Interview with Joe
May 19, 1998
by
Gail Gammell
by
Gail Gammell
Having been a long-time fan of Joe, preparing this interview has been a labour of love for me. I can still remember the first time I saw Joe Lando in the flesh. It was in California at Paramount Ranch in June of '94, while the cast and crew were filming "Indian Agent" in the parking lot! That's where the 'reservation' was then. It's true my first glimpse was from about a mile--or so it seemed--but a few days later, he came over to our small group. Actually he came to meet me because my daughter sent him a note asking him to. He has long since forgotten that, of course. But I haven't. From that first time when he shook my hand with a firm grasp and smiled at me with that intent look he has until this last time in February during the filming of the last first-run episode of Dr. Quinn, I have been blessed with several opportunities to visit the set and talk with Joe.
During each visit to the set I was impressed by the friendliness of all the cast and crew and that gave me insight into why I loved the show so much. Yet my attention was invariably drawn to Joe, as was that of almost everyone else around me. The cameras with the long lenses--and the short ones--followed him everywhere... His easy manner with his cast- and crew-mates was always so much fun to watch. This last time, a rather bitter-sweet time knowing that the end was likely near, his amusing off-camera expressions and antics had us in stitches.
By a happy quirk of fate, I managed to obtain a pass by mid-week and among other things, I somehow found myself asking Joe for an interview for this web site. Carol had asked me to before I left and I'm not sure either of us expected the opportunity would arise. When he said I could arrange one with his publicist, I was thrilled. But shocked? No, not really, because the Joe I have met and talked with is such a regular person, that when I'm around him, it's easy to be as direct and natural as he is. One of the crew members once told me, "Joe is the nicest, most down-to-earth guy around. He is every bit as nice as he seems." That estimation certainly fits what I know.
Months went by after I got home before I followed up with the interview, but as the end of the season drew closer, I thought, 'It's now or never!' Carol and I put together a list of questions, a list which between us grew with every passing day, and finally I faxed my interview request to Dominique, Joe's publicist. When there was no immediate reply, I put it out of my mind, and so the day Joe called, three weeks later, I was surprised! I recognized his voice right away, of course--what kind of fan would I be if I didn't? I had to ask though, several times, just to be sure.
At first I thought he called just to tell me about the show's cancellation and to get the news out that had it been renewed he would have returned to full-time status. That made the cancellation all the more difficult to bear, and ironic, since many fans felt his reduced role contributed to the lower ratings! I mentioned the internet campaign to revive the show and he sounded pleased with our efforts. He still felt the show had 'another year' in it. Then he told me that if I still wanted to do the interview he had the time then and there. When I protested that I was ready to fax his publicist the questions which he could answer at his leisure and mail back to me, he asked, "Don't you want to talk to me?" or something along those lines. To tell you the truth, I don't remember the exact words, but I do remember the chuckle in his voice.
I told him I had to get the questions which were somewhere in my office, so I thrust the phone at my mom and yelled into the receiver which she now had by her ear, "Talk to my mom!" while I ran downstairs. Later she told me about her conversation with Joe and how impressed she was with him. His gentlemanly way with her will forever endear him to me. They had a small laugh at my expense when she commented on my bird still screeching in the background. He said he could hardly hear it over his dogs. (Mom said she wanted to ask him if it was the dog we saw on KTLA last year but was too shy to.) Meantime, Joe remembered I'd called the bird 'Joe'. (He was screeching when I picked up the phone and I apologized before I was sure it was Joe.) Anyway, Joe, the man, asked Mom slyly, "Any significance to its name?" Mom chuckled and allowed that there was. As they chatted, (It took me a while to bring the interview up on the computer) Joe told her about finding out about the cancellation from a fellow cast member. When I found my questions I picked up the phone and they were still talking. Later Mom told me, "That really was Joe, you know."
