Clayton Travis Snyder is an American actor who played Ethan Craft in Lizzie McGuire and The Lizzie McGuire Movie.
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» All Actor InterviewsHello, Claytron here. I started acting on Lizzie McGuire, making all kinds of gainz as Ethan Craft. Dropped it to play water polo at Pepperdine and then professionally in Europe. Now I'm back at acting! To see stuff I've been involved with since, here's my IMDb http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1032795/
Proof: https://twitter.com/claytonofseal/status/524401868034686977
EDIT: It's bedtime for this guy. I'll respond to any other stuffs later. Pleasure posting with y'all!
Who's your favorite person to work with on Lizzie, and why is it me?
Jake Thomas, duh, cuz you were the only person that I'd get to play Smash Bros Melee with. Roy & Marth!!!
haha good times. Welcome to reddit man!
Also, I cant pass up the opportunity to ask the question: Which would you rather fight, 1 horse-sized duck, or 100 duck-sized horses?
1 horse sized duck. Much better trophy mount.
Do you still not repeat when shampooing?
Never did. Never will. I mean, really... who does?
Do you ever feel like you still have the shadow of your role as Ethan hanging over you? Is it difficult to reinvent yourself/break away from that association, or is it a positive one that you encourage?
Great question. I definitely do. Coming back into the acting industry, it's something I've stirred over. I had a sense of rebellion of getting away from the Ethan image, to prove that the role I got wasn't a fluke and that I could act in "serious" roles, and didn't want to touch sitcom. But since then I realized that I live in comedy, and sitcom could be a great place for me to start out again. But like most actors, I'm open to most opportunities. (I CAN DO IT ALL! ALL, I TELL YOU.)
Ethan gave me an opportunity to entertain a lot of people, and it's fun to connect with fans. So I won't introduce myself as "Hey, I'm that guy from that show," but if you ask me "Are you that guy from that show?" I won't deny it!
I still have the rollerblades you wore in the show somewhere
Lol wut???
Did you have a crush on anyone that was on the show? My gf wanted to know lol
Surprisingly, no. That's not to say I wasn't working with fun, pretty ladies, but I also saw them as sisters in a way. People always thought I was crazy for not being in love with "Lizzie" as they were haha
Hahaha...I went to your high school...go Griffins! I totally would gawk at you in the halls during passing period (we're two or three years apart, if my memory serves me well...I just remember I was an awkward freshman going to school with ETHAN CRAFT, MAN!!!). That hair! That hair!!
Go Griffins! Haha.
It was junior or senior year when I finally cut that thing haha.
Do you still manage to keep in touch with some of the crew ? Not including Jake of course haha.
Ashlie (Kate), our folks and I met up after the passing of her father to catch up.
I've kept up with Bobby's doings (Lizzie's dad). He's got a cool show King of the Nerds.
Hallie (Lizzie's mom) has gone into film production/directing.
Lalaine and I have been liking each other's Instagram posts, haha. She and I reconnected after a friend of hers and I took the same acting class. We later hung out over a Hocus Pocus watching party.
Adam Lamberg's (Gordo) dad and I talk on Facebook from time to time, actually.
Hilary and I haven't seen each other since the movie premiere.
My mother's done the best job of staying in touch. When you live such different lives for a while it's easy to fall out of touch. Been meaning to reconnect though.
The lizzie episode where you roller bladed through town on a scavenger hunt, what city was that in?
Oh yeah! I honestly don't recall where I was. One of those days where I hop in my mom's car, we drive somewhere, I work on set, and drive home.
Do you have any insight as to why "Miranda" didn't finish out the show/are you allowed to share? I've read the rumors about salary disputes but nothing really seemed verified. I was always interested!
Honestly, I tried to stay away from all the gossip. Some said this, others say that. So, can't help you there.
What is your favorite movie?
Tough... Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Or Hook.
Thank you, this has caused both me and my sister a fan girl breakdown. Don't worry, I'll be okay. My sister isn't taking it well though. Could you pass some kind words her way to soothe her pain?
Hey girl, your breakdown is valid and appreciated. You should take an epsom salt bath to recover with some lavender scented candles. Because you deserve it.
Hey Clayton! Just wondering do you still get royalties etc. from Lizzie McGuire? Or was that not even in your contract?
