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Tampilkan postingan dengan label Mark Pellegrino. Tampilkan semua postingan
Tampilkan postingan dengan label Mark Pellegrino. Tampilkan semua postingan

Senin, 23 Mei 2011

Interview Outtakes

Most of the time when I am conducting an interview with a celebrity, I have more interview material than space for printing the interview. Here are some blurbs from stars that did not make it to the print version of the interview, but were too good not to publish.

Jennie Garth
Jennie Garth (on deciding to compete on “Dancing with the Stars”): I had like a moment of insanity when I said yes to that. I didn’t realize, sometimes you get yourself into things and you are like, “What have I done?” And that was definitely one of those things for me, but once you are in, you can’t get out. I just had to keep moving forward. I had to keep going. It was go-time, and I had to go. It ended up going well — much better than I thought — but every moment, every turn, was unknown to me. I was in unknown territory. But it was fun, and it was exhilarating. It was challenging, and it was kind of freeing in that I really feel that I could do anything.

Jaime Pressly (on doing a wrap-up or reunion show for “My Name Is Earl”): I would be game to go back to that set and work with those people any day, any time. And I think everybody else that was a part of the show would say the same thing. It was the greatest job I’ve ever had and the greatest group of people that you could ever ask to work with. They all hold a very dear place in my heart, and I miss them all terribly.



Erin Karpluk
Erin Karpluk (on similarities between her and her character on “Being Erica”): I like that when life gets her down or she stumbles in life, she is able to pick herself up, dust herself off and keep going. So that is something that I have learned personally from her. I've heard from friends and family that there are certain quirks and mannerisms that are my own that come out in the character. Usually any kind of awkward moments she is having is probably pretty authentically Erin, because I find that I can be awkward in life, and I’m not afraid to make mistakes. That is something of me that I bring to the character. And then on a dramatic level, anything to do with family is something that I can just draw upon from real life. The one thing that Erin and Erica both are is we are very committed and empathetic toward our loved ones. My family and my friends mean more to me than anything. I feel very lucky to have that connection in my own personal life, so I can draw upon that in my acting experiences. The fact that I work with such wonderful cast members, it just makes it so easy for us to have that connection. It’s like a real family I have now when I go back to Toronto to shoot. It’s really lovely to go back to those actors and create those connections.

Ross Thomas (on working with Helen Hunt and Dennis Quaid on “Soul Surfer”): It was a bit surreal, to be honest. They both are icons in their own right and a pleasure to work with. Helen is an avid surfer — surfing is what really brought us together. Dennis is interested in learning and getting good. At first, he played golf on his days off, but we got him hooked, and he became a surf junkie. I think that really carried over into our performances, that sense of family.

Jane Seymour (by Charles Bush)
Jane Seymour (on her children in the biz): My son, Johnny, one of the twins, is becoming a rock star. He is about to be signed by a major label. He’s writing this amazing music. He’s extraordinary. He’s the lead singer and the lead guitarist. I’m just in awe of his talent. Then my oldest son, Sean Flynn, he’s 25, he does the most extraordinary photographic art. Collectors have already been buying his stuff. He was studying to be a filmmaker and all of a sudden, the next thing I know, he’s doing this really unique, extraordinary photographic art. One of my daughters, Katherine Flynn, is an actress. She also writes great comedy. She ended up staring opposite me in a movie called “Perfectly Prudence” for the Hallmark Channel just recently. She was fantastic in it. She played my daughter. Of course, it wasn’t much of a stretch. But it was fun, because she had a lot of scenes with Joe Lando who, of course, was my “Dr. Quinn” co-star.

Heather Locklear (on flexing her comedy chops on “Saturday Night Live” in the ’90s): That was my favorite! That was my most favorite thing I’ve done where you could see that I’m funny. I had such a great time doing it. And that “Melrose Place” take-off was so funny. So perfectly perfect. I have a meeting coming up for something soon, something funny, so we’ll see.

Mark Pellegrino (by Eric Williams)
Mark Pellegrino (on the variety of the roles he’s played): Well, I’m glad that it is happening that way. Some folks would like to say that I’ve played bad guys. I think if I play the bad guy, I try to — I can never look at myself as a bad guy. I always try to bring out the good and the moral and the right that the person is going for, so hopefully any variety that I’m able to bring to a role just happens because I’m trying to find the human thing and not act in an archetypal way.

