John C. McGinley's first major role was in Oliver Stone's Platoon. Since then, he has appeared in numerous films and television movies including last year's Any Given Sunday and the 1997 miniseries, Dean Koontz' Intensity.
FOXcom_Host: John C. McGinley has arrived! FOXcom_Host: Welcome, John!
John_C_McGinley: Good evening everybody, hit me with your best shots!
solesister: I loved you in Sole Survivor - You complete freaked me out. Would you prefer to play a villain like this or a more likeable character?
John_C_McGinley: Villain, always a villain!
nubbins: Where do you get the motivation to do a character like the mean dude in sole survivor???
John_C_McGinley: It was an amalgamation of three different variables in the Dean Koontz book, so when I combined those elements that character is what it yielded.
sylvainbbb: You worked on Dean Koontz' Intensity as well as Sole Survivor. Did you meet Dean Koontz?
John_C_McGinley: I met Dean Koontz after we finished during a publicity junket, and I am extremely fond of him.
sylvainbbb: Is Dean Koontz' a scary guy in person?
John_C_McGinley: No, he is widely articulate, disorienting calm,. very smart, and very generous with his time, attention and talent.
moviebuff: Were you into Koontz before acting in Intensity?
bustrsded: Are you a Dean Koontz fan? Were you before doing Intensity?
John_C_McGinley: I had read about half a dozen of Dean's books prior to Intensity, and I actually read Intensity before I was offered the part. So it was a nice brush with serendippity.
ZeRo: What is your favorite Dean Koontz book?
John_C_McGinley: Intensity.
johnstheman: Have you been in so many guest starring roles that you don't remember them all - (I even think I saw you in an episode of the Practice early on in the episodes)
John_C_McGinley: I did the pilot and the first three episodes of the Practice. And just like Reggie Jackson remembers every pitch he hit for a home run, I remember every film I've done quite vividly.
nubbins: What role have you played is most like the real you?
John_C_McGinley: Whew! I produced a movie last year with Johnny Cusak called the Jack Bull for HBO. And I would say the role of Johnnie's best friend was the closest approximation of who John McGinley is.
screename: what's your favorite movie of those you've been in?
John_C_McGinley: Platoon. John_C_McGinley: Cause it was the closest to realizing what was on the page.
sylvainbbb: How did you get your first movie role. It was in Platoon right?
John_C_McGinley: My first role was in Sweet Liberty directed by Alan Alda. I auditioned for it several times, and then I got the part.
sylvainbbb: How did you get started acting? Did you do theater in High School?
John_C_McGinley: No, I was a jock in high school. I went to Syracuse undergrad, and was studying to be an actor from that point on. Then I was in the NYU graduate conservatory program. John_C_McGinley: Then I did half a dozen off Broadway Plays, then did a Broadway play, then did Another World for two years, then I started doing films. That's the Reader's Digest version.
solesister: How long have you been in the entertainment business? And if you had your dream role, what would it be??
John_C_McGinley: I've been getting paid to be an actor since I graduated from NYU in the spring of 84. My dream role would be to play Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd.
sylvainbbb: It seems like you've played military men a few times. Were you in the military?
John_C_McGinley: Nope.
machine: what are the different acting skills it takes to play a villain instead of a nice guy?
John_C_McGinley: I think that you can take more poetic license with bad guys oftentimes, because their storyline will support more eccentric behavior, so it's a little broader canvas.
southpaw: how do you play such a good bad guy?
John_C_McGinley: I don't know, I just love it. John_C_McGinley: We all seem to excel at what we love.
solesister: If you could live the life of one of the characters you've played, which would it be?
John_C_McGinley: Good one! My characters always get killed so it's a little tricky! John_C_McGinley: Let me put a pin in that one and come back to it. That's the best question I've heard in the last three days!
Kriccolo: I always hear about actors getting into their parts to play them better. How did you feel after playing such an 'evil' character?
John_C_McGinley: I felt somewhat unburdened by being able to exorcise those demons.
moviebuff: Are you good friends with Oliver Stone, I noticed that you are in a lot of his movie?
John_C_McGinley: I would say we're working associates. I don't have a social acquaintance with Oliver.
sylvainbbb: You worked a lot with Oliver Stone? How did you first meet him?
John_C_McGinley: I auditioned for Platoon in 1984 and got a role in the movie.
Movieluvr: What's it like working with a strong-willed director like Oliver Stone
John_C_McGinley: It's exciting, stimulating and it's the catalyst that causes one to really play or bring one's A game to any movie that Oliver is on.
Platoonster: Have you done any of your own writing or directing?
John_C_McGinley: I've produced about five movies and acted in about seventy. John_C_McGinley: And I'd be the sportscaster in Any Given Sunday, in answer to the question above...
moviebuff: You were good in "Any Given Sunday", how was it acting opposite "The Great" Al Pacino?
John_C_McGinley: It was one of the most exciting working relationships I've ever had.
sylvainbbb: I loved Colin Fitz, you produced that right? What inspired that movie?
John_C_McGinley: Bill Macy and the Atlantic Theater Group brought me the script and were looking for financing, and we were able to raise money for the film and get it done.
nubbins: Do you watch much TV? Would you rather be in a TV movie, on a sitcom or in a feature film on the big screen?
John_C_McGinley: I don't have a preference, I just love to work. So whatever dance I get invited to I'm ready to boogie.
machine: do you sometimes wish you could be more of a leading man?
John_C_McGinley: No.
johnstheman: You are one of the busiest actors in the business, and yet you're not really famous... are you happy about that or bummed about it?
