Why did comedian Katt Williams buy a shuttered Alabama military base? Blame a celebrity role model for a lesson in how to think big.
Last November Williams made headlines with his purchase of a decommissioned U.S. Army post in Anniston: A barracks compound at the old Fort McClellan site, with 30 buildings comprising 3 million square feet of enclosed space on 90 acres. Known locally as the “Starships,” it had been on the market for $1.5 million.
Williams told GQ.com that he’d been inspired by the likes of Donald Glover, 50 Cent and Tyler Perry, who’d opened their own production companies and studios. “It’s just not fair to put all that pressure on Tyler Perry,” he told GQ. “He can only do so much.”
An old Cold War barracks, known locally as Starships, is on the market in Anniston, Ala. (Alabama Film Office)
This week, Williams added a little detail during a interview on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” In a far-ranging 13-minute conversation, Fallon asked about several “rumors,” including Williams’ purchase of the base.
“I heard that you bought a military base in Alabama,” said Fallon. “Is that true? A military base?”
“As starving comedians would do,” said Williams, nodding.
“Now I don’t know if you’re being truthful or not,” said Fallon. “Did you really buy one?”
“Yeah, Fort McClellan,” said Williams, adding that “the reason my life works … is because I follow instruction well. So if I see somebody do a good job, I just want to do a good job, I’m going to follow the example. So, Tyler Perry got a military base, made it into a movie studio and started making movies. Katt Williams …”
“Are you making movies?” asked Fallon.
“I’m not wearing dresses,” said Williams, inviting Fallon to come do an episode on the site.
As described in a 2019 article on Paramount.com, Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta is located on a portion of the former Fort McPherson U.S. Army base, which had been built on a former Confederate barracks site to house federal troops during the Reconstruction era. The studio’s 330 acres include fixtures such as a whole historic district of buildings dating to around 1900, two baseball fields, a replica of the White House and 12 sound stages.
Williams’ interview with Fallon touches on a few other intriguing topics, such as Williams’ deep appreciation for golf as “a sport where 80-year-old guys can play it, excel at it, and be vicious on the field.” The two also reminisce about their memories of an encounter much earlier in their careers.
For more on Williams’ activities, visit www.kattwilliamslive.com.