It was, but these days I get checks for several episodes that rake in $0.40, $0.25, $1.20... big bucks!
where you are to keep any memorabilia from the show?
I'm going to guess you're asking if I kept any? I kept a lot of clothes, actually haha. My mom actually took home the Statue of David I held in the Lizzie Movie.
Did the whole cast hangout and go out while in Italy?
We hung out, but being 15 years old, I wasn't too emboldened to experience "going out" in Italy as I would today. I got to make up for it when I was playing professional water polo there, though.
What's the best advice you can give to a young actor about working in this business and/or life in general?
This: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_Ui2IGbqhY
Also, in whatever you do... do it out of passion. Not pride. Do it because you love what you do, not because you feel like you'd let someone down if you didn't.
Wow, you were my crush in the early 2000's! What are you most looking forward to as you get back into acting?
Edit: Just went on your IMDB page, you can still be my celebrity crush.
Wow, thanks? haha
I'm looking forward to entertaining people again! Making people laugh is a joy of mine. Wanting to do more of that.
Who do you want, Kate or Lizzie?
Spaghetti.
Were you immediately recognized when you attended college or were you just another student?
Heck, the whole school knew I was going BEFORE I got there, and so would incoming freshmen years after. It was the same for high school. It would only take a few months until people would realize I was normal (mostly) and the hype would wear down.
That's something to struggle with when making new friends or relationships. Once somebody recognizes you from the show, they can't help but view you from that filter, or make assumptions about you. It can wear off over time, but you usually hope they don't recognize you so you can introduce yourself by your own name and have them actually get to know you... at least before they find out. Because they're going to find out.
I think he means Robin Williams. Woooomp womp.
A
Yes... shame about Mr. Williams.
Can you give me a shoutout because Ive seen every episode and thought you were adorable and had a poster of you in my room?? I've never been shouted out before by a cceleb. My name is connor and I regret nothing.
SHOUTOUT TO CONNOR: REGRETTOR OF NOTHING.
How was your experience working on Lizzie McGuire?
Awesome! I made quick friends with all the cast, crew, and various directors we had. Great craft service (food) for lunch. But it was stressful. I was still attending public middle school at the time, so the "Lizzie People" would let my mom know what days I would work the next week and I'd have to get school work ahead of time to do on set. Tests don't go so well when you're not in class. I was also still playing club water polo for SOCAL. We won Speedo Cup! (Yes, that's an actual thing, and kind of a big deal)
Who's your favorite water polo player at Cal not named Lazar? Go!
Jon Sibley ;)
Are you currently acting in anything?
Since coming back I've been on NCIS, booked a few student films, a couple independent pilots that are being pitched out, producing shorts/sketches on YouTube (you can see a few on the channel "Sethward"). Currently taking improv classes at UCB and The Groundlings in LA.
Oh, and I suppose you've never had a spaghetti sandwich, either.
No. No I haven't.
Are you and your old costars close? Have you guys kept in touch sense the show ended? Also, wanna marry me? (Lelaine, Hilary, etc)
We were close on set but didn't hang out a ton. Probably hung out the most with Jake, Adam, and Lalaine. As a minor (under 18) you have to get so many hours of "school" in on set. Some would do home school work, while I'd do work from my public school. Because we'd always report back to the tutoring room between scenes I became closest with that crowd. Hilary and I were friends, but because she had to stay on task and focused she had a private tutor, so we never had to opportunity to become as close.
See Prayforwings's answer for more...
No, I don't date reddit avatars. Let alone do life with them.
Oh Hooks a good one. Shame about Robin though :,(
... You mean Rufio?
What is the difference between teen portrayal in the early 2000s, compared to now?
Oooooh, interesting. I think what was so amazing about Lizzie was that it portrayed a normal girl trying to make it through middle school. It was honest, yet tasteful.
Because of the growing influence of older women in music and film being sex symbols, I think it's becoming more and more acceptable for younger girls trying to act older and "sexier". Where is the line drawn?
Hi! I thoroughly enjoyed your character as Ethan. Also, god damn you are sexy. And I'm a lesbian saying that so, well, never forget how beautiful you are.
Also what's your favorite color?
The compliment is not overlooked. Blue.