Eric Winter (on possibly working with wife, actress Roselyn Sanchez): You know, I don’t know. If the right project ever came up, and it made sense, then sure. I mean, we’re not completely against it, but it’s one of those things that a lot of couples — sometimes you keep it separate, but if the right opportunity presents itself, then who knows?
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Jumat, 18 Februari 2011

Interview: Mark Pellegrino's New Vampire Family

Mark Pellegrino (photo credit: Eric Williams) is a versatile actor whose credits include “Lost,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Supernatural,” “Dexter,” and “The Big Lebowski” and many more. Now fans can catch him on Syfy’s latest supernatural drama, “Being Human.” In the weeks since its Jan. 17 premiere, it has shattered records for the network, becoming a bona fide hit. This ain’t a flash in the pan either: “Being Human” is an engrossing and thrilling drama about a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost all sharing the same house as they try to “live” together as best they can.

Before you start thinking, Oh, it’s another “Twilight” or “True Blood,” you need to watch the show, which airs Mondays on the Syfy network at 9 p.m. I spoke with Mark — who plays vampire-boss Bishop in the series — recently, and he shed some light on “Being Human,” dispelling any comparison to previous vampire/werewolf series.

Celebrity Extra: What can you tell me about Bishop, who is not only a vampire, but a lieutenant on the police force?

Mark Pellegrino: He’s not only a lieutenant on the police force, he’s a proprietor of a funeral home, which goes back in the vampire family history. He’s the vampire boss of Boston, and his basic motivation is to consolidate his power and to bring Aidan back into the family. Aidan has decided to quit being a vampire, so I’m trying to bring him back into the fold.

CE: What sets this show apart from the other vampire and werewolf movies and TV series?



MP: It’s literally about humanity. It’s not like it’s a romance novel; it’s people who have very serious issues that they’re contending with. I think that the title, “Being Human,” says it all. Being human is not just about, for these characters, assimilating, but being human is dealing with character flaws. Everybody has to deal with their character flaws, and for these characters it’s literal monsters within them that they have to control and battle with. What I think makes it unique as well is that it’s not just scary, and it’s not just funny, but it’s also a story about family. And I don’t think you get that as much from the other vampire/werewolf stuff.

CE: What do you enjoy about playing Bishop?

MP: I like the fact that Bishop is really, really smart and patient and constant. He knows what he wants. He’s old enough, has been around long enough and is wise enough to know how to make sure all of the cards are in the right place, and I like a guy like that. He’s about family too. Some people might look at Bishop as a bad guy, but I look at him as a guy who just wants to keep his family together.

CE: I love that all of these cable networks — like Syfy, TNT, HBO and Showtime — are developing their own programming, because they can take more risks with their shows. Was this aspect appealing to you as an actor?

MP: I love that. I love that shows are doing that. Television is interesting now, don’t you think? There’s almost too much to watch, and it’s all really, really good.

CE: What are some risky aspects of this show that attracted you to it?

MP: What really nailed me for the show probably wouldn’t be considered risqué per se, but the simple humanity of it. Every situation is based on something that every other human being can relate to. It’s not some mythic romance stuff, but it’s stuff that everybody goes through, just transposed through the supernatural world. To me, that’s where they’re breaking ground. You can touch all of these characters and say, “I’ve seen this guy” or “I’ve experienced this before.” I think that is really cool.
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Senin, 03 Januari 2011

Q and A: Week of Jan. 3

Q: I’ve seen ads on Syfy for its new show “Being Human,” and I see it has vampires and werewolves and all that, which seems to be all the rage these days. What sets this show apart from all the others? — Justine F., via e-mail

A: When I spoke with series star Mark Pellegrino (pictured left, photo credit: Eric Williams) recently, he told me: “I think what sets this show apart is its literal humanity. It’s not like it’s a romance novel — it’s people who have very serious issues that they’re contending with. I think the title, ‘Being Human,’ says it all. For these characters, being human is not just about assimilating, but also dealing with character flaws. Everybody has to deal with their character flaws, and for these characters it’s literal monsters within them that they have to control and battle with. 

