Meet Tim Carr | Actor, Writer and Humanities

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tim Carr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, what principle do you value most?
I think the values I try to keep in both work and life is “work hard and be nice to people”, I actually have a sign that says that in my house, I find it all comes back to that. I have friends and colleagues all over the place that do different jobs, so I hear all of the work based philosophies that they hear at work, like “early bird gets the worm”, “quit talking more doing” and things like that. I’m sure those are all good and motivational, but really, if you’re the hardest working person in that room AND a decent human? You’ve got it. Everything else just comes from that. However whoever says things like “go for the low hanging fruit” and “let’s circle back”, I’m sure those are wonderful sayings. Whatever they mean.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I feel that every time I talk to my friends at Shoutout, I always mention how hard showbiz can be. Today, I’m going to talk about all of the things that I’m looking forward to.

The last few years in showbiz haven’t been easy. COVID shut everything down, then we finally get back to a positive footing on things, and then a Writers and Actors Strike happened, I’m glad the strike happened and I will stand with writers and actors all day every day. So things slowed down, but now in 2024, things will really snap back and get going. There is so much coming.

I have 2 smaller films. “August” and “Sunday in Philly”. These were small films that I made from the heart. These didn’t have a huge theatrical run, as a matter of fact they played on only a few screens. These are now free for all through the good people at Red Coral Universe. It’s a free streamer and is available on just about every platform. They’ve been really wonderful to work with. The CEO is Larry Meistrich, who has had an entire career taking risks on getting films like “Sling Blade” and “You Can Count On Me”, he’s always been “artist first” with his mentality, and he’s continuing that with films like “August” and “Sunday In Philly”, also, if you have the chance, have a phone call with Larry, he’s a lively entertaining conversation, tell him Timmy sent ya.

We started screening a TV show I was beyond fortunate to be a part of called “The Grounders”, it’s funny, it’s action, it’s got supernatural elements, it’s got phenomenal writing, great acting, it checks off a LOT of the boxes I hope the viewing audience is looking to check off. When the showbiz strikes ended, something like 48 hours later, this show was on the big screen in front of a big crowd. There are so many meetings coming up to get this show out to everyone, so hopefully everyone will get to watch this soon. Also the creator of “the Grounders” is Jacob Stargrove, and he’s ALSO a very entertaining conversation to have.

And just recently, there was a TV show that I shot the pilot for, it’s a comedy, and I wrote, directed and acted in the pilot. It was one of those blissful moments where something turned out EXACTLY the way that you’d hoped it would. The jokes work, the action is great, the actors are the best. Thankfully, this one is getting watched by some really great people. This one is near and dear to me, so it means the world that the right people are watching this.

So yes, showbiz is a wild ride. There are really high highs, there are really low lows. But it’s nice when things can work too. The four projects I just talked about, those are four projects coming out that I really worked hard on, things I really care about, and I’m excited that they’ll get to be shared with you all.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is my favorite part of when we chat. The last couple times, I really gave everyone somewhere fun in Los Angeles to check out. I stand by ALL of the things to look at and do in LA. But let’s jump three hours ahead. I’m going to show you all around the beautiful city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. So all of my friends in California, I hope you do this, but remember, maybe wear a coat out here.

First off, I’ll take you all to South Street. Now, I have spent many formative years listening to hip hop and punk music here. South Street is still a bit like this, but it’s not as loud as it once was, and the world famous “Laff House Comedy Club” is no longer at the South Street location, so South Street is not as funny as it used to be. But, trust me, South Street is still a great time. Park on a side street, I know Philly is known for the cheesesteak, but currently due to a fire, the finest Philly cheese steak establishment, “Jim’s” is currently temporarily closed. So instead, please go have a slice of pizza at “Lorenzo and Sons Pizza”. Now, when Jim’s Steaks is open, you are to bring a slice of Lorenzo’s pizza over (the slices are huge, no really, they are very large) across the street, where the good folks are Jims will make you a “Philly Taco”, it is a cheese steak wrapped up in one of those giant slices of Lorenzo’s pizza. Please do not worry. Philly is the city of brotherly love, so calories do not count here.

After you’ve eaten your weight in pizza and cheesesteaks, stay on South Street for a few minutes, walk around, say hello to everyone. It’s Philly, everyone’s nice. After you’ve walked that food off, stop into “Tattooed Mom”, if your diet doesn’t want any of the junk food I’d just mentioned, Tattooed Mom has plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, also they make great drinks, whether you’d like a drink or an adult drink, all are available there. My “real” reason for recommending Tattooed Mom, is the music. I’ve never heard a bad song there. You’ll enjoy the vibe, you’ll enjoy yourself. They have candy on the bar. Trust me, you’ll really like it here.