If you ever get cast I'm getting this chain of comments framed
IT'S INNOCENT I TELL YOU
What's a movie you have watched more than once?
Big Trouble in Little China
Did you ever watch episodes you were in with family and or friends?
For the premiere episode, we had a big party at my house. Family, friends, their parents. As it ensued, I realized that it wasn't a show that me nor my friends were into... and about halfway through the episode we decided we wanted to play Playstation 2 instead.
Of the countries you've played water polo professionally in, which was the most interesting? And was it weird to go back to Italy for something completely different from acting?
Also, I wanted to say that I spent my entire trip to Rome (and the last like 10 years of my life but that's beside the point) quoting the Lizzie McGuire Movie. 10/10 would recommend.
Every country is so interesting in its own right. So much rich history and culture... between Italy, Hungary, and Montenegro... perhaps Italy would be my choice simply between it's where my blood comes from. But concerning water polo, Hungary, Montenegro, and Serbia would provide the most history.
It wasn't weird to go back. It felt like fate, actually. When I went over for the film, I was able to visit my Italian side of the family for the first time, who live in a province of Lake Como called Sorico. There was only one distant cousin there who spoke English, and not that well. In that trip, they made me promise I'd learn Italian and return. So... I did! I've been back several times now, and after studying Italian at Pepperdine, studying abroad in Florence, and playing pro in Sardinia for 10 months, my Italian improved drastically. :)
Haha, glad you enjoyed!!
If you could be a Pokemon... which one would you be? And why?
Back in my water polo obsessive days... I wanted to be Wartortle, because Squirtle was a wuss and Blastoise simply wasn't mobile enough and he'd get way too many calls against him. Vaporeon would have been good too, but he was a little to fancy looking for my taste. (Although Gyrados was always my favorite.)
Now? Primeape?
Because he's not entirely water based, he's tough and can fight, but everyone knows he's still a goofy monkey.
Clayton, if you got stuck on an island and could have one song on repeat the whole time, what would it be?
Also, a teacher of mine said you are hot. So you got that going for you!
Hmmm... Perhaps "One More Time", Daft Punk. I could see myself regretting it, but that's had some pretty good longevity so far.
You can tell your teacher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LetJHQ_V05o
Gotta wait for the tell-all book, sorry
Bingo!
She wants you to know that her clam is yours for the taking, if you are ever in need.
Aw, thanks! But, I prefer bison.
Clayton, my man, what is your best piece of advice you can give?
Trying is the first step towards failure.
Do you wish Lizzie Mcguire went on to the high school years, would you have wanted to been apart of it?
No, I'm glad they didn't actually. It gave me time to be a kid in real high school. Although, if the opportunity was actually presented at the time, I would have had to take time to consider it. High school years spin-off or not, I am still very grateful to my 15-year-old self for stepping away and having the many adventures I've had since then.
Do you still get fan mail?
Yup! From all over the world! Not nearly as frequent as it once was, though.
Hi Clayton, congratulations on your successes. Do you like traveling? If so, how often do you travel and what ways (flying, driving, etc.) of traveling are your favorite? Thanks!
Thanks! HECK YEAH I do! I have been traveling since I was young and am showing no sings of slowing down. I can't sit still for more than a couple months and I'm off somewhere, usually less. I think my favorite mode is by train, but unfortunately that's only an option I have when in Europe. But I handle driving and flying quite well. I've flown over the Atlantic maybe a dozen times now... so the 13 hour flight is nothing by now.
Woah this is awesome, my first AMA I actually arrived to on time! So I gotta ask, what's your favourite TV show? And do you have any new projects lined up yet?
w00t!
My favorite TV show? Then or now? I'll do both.
Then: Rugrats, Pokemon, All That
Now: GAME OF THRONES
Besides water polo and acting, do you have any other hobbies?
Playing guitar, mostly. I'm actually working with this group Alerion Records who are trying to do something new in the music industry. We're essentially a group of guys who want to bring more creative control back to the artist, while working together to expand each others' fan bases. See these links for more!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alerionrecords
We also have a Kickstarter launched!: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/749087035/alerion-records-collaborative-album-be-who-you-are
If you could go back and do one thing that would drastically change Italy forever what would you do?
Fight for the Allies. Murca.
