After completing high school, he embarked on a prestigious journey by attending the Air Force Academy Prep School, a prestigious institution that prepares students for the United States Air Force Academy. However, his academic pursuits took a dramatic turn when he decided to leave the prep school and switch gears by enrolling at Mississippi State University to pursue his passion for football.
Despite his enthusiasm, his athletic endeavors were short-lived, as he was forced to withdraw from the team due to a devastating injury, which resulted in a broken hand. Undeterred, he decided to transfer to the University of the South, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology.
Following his academic achievements, he ventured into the realm of counseling, securing a position at the Tennessee State Prison, where he worked for a year, honing his skills as a counselor. After completing his stint at the prison, he embarked on a period of self-discovery, traveling extensively before being approached to appear as an extra in a television movie.
This experience sparked a new trajectory in his life, as he relocated to Los Angeles in 1980. It was during this period that he sent his photograph to the producers of Tarzan the Ape Man (1981),a move that would ultimately change the course of his life forever, leading to a career in the entertainment industry that would span decades.
