The Superman Super Site recently had the opportunity to conduct the following interview with actor/writer/artist, Scott Cranford about his career and eight years as the official Man of Steel for the annual Superman Celebration in Metropolis, IL. Here's what Cranford had to say:

Super Site: In 2000, Metropolis, IL held a contest seeking an individual to take over the mantle as the Official Superman of Metropolis; which had previously been held by various individuals each prior year. How did you find out about the contest and what inspired you to enter?
Cranford: I am a huge Superman fan. For some lucky reason I have always identified with the character, especially his values. Before I got the job, I had written a children's book titled, "Superman's Book of Morals". At the time, I was pitching it to DC Comics. I had also just directed a fan film which I played Clark Kent/Superman called Power Meeting. My goal at the time was to play Superman in the movies and TV shows. So I was ready. I happened to be listening to Radio Disney when I heard The Super Museum owner, Jim Hambrick explaining that the city of Metropolis in Illinois was searching for someone to portray Superman for the annual Superman Celebration.

Super Site: What was your reaction when you found out you had been selected as the winner of the contest?
Cranford: Since I had heard about it on a national radio station and then saw it on the TV news later, I figured there would be a lot of applicants and that would decrease my chances. I had put a lot of effort and energy into Superman and superheroes but I had also had a lot of let downs. I was thrilled that it came down to me.

Super Site: You made your debut appearance as the Official Superman of Metropolis during the opening ceremonies at the 2000 Superman Celebration. What do you remember most about that first year?
Cranford: It was the Superman Celebration's most ambitious event yet. The guests that year included, Noel Neill, Margot Kidder, Marc McClure, Mike Carlin and Jeph Loeb. There was a lot expected from me because I was coming from California and all the media attention the search acquired. I remember first stepping out onto the streets of Metropolis wearing the suit. I was working regularly as a Screen Actors Guild member but the work I was used to was usually scripted. I was not really comfortable with improv or dealing with the public directly. Superman however made it easy. The suit really helped. The city looked and felt like Smallville in Superman 3. It felt like I was there. The kids were excited to see me because my picture was in all the papers and plastered all over town. I instantly fell into it. I loved it. Some people would give me strange looks but I ignored that. My guess was that Superman would get strange looks too if he were in the real world but he had a job to do. Today there are dozens of guys walking around Metropolis as Superman so now folks are used to it but at that time it was just me.

Super Site: Children, and the young at heart for that matter, truly saw you as the "real" Superman during the annual celebration. What was that experience like for you?
Cranford: I was surprised at how much leeway I had with the character. I could use the curl or just slick back my hair. I was given no instructions as to how I should behave around children or what I should say if I was asked to retrieve a kite from a tree. Writing the spec book, Superman's Book of Morals, really gave me an insight to the character's motives. Many parents told me they had gone to my website and read in the papers that I was into motivating kids. It surprised me how many parents asked me to tell their kids to listen to them. I had a knack for turning kids attitudes around and getting them excited about doing good. Superman taught me how to build on people's inherent need to do good, especially children. Although my book was never published, I posted it online. It was one of the main reasons I was asked to do two three week Goodwill Tours for the Army. I read the book and met with children whose parents were fighting The Iraq War on military bases overseas.

Super Site: One of the biggest highlights during the annual Superman Celebration are the celebrities that attend. Over the course of your eight years as the official Superman, what was your favorite celebrity moment and why?
Cranford: What made the Superman Celebration great for me was that I got to meet and work with many of my childhood heroes like Adam West, Lou Ferrigno, Jackson Bostwick and John Schnieder, and ladies I admired as a youth like Yvonne Craig, Julie Newmar and Helen Slater. I also met many talented writers and artists. I was able to bring in one of my favorite writers Mark Waid. It was great meeting artist Steve Stanley (www.stanleyart.com) who has done some incredible Superman art based on my likeness. He also created two flawless Superman uniforms. The moment, however, that stands out the most to me took place my first year. Noel Neill and Margot Kidder were two of the guests. Before the autograph session began, I was directed to sit between them in the suit. I adored these women growing up. I felt like I already knew them. I hit it off with Noel right away. I remember her leaning into me and saying. "How did they rope you into this?". I told her I was thrilled to be there and what it meant to me. She seemed happy that I shared the same respect for the hero that she did.

