July 29, 2005
1. I've heard various comedians talk about doing comedy. They have said that they think people are born with some of the ability and some of it can be developed as a skill. How did your comedic abilities develop and were you born with your ability to be funny and your wonderful comic timing?
Boy, I really don't know, to tell you the truth. Combination of stuff I guess. Neither of my parents are particularly funny and I used to get in trouble for clowning around at home. But having met my birth parents, they both have wonderful robust senses of humor so I guess there's an answer to the "Nature vs. Nurture" part of your question. I will say that my dad (who raised me) was a big fan of old movies and collected old radio shows and so I grew up listening and seeing a lot of those things. Jack Benny, Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, The Marx Brothers, Bob Hope and a bunch of other comedians many of you are too young to know about. They informed my sense of comedy quite a bit, as well as Jimmy Stewart, Peter Sellers and Jack Lemmon. Over time you watch stuff and something inside you just tells you what works and what doesn't and you take that into your work with you. Watching bad TV shows in the '70s was just as instructive as anything else in terms of what NOT to do.
2. I read an online chat with you, and I found out that you like Jimmy Stewart and Tom Waits. I just wanted to know what your favorite movie with Jimmy Stewart is, and what your favorite Tom Waits song is?
MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON and "Martha" (from "Closing Time").
3. Have you been watching Season 5 as it airs on Showtime? Do you normally watch the show when it airs or are you one of those actors who can't watch their own performances?
I don't usually watch it when it airs, but I do get an advanced copy of each episode on tape and I do watch those. It brings a sense of closure for me to see the end results of all the long hours.
4. What genre of film do you think would best allow your natural charms with shine?
A nice romantic comedy playing the sarcastic best friend of the hunky lead or the best friend/unrequited love of the Babe.
5. Now that you've been in a position to know, do blondes really have more fun?
Not when their hair starts falling out in clumps 'cause they've had it bleached, dyed back and then re-bleached within a two week time period!!!!
6. If you had to pick one castmate to be deserted on a desert island with, who would it be and why?
Jenny Rebecca. 'Cause give her 18 years and ... look out Olsen Twins!
7. You have the most beautiful eyelashes I've ever seen. Anytime I see your profile in a scene Im mesmerized. Are they natural or do the make-up folks on QAF enhance them?
Well, thank you for saying so. Up until "Ted's" recent make-over the lashes were all mine with no enhancement. But given the challenge of making me look as if I'd had some sort of "work" done our amazing make-up artist, Stephen Lynch, played a number of tricks with my make-up including some mascara on my lashes to make "Ted" look a little more refreshed.
8. Was dyeing your hair platinum blond the craziest thing you've ever done to it? Don't be afraid. We'll still love you even if you once had a mullet.
No, that was definitely the craziest and cruelest thing my hair has been through. Other than that, just letting it get super long and shoulder length (see various photos in my Chicago section) was about as goofy as it got.
9. Which do you find more difficult, and which do you prefer: comedic or dramatic acting?
I know it sounds like a cop-out but they both have their difficulties and I prefer them both. I try to find roles that have touches of both to them or bring the opposing quality to it.