Quotes

On making horror films: A creepy house, a cemetery, two girls, a guy and a pair of pliers or whatever... That's all it takes! Horror films are fun, simple and have always ranked amongst my very favorite films to watch and most certainly to make. You hear "action" and suddenly it's Halloween again! I'm lucky. I'm basically a professional trick or treater.

On filming 'I Didn't Come Here To Die': Redneck deputy sheriff and I get to grow a moustache? I'm in! However, I was very ill when we shot the film and especially in the days just prior to the shoot. But as an actor all you can do is 'use it', so I did. Tried to just let it flow into the anxiety of this character who gets hit with a series of extremely rattling situations quite suddenly. What's funny is, I went to the premiere and most of the cast or crew didn't recognize me. They were so surprised! Granted, I had some obvious differences, a moustache, cowboy hat, etc. but I like to think it was the attitude of the character that embodied that was so completely different from my own. That's the idea, after all... to follow in the footsteps of my idols. True movie 'magicians' like Spencer Tracy and Lon Chaney, Jr., the original 'man of a thousand faces'. They fooled the audience. They convinced the audience. And in accomplishing that, as actors, we must first fool and convince ourselves. That's the trick. There is nothing like sitting in a movie theatre, watching your film or listening to comments in regard to your character and not being recognized, whatsoever. It's very cool stuff!

On filming 'Jolene': Ok. I'm hardly in the film BUT it was one of the most professional learning experiences I've had as an actor. I learned so much. It's a truly great film structure, strong traditional story, stellar supporting cast including Frances Fisher, Dermot Mulroney, Chazz Palminteri, Michael Vartan, Rupert Friend and Denise Richards, to name a few. The raw talent and years of acting experience in the film, especially an independent film, are incredible! One of my very favorite actresses, Jessica Chastain, whose career has blown up since, not surprisingly... blew me away! She's an acting machine and so gracious to everyone no matter how large or small their role. That's what I took away from that production the most, the professionalism and respect that director, Dan Ireland conveyed to everyone really trickled right down to the very last grip or extra. It's disappointing that it has not been exposed to a broader audience, to date. However, there is finally 'Jolene: Director's Cut' coming available so, perhaps the film will finally get the credit it truly deserves over time.

On the filming and origin of 'One Heart': Extremely moving story of a generous community (Grapevine Faith High School in Grapevine, Texas), Gainesville Juvenile Detention Center in Gainesville, Texas and a football game that changed many, many lives. It's especially moving for me, since this film was based on a true story and takes place in North Texas, where I am from and also experienced the power of high school athletics, namely; football. Meeting the persons portrayed in the film, being in the places where things happened, you truly get a feeling for not just the project but all of those involved. It not only adds a very personal touch but brings out the best in an actor and a crew in all their attempts to convey emotion to an audience. It's really a big deal.