Wil Willis is best known for being the host of the History Channel series Forged in Fire. During his time on the show, which aired from 2015 to 2019, Wil gained immense popularity among viewers. He also hosted the spin-off series Forged in Fire: Beat the Judges which premiered in 2020. However, when it was announced that “Beat the Judges” would return for a second season, viewers noticed that Wil was absent from the show’s promotional materials. It looks like two-time Forge in Fire winner Ben Abbott has taken over the hosting role, and many fans are not happy about Wil’s departure. Keep reading to learn 10 facts you didn’t know about Wil Willis.
1. There Is No Information On Why He Left The Show
So far, neither Wil nor the History Channel have said anything about why he decided to leave the show and there’s a possibility that neither side will ever address the situation. It could be due to contract negotiations or simply Wil wanting to spend more time with his family.
2. He Has A YouTube Channel
Most people wouldn’t consider Wil a YouTuber, seeing as how he hasn’t posted anything in several years. However, he does have a YouTube channel that he started back in 2007 and has only uploaded three videos over the last 13 years. Surprisingly, the channel still has more than 32,000 followers and nearly six million total views.
3. He Loves Cars
He may not be a mechanic by trade, but Wil is definitely the kind of guy who loves working on his car. When Wil isn’t working, you can usually find him tinkering with his classic Chevy Nova. In an Instagram post about the car, he revealed, “I drained and refilled the old fuel, changed the oil and filter, fogged the cylinders, checked the hoses, radiator, belts, plugs, wires, fluids, and pretty much everything else except the darn tires.”
4. He Has Acting Experience
Most people are familiar with Wil’s work as a TV host, but hosting isn’t the only on-camera gig he’s had. Wil also has some acting experience under his belt. His page on IMDb states that he has four acting credits, two uncredited movie appearances, and two roles in short films.
5. He Is A Veteran
Like many others, Wil wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life after high school. Coming from a military family, he chose to follow in their footsteps and join the military. During an interview with Inverse, he said, “I left the Army in 1998 and joined the Air Force, where I served as a Pararescueman until 2008.”
6. He Studied Screenwriting
Working in the entertainment industry has always been something that has interested Wil Willis. So even though his time with Forged in Fire has come to a close, I doubt we’ve seen the last of him. In fact, according to his LinkedIn profile, he studied playwriting and screenwriting at the New York Film Academy.
7. He Is A Father
In addition to his hectic professional life, Wil is a devoted family man. He has been married to Krystle Amina since 2017, and sources have reported that he also has two other children from a previous marriage. Despite being in their late teens/early 20s, he maintains a strong relationship with them.
8. He Considers Himself To Be A Nerd
Most people probably wouldn’t look at Wil and think of him as a nerd, but he isn’t afraid to confess that he has a very nerdy side. He was an avid fan of Dungeons and Dragons when he was younger and he devoted a lot of time to reading the books. He is also an enthusiastic comic book fan.
9. He Loves To Stay Active
Wil’s days in the military may be over, but that doesn’t mean he has abandoned the active lifestyle he had grown accustomed to. Physical activity is an integral part of Wil’s daily routine and he loves to get creative with his workouts. He enjoys activities such as hiking and other forms of outdoor training.
10. He Was Born In Portugal
Many people will be surprised to learn that Wil was born in Portugal. In an interview with Inverse, he said, “I was an Air Force brat. I was born off the coast of Portugal, and we moved to Texas when I was around two years old. Then to Florida when I was five, and then to California when I was eight. I graduated high school in Northern California.”
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