Let’s get off South Street for a moment, JUST a moment because we’re going to end our day back here. Go swing by “LOVE” Park. It’s at JFK plaza. I hope you all send me your selfies with the LOVE sign behind you. Also, Philly is pretty historical, if you’d like to go see the liberty bell or Betsy Ross’ house (it’s near South Street I probably should have mentioned Betsy Ross’ house while you all were there), and don’t forget to run up the art museum steps, and take some pictures with the Rocky statue, which is from the very wonderful and incredibly underrated “Rocky 3”.

But now you’ve walked around, and I hope you’re hungry again. Head on over to the “Reading Terminal Market”. Everything there is delicious. I always stop by the “Cajun Cafe” to say hello and eat a Po’ Boy and some dirty rice, but whatever you may be into snack-wise, is likely there. There’s also a beer garden there. When you walk into that beer garden, whether you enjoy the football stylings of the Philadelphia Eagles or not, go ahead and yell “Go Birds” and everyone will cheer for you and shake your hand. If I’m giving away all the Philly secrets, it’s because you all deserve to be happy in Philadelphia.

Also, I am going to need to get you all down to the cross streets of Broad and Pattison and here is why. First off, The Philadelphia 76’ers play there. This is basketball, which is a beautiful game, and I love the 76’ers deeply. However I’d be remiss to not mention that my relationship with the Sixers has been the most complicated relationship of my lifetime. Right across the street from where the Sixers break my heart is a place called FDR Park. It’s a beautiful and spacious area to relax, walk, kick a ball around, whatever you’d like to do. There is also a skate park there. Once you find it, you’ll now know this bit of trivia….that skate park was used in the Tony Hawk Pro Skater video game series. If you rattle that bit of trivia off, people will be impressed. I know I’d be.

That seems like a lot of walking and sightseeing to do. Are you all ready for the Holy Grail? Because I’m about to bring you back to South Street Philadelphia and here’s why. On 6th street. There is a place that serves wonderful tacos AND wonderful ramen, it is called….well, “Taco & Ramen”. Wonderful people run this place, comfortable seats, great vibe, have both the tacos AND the ramen (they have vegetarian and vegan options) I mean, just a table filled with tacos and bowls of ramen, no matter what anyone may be going through, a table of tacos and ramen gives a sense of “calm” and “hope”.

The saying is “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”…and now, you know why.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This is why I love all of my friends at “Shoutout”, everyone is always looking out for one another. I’d love to dedicate a shout out or two to a few organizations that I am very lucky to be anywhere near what they are doing.

Meals On Wheels, every single time I’ve gone out and delivered meals to those in need, I’ve always had a moment of “this is it, this is what it’s all about”. All of the moving parts to this, the food prep, the volunteers, the travel. I just deliver and smile and say hello, but all of the brains and brawn behind all of this, everyone working behind the scenes, is really something special.

ESGR. This is Employee Support of the Guard and Reserve. This one for me is a biggie. When this prints, can this be in big letters? Please let everyone know, THIS IS A BIGGIE. Our military works tirelessly on all fronts. They keep the world safe, they are deployed all over the globe, and when our military comes home? They’ll still keep up their military duties AND work a day job. The ESGR makes sure when military personnel are home, if they need to leave work or take some time off of the day job for military training or deployment, that it is no issue with the non-military employment. When employers do right by these military-based obligations? I magically show up and give the employer an award for understanding these military obligations. It’s important to look after our troops, as they look after us. This is a wonderful program and is always worth being involved with.

No Kid Hungry. Some kids go to school ONLY because it’s the only place where they can consistently have a meal. Some schools charge kids for lunches. That’s bullshit. You don’t have to print “bullshit” unless, well, you want to say it. It’s bullshit that kids may run the risk of being embarrassed just because they may not have much food at home. It’s bullshit that school lunches are not free for all kids, with no questions asked. It’s hard enough being a kid, why add to that? “No Kid Hungry” makes sure that families and kids have food. They also have programs where mentors are available to assist families in selecting food that may be healthier. Their hearts are forever in the right place.

I know you all asked for one organization and got three but know what’s better than three? FOUR. My friends at Surfrider Foundation are looking to always find ways to keep the oceans and beaches clean and safe for families, for beach lovers and for wildlife. I’m hopping on a call with them tonight, and I can’t wait, because I know, either someone will have a great idea, or a great idea that’s been in the works is coming into fruition. Also, if you’ve heard any of the “Hold On To Your Butts” commercials (it’s about cleaning up cigarette butts from the beaches, and nothing “dirty”… but if reading into that in a “dirty” way keeps the beaches clean, go for it), you may know the guy in those ads. Give you a hint. It rhymes with “bee”. Me. It’s me. I’m in those commercials. I’m very proud of those.

I love and thank Shoutout for mentioning these. I hope everyone gets to learn a little more about them.

Website: www.ParkingLotFilms.net

Instagram: @NotTimCarr

Linkedin: ParkingLotFilms

Other: https://redcoraluniverse.com/

Image Credits
Tee Shirt: D’Mont Reese Photography Suit: Jennifer Beers Photography