By then I was pretty sure myself! And so we began. When I asked the questions, he replied much faster than I could type and with more words than I expected. It felt so much like a normal conversation that I found myself forgetting to type. I wanted to talk! Stick to the program, I told myself. I appreciated very much that Joe didn't say it first. He made me feel, too, like it was a conversation. With only one real interruption after which he called me right back and a few sweet asides about and to his wife, which made me feel like a visitor in his home and one of the 'friends' he addressed in his "Dear Friends" note recently, the hour and a half sped by. I only wish I had taped it as he gave me permission to do! However, here are the questions along with the answers just as Joe gave them and from my best recall!
Q: When will the film you made last summer, Blindness, be released?
A: It's still trying to find a distributor as an independent film, so I have no idea, really. An independent film may find its way to a theater or disappear. It's out of my hands now.
Q: What are some of your long-range goals and projects?
A: No Code of Conduct...is coming out in the fall. Meantime, I'm working on developing more projects with Brett Michaels and producing my own films in partnership with him. One such project is an action film with two brothers involved in a kidnapping. (In answer to the expanded question: Has your hair cut made a difference? Joe replied): I was sent five scripts in a week after I cut my hair. The long hair definitely kept me from some work.
Q: Do you and Kirsten watch Dr. Quinn when you're at home on Saturday nights?
A: Yes, sometimes.
Q: If you're out, do you tape it?
A: Yes.
Q: If there are some episodes you have not seen, what are they?
A: Lots, actually. I tried to catch most of the ones I wasn't in this season. I don't just watch it to see myself. I've seen some in syndication.
Q: Once Dr. Quinn is over, do you plan to communicate with your fans about your upcoming projects?
A: Yes, sure. I think it behooves me, don't you?
Q: If so, how?
A: The Internet probably, through the web page...
Q: Then you're not afraid of Internet fans?
A: No, I mean I'm pretty green about it (the internet) but I think it is an effective means of communicating and fast. Of course, rumors can spread as quickly as the truth.
Q: Once DQ is off, where can fans reach you?
A: At the William Morris Agency (agent: John Kimble) 151 S. El Camino Dr., Beverly Hills 90212-2775... or through my publicist... Dominique Appel at Huvane, Baum and Halls also in Beverly Hills.
Q: What is your current status on DQMW?
A: Had it been picked up, I would have been in all the episodes, which was something being decided just last week. (Second week in May!) Orson, Barbara and Brandon are going to work on another Beth Sullivan project. Their contracts were up. If it (the show) does get renewed, I will definitely be back.
Q: Your interviews on Vicki, Rosie and LIVE were all so charming, as are all your interviews....as well as your promos for Dr. Quinn. But according to your fans there are just too few of them. Is that by your choice?
A: Yes. I don't want to be seen everywhere and all the time until people just get tired of seeing me. (“Like Michael Jackson?” I asked, remembering something I'd read from a previous interview Joe had done.) Exactly! As it is, when I do them (interviews) I always wonder after: was I boring? (I assured him he was NOT!) I think: did I do a bad job? They're very hard to do...
Q: Do you know why the Olympic Promo you and Jane made was never shown?
A: I don't know...we do a lot of things we never see. I've done a lot of promos I've never seen and I just figured they didn't air "today".
Q: How much of your private life are you comfortable sharing?
A: (nervous chuckle) Not a whole lot... too much takes away the mystique.
Q: What have you found most challenging in your career so far in terms of roles you have done?
A: I think Blindness was very hard - It was a lot of work, and I did it virtually for free... It cost me more than it paid me because it was a small budget movie. The director shot it in his own home. We had almost all night shoots. Kirsten would bring in food from the bakery where she worked. Or I'd be leaving for work when she was just getting home. With all the night work, I felt like a vampire for a month.
Q: What has been most challenging with regards to the expectations about you by those you work with?
A: What do you mean?
Q: Do you think they go for the looks rather than the talent?
