Muse Watson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Muse Watson
|
|
|---|---|
Watson in March 2009
|
|
| Born |
Robert Gravel
July 20, 1948 Alexandria, Louisiana, U.S.
|
| Education | Louisiana Tech University Berea College |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Known for |
|
| Children | 1 |
Muse Watson Gravel (born July 20, 1948), known professionally as Muse Watson, is an American actor. He is famous for playing the tough agent Mike Franks on the TV show NCIS and the mysterious prisoner Charles Westmoreland in Prison Break. He is also well-known for playing Ben Willis, the villain in the scary movies I Know What You Did Last Summer and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Muse Watson was born in Alexandria, Louisiana. His father passed away when he was five, so he was raised by his mother and grandfather. His grandfather was a big inspiration to him. When he started acting, he found out another actor was already named Robert Gravel. So, he legally changed his name to Muse Watson Gravel to honor his grandfather.
Watson went to Bolton High School and then attended Louisiana Tech on a music scholarship for two years. He later moved to Berea College in Kentucky. It was at Berea that he discovered his love for acting. He got his first big role as Petruchio in a play called The Taming of the Shrew.
After college, he toured the country, starring in musicals. He later moved to Tennessee and worked in manufacturing while still auditioning for plays and movies.
Acting Career
Watson has appeared in over 60 movies and 50 television shows. His career is filled with memorable characters.
Famous Roles
Many people know Watson as the hook-wielding bad guy, Ben Willis, in the popular horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer and its sequel. He performed most of his own stunts for the role, including a long scene filmed underwater.
On television, he played two major recurring characters. In the crime drama NCIS, he was Mike Franks, the tough but wise mentor to the main character, Leroy Jethro Gibbs. In the action series Prison Break, he played Charles Westmoreland, an older inmate who might be the famous hijacker D.B. Cooper.
Getting Started in Hollywood
Watson's big break came with the movie Something to Talk About. Before that, he worked behind the scenes. He did stunt driving in movies like Steel Magnolias and Mississippi Burning. He also helped cast extras for the movie King Kong Lives.
After a guest role on the TV show Matlock and his part in Something to Talk About, he moved to Los Angeles to focus on his acting career.
Other Work and Awards
Besides acting, Watson has directed plays and taught acting and writing. His talent has been recognized with awards. In 2011, he won Best Actor at the Trail Dance Film Festival for his role in the movie A Christmas Snow.
Personal Life
Watson is married and has one daughter. He is an advocate for people with autism.
