| faq | ||
 |
Personal History Preferences Abilities Possessions Personal Characteristics Personal Time Interacting Random Facts PERSONAL HISTORY When asked where in Washington, D.C. area he's from, Christopher said that he's from "Glover Park, then NW, then Alexandria" (Mar 7 2000). He also says that he has not lived in D.C. since 1984 (June 28 2002). Chris was once arrested while in D.C. and was in jail for one night, "which was long enough" (Feb 9 2000). He got to be inside/tour the White House 30 years ago (Dec 4 2000). Chris says that he "can't remember really" who his superheroes were when he was a child, "but the closest were probably football players" (Aug 13 2001). High school was something that he "endured" (Dec 8 1999). His nickname was "Buckwheat" when he was a child (June 25 2000) and "Melonz" when he was in college (Apr 26 2000). Chris says that one thing he learned as a child that comes in most handy now is that "something does come from working hard" (Aug 20 2000). Chris says he always wanted to be "everything" when he grew up (Sept 18 2001). His first job, aside from a "paper route" (Jan 20 2005), was as a "groundskeeper at a condo complex" (June 22 2003). He's also worked in construction (Jan 20 2005), but the worst non-acting jobs he's had were as a "waiter" and "substitute teacher" (July 3 2000). The last time Chris had to get a non-acting job was in 1987 (July 7 2000). Christopher's first car was a jeep (Dec 27 1999). He has had pet goldfish and a pet schnauzer named Kaiser (Apr 29 2000). The last pet Chris owned was a Jack Russell terrier "for 10 days" (Jan 12 2001). Christopher has broken his knuckles on someone's head and his toe playing football with no shoes on (Dec 8 1999). He has never been hurt on a set, but has "been slammed around and bruised up at times" (Aug 20 2000). Chris used to be a smoker (Oct 1 2000). His brand was Camel Lights and he quit cold turkey (Oct 19 2001). He has refused to comment on how successful he has been in not "dipping" in tobacco (Oct 29 2001), but has said, "If I never see tobacco again, it'll be too soon" (Feb 2 2005). As far as natural disasters go, Chris has experienced an earthquake (Feb 9 2000) and "saw hurricane damage" when he was in North Carolina in 1991 or 1992 (Aug 13 2001). In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, Chris said that his family was "well," but shared that his best friend had died in the attacks (Sept 22 2001). During the holidays of the following year, Chris said that he was thankful for his "family and career" and spent Christmas Day "writing to you and opening presents" (Dec 25 2002). During the blackout of 2003, Chris was on Fire Island (Sept 21 2003). If he "were stuck re-living only two memories" from his life, one from childhood and one from his recent life, Chris would choose to re-live "playing a pick-up football game" and "talking with Sophia" (Nov 13 2001). If he could use one button function for his life, Chris would choose to "rewind. It's going so damn fast" (Sept 29 2003). PREFERENCES Christopher prefers to be called "Christopher," rather than "Chris" (Dec 8 1999), but was initially billed as "Chris" on Law and Order: SVU because it seemed simpler or less pretentious (Dec 8 1999). Several fans have asked Chris some Inside the Actors Studio-style questions. In response, he says that his favourite word is "one" and least favourite is "no" (Apr 13 2000). He lists these as words that make him cringe when he hears them: "Shut up. Wazzup. You know. I can't" (June 25 2000). He loves the sound of "ocean waves" and hates the sound of "too many people talking too much" (Apr 13 2000). His favourite curse word is "too bad to say" (Apr 13 2000), but mentions that he still is "not a fan of 'shut up'" (Sept 29 2003). Christopher would rather be admired for his brains than his beauty, since brains "last longer" (June 9 2000). If he had the chance to meet anyone, alive or dead, Chris would meet Jesus (Apr 15 2004), but if he had to pick someone he would like to be, he would choose Albert Einstein (Mar 26 2000). His preferred guestlist for a dinner for four to six people would consist of "Jesus, Mohammed, Voltaire, Lincoln, Einstein and Buddha" (Aug 14 2000). Chris would describe his own scent as "earthy and oaky, with a sweet peppery aftertaste" (May 22 2000). On a somewhat related note, Chris says that he prefers showers to baths (Mar 5 2000). Chris prefers Mary Ann to Ginger (Mar 5 2000) and DeNiro to Penn (Mar 7 2000). Christopher has said that his favourite colours are black and blue, but more recently, he asked, in response to that question, "Is