A: Sure. The last few times I've been hired it was based on my looks, so, I go, 'okay, this is how I get in, but I'll do my thing and they'll see past this and realize there's more to me than that.' You have to be smart and patient in this business. I have tried not to get locked in to one mind set, but tried to use getting in to let people find out it isn't just looks. I have more to offer. I love to hear 'you did good work.' It means a lot to hear that from other actors, from my peers, especially. People are very critical, so it means a lot to hear I did good.
(We talked about fan approval verses peer approval and I felt I understood what he was getting at: Fans who love an actor might look at his work differently and basically less critically than fellow-actors do.)
Q: What types of things do you look for in choosing your projects?
A: I like doing independent features - because not as much is riding on it and people are willing to be more creative and willing to trust you more... It's a little looser. They're smaller, on a more tangible level. You realize the cost in a more real way...You never have enough money to make a movie... or enough time.... That excites me. The big machines like Dr. Quinn...
(I interrupted him to ask:)
Q: Was DQ always a big machine?
A: No, it didn't start off that way. Go back and look at the pilot. It was ... (I interrupted again to ask about the pilot:)
Q: Did you actually fall near the end when Sully slipped away into the winter?
A: Yeah, I really did fall. There was nowhere for me to go so I made like I slipped off - like a Dick Van Dyke type pratfall... We all laughed and went on.
Q: How would you describe your contact with your fans?
A: Minimal...
Q: Assuming you've had good ones, what is your favorite fan encounter?
A: There was one where a woman came up to me in Sacramento when I was standing with Larry Sellers. We were off to one side trying to look invisible - in full costume next to the State capital! When people began to notice, Larry started flirting with them as he always does. No one paid attention to me at first which was interesting because people were shaking hands with Larry. Then one lady came up to me. She was in her thirties, heavy-set, with blue eyes that looked familiar. She shook my hand and said, "You're doing well"...or doing good, I think it was. Then she went on to speak to others. Later, I realized who her eyes reminded me of - my grandmother's. I was very close to my grandmother because she lived with us when I was growing up. You know, you recognize your mother's eyes, and so on, but when she looked at me, it made me feel like my grandmother was looking at me...I've heard of people having psychic experiences or feeling like they have guardian angels and I believe in that. It made me feel great. I felt like it was my grandmother speaking to me. It lifted me up all day. That was like my 'close encounter'.
Q: What four words best describe you? (You may use more than four!)
A: Intense, Fun, Hard-working, Artistic - The artistic part of me is romantic, and I enjoy life. The intense part of me works against the fun part sometimes, but I'm working to keep that from happening.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Hopefully with another TV series... One in which I will have a creative part. I have an idea that I think is really appealing to people... I've been trying to work on this for years... Of course I can't mention what it is... And it was fruitless to try to develop it while I was locked into Quinn, until now... I'll try to sell it to a network, CBS.... (You'd work for CBS again? I interrupted him, still put out about DQ's last minute cancellation.) Yes, sure.....it's just business... The bottom line is money... They have to get people to watch, and the faces change all the time, every week...
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Making movies?
A: Features? Sure, I'd love to get a crack at a big one... For instance, I'd love to work with Mel Gibson...because he is such a great actor... I got into the business because of him, literally. I was thought to look like him. I look like him again now with the shorter hair. (There was a whole thing in here about how he used his likeness to Mel to attract girls and when I said that wouldn't work now since he's known in his own right, he said it wouldn't work now because he's married! Sweet, eh? Joe goes on:) He's the reason I got into the business- or how I got my start. Somebody mentioned to Mel that I looked like him and I was sent to his agent who asked me what I had done, what training I'd taken, and then he set it up for me to take lessons, get pictures... I basically started through him... I'd also like to work with Johnny Depp. I think he's an amazing actor. And there's a slew of women I'd like to work with...
Q: Have you any more plans for non-acting projects such as The Daily Wrap?
A: The Daily Wrap is sold and I got out of Yankee Doodles, too. It's not my kind of place - a sterile, noisy sports bar - and not the place I would go to, so I got out of that...I had no say about what it would be like. Another restaurant? Yes.
