Maddox Relishes Acting Role In Upcoming ‘Bloodline’ Shows

Longtime Marathon resident Johnny Maddox is psyched about his upcoming role as a fish house manager, in forthcoming episodes of the Netflix drama thriller Bloodline.

He’s currently the owner/operator of Johnny Maddox Charters Sportfishing, but the self-described “well-unknown” Maddox is no stranger to the spotlight. In previous incarnations, he acted in commercials, played in local bands, and even tried his hand in public speaking.

Back in November, Maddox responded to an ad in a local paper for background casting for the acclaimed show, which stars Sam Shepard and Sissy Spacek.

He received an email from the show’s casting directors in December expressing interest in bringing him aboard, and has since spent time on the Upper Keys sets of the show, which is entering its second season.

“They’ve already started filming,” Maddox said. “They’re probably on episode six or seven by now. The fish house I work in is in Key Largo. They filmed some of the scenes there on Dec. 18, but a big rain front came through that day, so we didn’t get to my specific scene, which was a little disappointing. I called the casting people to make sure my character still existed, and they said something like ‘unless you get killed off, that part still exists.’ I’m waiting to hear back from them now, on when we’re going to pick up filming again.”

Maddox claims to be tickled pink to be back in the acting/performing game, which has been a major part of his life for decades.

“I love it,” the disabled veteran said. “I’ve been a singer/songwriter and bandleader all my life. I was also very active in Toastmasters and the Jaycees. I’ve got the gift of the gab, I guess you could say. I think I could have been somebody if I’d really worked at it. I’m not exactly a novice, but I guess I’m an amateur.”

Bloodline focuses on the lives of the Rayburn family, which owns and operates a beachside hotel in the Upper Keys. During the 45^th anniversary of his parents running the hotel, the black sheep son Danny returns home to attend a dedication of a pier in their name, bringing up painful memories of the family’s sordid past.

The first season, which debuted last March, received has received strong reviews from many critics, especially for the performances of Spacek, and co-stars Kyle Chandler, and Ben Mendelsohn, as well as for its directing, writing, and cinematography.

Asked if he thought his role could be the beginning of a new career in acting, Maddox replied “absolutely. I’d love it if that could happen.”