Bill Watterson is an ex-rocker from the East Side of Cleveland, Ohio. He currently lives in Los Angeles, where he is a filmmaker and actor. He directed the feature film ‘Dave Made A Maze’, and acting credits include the video games LA Noire and Lost Planet 3; the films Ouija, Jenny’s Wedding, and Clint Eastwood’s Jersey Boys; and TV’s Brooklyn Nine Nine, The Soul Man, and The Young & The Restless. But he’s best known as Sean’s little brother.
1. Favorite place to stop and just decompress after a hard day?
I’m a huge fan of Rising Star, the coffee and the vibe of all their locations. Although I particularly like the Hingetown spot—any time I’m in an area of the city that’s on the rise and full of new ideas and fresh approaches, I’m happy.
2. You’re with a group of friends on a Friday or Saturday night and no one can agree on where to go, you take control and suggest?
The Ontario. Right in the center of town. I love being in city centers, and ours is gorgeous. Great mixed crowd, old Cleveland feel, funky jukebox. Is Mitzi’s still the same since Mitzi passed? I mean, of course it isn’t, but has anyone screwed it up? I’d want one there, too. But if anyone knows a joint that spins early 90’s hip-hop where the DJ starts before 11pm, I’m in.
3. A friend who’s never been to Cleveland comes to town and wants to see the sights, what’s the first place you want to show them?
I usually take them right to The Happy Dog, because they’ve heard so much about it either from me or from the press they’ve gotten. Plus I love pinball and have friends on the staff. And I usually end up running into most of the people I would have contacted about hanging out while I’m in town over the course of the night anyway. But if it’s too early for beer, the Art Museum and that stretch always feels like a solid entrée. We’ve got a lot to brag about, and a lot of that beauty speaks for itself.
4. What event, development, idea, trend, etc. that should come to fruition in the next 12 months excites you the most?
I’m out of touch on this one, so I’ll have to be selfish and say partnering with the city and the Film Commission to shoot my next feature film there.
5. Best place to see live music and why?
I worked (and played) at the Beachland Ballroom & Tavern and I think the walls hold something precious within them. It’s a magical place, and I still can’t believe the acts I got up and close to. And even though my brother owns the joint, I was gigging at The Happy Dog before it was even open to the public, let alone under my brother’s guidance. That’s another one of those Cleveland gems that just bleeds history and home. There’s no disconnect between artist and audience and those venues.
6. What about Cleveland is not getting enough press, is underrated?
Everything about Cleveland is underrated. That’s how we like it!
7. If you could have dinner here in Cleveland with any historical figure, who would it be, where would you go and what would you order?
I would stuff my face with Hough Bakery birthday cake while listening to Dorothy Fuldheim tell stories over bourbon at The Theatrical before catching a show at Leo’s Casino. (Sorry, once I got on the time-travelling fantasy trip, it was hard to stop…)
8. You have just been anointed King of Cleveland with an unlimited budget and all encompassing powers, but you only have one day to rule, what do you do? What do you change, build, tear down, re-envision?
After commissioning towering statues of Ghoulardi and Tim Conway, I’d legitimize the Browns or kick them the hell out of town. They take a lot from the people of Cleveland, and we deserve so much better. Let us put our money and our passion somewhere else if you can’t deliver.
On Tap Cleveland 