When the writer met with Vincent M. Ward, she could tell by his physique that he had been an athlete; when she asked if he had played basketball, he confirmed her assumption. Before establishing himself as an actor, basketball was one of Ward’s first loves.
The Walking Dead actor, best known for his role as Oscar, is preparing for a special homecoming at his high school alma mater that will honor his basketball journey that began long before the cameras started rolling. Ward, along with thirty other inductees from various classes, will be inducted into the Trotwood-Madison High School Athletic Hall of Fame this coming Friday, October 9th, in his hometown of Trotwood, Ohio. The honor carries even greater significance because the school has not held a Hall of Fame ceremony in 40 years, Ward told The Exclusive Press (EP).
The EP interviewed the 55-year-old at the “We Don’t Wait, We Create, Part 2” event on August 22, 2026, hosted by Rasheed Myers of The Collective Visions in Raleigh, North Carolina. During the conversation, Ward reflected on receiving the call that week prior about his upcoming induction and what it means to return to his alma mater.
“I was crying because they haven’t done it in 40 years,” Ward said. “For them to have me as one of the first ones, I’m truly grateful and very honored.”
From Hoopster and Dance Machine to the Acting Stage
Ward also found himself drawn to performance during his school days, recalling his younger years of winning just about every dance contest with his fellow tall dance partner, who stood at 6’5.
The Dayton, Ohio, native eventually discovered acting after his athletic and dancing pursuits. In 1998, his path led him to a stage production in Columbus, Ohio, that would change the direction of his life.
“I fell in love, and that’s what I said I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” he said. “And I’ve been doing it ever since.”
A Mid to Far West Leap of Faith
Ward remembers telling his mother over two decades ago that he was moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting.
“My mom said, ‘Well, if you don’t make it, what do you have to fall back on?’” Ward recalled.
Actor Vincent M. Ward
His answer to his mother was simple: “Nothing.”
“I always asked God, ‘What did you put me on this earth to do?’” he said. “When I came out of high school, my first love was basketball and dancing. When that went away, I saw a play and thought, ‘This is what I want to do.’”
Ward’s bold decision eventually led to a career spanning 26 years, with appearances across film, television, and theater, such as The Walking Dead, The Starter Wife, Everybody Hates Chris, Ocean’s Eleven, CSI: Miami, New Jack City – Stage Play, The Wire, House of Payne, Army Wives, and Bringing Down the House. For Ward, the decision was about following what he believed he was called to do.
Ward credits consistency, faith, and humility with helping him remain in an industry where careers can change quickly.
Using His Experience to Encourage Others
Ward’s journey has also enabled him to share his insights with those who aspire to follow similar paths.
At the “We Don’t Wait, We Create, Part 2” event, he spoke with creatives about pursuing their next level of greatness and navigating the performing arts industry.
Ward acknowledged that although he has accomplished a great deal, he still sees room for growth.
“I’m not where I want to be, but I’ve improved,” Ward said. “I think I’m in a position to be able to speak to people about what I went through, what I see, or who I know.”
Ward’s advice is not about portraying himself as someone who has all the answers. Instead, he believes in sharing the lessons he has learned along the way that mold him into an actor.
When reflecting on his younger years, Ward said he would encourage his younger self to wait before becoming a father.
“I can tell my younger self something,” he said. “I would say, ‘Don’t be having babies in high school.’ That’s what happened with me in high school, so I just pull from my younger self.”
Ward, who had two children in high school, emphasized that he loves his children and considers them blessings, but his experience has taught him lessons he hopes younger people can learn from.
The Importance of Authenticity
Ward also spoke about the challenges of navigating an entertainment industry increasingly influenced by social media.
“You’re not going to get Hollywood talk. You’re not going to get political talk. I’m going to tell you the real,” he said.
He believes face-to-face interaction and genuine mentorship remain important because social media does not always reflect a person’s actual experience or abilities.
“Nowadays, people are behind a computer and aren’t really who they say they are,” he said. “Just because you’re an actor doesn’t mean you’re an actor. Just because you’re a singer doesn’t mean you’re a singer.”
For Ward, experience, preparation, and dedication to the craft matter more than simply having visibility.
Why the Arts Still Matter?
Ward has a passion about preserving arts education and creating opportunities for aspiring actors to develop their talents. He believes theater, in particular, demands a level of discipline that is sometimes overlooked.
“The arts are way harder to me,” he explained. “When you do a play, there’s no cut. You’re in action, and there’s a lot of rehearsal that goes into it.”
Theater performers, according to him, must also establish an immediate connection with a live audience.
“You can make them mad at you. You can make them cry. You can make them love you,” Ward said. “And you have to do that in front of 4,000 or 5,000 people.”
Ward’s experiences on stage, including his collaboration with Snoop Dogg in the stage production Redemption of a Dogg, have shaped his appreciation for theater. The production also featured Tamar Braxton, Omar Gooding, Eric Benét, Demetrius McKinney, and James “Lil JJ” Lewis.
When Ward first learned that Snoop Dogg would be part of the production, he wondered how seriously the rapper would approach theater.
“He took it so serious,” Ward said on commending the Long Beach, California, rapper on his talent. “He was off book in two weeks.”
The experience reinforced Ward’s belief that entertainers can successfully move between different forms of entertainment when they respect the craft. He pointed to Will Smith, Queen Latifah, and Ice Cube as examples of artists who successfully transitioned from music into acting.
Bringing the Arts Back Into Schools
Ward believes arts programs should be restored in schools where they have been eliminated.
“I think they should definitely have the arts back in schools if they’ve taken them out,” he said.
For Ward, exposure to the arts can provide young people with an opportunity to discover talents and career paths they may not otherwise encounter.
He also emphasized the importance of media outlets continuing to highlight theater, film, live performances, and the artists behind them, particularly productions and cultural events that may not receive the same level of mainstream attention.
Staying Humble in an Evolving Industry
Ward has appeared in numerous films. But rather than viewing that accomplishment as a reason to become comfortable, Ward sees it as motivation to continue developing his craft. The humbleness comes from the fact that he made this initial step, so he needs to keep working and building on his craft, he explained.
“Everything is a blessing… You’re not done. Just keep going,” he added.
With his career in the industry that’s been almost thirty years, Ward continues to pursue acting, theater, and opportunities to encourage the next generation of creatives.
A Full-Circle Homecoming
Ward’s upcoming Hall of Fame induction represents a full-circle moment of returning to the school where his story began and being recognized by a community that knew him before the lights, cameras, and stages. Ward’s journey from the basketball court to the acting stage is a reflection of growth and persistence.
Despite leaving a tremendous mark in his respected field, Ward’s message remains simple: stay humble, respect the craft, and keep going. And for Ward, the journey is still unfolding.