paisley a color?" (Mar 28 2001; Apr 29 2001; Jan 20 2005) His favourite gum flavours are green or blue Trident (Mar 28 2000). His favourite times are night and early morning on a weekend (Nov 9 2001). Chris's favourite board game is chess (Nov 4 2004). He loves all animals (Dec 8 1999), but prefers dogs to cats (Sept 12 2000). Christopher's 'dream car' is a "'67 Corvette convert that runs and the numbers match" (Dec 4 2000). When it comes to motorcycles, Chris says, "I love the Café Racer, but it's tough to do distance on them. I am partial to Harleys" (Sept 8 2004) and discloses that he used to own a Yamaha (Mar 28 2000). Chris lives in Manhattan (Apr 26 2005) and prefers the downtown area of New York (Mar 2 2000). If New York City did not exist, Chris would live in L.A., San Francisco, or Italy (Nov 3 2001). Chris jokes that, whenever he rides the subway in New York, he sits with his legs spread far apart "only if I'm not wearing undies," then adds, "Actually, I don't sit. The seats are for the elderly and others that may have difficulty standing" (Sept 24 2000). Chris says he needs a "three-day decompression" to switch off and relax (June 9 2000) and that Jonathan Winters can always make him laugh (July 3 2000). A fan asked whether Christopher would prefer to use bongs or joints, if he were a marijuana smoker. Chris responded, "If I were to partake in the consumption of the above referenced illegal substance, I think I would gravitate towards the mellow, easy rewards of a long, slow toke on a maryjeewanna cigarette, if in fact I had any experience in the practice of such a foul habit...amen" (Jan 16 2001). ABILITIES Christopher speaks no foreign languages (Dec 8 1999), but has a desire to learn Spanish (June 12 2000; Aug 26 2000). Not learning languages is one thing that he most regrets (Aug 20 2000). Another skill that he would like to acquire would relate to "the building and mechanics of a house" (May 19 2000). Chris says that he has singing and dancing talent "after two tequila shots" (Mar 2 2000). He likes to dance (Mar 28 2000) and claims that he can swing dance (Jan 5 2000). Chris can also do "The Robot," explaining that he has "about three robot moves" and is "looking to expand my repertoire" (Apr 26 2005). POSSESSIONS Christopher collects rugs, mostly of the Turkish variety, and keeps them on the walls and floor (Mar 3 2000). His favourites are "Gabbeh rugs and prayer rugs" (Mar 26 2000). His favourite stuffed animals are "a little zebra, teddy bear and a big Snoopy dog" (Mar 4 2000). When asked what he had been hoping to get for Christmas, Chris said, "I have more than I need. There's nothing material I need" (Feb 2 2005). PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS When asked on what occasion he lies, Christopher replied, "I lie about who I am…only 'coz I'm still finding out" (Mar 26 2000). Christopher likes his "sense of humor and fairness" most about himself, but the trait he most deplores in himself is "envy" (Mar 26 2000). He describes himself as "the most impatient person I know. What little progress I've made I credit to time and maturity…uh, well, let's just leave it at 'time'" (Aug 23 2000). He also says, "Patience is not one of my better qualities" and mentions that, when he's frustrated, "breaking something always makes me feel better" (Apr 26 2005). He also says that he is an "extrovert, I think" (Oct 3 2000) and that none of the characters he's played have come close to his personality (Aug 2 2000). Christopher is also a "smell, visual, tactile" person (Jan 12 2005). When a fan asked how Chris attempts to take advantage of his best qualities, he replied, "I try to break through fears that hold me back and I try to live more fully and truthfully" (Aug 30 2000). Another fan asked Chris to comment on what playing gay on Oz has done for him. He answered, "Throwing away labels has made me more open, which makes me smarter, stronger and less fearful. It has helped me see the better side of myself and made me a better actor. It has helped me understand the Beatles song 'All You Need is Love'" (Sept 16 2000). When asked what bad habit he's been able to break, Chris revealed that he has been able to stop "judging people too harshly" (Aug 9 2000). Chris says that he's suffered from "no shortage of low self-esteem" (May 18 2000). When asked if he gets sad often or ever cries, he responded, "Not for long. Not often" (Nov 9 2001). He describes himself as a young soul that is "old in dog years" (June 9 2000) and says that there's "an even battle" between the angel on his right shoulder and the devil on his left (Mar 