Q: What would you say was your most life-changing moment?
A: Finding out my wife was expecting. It changes everything... having a child. And when the baby is born, that will be my most life changing moment.
Q: Right now, what is the single most important thing to you?
A: Waiting for our baby...We don't know what it'll be - it'll be like opening a Christmas present. If it's a boy he'll have the same initials as me, but not the same name.
(Note: Jack Neville Lando was born June 3 in L.A. weighing in at 7 lbs.)
Q: Please finish this sentence: If I weren't an actor, I would be...
A: ...successful at something else. I'd probably be in the restaurant business. I like it.
Q: What bugs you the most?
A: I'll just say: Politics, and leave it at that.
Q: What is your personal philosophy of life?
A: I can't comment on that. It would sound too self-important.
Q: In which currently running series would you like to guest star?
A: The Simpson's... (I specifically asked about this next series since he'd mentioned angels earlier.) No, not Touched by an Angel. (He went on to add because his no was so definite that perhaps it wasn't fair of him to judge it because he had only seen minutes of it here and there. He said he isn't comfortable with something that tries to make him feel comfortable. I wasn't sure what he meant exactly and he didn't elaborate. I did encourage him to give the show one more try though...)
Q: Despite your reputation for being easy going, happy-go-lucky and clowning around, you have an amazing talent with your facial expressions and body language to express anger or pain or sorrow. From what experiences do you draw these emotions?
A: (chuckles) High school and grade school...life...I have a good recall of my memories....
Q: Who decides whether or not you will perform a particular stunt - you or somebody else?
A: Some are givens: there's no way in hell you're going to do the stunt. Some you have to fight for. Then you hurt yourself and feel like a fool...
Q: Have you ever hurt yourself doing them?
A: Lots of times...I had to have plastic surgery on my head after a scene in Shadows of Desire...It's the scene near the end where I fall under the table and the chair falls on my head. (What did you do? The scene looks so seamless.) I had to get up with my back to them and I knew they couldn't see my face so I explained the situation. It took 15 stitches. (I think he said 15!)
Q: Is it true that some of the clothes you wore on Guiding Light were in fact your own?
A: Yes, some of them were... or they went out and got stuff that matched mine.
Q: Do you ever have time to read books?
A: Not much, but I try. Recently Kirsten and I read "Tuesdays with Morrie." It was on the best seller list. Have you read it? (No. I have since.) Well, read it. You'll love it. It'll make you cry. Kirsten and I read together traveling back and forth from Arizona, going on trips....
Q: Do you ever want to act in theater?
A: Yes, sure.
Q: Would you ever do Shakespeare?
A: That kind of scares me....
Q: Do you still go fishing?
A: Haven't in a while... but I hope to.
Q: What's the biggest fresh water fish you ever caught?
A: A seven pound largemouth bass.
Q: What, if anything, do you read about yourself that makes you feel uncomfortable?
A: It all kind of makes me cringe.
Q: Even seeing this interview we're doing?
A: Yes.
Q: Since you are of Italian and Russian parentage, do you speak either of these languages?
A: No.
Q: Are you ambidextrous?
A: Yes.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Just before the last couple of questions, I could tell Joe's mind was really on his wife's imminent departure. "My wife's all dressed up to go... somewhere. To Kirsten, “Where are you going, honey? I think I'm supposed to be going with her; am I, honey?" I laughed and told him he better but could he answer two more quick ones? He did and then said he really did have to go. I thanked him very much for his time, told him I'd send the finished copy to his publicist to be checked. We signed off wishing each other well.
There you have it - 44 questions when I totaled them all up! And that doesn't count the little extra ones. What's it like to talk to Joe? Just like talking to anybody, a very articulate anybody, I might add! And because he is so easy to talk to, you feel as though you know him, and he you, well enough to joke with him. If anything surprised me doing the interview, it was that he was so forthcoming since I know how he values his privacy.
