Back in 1984, I was working at a salvage yard in Denver, Colorado. I was painfully shy, and was advised to take acting lessons to overcome my timidity. I approached a talent agency, and because of my grimy appearance and long, shaggy beard the talent coordinator practically climbed the wall trying to get away from me. Nevertheless, they took me on and not only taught me how to act, but also how to speak without mumbling, walk without dragging my knuckles, and shave and comb my hair. After that training, I started working right away -- in commercials and print at first, then small roles in movies. In 1987 I was cast in the biggest role an actor in Denver had to date ever gotten -- I costarred as Cooper in a movie called "The Women's Club." It starred Michael Pare and Maud Adams, and was directed by Martin Scorsese's ex-girlfriend, Sandra Roland Weintraub. I came to Hollywood soon after finishing that film.

          I first met him after seeing his ad in "Backstage West" (an actor's magazine) seeking an evil Jackie Gleason-type character for "The Double D-Avenger." Since I admire Gleason as both an actor and a larger-than-life personality, and can imitate him pretty well, I thought it would be amusing to see how I'd stack up against the other actors competing for the role. I came in costume, wearing the purple jacket and steer-horn belt buckle (the same ones that my character, Al Purplewood, ultimately wears in the movie) and with my hair all frizzed out. I launched into my crazed performance and then threw the script in the air and improvised a funny bit while in character. I heard a crash, looked over, and saw that the director, William Winckler, was lying on the floor laughing hysterically. I pulled him up and thought I heard him mutter, "You're the funniest son of a bitch I have ever seen" (I admit that part could have been my imagination), but I did have a hunch I had a fighting chance.

William Winckler is actually an amazing director, full of enthusiasm for his subject matter, which is infectious to his actors, and very encouraging to me personally to be as BIG as I could possibly be. I rarely get that type of direction (it's usually the opposite), since over-the-top, physical acting is not as popular as it was in the first half of the 20th Century. I model myself after Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, The Marx Brothers, and The Three Stooges. Fortunately, that type of exaggerated comedy is starting to come back to some degree -- people seem to enjoy the good belly laugh that often comes from it. In fact, "The Double-D Avenger" was especially successful in Europe in part because fans there really appreciate that type of humor (which isn't to say that I can't act in a more serious vein, too). William Winckler also saw this dark side, and as a result I got a chance to show more subtle acting talents in "William Winckler's Frankenstein Vs. The Creature From Blood Cove." Folks will be able to see the results when the film is released on DVD via Amazon.com on October 4, 2005.

I play an obsessive, self-centered scientist named Dr. Monroe Lazaroff who's greatly troubled by his repeated failures to control the monsters he has created. Dr. Lazaroff is also haunted by a troublesome ghost because he has a dark secret -- a secret that explains the reason for his quest to rid the world of certain evil people. For the role, I had to dig deep to bring out my own demons, which I'd hoped were exorcised long ago. Playing Dr. Lazaroff, I found out they were to some extent still there. I ended up opening up my own Pandora's box, and all hell broke loose. Luckily, I have a very strong leash.

          This movie is not only about monsters, but also about the demons within us and our eternal quest for a purpose that's perhaps more noble than the human condition generally permits. On a deeper level, "Frankenstein Vs. The Creature From Blood Cove" explores how faith can control and manipulate a person into performing unspeakable acts, and also how love remains one of the primary and most powerful forces in the universe.

          There were two things that turned out to be harder than I'd thought: I had more lines in "William Winckler's Frankenstein Vs. The Creature From Blood Cove" than I'd ever had in my life (many of which were long monologues), and I had to quite literally become a madman, which isn't easy to do. I resorted to a type of Method acting that would make Sir Laurence Olivier turn over in his grave -- an approach not recommended for the weak of heart. I lived and worked this way for a month, and then it took another month to resume some semblance of normalcy. But I proved to myself that I could do it, and I'd do it all again. In fact, I'm about to shoot another movie where I become even more diabolical than I am in this film. Fortunately, thanks to my work in "William Winckler's Frankenstein Vs. The Creature From Blood Cove," I have a much better handle on my emotions. I won't allow myself to live the role -- just dive deep and surface at the end of the scene. Any other way and it's simply too emotionally draining.

          After the first day, when I shook off my "opening day jitters" and really started to soar in the role, I realized the potential of this picture. There's nothing like the ecstasy of breathing life into your character and watching the reactions and hearing the positive comments of the other actors on the set, or to be complimented by the director for seeing his vision and capturing it.

          As I mentioned, I'm about to shoot another horror film where I play a homicidal, cannibalistic hillbilly, which actually should help me on to the next step in my career, just as William Winckler helped pull me out of semi-obscurity, giving me a nice cult following (for which I am eternally grateful). I am also currently in negotiations with a producer to do a project next year with an A-list actor that could launch my career even further. All of this is actually teaching me a valuable lesson -- never place limits on yourself. Give yourself permission to succeed and pierce the stratosphere!

          Other than William Winckler? [laughs] Let me put it this way: anybody who makes me think, makes me feel, or makes me laugh, cry or crap my pants! I want a director who challenges me to be the best I can, even if doing so generates creative tension. I like to challenge myself, but I need that other person with the whip and chair to trigger and harness that raw and unrefined energy that can come out of me. I want to work with anybody who commits to a film and takes risks the way William Winckler does. Creating a great picture is a collaborative effort and an elaborate dance, which when done well is exciting and exquisite for everyone!

          Most folks probably don't know this, but I'm also a professional pianist. In fact, I actually played Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" in "William Winckler's Frankenstein Vs. The Creature From Blood Cove." I also consider myself a deep thinker, and have deep feelings, too. So I guess from an acting perspective I'd like to be known as a thinking man's thug. I also look forward to many more horror movies with William Winckler, as we have great chemistry together. And after the film's release at Amazon.com on October 4th, I plan to attend many conventions and I welcome talking with any and all fans.