28 2000). Christopher would rather be a genius than rich, as "it'd be more entertaining" (Nov 14 2003). His idea of happiness is "knowing God, knowing my loved ones are happy and working all the time" (Mar 26 2000). His motto: "Be specific in all you do and say and believe in the uniqueness of yourself" (Mar 26 2000). Birthdays mean little to Christopher (Mar 28 2000) and he is "not real big on either" giving or receiving presents (July 3 2000). Around the house, Chris does the laundry "at times," but does not clean (Aug 13 2000), perhaps because he has a cleaning lady (Apr 10 2001). Chris is not ticklish (Mar 7 2000). He has both ears pierced (Apr 26 2000). Chris is a deep sleeper (June 30 2000) who sleeps on the right side of the bed, with "10 books and a porcelain ox" on his night table (Oct 27 2004). When asked whether he thinks his dreams are insignificant (given that he generally doesn't remember them), Chris said, "I guess they're insignificant if I can't get any benefit from them. I'd just like to remember them for entertainment value alone. I'm not much of an analyzer of them" (Aug 23 2000). PERSONAL TIME Christopher describes his typical day: "I wake up at 6, play with the kid, go to work, work 14 hours, hopefully find time for gym, kid and wife. Detailed enough?" (Mar 29 2002) One of the most common questions fans ask is what Chris does when he's not working. Before having children, Chris said that to "look for another job, play chess and work out" were the things he liked doing in his spare time (Mar 7 2000). On a typical Saturday afternoon, he was mostly likely "working out, riding my bike around, going to a museum" (June 19 2000). Right after the birth of his first child, Christopher somewhat mournfully said that on a day off from shooting, he would like to get to "work out, yoga, kickboxing, museums, movies – none of which I have done in weeks" (Apr 10 2001). However, he soon took up "staring at my baby" as a new pass-time (Apr 29 2001; June 1 2001). Shortly after that, he said that he would relax after work by doing "something physical, a little travel, staring at my girls or having a tasty pint" (Oct 9 2002). Now, when Chris is not on the set, he likes to "work out, play with the kids, hit the museums and play basketball" (Apr 15 2004). He likes "preparing, working out and hanging with the family" and prefers to "hang with my boyz and just have peace and quiet" in his spare time (Mar 20 2005). When reading the newspaper, Chris goes in this order: "Front page, business, sports, real estate" (June 30 2000). He has also tried meditation and found it "very intense" (Aug 10 2000). INTERACTING Chris's pet peeves are "pushy people, traffic and lines" (Apr 15 2004) and he mentions that he is allergic to "idiots and boorish people" (June 30 2000). "Manipulation and agendas" turn Chris off (Mar 28 2000) and the qualities he most deplores in others are "meanness and manipulation" (Mar 26 2000). The qualities he most likes in others are "honesty and comfort in who they are" (Mar 26 2000), while the qualities he most values in his friends are "trust" and "humor and honesty" (Mar 26 2000; June 12 2000). Chris looks up to "honest people or people who honestly try" (Aug 9 2000). Chris says that he's been described as "enigmatic," explaining that "if you don't talk too much, you can get that label" (Apr 20 2005). When asked if he cares whether people's opinions of him change based on the roles he's played, Chris replied, "What people think is of precious little importance to me. We're all just trying to get by on our gifts (as we see them) anyway" (Jan 16 2001). Christopher feels shy or tongue-tied "often when I don't know people, but only at certain times and I can never tell when it will happen. Meeting someone I respect greatly - Terry Gilliam was like that" (June 19 2000). The one celebrity that left Chris awestruck was "Maynard," of the bands Tool and A Perfect Circle (Oct 19 2001). A fan asked, "If other people cry, are you okay with that or do you want to run away?" Chris replied, "I stay and deal, maybe even join in" (June 19 2000). He also describes himself as both a kisser and a hugger (June 19 2000). RANDOM FACTS Christopher does not wear a helmet when he bikes to work (Dec 8 1999). The very small scar in the middle of his forehead is from the chicken pox (Apr 26 2000). Chris has never been grumpy at work (Mar 29 2002) and his ambitions are to "record a CD, write a book, a play and direct a movie" (Oct 9 2002). An old roommate of Chris's, Marshall Rushford, sells real estate in Australia (Sept 21 2003). Last updated: March 04/06 | |