Remember the chubby kid from Hardball? Julian Griffith has come a long way from his breakout role alongside Keanu Reeves, crafting a multifaceted career that weaves together his passions for acting, baseball, education, and community service.

Growing up in Bellwood, a suburb outside West Chicago, Julian was raised by a single mother who worked as a schoolteacher. At just three years old, he began his acting journey with print modeling before landing his first significant role in Hardball at age ten. After this early success, Julian took a 13-year hiatus from acting at his mother's insistence to focus on education and experience a more normal childhood—a decision he initially resisted but now deeply appreciates.

During this break, Julian flourished as a baseball player, earning all-conference honors as a high school catcher before playing college ball on scholarship. His promising career faced a significant setback when he tore his UCL during his junior year, requiring Tommy John surgery. With remarkable determination, Julian completed his recovery months ahead of schedule, eventually signing professional contracts with several teams including one in Puerto Rico where he maintained an impressive .488 batting average.

Julian's achievements extend beyond sports and entertainment—he made history as the first African-American male to graduate from his college's education program. Today, he runs Juiced Up Athletics, providing affordable baseball and softball training to kids from all economic backgrounds across the Chicago area. His non-profit organization, Juiced Up World Changers, supports Chicago's homeless population with essential supplies and resources aimed at helping them transition out of homelessness.

Throughout our conversation, Julian shares candid behind-the-scenes stories from Hardball (including the revelation that they actually filmed at the old Detroit Tigers stadium rather than Wrigley Field), discusses his return to acting with roles on shows like Chicago Fire and Amazon's Utopia, and reveals his future aspirations as a writer and producer.

Want to support Julian's mission to help the homeless in Chicago? Visit the Juiced Up World Changers Facebook page or contact him directly at ju.athletics.life@gmail.com.