Beyond the ring: Trevor Goddard trades jabs for JAG and proves he's no lightweight in the acting arena - Cover Story - television show - Brief Article

American Fitness, Nov-Dec, 2001 by Bonnie Siegler

As he walks into the chic Four Seasons Hotel oozing confidence and sex appeal, Trevor Goddard is every inch the Hollywood star. However, the former professional boxer doesn't rely on his looks. In fact, it was his "look" that almost squashed his chances to co-star as Lt. Comdr. Mic Brumby on the popular CBS series, JAG. "I used to play the bad guy, tough guy," explains Goddard. "But they were looking for an educated lawyer type who could be Mac's [Catherine Bell] love interest. Here I was with my hair shaved in zigzags because I had just [finished] the filming of Deep Rising. My manager told me they loved my reading but I looked all wrong for the part." They wanted refined and gorgeous--that's what they got! "I had extensions sewn into my hair and went back. They didn't remember me and I got the part," he says.

Ruth Ann, his wife and fitness instructor, is not surprised by his good fortune. After he was spotted by Budweiser at a professional fight in 1991, she encouraged him to try his luck in the acting arena. "They asked if I wanted to do a commercial," he explains in his cheerful Australian accent. "It just kept going from there." Goddard quickly racked up acting credits with television guest-spots (Silk Stalkings, Baywatch, The Commish) and won the 1993 L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award for "Best Performance of the Year" in The Cock `N Bull Story. Feature films followed: Mortal Kombat, Fast Money and Some Girls. So why, after a respectable 61-1 pro record and 60 amateur fights (one loss) did the likeable mate leave the ring? "Money, money, money," he laughs. "I boxed professionally down home in Australia and England. I also boxed at the Forum, Reseda Country Club and Irvine Marriott Hotel [in California]." Although he has left the ring, his passion for boxing has not subsided.

What does boxing give this 6'1" 195 -pound actor that he cannot get from anything else in life? "A feeling that you're unbeatable," he quickly responds. "[It is an] inner power that you can't understand unless you've been in the ring. When I'm starting to get down or upset about something, I'll go spar. All of a sudden, I'm filled with this whole sense of being again. It's total self-empowerment. Acting doesn't give me the same self-satisfaction boxing does."

Holding the Australian Amateur Champion title, Goddard started boxing in his hometown of Perth at the early age of seven--more out of survival than for sport. Back home in Australia and later as a homeless teen in London, he had to worry about life and limb. "I was a scrappy kid [who was] always in trouble," recalls Goddard. "And when you're always in trouble, you have to fight the big guys--you learn the ropes, so to speak. You learn from your mistakes. I tell my son Travis that it's not wrong to make mistakes--just learn from them."

Finding a parallel between boxing and real life is something Goddard shares with his sons. "Boxing and life are very similar. Life is a big battle and you have to throw your fears aside and never let your opponent know [your] weaknesses. That's the way I go through life. I think fear stops you from living a full life," he says.

At the Hollywood Hills home he shares with his wife of 10 years, two sons (Travis and Daniel) and three cats, his days begin at the crack of dawn. "I get up early and run three to five miles, although I've slowed the pace down a bit because I'm not in training and I'm older," he laughs. After running up the hills at Griffith Park, Goddard says, "I'll do a couple hundred push-ups and sit-ups, then [watch] the sunrise. I do that six days a week unless my work schedule interferes."

Afterwards, Goddard heads home for his big meal of the day. "I'll cook pasta with meat sauce and a steak, then I have all day to burn it off. Lunch might be a protein drink or tomato juice." Then it's off to the boxing gym where, "I hit the bag eight to ten minute rounds, jump rope three to four minute rounds and [spar if anyone is available]." Dinner is a very small meal, such as a bowl of cereal. With all that discipline, it's hard to believe this strapping actor has any nutritional vices. "I am an absolute ice cream freak--rocky road, mint chocolate chip or triple chocolate thunder," he says.

Fortunately, Goddard is no longer that scrappy boy playing "war" in the back alleys of Australia. Now he's older, wiser, more responsible and unabashed about his passion for family. Providing a secure and loving home is his priority. "I read with the boys all the time--we just finished Harry Potter's Goblets of Fire. I [also] like to read and write poetry. Writing poetry is very therapeutic and a way for me to express myself." What would he title a biographical poem? "`Thank You.' Just, `Thank You.'"

Bonnie Siegler has been covering celebrity fitness for American Fitness since 1990. Based in Playa del Rey, California, Ms. Siegler is an internationally known published writer whose work has appeared in McCall's, Redbook and InStyle.