far as I’m concerned.”
With his announcement, Frye joins Quinton “Rampage” Jackson as fighters who’ve decided to make acting their main occupation. And Frye is working hard to become better at it.
“I’m taking acting lessons up in Scottsdale from Peter Stelzer and his wife, Marla Finn. They’re putting up with me enough to take my money and correct my stupidity,” chuckled Frye.
“It’s hard work. It’s not like you just stand there in front of the camera, make faces and read lines – you’ve got to put effort into it.”
As Frye puts it, acting is a respectful profession, unlike what he feels MMA has become.
“The fight game isn’t a respectful profession any more,” he stated. “They’ve made a mockery out of it by letting Jose Canseco fight, and now Hershel Walker, and all these other jackasses in their 40’s who have never fought.
“They’re getting paid more than the guys who have been putting years into it. It’s an embarrassment and a shame.”
While Frye’s not sure what kind of acting opportunity he’ll have next, he’s open to anything, and regrets nothing of his decision to leave the fight game behind.
“I’m starting over again, starting on the bottom, but I’ve got nothing to complain about,” he said. “As long as I’m working, I’m healthy and my family’s healthy, there’s nothing in the world to complain about.
“I’d love to work with (Clint) Eastwood on a western. It’s always fun to hop on a horse and shoot somebody.”
Having given all he can to the sport that helped make him famous, Frye enters a new decade with a positive attitude and hope that fans will continue to support him, regardless of profession.
“I’ve had a hell of a run,” exclaimed Frye. “I appreciate the fans. Bob Meyrowitz was a great promoter back when he ran the UFC; he treated the fighters with respect. I had a great time in Japan. I’ve got nothing to complain about.
“What a great time I’ve had. I wish I could do more for the fans. I wish I could come back for another one, but until the promoters straighten out, they can all go pound sand.”
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