Interview by Jana Letonja

Dutch actor Walt Klink most recently starred in Paramount+’s ‘Rabbit Hole’ and Amazon & BBC’s ‘The English’. Next up, we’ll be able to see him in the comedy ‘Krazy House’ opposite Alicia Silverstone.

Walt, you recently starred in Paramount+’s series ‘Rabbit Hole’. How was it starring on a spy thriller series, and with none other than Kiefer Sutherland?

Starring in a spy thriller is kind of a boy’s dream cause you get to do all these amazing things like kung fu and playing with guns. Plus, you get to connect with beautiful people on the set. The stunt people were on another level and I really felt humbled by the experience. I was flying through the air, I was kicking and all that stuff. It was really cool. And Kiefer Sutherland, Charles Dance and Rob Yang, and all these actors who have done this for so long are just incredibly good at their craft and I get to learn from them. It’s incredibly humbling and beautiful to be able to have that experience. It almost feels like it’s too good to be true sometimes.

Next up, we’ll be able to see you in the Dutch comedy ‘Krazy House’ opposite Alicia Silverstone. What can you share with us about this upcoming film?

I can say that it was one of the craziest movies I’ve ever had the privilege to be a part of. And the character I play is absolutely crazy, which is always fun to play. It was so nice to do a comedy after all the dark roles of the past years. And I realized that I really like playing comedy. Plus, Alicia Silverstone is really good. And Nick Frost is one of the biggest gems in comedy right now.

So again, it felt like I had the privilege to learn so much from giants who’ve been doing this stuff for a while. I think Flip and Steffen are the best comedy directors in Holland right now. I learned a lot from everyone on that set because for me it was new, and they’ve all done it a thousand, 2.000 times.

Now that you’ve starred in both Dutch and international productions, how does the experience of being on set of a Dutch production differ from an international one?

I think what differs is the size of it. In essence, is the same thing. It’s just people coming together to create something. And my part in it is so incredibly small compared to the job that everyone else does. As an actor, you get to just show up and you do your little thing. 

The beautiful thing about me working in Holland is you get to work as more of a team in Holland. In America, you work more as an individual. I like the solidarity of it sometimes, but I do love working together with people in Holland. It’s always a pleasure when you get to know people.

Can you share with us a bit more about your story of how you got into acting?

I got into acting on a lucky note. I had no interest in it whatsoever and my family said maybe I should audition to that school. So I tried auditioning for the school, I got in and I just tried it and I got lucky from the start. I think for the most part, I would say the word that would describe this answer is luck.

How do you usually prepare for new roles? Is there a specific thing you are looking for in roles that you are booking?

I work a lot with my acting coach, Terence Schreurs. She is the number-one acting coach in Holland right now. She basically looks at the part. You dissect it together and you see maybe this is interesting. Then you try and play and you make mistakes and just over and over again. And hopefully, it’s something that’ll work and hopefully, it’s something that’ll catch on. Sometimes that is the way it happens and sometimes not. And that’s the beauty of it. 

What do you consider the biggest personal reward for your work on screen?

I think just the work itself, the ability to go there and play and have fun. I always hope I do something that can influence people in a positive way, but I’m going to have to start to pick my roles better for that. For now, the most beautiful thing is being able to play for my work. I actually make money doing this. 

You grew up in the North of the Netherlands. What is your view on opportunities for young upcoming talents that Netherlands has to offer?

In the North of Holland, creativity is not a thing you do at school. You don’t have many theater classes, it’s nonexistent. I think if we would plan some more theater opportunities for schools in the North, we would have a rush of talent. In the South and East as well. The only place where you get that in high school is Amsterdam or Rotterdam or the big cities. I think if we would introduce theater some more in the North, South, and East, kids would definitely be able to express themselves more and let creative in as an opportunity for their life and for their growth as humans.

We are huge lovers of everything fashion at Numero NL. How do you feel about fashion and what does fashion mean to you?

I love to look at it, I love to see it in movies but to be honest, the only thing I usually wear is yoga pants and slippers. I absolutely respect the art of fashion and I do see how people can express themselves, but I’ve never found my passion in fashion. I’m a huge fan of what you guys do at Numero Netherlands. It’s quite beautiful.

Walt, we’d love to hear more about your hobbies and passions, outside of work, outside of acting.

I’m a big fan of yoga. That’s one of my main passions. And I love surfing. I love being in water, it’s definitely one of my other two passions. And other passions I would say are painting and writing. I love to do things creatively and try to figure new things out.

What are your dreams and goals for the future of your career?

I’m making a movie right now, writing it. We’ve had some meetings with producers, it’s about a boy who wants to commit suicide and he gets himself out of the jam by going on the self-discovery journey. We really want to try to make a movie that can actually help people. So my next goal would be to actually make something that can be of help to young people and their struggles with mental illness. 

TEAM CREDITS
Talent: Walt Klink @waltklink
Photographer: Daniel Sars @daniel.sars
Editor: Timi Letonja @timiletonja
Interview by Jana Letonja @janaletonja