Carrie Anne Hunt is an actress and a producer. Originally from Columbia, SC, Carrie Anne Hunt originally began her career on stage.
Her classical training has built a strong foundation for her current work in film and television. Carrie Anne is a proud member of both the Screen Actor’s Guild and the Actor’s Equity Association. She can currently be seen starring as Megan Davidson, the on-screen daughter of Andie MacDowell, in the blockbuster smash hit, MAGIC MIKE XXL, the sequel to 2012’s MAGIC MIKE, starring Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer and Joe Manganiello.
Prior to MAGIC MIKE XXL, she was seen playing as the witch, Jer, on FOX’s hit series, SLEEPY HOLLOW. And prior to that, Carrie Anne appeared on Season 3 of Lifetime’s DROP DEAD DIVA as Summer. Her favorite stage roles include: Olivia in TWELFTH NIGHT, Miranda in THE TEMPEST, and Beth in Sam Shepard’s A LIE OF THE MIND. Carrie Anne currently splits her time between Atlanta and Los Angeles.
Hi Carrie Anne, please tell us a little about you?
I’m an actress primarily, but I also write and produce. I’m also a hot tea connoisseur and a lover of fairytales, mythology, and history.
Describe yourself in 3 words!
Optimistic, Spiritual, Whimsical
How did you get involved in acting?
One of the other kids in my neighborhood was taking acting classes and she used to show me what she learned when she would come over to play. After that, I started asking to take lessons as well. I think I officially started at an After School Program in the 4th Grade.
Anyone in your family is in the entertainment business?
My Grandmother was the National President for American Women in Radio and Television; my Dad is a musician; my Sister is an artist; my Uncle is an actor/director; and my other Uncle has a media business, so, I suppose that’s a yes. Haha!
Tell us about your role as “Megan Davidson” in “Magic Mike XXL”? And how did you get cast for it?
I’ll start with how I got cast. My agent sent me the character description, what it was for, and the time of the audition. I had no idea what size the role was, only that she was a ‘rich, southern girl’. Come to find out, Andie MacDowell, whom I adore, would be playing my mom in the film and I would end up with a much larger role than I expected.
When I came into the audition, the casting director recognized me because, wait for it, I was his waitress two years previous. Hah! The read was no pressure and a lot of fun. After that I did a callback with both casting directors, then got the notification that I was “pinned” for the role — which is very nearly being booked, but not quite. A (very slow) week went by before I got the call that I had booked the role and would be on set for two weeks. I was ecstatic. It’s still pretty surreal and I’m so honored to have been able to work with such a great team of people throughout the whole process.
It must have been so much fun to shoot around so many handsome men, tell us about it?
Ha! I’m not sure there’s really much to tell.
Truth be told, it’s not what was at the forefront of my thoughts. I was more concerned with making sure that I was on my A-game as an actress because MMXXL was the biggest opportunity I had gotten in my career to date.
I will say, though, that I was blown away by the skill level of the dancing, particularly between Channing and Twitch; it was straight up acrobatics half the time!
Do you have any special memory or anecdote from the shoot that you could share with us?
Probably one of my favorite things was when we were filming the bonfire scene. It was late at night and GORGEOUS out on Tybee Island. The vibe on set was always really playful and fun and between takes, at some point, I ended up singing the Golden Girls theme song with Matt Bomer.
What was the vibe like on set between takes and between scenes?
Everything always felt really lighthearted and relaxed to me. I was really nervous before my first day and then once I got on set, everyone was so welcoming and down to earth. And funny! It sort of felt like a bunch of old friends getting together to make a movie and legitimately enjoying the entire process. It was really delightful to be around that kind of energy.
You also appeared on Fox’s “Sleepy Hollow” and “Drop Dead Diva”, tell us about that?
Yes! “Drop Dead Diva” was my first Prime Time Television appearance. I actually auditioned for another role initially, but ended up being cast as “Summer” instead because I took a chance and asked if I could read for that part instead. I’m super grateful to the casting director, director, and producer that all gave me the space to play.
On “Sleepy Hollow,” I got cast as “Jer,” a member of “The Four Who Speak as One” that are heavily tied into the past of Ichabod, the main character. This was the first time that I had to have so many prosthetics — teeth, contact lenses. One of the things that stands out about this experience, though, for me is bittersweet: while we were filming, my mother passed away. It was one of the most difficult times in my life and the way that the production team rallied around me was nothing short of amazing. They absolutely took care of me and treated me like family, and for that they will always hold a special place in my heart.
Which has been your favorite character that you have performed? And why?
This is such a hard question! Each character is their own experience and it’s really difficult to pick favorites. But, if I had to choose, I’d say Sophy Hopkey in the independent feature Wesley, set in the early 1700s. Period pieces are my absolute favorite. I came in to read for a small role and ended up with the female lead — I was blown away. To be able to go to set every day and be in historical buildings, those amazing dresses, and with an amazing talented cast and crew felt like a dream.
How do you prepare for a role?
This is a really tough question for me to answer because my process isn’t always the same. It depends on the role and is mostly intuitive. I always try to get as much information as I can regarding the character and story, then I usually make a playlist of music that puts me in that frame of mind. Otherwise, before I go on set, I typically meditate to make sure that I’m really grounded and clear; that I’m open to receive and react spontaneously and organically.
Who is your favorite actress/actor?
I really can’t say that I have favorites. It sort of varies on a per movie basis.
Best advice ever given?
Not to take anything personally, because most of the time it has nothing to do with you. This has saved me several times over in an industry where rejection is common.
That, and that there is ‘enough room for everyone.” The idea that success is limitless and that everyone can have their own and coexist. This takes away the competitive edge and stops you from comparing yourself to other people — if nothing else, it’s provided a lot of peace of mind for me.
Favorite song? Why?
I have a hard time picking a favorite anything because it’s always subject to change. But, as cliche as it may sound, Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” is something that I almost never get tired of hearing. It’s soothing.
I also really love “The Mystic’s Dream” by Loreena McKennitt, for no tangible reason, other than that it really moves me in a way I can’t explain. It’s a very spiritual song for me, one that resonates pretty deeply.
How is a normal day in your life?
Normal? Ha! My schedule is constantly changing, but I really like it that way. No chance of getting bored!
Something people don’t know about you?
Before I wanted to become an actor, I wanted to become a Sign Language Interpreter. I used to watch the ones in class and be fascinated by them. I still remember basic signs and the alphabet, but not much more.
What music can we find on your iPod?
A little bit of everything ranging through almost all the genres. A lot of soundtracks for sure!
What do you think of Social Media?
I think it’s a necessary tool now and that there are a lot of doors that can be opened using it. I also, alternatively, feel really strange about publicly posting about my life.
Where we can follow you?
Twitter: @carrieannehunt , Instagram: @carrieannehunt , FB http://facebook.com/carrieannehuntPR
Quote:
“Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.”
from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Movie: Labyrinth!
Travel Destination: I want to do a tremendous amount of traveling, so my immediate answer is “everywhere!”
Food: Sushi or any kind of Asian Fusion
Drink: Sparkling Water
Sports Team: Hahaha….
TV Show: I recently watched all five seasons of the SyFy Channel’s “Merlin” series and enjoyed it immensely. I studied Arthurian Legend for a whole semester in school, so it was fun to see the twists they put on the myth and which versions they pulled from.
Book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