What I think makes it unique as well is that it’s not just scary and it’s not just funny or a combination of all those great elements, but it’s also a story about family. I don’t think you get that so much from the other vampire/werewolf stuff.” You can catch the premiere of “Being Human” on Monday, Jan. 17, at 9/8c on Syfy.



Q: How is Shania Twain doing? I know she went through a rough divorce a while back. — Ginger F., Ocala, Fla.

A: Shania’s heart is mending just fine — thanks to new husband Frederic Thiebaud (they were married in a sunset ceremony on New Year's Day in the Caribbean). She and former hubby, Robert John “Mutt” Lange, separated in 2008 (with the divorce becoming finalized this past June) when Mutt left her for her former best friend, Marie-Anne Thiebaud. And yes, you are reading that last name correctly: Shania decided to mend her broken heart with the help of her former friend’s husband.

Q: Can you tell me if I can see one of my favorite Hollywood hotties, Bradley Cooper, in a new movie soon? — Deanna R., via e-mail 

A: While Bradley has lots of movies in the hopper, the movie he has coming out in March, called “Limitless,” with Robert DeNiro, looks promising. Bradley stars as a ne’er-do-well who takes medication to unlock the 80 percent of his brain that humans don’t use in order to improve his life, career and bank account, with some negative effects.

Q: I heard that “Stargate: SGU” has been canceled due to low ratings. I knew it had been on the bubble for a while, but please tell that Syfy hasn’t canceled it. — Rebecca J., Tulsa, OK

A: Syfy announced in mid-December that “SGU” will be canceled after this season ends. Initial viewing numbers had dropped off from its first season to its second, which is mainly due to Syfy changing “SGU” from Friday to Tuesday nights, landing it right up against ABC’s powerhouse “Dancing With the Stars.” Another aspect of Syfy’s handling of the show that doesn’t sit right with me: A lot of the cast found out the show had been canceled via the show's fans on Twitter.
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Senin, 15 Maret 2010

Q and A: Week of March 15

Q: I really loved “Avatar” and have been hearing talk of sequel(s). Please tell me this is true! — David G., via e-mail

A: Director James Cameron has hinted that the rumors are true. I spoke recently with CCH Pounder (pictured left; photo credit Geneva Morgan) — who plays Mo’at, the mother of Neytiri and the spiritual leader of Omaticaya clan of Pandora — and she also verified that the idea of further adventures on Pandora is definitely a great possibility. CCH explains: “I know that he (James Cameron) did semi-announce that he is going to make a sequel — that he is going to take a break, but he did have a story idea. I think perhaps it was always that this would be some sort of a trilogy story.


“I don’t think it would take as long, because we already have the world of Pandora created, and it all exists in the digital world. All you have to do is put the story and characters in it. I think, Suzy, his wife, would greatly appreciate a break, and his children would love to see him hang about a bit. He’s kind of a workaholic guy. It might be four years, and it might be next year (that he starts working on it).”

Q: I was really starting to get into the new Fox show “Past Life,” but I suddenly can’t find it on the schedule anymore. Has it been canceled, or is it merely on hiatus? — Charity E., via e-mail

A: After airing only three episodes, Fox has decided to pull the plugged on the struggling and poorly received supernatural crime thriller. It has been replaced by original episodes of “Kitchen Nightmares.”

Q: I am a huge fan of “American Idol,” and was wondering what one of my favorite past winners, Taylor Hicks, is doing now? — Margie F., Hartford, Conn.

A: The Season Five winner of “American Idol” is currently touring the country in “Grease,” playing the role of Teen Angel. He also recently released his first concert DVD called “Whomp at the Warfield,” which is sure to delight members of his “Soul Patrol.” When I caught up with Taylor recently, he told me how much he is enjoying trying his hand at acting: “(Being in “Grease”) has been great. It’s allowed me to get into acting and understand role-playing, and it’s just a great starting point for me in the acting field.”

Q: Is it true that someone is making a film about Facebook? How is it possible to turn that into a film? — Frank J., via e-mail

A: Production has begun on “The Social Network,” which stars Rashida Jones, Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg, and is directed by David Fincher (Fight Club,” “Se7en,” “Panic Room” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”). Shelby Young (Days of Our Lives” and “Wild Child”) recently finished shooting her supporting role in the film. While she couldn’t tell me much about the movie or her role in it (they have all signed confidentiality agreements so the story doesn’t leak out), what she could tell me is that the movie is about the founders of the social-networking site Facebook. Like many of the film’s stars, Shelby admits, “I am such a huge fan of ‘Fight Club,’ so the chance to work with David Fincher, I just couldn’t pass that up.” Look for “The Social Network” in theaters come October.