Personally, I was thrilled with the results. So Joe, wherever you are: if you ever do get to see this, I hope you won't find yourself cringing too much. Thank you again for sharing with all of us this part of your public -- and private -- life.
I want to add a very special thanks to Carol... can I do that on her page? She has been an unfailing support to me and her encouragement has kept me going on this project. Plus, she's in as much trouble as me if Joe cringes badly.
Happy Joe thoughts all.
During each visit to the set I was impressed by the friendliness of all the cast and crew and that gave me insight into why I loved the show so much. Yet my attention was invariably drawn to Joe, as was that of almost everyone else around me. The cameras with the long lenses--and the short ones--followed him everywhere... His easy manner with his cast- and crew-mates was always so much fun to watch. This last time, a rather bitter-sweet time knowing that the end was likely near, his amusing off-camera expressions and antics had us in stitches.
By a happy quirk of fate, I managed to obtain a pass by mid-week and among other things, I somehow found myself asking Joe for an interview for this web site. Carol had asked me to before I left and I'm not sure either of us expected the opportunity would arise. When he said I could arrange one with his publicist, I was thrilled. But shocked? No, not really, because the Joe I have met and talked with is such a regular person, that when I'm around him, it's easy to be as direct and natural as he is. One of the crew members once told me, "Joe is the nicest, most down-to-earth guy around. He is every bit as nice as he seems." That estimation certainly fits what I know.
Months went by after I got home before I followed up with the interview, but as the end of the season drew closer, I thought, 'It's now or never!' Carol and I put together a list of questions, a list which between us grew with every passing day, and finally I faxed my interview request to Dominique, Joe's publicist. When there was no immediate reply, I put it out of my mind, and so the day Joe called, three weeks later, I was surprised! I recognized his voice right away, of course--what kind of fan would I be if I didn't? I had to ask though, several times, just to be sure.
At first I thought he called just to tell me about the show's cancellation and to get the news out that had it been renewed he would have returned to full-time status. That made the cancellation all the more difficult to bear, and ironic, since many fans felt his reduced role contributed to the lower ratings! I mentioned the internet campaign to revive the show and he sounded pleased with our efforts. He still felt the show had 'another year' in it. Then he told me that if I still wanted to do the interview he had the time then and there. When I protested that I was ready to fax his publicist the questions which he could answer at his leisure and mail back to me, he asked, "Don't you want to talk to me?" or something along those lines. To tell you the truth, I don't remember the exact words, but I do remember the chuckle in his voice.
I told him I had to get the questions which were somewhere in my office, so I thrust the phone at my mom and yelled into the receiver which she now had by her ear, "Talk to my mom!" while I ran downstairs. Later she told me about her conversation with Joe and how impressed she was with him. His gentlemanly way with her will forever endear him to me. They had a small laugh at my expense when she commented on my bird still screeching in the background. He said he could hardly hear it over his dogs. (Mom said she wanted to ask him if it was the dog we saw on KTLA last year but was too shy to.) Meantime, Joe remembered I'd called the bird 'Joe'. (He was screeching when I picked up the phone and I apologized before I was sure it was Joe.) Anyway, Joe, the man, asked Mom slyly, "Any significance to its name?" Mom chuckled and allowed that there was. As they chatted, (It took me a while to bring the interview up on the computer) Joe told her about finding out about the cancellation from a fellow cast member. When I found my questions I picked up the phone and they were still talking. Later Mom told me, "That really was Joe, you know."
By then I was pretty sure myself! And so we began. When I asked the questions, he replied much faster than I could type and with more words than I expected. It felt so much like a normal conversation that I found myself forgetting to type. I wanted to talk! Stick to the program, I told myself. I appreciated very much that Joe didn't say it first. He made me feel, too, like it was a conversation. With only one real interruption after which he called me right back and a few sweet asides about and to his wife, which made me feel like a visitor in his home and one of the 'friends' he addressed in his "Dear Friends" note recently, the hour and a half sped by. I only wish I had taped it as he gave me permission to do! However, here are the questions along with the answers just as Joe gave them and from my best recall!
