The Vampire Diaries series opens with Zach Roerig playing Matt Donovan, the big high school football star dating the hot girl of the school and main character, Elena Gilbert. The role of the football star is not a new one to Zach however. You may recognize him from his role from the hit series Friday Night Lights.
Although his recent successes highlight his career in 2009, he's no amateur to the industry. Zach had roles in popular soap operas such as One Life to Live and As the World Turns. His hard work has definitely paid off and the sky is the limit for this young actor.
AOL Travel asked Zach what was his favorite thing about filming The Vampire Diaries in Atlanta and how he's dealt with fan recoginition while on vacation.
What's the best thing you've discovered about Atlanta?
Zach Roerig: Little five points. It's like venice crossed between the east village. You can't go wrong with that.
What's the Funniest Time a Fan Recognized You While On Vacation? How Did Everyone React?
Zach Roerig: During one vacation trip we stopped at a truck stop to refuel. I was alarmed to hear a deep voice shout "Casey Hughes!" (My character on As the World Turns at the time). At this point my fans were generally middle aged females, so i was a little shocked when it turned out that the voice belonged to a burly trucker who happened to be a big fan of the show
What's Your Favorite Childhood Vacation Memory?
Zach Roerig: One night in North Carolina my cousins and I stumbled upon a sea turtle laying eggs on the beach. I was the oldest of the group and seized the opportunity to explain the birds and the bees to the youngsters, much to their parents chagrin.
What Is the One Item/Thing You Never Travel Without? And Why?
Zach Roerig: I will never travel without with my favorite pair of boat shoes. They smell so bad that I should probably burn them, but instead I wrap them up in 3 or 4 grocery bags and hope that the pilot doesn't mind the stench.
What's your biggest pet peeve when traveling or share the worst travel experience you've had?
Zach Roerig: Riding in my grandpa's truck knowing that the coffee can beneath my feet was filled with his urine from the first few hundred miles was alarming, to say the least.
Actress Malese Jow of kiddie TV fame (Unfabulous, Hannah Montana) is about to grow up fast. The gorgeous 18 year old is in Atlanta to begin shooting her first scene on The CW’s sexy Vampire Diaries. “She comes on as Jeremy’s smart new friend, Anna,” series creator Kevin Williamson tells me.