Super Site: In addition to the celebrity appearances, the Superman Celebration always features various events & activities that make each festival a truly memorable occasion. Which celebration stands out in your mind as the most memorable and why?
Cranford: There are so many. I got to live a fanboy's dream. I made lifelong friends which is priceless. After the first year, the guy who wrote the dramas that opened the Superman Celebration dropped out. I started writing them after that, sometimes with my pal Scott Summitt. It was a fun challenge coming up with new villains and scenarios to disrupt the Celebration every year. But I have to say the year that I got married as Superman was most memorable. Word got out in Metropolis that I was getting married. The Metropolis Chamber offered to do a wedding for my wife Marcella and I. I admit I was a little hesitant at first but it ended up being a great experience with over 400 people in attendance. I remember looking at a tiny Superman pin on my beautiful bride's wedding gown and seeing Jack O' Halloran who played Non in the Superman movies in attendance and thinking, I could never have imagined this. When I returned home I had a wedding, with my family and friends who could not attend, in a tuxedo.

Super Site: This summer will see the release of the highly anticipated reboot of the Superman film franchise, "Man of Steel". It will feature a lot of changes (costume, origin, etc) that fans will see once the film premieres. What are your overall thoughts on the film itself as well as Henry Cavill taking on the role as Superman?
Cranford: I am excited about it. First and foremost, I am glad that they took a fresh approach. I always appreciate risk takers. The latest trailer looks cool. Very masculine. I dig the fact that the movie is going to be realistic. Seeing amazing characters in an amazing world is never as interesting to me as seeing amazing characters in the real world. I like that they are emphasizing Superman's message of Hope. I always thought that was an important part of the Superman mythos. Zod looks mean. Could end up being a classic bad guy. There are changes that I believe had to be made which I understand. I think Henry Cavill is an excellent choice. From what I have read on him, it seems he has the right attitude about the role.

Super Site: In addition to being the Official Superman of Metropolis from 2000 - 2007, you have had a career of doing stunt work and have had roles in many films. What are some of the films you have worked on and do any experiences on set stand out from others?
Cranford: I have worked in the business for over twenty years. I have been fortunate to work on some of the biggest and sometimes bloated movies in history as well as some of the lowest budget pieces of junk that don't even deserve to be called movies. My first job was as a stand in and double for Ron Perlman on a TV show called "Beauty and the Beast". I built my way up to double for my boyhood role model, Arnold Schwarzenegger, without ever taking steroids. Those two guys really taught me a lot about the industry. While I enjoyed working on the Batman films and big action movies like "Die Hard 2", I really like working on smaller projects like the documentary I directed "Heroic Ambition". With smaller projects I get to work on every aspect of film making, from writing the script to the packaging of the DVD.

Super Site: Outside of Superman and acting, what other activities, hobbies and work are you regularly involved in?
Cranford: I have been married to Marcella Cranford for twelve years and I have a son Jack who is nine years old. I love being a dad and everything that goes with it. I enjoy motivating people and helping people live up to their greatest potential. I really get off on seeing people succeed and accomplishing things they never thought possible. I enjoy fitness and working out with weights. I love art, drawing, writing and creating things. I am always working on my superhero entertainment website, www.Heroicworld.com.

Super Site: What does the future hold for Scott Cranford?
Cranford: I have been honing my craft both in my writing and art. I continue my crusade of turning the motivational superheroes I created into household names. This means movies, TV, games, comic books, etc. There are a few projects I am currently working on that I am not at liberty to discuss yet but I can tell you I will always be working on projects related to heroes. Coming up in July, look out for www.Superherofanfilms.com, a brand new website featuring the greatest Superhero fan films online. Also, in Celebration of Superman's 75th Anniversary, I have created an online retrospect coming May 24th titled, Adventures as Superman. This will be featured on my website www.Heroicworld.com.

Super Site: Thank you again for taking the time out of your schedule to participate in this interview. It has truly been an honor and a privilege to speak with you.
Cranford: Thanks Neil, Keep up the \S/uper work! ;-)

Check out Cranford's wonderful website at HeroicWorld.com.