Q: At the end of last season it was stated that “Friday Night Lights” was coming back this year. Has that changed? I haven’t been able to find anything about it. — Phillis M., via e-mail

A: Season Four of “FNL” is slated to premiere Friday, April 30, on NBC. Per an agreement with DirecTV, the fourth season already aired on The 101 Network from October 2009 through this past February, with NBC re-airing the season coming next month. If you want to be surprised by what happens this season, beware of online spoilers from those who already saw the episodes on The 101!

Q: For this final season of “Lost,” I am as confused as ever — and LOVING it! I also love one of the newer characters, Jacob. What can you tell me about the actor who plays him? I know I’ve seen him in other things. — Melanie C., Dayton, Ohio

A: Mark Pellegrino (pictured left; photo credit Eric Williams), 44, who has played Jacob on “Lost” since the end of the previous season, has been in a ton of movies, such as “The Big Lebowski,” “Mulholland Drive,” “Capote” and “National Treasure.” On the small screen, he is most known for playing the Devil on “Supernatural” and Paul Bennett on “Dexter.” I asked Mark when we chatted recently if it was intimidating for him to join such an established, phenomenon of a show so late in the series.

“Luckily I didn’t know it was such a huge phenomenon until I landed on the island and was told,” Pellegrino said. “When you audition, the character sides are not the character you are auditioning for, and the scenes are just made-up stuff to throw off all the people on the Internet who are so anxious to get the material. I had no idea what it meant until I got there and they told me I’m Jacob. And then it dawned on me what a big deal it was.”
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Interview: Mark Pellegrino — Jesus or Lucifer?

Many know him as Jacob from Lost or Lucifer from Supernatural. I know him as a really nice guy who was a joy to interview. I caught up with Mark Pellegrino (photo left, credit: ABC) a few weeks ago to discuss being on such an iconic television show, life in Hawaii and his plans for the future.

When you were cast as Jacob on Lost last year, had you been a fan of the show, or did you have to do some quick catching up?

I had to do some quick catching up, that’s for sure. I almost don’t own a TV. We have one here for watching movies and stuff, and my wife watches TV to relax, but I’m so busy I can’t usually watch unless I get cast in something and have to watch to do some research.

Because of the great secrecy, do you receive the entire script, or just the scenes you are in? How protective are they of that?

The scripts do come with a special tape on them – I don’t know what the tape means, it’s a kind of reflective tape – and it is delivered directly to the house. I do get the whole script for the episode, surprisingly enough, and I get it about a week in advance. And I’m surprised about that, because people are so hot after the material, you’d think they’d be even more cautious that somebody would steal it off the doorstep.

How is the cast to work with, and how do you like shooting in Hawaii?

Shooting in Hawaii is great. I don’t get to see the island too much unless I have some free time and I’ll bring my wife out there. Otherwise I am in my hotel room hunkered down, reading the script and working on that, and writing and catching up on movies and stuff. But it is really beautiful, and I’ve done a few of the touristy things.

The cast is just phenomenal – not only great actors, but they’re really good people. I’ve worked a lot with Jorge Garcia (giggles) and he’s a really funny guy, (giggles) and a really really good actor (giggles). I’m laughing at something, I don’t even know if I can say – just the way that we work with each other off-camera, he kind of laughs at me and has fun with me. And I’ve worked with Matt (Fox). He’s a really great guy, and so intense, as intense as his character onscreen. So is Nestor (Carbonell), who actually studied at the theater company that I teach at and studied there for a while. He’s a really great guy. It’s nice – it’s a nice group of people.

Were you intimidated to join a show that already had such a faithful following and was such a huge phenomenon? (photo left, credit: Eric Williams)

Luckily I didn’t know it was a huge phenomenon until I landed on the island and was told. There audition sides are not the character name, and the scenes are not the scenes you end up doing. It’s all made-up stuff to throw off all the bloggers and people on the Internet who are trying to get the material. Sounds crazy, but I had no idea what it meant until I got there.

