TwoCents & Five Questions With Willam Belli

photo: willam belli (cherry & matt)

… Willam Belli, Actor

Willam Belli is best known for his 5 episode stint as Cherry Peck on Nip/Tuck. He has also been featured in American Wedding (Stifler’s she-male) and tranny’ing it up in Rock of Ages, now on Broadway.

Willam has been as frequent guest star on various cop shows, being beat down (Southland, Cold Case), soliciting (The Shield, Criminal Minds, The District) or being the friend of a victim (Women’s Murder Club, CSI:NY, The Forgotten). Other credits include My Name is Earl, Because I Said So (opposite Diane Keaton), and the upcoming Bloodrayne 3. Willam is proud to be part of the Legendary Bingo team in Los Angeles, helping raise over two million dollars for various non-profit groups.

After TheTwoCents named one of Nip/Tuck’s most memorable characters, actor Willam (not William) Belli was gracious enough to answer a few questions and share his TwoCents with us.

TTC: I’m obligated to start with “The Question”, so…Tell me, Mr. Belli…What don’t you like about yourself?
Willam Belli: The only things I didn’t like about myself, I’ve changed through medicine. My favorite surgeon: Dr Hansen on Sunset Boulevard. Oh wait! One more – I hate my name. It’s Will-uhm Bell-eye. Even my grandmother screws it up sometimes.

TTC: And now we’ll flip that…What are you most proud of in your career to date?
WB: I’m most proud of being in a world premier musical now playing on Broadway (Rock of Ages) and guest starring on Nip/Tuck on & off at the same time through 2005/2006. It was a good friggin year.

TTC: What was your reaction when you read the Nip/Tuck script?
WB: When I auditioned, I had only (Cherry’s) first appearance, where Cherry & Matt meet at a bar, get it on at her place then she gets a beatdown. I loved the arc of the scene, and thought it was the sole instance Cherry appeared. I had no clue what was to come – the pissing revenge, the surgeries, the kidnappings, being buried alive. I remember I got my script for the finale and Ryan Murphy walked by. I was all like, “What’s this line? ‘Cherry gets shovelful of dirt on her face in shallow grave?’ This ain’t Kill Bill.” He just laughed. I seriously think he’s a genius, with what he’s done on Nip/Tuck, Glee and Popular.
(Random fact: I auditioned for Sofia Lopez, Season 1, Adrian, Season 2, and Nightmare, the video clerk, Season 2)

TTC: In general, transvestites were played for laughs in early television and movie storylines, staying an arm’s length away. Changing gender was even more taboo. Do you think there has been any change to the climate?
WB: GLBT characters have come a long way since I started playing them. I was 16 on Sex & the City (Episode: Are We Sluts?). In my next film, the five lead characters are transgendered girls, 3 of whom are played by actual trans girls. A movie about trannies, and its world premiere will be at one of the largest straight film fests in America.

Really, It’s not a matter of them accepting Trans people. Most GLBT folks couldn’t care less what those who kept us as “outsiders”. I think now that most have come around. I look at it this way- If someone didn’t offer a gay guy pie in 1999 because he was gay, but then offered him a slice in 2009, it’s not like he’s going to say NO to the pie. Just take it and smile. Yay for acceptance no matter when it comes or how long it’s overdue.

TTC: Cherry obviously was put through hell on the show. Now I pull you up on IMDB, and one of the first listings is “Ticked-Off Trannies with Knives.” (2010, post-production) Did you feel the need to hold the blade for a change?
WB: It’s nice to fight back after being beat up as a guest star on cop shows. I’m actually shooting in Croatia, a video game film about vampires & Nazis, and the stunt folks were impressed at how well I could take a hit or a fall. Old hat at this point. The best thing about fighting back is watching your stunt double do it. Then taking the credit.

**BONUS QUESTION!**
TTC: List the 5 American TV Shows you’d show someone who has NEVER seen TV before.
WB: Strangers with Candy, American Idol, My So-Called Life, Intervention/Hoarders, & Three’s Company

Thanks so much to Willam for taking the time out to share his TwoCents with us and make the dealing of no more Nip/Tuck a little easier to deal with. For more info on Willam visit www.willambelli.com.