Frank Grillo Pulls No Punches on Kingdom: A Man’s Man

If you’re new to mixed martial arts or MMA, Frank Grillo and the cast of Kingdom will show you the ropes. Watch on AT&T Audience Network when the series returns June 1.

Frank plays a totally convincing Alvey Kulina at his Navy St. MMA Gym in Venice, California. You’ll see that the discipline is a full contact body sport that includes elements from boxing, kick-boxing, tae kwon do, judo and more.

Learn about this edgy, solid and sweaty drama when you read my interview from last week with Joanna Going as Christina Kulina.

The role of Alvey is a natural for Frank, 50, who was a wrestler when he was young. He took up boxing at 18 and still keeps in super-top-notch form. He’s said his career really took off after the film, Warrior, another movie that featured MMA.

He’s best known for films such as Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Grey. He appeared in many episodes of Guiding Light and in recurring roles in For the People, Blind Justice, Kill Point and The Gates.

Frank is a New York University business grad who worked on Wall Street before a beer commercial changed his life. Fans of Kingdom couldn’t be happier.

Enjoy this conversation and watch him on Kingdom Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Remember that AT&T Audience Network is available on DIRECTV channel 239 or U-verse TV channel 1114 and via live streaming on the DIRECTV and U-verse apps.

Frank, how are you feeling about Alvey? How are you like him and how do you differ?

I am like him a lot and I put a lot of me into him. A lot of my personality is infused in Alvey, although he is a bit more explosive and more reactionary. He’s dealing with adult grown children, and I don’t have those yet. It’s fun to explore me in his character.

You’re known for playing, as Grantland called it, grim and tough men. Are you OK wearing that label, as well as one that says you’ve clobbered a lot of movie stars?

I consider myself not so much a tough guy as a man’s man. I like things like motorcycles, boxing, and steak—real food. And I like to get dirty. I just sparred five rounds with a former world championship boxer, I love Hemingway and I have a heart and vulnerability. It’s a great journey, especially at this age.

You just pushed the age button, so let’s go through that door. How are you now?

I’m probably in the best shape of my life—and I’ve always been in good shape—and that includes emotionally and intellectually. Confidence comes with that. On screen, that shows in my character and people connect to it. Some guys my age are falling by the wayside, and they don’t keep themselves in good fight form.

One of my best friends is a partner at a big talent agency and he says, “There are no rules. You can be a star at 25 or 55.” I tend to listen to him very closely.

How do you feel about the new season? Like it, love it or otherwise?

I’m excited. Oh, and something devastating happens to Alvey and he’ll have to make some really difficult decisions. Two friends that avoided fighting will have to fight each other now. This all sets the tone for the following season.

Everyone connected with the show keeps bringing their A game: writing, editing and it’s all going to result in a lot more eyes on the show.

Mixed martial arts: How do you explain that to people at a cocktail party?

People who love it and watch the show say, “You’re so authentic.” They’re very pleased with all aspects. But remember that this is not just about fighting but about a family. These fighters train for up to eight hours a day in all forms of martial arts. I’ve wrestled and boxed but there’s nothing like MMA. It’s intellectual, and not just about guys elbowing each other in the head.

You took the cast to pro boxing trainer Justin Fortune. What was Justin’s initial reaction?

We’ve been friends for a long time. When the cast came in, no one knew what they were doing, but they stuck with it pretty consistently. We brought in Joe “Daddy” Stevenson as a technical advisor—[he was also winner of Season 2 of The Ultimate Fighter.] Partially through osmosis,  cast members got really competent at fighting, and got comfortable inside the cage.

Let’s get to how you take care of yourself. What do you eat?

I’ve been doing the Paleo diet, possibly before there was a name for it. I’ve lived the caveman lifestyle for many years with grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish, free-range birds, tons of organic vegetables and nuts. I don’t eat any rice, grains or soy, no dairy and very little sugar. It keeps me mentally and physically in shape as I am, so I don’t get tired. I love eating the way I do.

And what is your personal workout routine now? I’m guessing you’re always looking for new and different ways to change this up.

I bike, run, do sprints and a “CrossFit-esque” workout three times a week for conditioning. I am always moving. I live in Santa Monica and do the “stairs” along with so many other athletes—between 12 and 15 times.

What about your emotional health and balance. How do you manage that?

I keep it all in perspective. I’m an actor who’s had some cool success lately and that’s great, but it’s not my life. I’m not a “Hollywood guy” who goes to parties and every opening. I hang out with my wife, Wendy, an actress, and our three kids.

[His wife, Wendy Moniz, also seen in House of Cards, Season 4, plays Alvey’s love interest, Roxanne Dunn, an attorney. It’s the first on-screen appearances for them together since they were on Guiding Light in the ’90s.]

Surrounding myself with people I love keeps me in focus. I don’t take it all too seriously, even though I do need to make a living. I want to have fun too.

What else is on your calendar, Frank?

Movies: From the Purge franchise, The Purge: Election Year, and also Stephanie and Jekyll Island. Coming up, it’s Wheelman and Wolf in the Wild.