AOL Chat
November 11, 1999
Does popularity take a toll on personal life?

Chris Meloni: So far everything is cool. People have been very nice if they recognize me. It's a pleasure for me. I must say, it takes a lot of energy, because you always have to watch what you say. It seems that things I say can be taken out of context.

Tvgchat: Welcome, Chris! Thanks for coming tonight!

Chris Meloni: Hi.

Question: What do you enjoy best about playing opposite Mariska Hargitay?

Chris Meloni: She's a big bundle of good energy. We have a wonderful chemistry together, both on and off screen. Pure joy.

Question: Chris, how has your day-to-day life changed since you have become a full-fledged star?

Chris Meloni: Let's just say mini-micro-star. People stop me in the gym more often. My workouts are now longer. I also get the occasional good table at the restaurants, even when I don't have reservations.

Question: How long have you been acting?

Chris Meloni: Took some classes in college, University of Colorado, Boulder. I studied seriously in New York when I was 24, 25, and I got my first job when I was 27. So 10 years.

Question: What attracted you to the role of Elliot Stabler and the series in general?

Chris Meloni: Dick Wolf, who is the producer. He knows how to run a show, obviously, with 10 years of "Law & Order." I've been playing a lot of bad guys lately. I thought it would be a nice switch to be a rock-solid, good guy with some flaws.

Question: What is the toughest part about playing your "Oz" character, Chris Keller?

Chris Meloni: Funny enough, the hardest thing to play are the soft, sincere, tender moments. Moments when he really opens up and is vulnerable. I spend so much time with this character not being vulnerable. I usually manipulate and use violence. The moments with sincerity and vulnerability, they're the toughest.

Question: How did you enjoy working with Julia Roberts?

Chris Meloni: Complete pleasure. She was awesome. For the first time, I understood what that "star quality" they talk about was. I saw it in her. She was great. I wish I'd been able to kiss her. Really give it to her. On the lips.

Question: On "Oz," were the kissing scenes with Lee Tergesen tough? Did you do them in one take?

Chris Meloni: That's funny. I've kissed Lee twice. He's actually the first guy I've ever kissed. The first time I did it, it was actually a drunk, lusty kiss. That was easy to do, because it was a calculated plan on Keller, my character's, part. The second time I kissed him, this season, was sincere. It was out of feelings of love for this man. That was hard.... Both of us were trembling. The director came up and wanted to talk to us about the scene. We just said let us do it. We did it in one take.

Question: Now that you have your own "Official Chris Meloni Web Site," do you plan on visiting and interacting with the members often?

Chris Meloni: Yes, I do indeed. It's www.ChristopherMeloni.com.

Question: Didn't you play a bad guy on "NYPD Blue"?

Chris Meloni: Yes. I played Jimmy Leary. I got to mess with Kim Delany... with her head. It was a pleasure.

Question: What has been the most challenging role you've played so far in your career?

Chris Meloni: I would say any TV movie, because they, for the most part, aren't written that well. On the other side of the coin, I'd have to say Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I played an effeminate hotel clerk with a bad toupee. Sven.

Question: What plans do you and your wife have to bring in the new millennium?

Chris Meloni: We're going to go to a Caribbean island, then we'll be in New York City to ring in the New Year. Why not spend the greatest day of the millennium in the greatest city in the world?

Question: Chris, how was it working on "Oz," and will you be back for another season there?

Chris Meloni: I will be back. We start filming again March 23rd. I look forward to it so much. They are a great group of people to work for.

Question: What actors or directors would you like to work with on a future project?

Chris Meloni: Actors, I'd like to work with Robert DeNiro, Ian Holm, Johnny Depp again. Gene Hackman. Directors, Martin Scorsese, Terry Gilliam, Wachowski Brothers. I'm sure there are a million others.

Question: Are you working or will you be working on any more films soon?

Chris Meloni: Not that I know of. Pretty much all my energies are devoted to "Special Victims Unit," then to "Oz." That will leave me a little over a month to get something in there.

Question: Does popularity take a toll on personal life?

Chris Meloni: So far everything is cool. People have been very nice if they recognize me. It's a pleasure for me. I must say, it takes a lot of energy, because you always have to watch what you say. It seems that things I say can be taken out of context.

Question: Which do you like better, movies or TV?

Chris Meloni: I'd have to say movies. You get to go from character to character, hopefully, if you actually work. In TV, it's not so much the case. People see you in TV because they feel comfortable to invite you into their living room every night.

Question: What does your tattoo represent?

Chris Meloni: My tattoo to me means commit to what you believe in and be willing to do anything for it.

Question: Chris, I love how your character on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is such a family man. Do you have children and if so, how do you balance a hectic career and family?

Chris Meloni: No children, but we're working on it. I balance my life with my family life by having an extraordinarily understanding wife.

Question: Who has influenced you most in your life?

Chris Meloni: I'd have to say historical figures that I've read about that overcame great odds, and my parents and any teacher I had that truly cared about teaching.

Question: On the show, you wore bikini briefs. In an interview on APBnews.com, however, the interviewer said you wore boxer briefs. Which do you really wear in real life?

Chris Meloni: I hang loose.

Tvgchat: Thanks for joining us, Chris! We had a great time, and please come back soon!

Chris Meloni: I want to thank everybody, whether you like me or hate me, for signing on. I wish you peace and success.

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