Q: When will the film you made last summer, Blindness, be released?
A: It's still trying to find a distributor as an independent film, so I have no idea, really. An independent film may find its way to a theater or disappear. It's out of my hands now.
Q: What are some of your long-range goals and projects?
A: No Code of Conduct...is coming out in the fall. Meantime, I'm working on developing more projects with Brett Michaels and producing my own films in partnership with him. One such project is an action film with two brothers involved in a kidnapping. (In answer to the expanded question: Has your hair cut made a difference? Joe replied): I was sent five scripts in a week after I cut my hair. The long hair definitely kept me from some work.
Q: Do you and Kirsten watch Dr. Quinn when you're at home on Saturday nights?
A: Yes, sometimes.
Q: If you're out, do you tape it?
A: Yes.
Q: If there are some episodes you have not seen, what are they?
A: Lots, actually. I tried to catch most of the ones I wasn't in this season. I don't just watch it to see myself. I've seen some in syndication.
Q: Once Dr. Quinn is over, do you plan to communicate with your fans about your upcoming projects?
A: Yes, sure. I think it behooves me, don't you?
Q: If so, how?
A: The Internet probably, through the web page...
Q: Then you're not afraid of Internet fans?
A: No, I mean I'm pretty green about it (the internet) but I think it is an effective means of communicating and fast. Of course, rumors can spread as quickly as the truth.
Q: Once DQ is off, where can fans reach you?
A: At the William Morris Agency (agent: John Kimble) 151 S. El Camino Dr., Beverly Hills 90212-2775... or through my publicist... Dominique Appel at Huvane, Baum and Halls also in Beverly Hills.
Q: What is your current status on DQMW?
A: Had it been picked up, I would have been in all the episodes, which was something being decided just last week. (Second week in May!) Orson, Barbara and Brandon are going to work on another Beth Sullivan project. Their contracts were up. If it (the show) does get renewed, I will definitely be back.
Q: Your interviews on Vicki, Rosie and LIVE were all so charming, as are all your interviews....as well as your promos for Dr. Quinn. But according to your fans there are just too few of them. Is that by your choice?
A: Yes. I don't want to be seen everywhere and all the time until people just get tired of seeing me. (“Like Michael Jackson?” I asked, remembering something I'd read from a previous interview Joe had done.) Exactly! As it is, when I do them (interviews) I always wonder after: was I boring? (I assured him he was NOT!) I think: did I do a bad job? They're very hard to do...
Q: Do you know why the Olympic Promo you and Jane made was never shown?
A: I don't know...we do a lot of things we never see. I've done a lot of promos I've never seen and I just figured they didn't air "today".
Q: How much of your private life are you comfortable sharing?
A: (nervous chuckle) Not a whole lot... too much takes away the mystique.
Q: What have you found most challenging in your career so far in terms of roles you have done?
A: I think Blindness was very hard - It was a lot of work, and I did it virtually for free... It cost me more than it paid me because it was a small budget movie. The director shot it in his own home. We had almost all night shoots. Kirsten would bring in food from the bakery where she worked. Or I'd be leaving for work when she was just getting home. With all the night work, I felt like a vampire for a month.
Q: What has been most challenging with regards to the expectations about you by those you work with?
A: What do you mean?
Q: Do you think they go for the looks rather than the talent?
A: Sure. The last few times I've been hired it was based on my looks, so, I go, 'okay, this is how I get in, but I'll do my thing and they'll see past this and realize there's more to me than that.' You have to be smart and patient in this business. I have tried not to get locked in to one mind set, but tried to use getting in to let people find out it isn't just looks. I have more to offer. I love to hear 'you did good work.' It means a lot to hear that from other actors, from my peers, especially. People are very critical, so it means a lot to hear I did good.
(We talked about fan approval verses peer approval and I felt I understood what he was getting at: Fans who love an actor might look at his work differently and basically less critically than fellow-actors do.)
