Fans of WWE’s Attitude Era will likely remember The Oddities, a faction formed by The Jackyl (AKA Don Callis) and featuring members of the Insane Clown Posse, among others. Another member of the short-lived group was Kurrgan (aka Robert Maillet), who would later enjoy a successful acting career. Maillet was the guest of a recent edition of “Stories with Brisco and Bradshaw”, and the performer explained how he became an actor.
Maillet was released by WWE in 1999 but continued to work on the independent scene for several years, as well as eventually taking a job as a machine operator. After a few local acting gigs, the French Canadian received a call in the mid-2000s about a role for a film shoot in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Although he wasn’t given many details, Maillet knew the film was being produced by a major Hollywood studio.
“I said yes and they took me to Montreal,” Maillet said. “(I) auditioned to see if I was tall enough, I guess, and if I could move around with a sword and all that. And I got the job.”
The film was Zack Snyder’s “300,” with Maillet ultimately playing the role of the Über-Immortal. Maillet had to spend hours applying makeup and prosthetics every morning before filming, but it paid off for him, as his character was featured in an important one-on-one fight with the film’s star, Gerard Butler , playing Leonidas.
Robert ‘Kurrgan’ Maillet discusses the evolution of his acting career
Continuing to discuss the process of filming “300,” Maillet revealed that he was once asked to wear his prosthetics overnight while sleeping in order to save time for filming the next day. The actor had no problem with this, since he was getting paid the whole time. However, Maillet remembers scaring some of the other guests in the hotel lobby.
After the success of “300,” despite not having an agent, Maillet was offered a role in another high-profile film: “Sherlock Holmes,” starring Robert Downey Jr. Once Again , Maillet featured in an important fight scene against the film’s star, and he credits both roles with launching his career in Hollywood.
“(I) found an agent, found representation and got a little busier after that,” Maillet continued. “It was a slow process but it worked.”
Maillet continued to build a good list of film and television credits. Regarding a potential return to the world of professional wrestling, the former Kurrgan has shelved the idea of getting back into the ring.
“I’m going to introduce myself, do autographs,” Maillet said. “Maybe I’ll do a chokeslam, and that’s it.”
If you use any of the quotes from this article, please credit “Stories with Briscoe and Bradshaw” with ah/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