That must be difficult for the casting team, because they have people auditioning for roles, but it’s not the material they’ll be doing, or even the character name.

You know, in a way I am glad they did it that way, because it’s such an iconic role, you don’t want to fall into traps. You could try to act the stature of the part, and it’s really so much more simple and down-to-earth. It’s a good thing to be Jesus the carpenter, as opposed to Jesus in the Gospel of John, the God-like figure. That’s hard to act – the carpenter’s better.

If you had Jacob’s God-like powers, how would you like to see the show end?

I hope it ends well, and I hope Jacob’s point of view about human nature is born out, that’s for sure, because I think it says something about us. I don’t know what that means, but I just hope it ends well, and that my point of view wins out. But I don’t know what that means in concrete fact; I don’t know what that means with respect to the characters.

Playing Jacob certainly is a change from playing your character on Supernatural, which happens to be Lucifer (photo left, credit: David Gray/The CW).

It is fun. In fact I leave on Monday to do some more Supernatural stuff, and I’m looking forward to that because we’re in the middle of the apocalypse. But playing Lucifer is fun; he’s a fun bag of tricks.

How did you make your Lucifer different from other Lucifers in past movies and TV shows?

I guess it’s just to enjoy the different Lucifers I’ve seen in past films and know that this Lucifer is written very differently than the other ones. This Lucifer is written as a very down-to-Earth, honest person. I think I have justice on my side, and that’s a very strong place to come from. I don’t have to lie, pretend, fool anybody, charm anybody – I just tell the truth. That’s pretty unconventional. I can’t think of too many Lucifers who’ve had to deal with those circumstances. They are usually big, iconic, charming, interesting ... although Viggo Mortensen was kind of an interesting – he played Lucifer in Prophecy, didn’t he? He was an interesting, down-to-earth kind of devil, in a way.

You’ve been on a lot of top-notch television shows, like Burn Notice, Dexter, Grey’s Anatomy. What have been some of your favorite experiences and why?

I was coming out of the make-up trailer of Grey’s Anatomy, and Sandra Oh was like, “Oh my God!” and grabs me by the face, kisses me on the face and hugs me. She’s apparently a big Dexter fan. It was a totally shocking experience to have that happen. So that was a really nice, enjoyable experience. 

Being on Dexter was funny too, because me and Michael C. Hall were rivals in the show for Julie Benz’s affection, and for the first episode or two, we didn’t really speak to each other. And I thought he didn’t like me, and he thought I didn’t like him. So we had this totally antagonistic type of relationship, and we never really dealt with it for the first couple of shows until one day by chance, we were at craft services eating something at the same time. And I forget who broke the ice, but one of us just started talking, and we realized that he thought I didn’t like him, I thought he didn’t like me, and we became friends. He’s a nice guy. And I hope he found out I’m nice too.

Is there a particular show you get recognized for more when fans approach you on the street?

Well lately it’s been Dexter, Lost and Supernatural, but I do get a lot of: “I think I know you from somewhere.” Like they think they met me at a party somewhere, but they really saw me maybe on Burn Notice or something. But I’ve been getting a lot of recognition for Lost now. I’ve been getting people walking up to me in the supermarket. Just the other day when they had the premiere, I was getting groceries for my family, and a girl asked, “Are you Jacob from Lost?” And I said, “Yes.” And she said, “We are having a dinner party for you tonight. What are you doing in Valencia?” And I told her I live here with my family, and she says: “Oh, OK, good. Well, all right. Bye!” It’s an interesting phenomenon, definitely.

You played lots of different and interesting characters in your career, but what would your dream role be?

A dream role would be Charlie in Flowers for Algernon, I’m kind of obsessed with it, but I think Will Smith is going to do it. But it’s been a project that I’ve loved for a long time. Actually there is a pilot that Frank Darabont is doing called Walking Dead that I am totally into, and I just went out for it. That would be kind of a dream role. I love the zombie/apocalypse thing and horror. This is from a series of graphic novels, and I like the main character a lot. It’s kind of like 28 Days Later. He wakes up in the hospital after being shot, and the apocalypse has happened and he has to find his way to safety. It’s kind of a cool scenario. And you can’t go wrong with Frank Darabont; I love his work.
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