Q: What types of things do you look for in choosing your projects?
A: I like doing independent features - because not as much is riding on it and people are willing to be more creative and willing to trust you more... It's a little looser. They're smaller, on a more tangible level. You realize the cost in a more real way...You never have enough money to make a movie... or enough time.... That excites me. The big machines like Dr. Quinn...
(I interrupted him to ask:)
Q: Was DQ always a big machine?
A: No, it didn't start off that way. Go back and look at the pilot. It was ... (I interrupted again to ask about the pilot:)
Q: Did you actually fall near the end when Sully slipped away into the winter?
A: Yeah, I really did fall. There was nowhere for me to go so I made like I slipped off - like a Dick Van Dyke type pratfall... We all laughed and went on.
Q: How would you describe your contact with your fans?
A: Minimal...
Q: Assuming you've had good ones, what is your favorite fan encounter?
A: There was one where a woman came up to me in Sacramento when I was standing with Larry Sellers. We were off to one side trying to look invisible - in full costume next to the State capital! When people began to notice, Larry started flirting with them as he always does. No one paid attention to me at first which was interesting because people were shaking hands with Larry. Then one lady came up to me. She was in her thirties, heavy-set, with blue eyes that looked familiar. She shook my hand and said, "You're doing well"...or doing good, I think it was. Then she went on to speak to others. Later, I realized who her eyes reminded me of - my grandmother's. I was very close to my grandmother because she lived with us when I was growing up. You know, you recognize your mother's eyes, and so on, but when she looked at me, it made me feel like my grandmother was looking at me...I've heard of people having psychic experiences or feeling like they have guardian angels and I believe in that. It made me feel great. I felt like it was my grandmother speaking to me. It lifted me up all day. That was like my 'close encounter'.
Q: What four words best describe you? (You may use more than four!)
A: Intense, Fun, Hard-working, Artistic - The artistic part of me is romantic, and I enjoy life. The intense part of me works against the fun part sometimes, but I'm working to keep that from happening.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Hopefully with another TV series... One in which I will have a creative part. I have an idea that I think is really appealing to people... I've been trying to work on this for years... Of course I can't mention what it is... And it was fruitless to try to develop it while I was locked into Quinn, until now... I'll try to sell it to a network, CBS.... (You'd work for CBS again? I interrupted him, still put out about DQ's last minute cancellation.) Yes, sure.....it's just business... The bottom line is money... They have to get people to watch, and the faces change all the time, every week...
Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Making movies?
A: Features? Sure, I'd love to get a crack at a big one... For instance, I'd love to work with Mel Gibson...because he is such a great actor... I got into the business because of him, literally. I was thought to look like him. I look like him again now with the shorter hair. (There was a whole thing in here about how he used his likeness to Mel to attract girls and when I said that wouldn't work now since he's known in his own right, he said it wouldn't work now because he's married! Sweet, eh? Joe goes on:) He's the reason I got into the business- or how I got my start. Somebody mentioned to Mel that I looked like him and I was sent to his agent who asked me what I had done, what training I'd taken, and then he set it up for me to take lessons, get pictures... I basically started through him... I'd also like to work with Johnny Depp. I think he's an amazing actor. And there's a slew of women I'd like to work with...
Q: Have you any more plans for non-acting projects such as The Daily Wrap?
A: The Daily Wrap is sold and I got out of Yankee Doodles, too. It's not my kind of place - a sterile, noisy sports bar - and not the place I would go to, so I got out of that...I had no say about what it would be like. Another restaurant? Yes.
Q: What would you say was your most life-changing moment?
A: Finding out my wife was expecting. It changes everything... having a child. And when the baby is born, that will be my most life changing moment.
Q: Right now, what is the single most important thing to you?
A: Waiting for our baby...We don't know what it'll be - it'll be like opening a Christmas present. If it's a boy he'll have the same initials as me, but not the same name.
