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Thursday, March 28, 2024

20 questions with Matt Hill

Matt was recently honoured with the Governor General of Canada Meritorious Service Medal

Meet Vancouver-based actor, activist, and motivational speaker Matt Hill.

Meet Matt Hill

Matt Hill is a ball of insatiable energy that reminds us all why we love life. The voice over actor, Run for One Planet ambassador and TEDx motivational speaker is an international spokesperson for fitness and green living. Matt was recently honoured with the Governor General of Canada Meritorious Service Medal (Civil Division) for his work, which includes the passion project Run for One Planet, which saw him and a friend running to promote the planet’s long-term health and the health and fitness of our children, in an 11,000 mile running journey around North America.

For 30 years, Matt has been the voice and actor behind some of the world’s most iconic, award-winning cartoon characters, including jumping into the turtle suit to bring Raphael to life in the feature film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3; sharing the screen with legends like Jackie Chan in Shanghai Knights, playing his trusted Deputy Hoss; and appearing alongside Sir Ben Kingsley in the animated feature of Moses.

Matt is continuing his busy voice over schedule in 2017, currently voicing Tach on the award-winning series Kate & Mim Mim; as well as Ton Ton on the Emmy Award winning new series from Dream Works Dino Trux, seen on Netflix; and recording season two of Super Noobs, playing series lead Tyler on the Cartoon Network. All of this, while continuing to motivate kids of all ages to care about their health and the health of our planet.

20 Questions with Matt Hill

Your first job.

My first job was during the summer of turning eight years old. I opened “Matt will cut your grass fast, Inc”. I had five houses a week and ran as fast as I could because I said I would. I am proud to report, I never cut any corners. My lawns were like the PGA.

The job you always wanted as a child.

I always wanted to play left wing for the Whitecaps, and in the off season, be the lead singer in a rock ‘n roll band.

Your pet peeve.

My pet peeve is humanity continuing to bully each other and the planet.

Your hero.

My dad, Dave, and Terry Fox.

Your biggest indulgence.

Homemade chocolate chip cookies with a big pile of vanilla ice cream on the side throws it over the edge for me.

One thing no one knows about you.

I secretly want to rule the world.

Three things you would want with you on a deserted island.

A supply of food, my favorite pair of Nike Free runners to explore, and a boat scheduled to pick me up after a month.

The one word your best friend would use to describe you.

Kind to all.

If you were not an actor, what would you be doing?

Running around the planet meeting amazing people, as I inspired everyone I met to believe in themselves and the power of the human spirit to create a sustainable world, seven generations forward.

Hero or villain?

BOTH!!

Your life’s motto/mantra.

It’s from a small balsa wood plaque I got in the fifth grade that I sill have and look at every morning to set the day: “If you see someone without a smile – give them one of YOURS”

The song that gets the most play on your iTunes playlist.

That’s tough, I’m a huge music fan – “One Love” from Bob Marley, “ONE” from U2, early Van Halen (who were my first concert in the 7th grade), first U2 show was when I was 11 at the Queen E. Bryan Adams is a must play, too – okay, okay, I’ll stop now.

Your favourite play.

First Broadway show I ever saw – Burn This with Scott Glen – totally awesome live theatre experience. That, and Glengarry Glen Ross a few years ago at The Stanley by some of our city’s best of the best. Saw every single night in the front row – it was epic!

If you were a cartoon character what cartoon character would you be and why?

I think I’d be a mix between Mighty Mouse (I’m not the tallest of humans, my friends say I have big energy and a heart that’s mighty) and a blend of The Flash (love the run) and Superman (he looks totally cool saving people).

What will it say on your grave marker?

“Thanks for a stellar run – see you next time folks!”

Who would you most like to have dinner with?

Would love to have another family and friends gathering, like we used to have, before my sister, my dad and my mom passed away.

Your idea of happiness.

My idea of happiness: all the tribes around our big blue/green planet come together and use our collective geniuses to ensure our big marble keeps spinning round with healthy humans, animals and environment for many generations forward. I know we can do it – that’s an idea that always brings me much happiness – in addition to seeing humanity realize happiness is all an inside job.

The one thing in your life that makes you most proud.

I think what makes me most proud is, that brilliant simple piece of balsa wood I got in the 5th grade that said, “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of YOURS” – I feel proud I’ve always tried to share that motto around, while I’m around.

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 20-year old self?

Keep sweating dude, because it’s good to sweat (from exercise) … just not the “small stuff”, that ain’t worth an ounce of your sweat.

To be or not to be?

To be, for sure … is such a blast.

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