Whether he's hollering at the kids for playing “dahn the crick” too long or mocking his Ravens-loving neighbor, Pittsburgh Dad oozes Yinzer.
He loves his Steelers, Hills and his family, even though they drive him aht-a his mind! As the man behind the Dad, actor Curt Wootton exudes that perfect blend of exasperated father and Ultimate Pittsburgher we can all recognize in our own parents.
In the last two years, the hilarious “Pittsburgh Dad” web series created by Wootton and director Chris Preksta has become a huge hit with Pittsburghers and ex-pats alike. A new video hits YouTube each Tuesday, with each one garnering thousands upon thousands of views. A particularly popular one featuring Dad at Kennywood hit nearly 215,000 views.
Wootton is a Greensburg native who lived on the West Coast for a stretch before coming back to the ‘Burgh. “Pittsburgh Dad” started as a joke during filming on “The Mercury Men,” a series Preksta directed starring Wootton that aired on SyFy. Between takes, Wootton would pile on the Pittsburghese, and the crew would lose it.
The guys shot a couple improvised shorts, posted them online and were shocked with the response. The series is now scripted with suggestions pouring in from avid fans all over the country and more people discovering the series each day.
As Pittsburgh Dad would say in anticipation of a Steeler victory, “Three, two, one. Win.”
The star who would play me in the movie version of my life:
Let's go with Harrison Ford circa 1981. I mean who wouldn't want the guy who played Han Solo and Indiana Jones to portray their life?
Pick one:
A. Go-Gos
B. Goo Goo Dolls
C. Lady Gaga
D. Yo Gabba Gabba
The Go-Gos, 'cause they kept their lips sealed.
The superpower I wish I had in real life:
Mind Control. I'd make Joe Flacco fumble the football on every snap.
I can't live without my: iPod, cell phone, DVR or laptop?
Cell phone. I was without it for two days last year, and I assumed the fetal position the entire time until I got it back.
My favorite reality show:
“Ink Master.” Have you seen some of those awful tattoos those people get stuck with? Hysterical.
App I wish I could invent:
The Scratch and Sniff App. Scratch the screen and it smells like pizza, lemons, popcorn, etc.
Favorite brunch food:
Does a Bloody Mary count?
Favorite guilty pleasure:
Watching “Full House” on Nick at Nite
Best mistake I've ever made:
Switching majors in college after my first semester because I got to stay in school an extra party-filled year!
Favorite lunchtime spot:
The Olive Garden, as well as my parents' refrigerator, because both have the “All You Can Eat” feature.
Childhood hero:
I have two: my father and Boba Fett. But, I'm still not sure who would win in a fight.
The last book I read:
Does the Pennysaver count?
In five years, I'd like to:
Have enjoyed five Dairy Queen birthday cakes.
Exercise I hate most:
Squats
Top thing on my Bucket List to do before I'm gone:
Throw out a first pitch at a Pirates game.
The oldest thing in my refrigerator:
That IPA beer
Star I'd like to dance with on “Dancing With the Stars”:
Kristen Stewart because she doesn't deserve to win anything.
Something I would do over if I could:
This survey because I could come up with better answers.
The piece of memorabilia from my childhood I wish I still had:
My first series Garbage Pail Kids stickers, so I could put them on my Trapper Keeper.
My quirkiest inherited trait:
My appreciation for a well-kept lawn.
Movie I could watch every time it appears on cable:
“Caddyshack”
If I wasn't an actor, I'd be:
A professional wrestler
Three people I'd love to have dinner with:
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Murray and Steven Spielberg.
My favorite sandwich, plus fixings:
Turkey hoagie with provolone, lettuce, tomato, jalapenos, banana peppers, pickles, hot pepper relish, spicy mustard and sub dressing.
When I was 10, I wanted to be:
Jose Canseco and Batman
Celebrity crush:
Raquel Welch, the 1966 version
I'm deathly afraid of:
Lady Elaine from “Mister Rogers”
The first band I saw in concert:
Steve Miller Band at Star Lake Amphitheater, summer '97
The best concert I've ever seen:
I saw this Journey tribute band, and the lead singer sounded just like Steve Perry! It was a blast!
My favorite thing about Pittsburgh:
Kennywood!
The worst advice I ever received:
“You gotta see this new Tyler Perry movie.”
TV marathon I could watch all day:
“All in the Family.” That show was so funny and so not afraid.
If I was auditioning for “American Idol,” my song would be:
“The Gambler” by Kenny Rogers or “Wildside” by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch
Favorite Pittsburgh-area landmark:
The Edgewood/Swissvale exit on the Parkway. There always seems to be a line of cars backed up to see it!
Best new gadget I've tried recently:
The UPC scanners they got at Kohl's. I get excited to see what actual price will pop up!
In high school, I was:
Rocking a Detroit Lions Starter Jacket.
The most famous person I ever became friends with:
I stood next to Tom Hanks once at a Sunglass Hut in L.A., so yeah, I guess you could say we are friends now.
The movie that always makes me cry:
“E.T.”
My favorite “bad” movie:
“Chopping Mall.” An '80s movie about security robots that take over a mall at night. A must see!
Pick one:
A. Pirates
B. Penguins
C. Steelers
D. Other
E. I hate sports
Steelers!
My favorite Pittsburgh athlete:
Gotta go with Andy Van Slyke!
My most embarrassing junk food:
Andy Capp's Hot Fries
My favorite Pittsburgh pizza:
Vinnie Pie no doubt, but if I'm in the mood for white pizza, there's a great place in New Stanton called Campy's.
My favorite website:
My most memorable fashion mistake:
I bleached my eyebrows when I was 21 and was convinced it was cool and would catch on. Swing and a miss on that one!
My most treasured fashion accessory:
My Pirates wristband
My childhood nickname:
That kid with Kool-Aid mustache
If I could live my life as someone else, it would be:
Superman.
The person I'm most often mistaken for:
Seann William Scott (Steve Stifler from the “American Pie” movies)
My first job:
Let's just say I made McMinium wage.
My worst job:
Working at a car wash in the winter when the roads would get dry after several days of them being wet and salty. The cars just kept coming. They kept coming. THEY NEVER STOPPED COMING!!!
My favorite cable channel:
Cartoon Network
The song that always gets me out on the dance floor:
“Thriller” because I love to lip sync the Vincent Price part of the song!
Saturday mornings, you'll find me:
Wishing that cartoons were still on.
I never travel without my:
Nose hair trimmers.
What you'll always find in my glove compartment:
A burned-out lightbulb
Life would be better without:
Ravens fans
If I could tour with any two bands, they would be:
Journey and John Williams, the composer.
People would be surprised to know that I:
Think the Pirates will in fact win a World Series again in my lifetime!