(Note: Jack Neville Lando was born June 3 in L.A. weighing in at 7 lbs.)
Q: Please finish this sentence: If I weren't an actor, I would be...
A: ...successful at something else. I'd probably be in the restaurant business. I like it.
Q: What bugs you the most?
A: I'll just say: Politics, and leave it at that.
Q: What is your personal philosophy of life?
A: I can't comment on that. It would sound too self-important.
Q: In which currently running series would you like to guest star?
A: The Simpson's... (I specifically asked about this next series since he'd mentioned angels earlier.) No, not Touched by an Angel. (He went on to add because his no was so definite that perhaps it wasn't fair of him to judge it because he had only seen minutes of it here and there. He said he isn't comfortable with something that tries to make him feel comfortable. I wasn't sure what he meant exactly and he didn't elaborate. I did encourage him to give the show one more try though...)
Q: Despite your reputation for being easy going, happy-go-lucky and clowning around, you have an amazing talent with your facial expressions and body language to express anger or pain or sorrow. From what experiences do you draw these emotions?
A: (chuckles) High school and grade school...life...I have a good recall of my memories....
Q: Who decides whether or not you will perform a particular stunt - you or somebody else?
A: Some are givens: there's no way in hell you're going to do the stunt. Some you have to fight for. Then you hurt yourself and feel like a fool...
Q: Have you ever hurt yourself doing them?
A: Lots of times...I had to have plastic surgery on my head after a scene in Shadows of Desire...It's the scene near the end where I fall under the table and the chair falls on my head. (What did you do? The scene looks so seamless.) I had to get up with my back to them and I knew they couldn't see my face so I explained the situation. It took 15 stitches. (I think he said 15!)
Q: Is it true that some of the clothes you wore on Guiding Light were in fact your own?
A: Yes, some of them were... or they went out and got stuff that matched mine.
Q: Do you ever have time to read books?
A: Not much, but I try. Recently Kirsten and I read "Tuesdays with Morrie." It was on the best seller list. Have you read it? (No. I have since.) Well, read it. You'll love it. It'll make you cry. Kirsten and I read together traveling back and forth from Arizona, going on trips....
Q: Do you ever want to act in theater?
A: Yes, sure.
Q: Would you ever do Shakespeare?
A: That kind of scares me....
Q: Do you still go fishing?
A: Haven't in a while... but I hope to.
Q: What's the biggest fresh water fish you ever caught?
A: A seven pound largemouth bass.
Q: What, if anything, do you read about yourself that makes you feel uncomfortable?
A: It all kind of makes me cringe.
Q: Even seeing this interview we're doing?
A: Yes.
Q: Since you are of Italian and Russian parentage, do you speak either of these languages?
A: No.
Q: Are you ambidextrous?
A: Yes.
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Just before the last couple of questions, I could tell Joe's mind was really on his wife's imminent departure. "My wife's all dressed up to go... somewhere. To Kirsten, “Where are you going, honey? I think I'm supposed to be going with her; am I, honey?" I laughed and told him he better but could he answer two more quick ones? He did and then said he really did have to go. I thanked him very much for his time, told him I'd send the finished copy to his publicist to be checked. We signed off wishing each other well.
There you have it - 44 questions when I totaled them all up! And that doesn't count the little extra ones. What's it like to talk to Joe? Just like talking to anybody, a very articulate anybody, I might add! And because he is so easy to talk to, you feel as though you know him, and he you, well enough to joke with him. If anything surprised me doing the interview, it was that he was so forthcoming since I know how he values his privacy.
Personally, I was thrilled with the results. So Joe, wherever you are: if you ever do get to see this, I hope you won't find yourself cringing too much. Thank you again for sharing with all of us this part of your public -- and private -- life.
I want to add a very special thanks to Carol... can I do that on her page? She has been an unfailing support to me and her encouragement has kept me going on this project. Plus, she's in as much trouble as me if Joe cringes badly.
Happy Joe thoughts all.