April 1999

Q: How did you get involved in acting and when did you know it was the profession you wanted to get into?

A: I believe it all began when my mom got tickets for the Truth or Consequences TV show on NBC at Hollywood and Vine, circa 1962 I think it was. Bob Barker's hairstyling's and manner so ignited my 7 year old imagination that I immediately went home and began building a television studio in my garage with the help of my hyper imaginative mommy. I was also a ventriloquist around this time. My grandmother bought me a Jerry Mahoney doll at the May Company on Wilshire and I insisted on hauling it with me to a live Bozo show at KTLA (which is now home of Michigan J. Frog in Los Angeles). *Jeff provides the voice of the WB's Michigan J. Frog* Well, the Producer of that show, (John McGraw was his name, I will never forget) pulled me aside to Bozo himself and wondered if I would like to return as a special guest to the world famous clown. I agreed and the rest was history in that I never heard from John McGraw again. I did however subtly return to the audience from time to time with my grandmother hoping one of the bigwigs would recall our gentleman's agreement, but that never happened. And that I realize now for the first time as I write this was probably the most formative event in creating this lifelong desire for success in show biz.

Q: If you didn't become an actor, what profession do you think you would be doing now?

A: I have no idea. Maybe a lighting designer. I don't know.

Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies and interests?

A: I draw and paint, mostly when I am out of town with lots of free time on my hands. If there is, in fact, reincarnation - that is what I would love to do in my next life.

Q: We always hear the stories about the trials and tribulations actors go through when starting out. Did you have any of those experiences?

A: Starting out, the trials were mostly seen as adventures. And they were great ones. Sometimes I find that perspective slipping as the years go by, so that is something I work at.

Q: You have worked both on stage and screen. How different are the mediums, and what do you prefer? Also, what about plays versus musicals?

A: Very different. I find that TV and film work is primarily about machinery and alot of waiting around as they say, which is true. I prefer the theater so long as the theater is playing ideas against each other and not trying to simply catch up with Hollywood's technology. Regarding plays versus musicals - I used to try to avoid musicals if I financially could - but not any more - I like the form alot. So either way- as long as I am stimulated.

Q: What has drawn you to some of the roles you have done? Are there certain characteristics you look for? What is your dream role?

A: What draws me to roles changes all the time - I suppose based on my life perspective at the time. Although, sometimes one takes roles simply because one needs a job - in which case I have been known to impose issues that are gnawing at me personally right into the character's perspective which can lead to interesting or hideous results.To answer the last part of the question: Chekov's plays and Harold Hill.

Q: What are some of your favorite theatrical works?

A: Chekov, Shakespeare, Sondheim, Moliere, and I am really turned on by Tina Landau and Ricky Ian Gordon right now. *Jeff was in Dream True at the Vineyard Theater in NY from March 24-May 8, written by Tina Landau and Ricky Ian Gordon*

Q: Out of all the roles you have played, what are your favorites? Which role has posed the hardest challenge for you as a performer?

A: Vershinin in the Three Sisters, Lopakin in the Cherry Orchard, George in Sunday in the Park with George. The Beast was the hardest physical challenge ever anywhere. It weakened me but also strengthened in ways that I am still paying for/reaping the benefits from.

Q: Have you experienced and surprising or embarrassing moments on stage that you'd be willing to share?

A: First time I was ever in a play (The Music Man in high school) my first entrance - I came on stage, tripped and fell on my face. And the next year I was Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls - during the Luck be a Lady number, I backed up off the stage and fell into the pit. I remember trying desperately to stay "in character" what ever the heck that means.