If you are a fan of boxing, Hollywood, or both, you might have heard of “Bad” Brad Berkwitt. He is the host of The “Bad” Brad Berkwitt Show, where he interviews some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. But who is Bad Brad in real life? How did he get his nickname? What did he do before becoming a celebrity interviewer? In this article, we will reveal the untold story of Bad Brad, from his career in the Navy to his success in the civilian sector and his passion for acting.
A Career in the Navy
Bad Brad was born in 1968 and grew up in North Miami Beach, Florida. He joined the US Navy in 1986 and served for 20 years and 28 days, retiring in 2006. During his service, he worked in the intelligence field and was deployed to various locations around the world, including Sicily, Cuba, South Korea, and the Pentagon. He served during the Gulf War and the Iraq War and received several awards and commendations for his performance.
According to his website, Bad Brad said that his time in the Navy taught him many valuable lessons that he applied to his later endeavors. He said: “The Navy gave me discipline, respect for others, leadership skills, and most importantly, how to work as a team player.”
A Success in the Civilian Sector
After retiring from the Navy, Bad Brad entered the government contracting world, working for different agencies such as the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He managed multi-million dollar contracts and supervised staff members in various security-related projects.
Bad Brad retired completely from the 9-5 grind in 2012, at the end of his contract with DHS. He said that he wanted to pursue his other interests and passions, such as acting and boxing.
A Passion for Acting
Acting was in Bad Brad’s blood. His late father, Alvin Berkwitt, studied with Lee Strasberg, one of the most influential acting teachers of the 20th century. Bad Brad followed his father’s footsteps and took acting classes with Emmy Award-winning Michael J. Baker at the Little Theater of Alexandria in Virginia.
After graduating from the classes, Bad Brad landed several acting gigs in stage shows, TV shows, commercials, videos, and films. Some of his credits include Veep, House of Cards, Dinner Theater Murder Mysteries, and The Goodbye Girl.
Bad Brad said that acting was a way for him to express himself creatively and to challenge himself to play different roles. He said: “Acting is fun and rewarding. It allows me to step into someone else’s shoes and see the world from their perspective.”
A Career in the Boxing World
Bad Brad was also a former amateur boxer who fought all over Florida from 1980 to 1983. He trained at the Allen Park Gym in North Miami Beach and competed in several tournaments and matches. His nickname “Bad” came from fellow author and boxing ring announcer Henry “Dis-com-bob-u-lating” Jones in 2000. Jones said that he gave him that nickname because he always stood up for what he believed in and that the fighters respected him for being positive in his interviews.
In 2000, Bad Brad became a boxing analyst on Sports Talk, a highly rated TV show on News Channel 8. He covered boxing news and events for 12 years on the show, which was viewed in Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, and West Virginia.
In 2004, he created Ringside Report, a website that covers boxing and other topics such as politics, entertainment, world news, and sports. The website has become known as “The Heart of Boxing” and attracts thousands of readers daily.
In 2015, Bad Brad launched The “Bad” Brad Berkwitt Show on YouTube, where he interviews celebrities from various fields such as boxing, Hollywood, music, literature, and more. Some of his guests include Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Sugar Ray Leonard, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Don King, Sylvester Stallone,
Dolph Lundgren,
Carl Weathers,
Burt Young,
Talia Shire,
Frank Stallone,
Danny Aiello,
Robert Davi,
Joe Mantegna,
William Shatner,
George Takei,
Walter Koenig,
Nichelle Nichols,
Barry Williams,
Maureen McCormick,
Christopher Knight,
Eve Plumb,
Mike Lookinland,
Susan Olsen,
Florence Henderson,
Ann B. Davis,
Davy Jones,
Micky Dolenz,
Peter Tork,
Michael Nesmith,
Tony Orlando,
Dawn Wells,
Tina Louise,
Russell Johnson,
Bob Denver,
Alan Hale Jr.,
Jim Nabors,
Frankie Avalon,
Annette Funicello,
Fabian Forte,
Bobby Rydell, and many more.
Bad Brad said that his show is a fan favorite because he asks the questions that the fans want to know and he treats his guests with respect and professionalism. He said: “I love doing my show because I get to meet and talk to some of the most fascinating people in the world. I always try to make them feel comfortable and have fun during the interview.”
A Man of Many Talents
Bad Brad is a man of many talents and interests. He is a Navy veteran, a government contractor, an actor, a boxer, a writer, and a celebrity interviewer. He has achieved success in different fields and has made a name for himself in the media industry.
But who is Bad Brad in real life? He is a man who loves his family, his friends, his country, and his fans. He is a man who works hard, follows his dreams, and stands up for what he believes in. He is a man who is not afraid to be himself and to be “Bad”.