|
HBO Talks to Christopher Meloni
December 2001 |
||
 |
Q: Please tells us about your path to becoming an actor. A: I took acting classes in college, and once I graduated, I decided to give acting a shot when I couldn't really think of anything else to do. It took me a couple of years to get an agent, and my first big break was The Fanelli Boys, which was a sitcom on NBC. Then I did a few television movies. Q: Were you out in L.A. or here in New York during all of this? A: I started out in New York with The Fanelli Boys, but in 1990 I moved out to Los Angeles. I lived there for about six years, but I couldn't take it anymore. I had to get back to New York. So as soon as I got back, everything just fell into place. I think the movie Bound helped me a lot. I did a guest role on NYPD Blue. Those two things kind of gave me a higher profile and reputation for doing pretty good work. And from there it was really Tom Fontana and Jerry Gilliam for films and Dick Wolfe who were kind of patron saints. Q: Chris Keller is one of the most complicated and fascinating of all of the characters on OZ. What are the challenges playing him? A: I don't know if this role is anymore challenging than my other roles. I think all of the roles I've played are challenging in that to do them right, you have to know where you're prepared to go with the character. You can't be too broad. You can't let external things get in your way or lose your focus. Q: Many Oz viewers are intrigued by Keller's intimate roller coaster relationship with Beecher. How would you characterize Keller's relationship with Beecher? A:. Through his relationship with Beecher, Keller is trying to find truth within himself and who he is and the elements that it takes to make up a relationship; what they are, and where they reside within himself, be it intimacy or conflict or communication. Q: You and Lee have great on-screen chemistry. Is this something that developed over time or did you have a great rapport with him from the start? A: I thought we had a great professional rapport. I always liked him personally, and the personal side of it grew, as we became friends. So that's always been helpful. I think we've learned a lot from each other. It's always a great experience. I always look very much forward to the scenes that we have together. Even if I don't have to kiss him! Q: Can you tell us a little bit about Keller's storyline for the new season that begins January 6th? A: Keller will be back, but his movements are constrained. He is to do his wheeling and dealings from a cell from which he can't get out. He's in protective custody; a segregated population. So I have to do a lot of acting in a 5 x 8 cell. So if you're expecting a lot of movement in scenes, don't. Cause it ain't happening! There'll be a lot of caressing of the cell bars. Q: On-line polls on gay web-sites attest to your huge appeal in the gay community. How do you feel about all of this attention from your gay fans? A: That I've reached someone, and they give me feedback that's positive is always great. More important are occasional e-mails through my Web site or fan letters -- whatever people are feeling or getting out of either the character or my character's relationship with Beecher. The best part is anytime it affects people profoundly. You know, as people say it's nice to show a multifaceted gay relationship, to have people talking about a strong gay character. Because so often you'll have the gay character who's funny or a quick-witted Oscar Wilde type. But with Keller, you have a dysfunctional, sometimes brutish, sometimes loving/manipulative omnisexual, and it's not hammered home that he's gay. Fans respond to his complexity. © HBO
|
|