If you could play one superhero (Marvel or DC), which would be your top choice? Multiple answers accepted if elaborated upon.
Off the top of my head, Aquaman would be damn good at water polo. Plus he could play with sharks. He's looked down upon for not having lightning speed, laser eye rays, or invincibility... but the question is asked who I would be, without specifying who I'd be if I wanted to defeat an uber super villain. I've always been akin to Spider Man and Wolverine, though.
What do you do to pass the time on those 13 hour flights?
Read, or listen to audio books and take notes, watch movies, nap, talk with fellow passengers or attendants. Goes by in a flash.
1.) you had incredible hair in lizzy McGuire, probably still do.
2.) is Pepperdine (PCA) as beautiful as I believe it to be?
1) It was my hair, but it wasn't my style. I took longer in hair and make up than anyone else because they had to tame that curly demon mop.
2) What's PCA? But yes, Pepperdine University of Malibu is exactly as beautiful as you believe it to be. Assuming you believe it to be beautiful.
Do you have a girlfriend? And what is your favorite tv show?
I do. Favorite show, GAME OF THRONES.
DUN DUN DADA DUN DUN DADA DUN DUN DADA DUN DUN...
Would you ever apply for Survivor or Big Brother? I mean you'd probably make it on
I would... and I would. Not a bad idea...
Oh wow. You've been my celebrity crush for a long time... Through Lizzie McGuire and then in Polo too. I'm now a college polo player, but on the women's side. Just out of curiosity though, how did you make it to the national team? How did you have the free time to do the whole acting/student/athlete thing? Also, any predictions for NCAA's this year?
Cool!
I never fully made it to the National Team, at best I was on the National "B" Team. I didn't pursue the National Team until after college, which is pretty late. I played a few exhibition matches representing USA against Venezuela and Brazil, but my biggest accomplishment was making the travel team for the Universiade, or World University Games of 2011, which was like the Olympics for college athletes, where we placed 4th in the world.
I was invited to train with the "A" team by the head coach at the time, Terry Schroeder, who was the Head Coach at Pepperdine before I got there. But into my third year of playing pro, my injuries caught up to me and my passion for acting was kicking up, so I let it go.
How did I have time? I didn't. I barely, barely passed middle school while filming the show and playing polo. It got to a point where I had to choose 2 of 3. I thought I could always pick up acting later, but my education was first (my best friends were there, too), and water polo would only last so long, at least at a top tier level. So I put acting on the back burner for over a decade, until now.
NCAA's... always a fun topic. The favorite this year is between UCLA and Stanford... but as long as Jovan Vavic is head coach at USC, I wouldn't be surprised if he adds another trophy to the Trojan vault.
That's really neat. Ive never been on a train but I really hope to some day. Thanks for the response and good luck with your career. You are definitely a talented individual.
Thanks! Godspeed to you as well!
I am probably super late to the party but oh well, have to try! I had such a big crush on you back in the day. But my question is if you could have dinner with one person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Thanks for doing this and have a great day!
My grandfather, Howard Snyder. My father wrote a book about his story during WWII, called Shot Down http://stevesnyderauthor.com/
When you're young, you just think, "Oh hey, it's Grandpa (Pop Pop)!" And you enjoy seeing him. But as I've gotten older, I have so many questions about his past and his life, and what the world was like when he was growing up. I would love to have that chance, and I look forward to when I meet up with him again in heaven.
Does anything from the lizzie mcguire house set still exist? What did you think of that house, or fake house?
Highly doubt it still stands. We filmed at RenMar Studios in Hollywood. It was indeed a fake house. Clean, practical, but I would go for something more rustic.
My friends tell me I look like you. I take it as an enormous compliment. What do you think?
I don't see it. http://imgur.com/dXM9jVV
Who is your favorite character and how did they die? T-T
Tyrion Lannister. The legend lives on.
Do you still like eating cold spaghetti in the morning?!
I don't eat carbs.
what was your favorite episode to film and why?
There was this one episode where Gordo has his coming of age with a bar mitzvah... and it starts with me in a motocross outfit. I have a fascination with armor and the days of old, so I felt awesome wearing this motocross gear. I'd walk all around set with the whole set on, feeling so cool.
Did you ever get to see the Duff Muff?
No jewfro_pubes. I did not.