John_C_McGinley: I'm happy because it allows me to spend a maximum amount of time with my three year old son, Max.
interested_viewer: how hard is it to break into the acting field and what do u suggest as a starting route?
John_C_McGinley: I am a huge proponent of training.
John_C_McGinley: And I can't recommend it strongly enough, that one trains till one is blue in the face before taking a stab at making a living as an actor.
solesister: Do you ever wish you'd chosen a different path other than acting?
John_C_McGinley: No.
sylvainbbb: Do you like working on TV movies or theatrical movies. What is the difference?
John_C_McGinley: I love working on both of them. The difference is TV movies are quite a bit faster in their execution and work pace.
machine: what made working with Pacino so exciting?
John_C_McGinley: Because he's probably one of the five greatest film actors this country has produced. He's a meticulous technician, and a kind of brilliant jazz musician between action and cut.
Kriccolo: Who do you think played the greatest villain of all time?
John_C_McGinley: Whew! I would put Malkovitch up there In The Line of Fire. Alan Rickman in Die Hard I thought was really arrogantly beautiful. And I would say the scariest guy ever was the guy that played Charles Manson in that TV miniseries, Steve Railsback.
demun_seed: What motivation do you use when playing the villain?
John_C_McGinley: I rely heavily on what's on the page. John_C_McGinley: And then I try to come up with an array of eccentricities that might support whatever strange behavior this character is acting out. John_C_McGinley: I rely heavily on the text.
unnamable: what are the qualities of a great character actor?
John_C_McGinley: Understanding that work begets work. And that small parts like the ones I played in Seven and Office Space yield phenomenal dividends.
happyjoy: are you the sort of actor who makes suggestions to the director, improvises things?
John_C_McGinley: I improvise all the time. And make suggestions when they're asked for.
nubbins: What's your most embarrassing moment on a set?
John_C_McGinley: I would say the first film I ever did with Alan Alda, Sweet Liberty, right after I pole vaulted over a cannon, the whole movie was wrapped, and I didn't know what the word "Wrapped" meant. So I went back out, took my place, and was ready to go again. And I was watching 100's of people leave, and just remained at the ready. Till Alan came out and explained to me that I was free to go.
unnamable: Do you ever do stage work?
John_C_McGinley: I've done six off Broadway plays, one Broadway play, and the one act festival in LA two years ago.
jade: what's the most recent role(besides any given...)that you've played ?
John_C_McGinley: I just wrapped a film with Freddie Prinze Jr. called Summer Catch that will be out next spring.
solesister: Do you ever get recognized in public? You've been in so much, but you look so different all the time.
John_C_McGinley: Yeah, all the time.
solesister: Do you have a family???? Is it hard for them with you being in this business?
John_C_McGinley: I have a three year old son, and it's harder on me than it is on him at this point cause I miss him so much.
LizBlizz: what was your dream in life when you were a little kid??
John_C_McGinley: To play with the NY Yankees.
thespian: are there great performances you watch over and over again?
John_C_McGinley: Sure. I watch Butch and Sundance repeatedly, Casablanca I would say that one goes on the DVD player all the time. THe Wizard in the third act of the Wizard of Oz when he starts giving everyone awards is one of my favorite scenes, Frank Morgan as the wizard.
solesister: Redford or Newman??? Who's better?
John_C_McGinley: Newman! Please!
foxgurl: what do you think of awards for actors like the Oscars and Emmys?
John_C_McGinley: I think they're great! I don't see any problem with any of that stuff. John_C_McGinley: I guess we all shared in the award for Platoon.
thespian: and do you have favorite character actors of your own?
John_C_McGinley: I would put Johnny Lithgow up there. I would put Spencer Tracy in that category. John_C_McGinley: And Jason Robards.
solesister: If your son wanted to grow up and be an actor, would you encourage it?
John_C_McGinley: Oh God yes!
audis4: what advice do you have for someone aspiring to be an actor
John_C_McGinley: Train until you are blue in the face.
audis4: when did you figure out that you wanted to be an actor
John_C_McGinley: I always wanted to be an actor for as far back as I can remember. John_C_McGinley: Wizard of Oz.
foxgurl: do you have favorite actresses to work with?
John_C_McGinley: Ingrid Bergman, hands down.
foxgurl: what is the worst part of acting?
John_C_McGinley: Being unsure of where the next paycheck is coming from.
garth: When you go out in public do you try and hide your face so you don't get mobbed by a bunch of fans?
John_C_McGinley: No.
audis4: what do you feel is your most successful role
John_C_McGinley: I would say all the collaborations with Oliver would be pretty close to what I had in mind.
ebeth: does your son ever come w/ you when you film?
John_C_McGinley: No, not yet.
solesister: Do you read your own reviews? Do you get upset when they are bad?
John_C_McGinley: Only the good ones.
audis4: did you follow the book closely when making this movie
John_C_McGinley: No. We took huge poetic license.
interested_viewer: this looks like a very good mini-series how many installments will there be?
John_C_McGinley: Tonight and tomorrow night - two.
audis4: can you give us any clues as to how the show will end tomorrow
John_C_McGinley: No.
moviebuff: Do you have a temper similar to some of the characters you play?
John_C_McGinley: Yes.
solesister: Would you rather spend a month on a deserted island with Gloria Reuben or Billy Zane?
John_C_McGinley: Gloria Reuben because she is one of the ten most beautiful women on the planet. And also, unfortunately, very married.
demun_seed: Have you ever worked with one of your idols or favorite actors/actresses?
John_C_McGinley: Yes. I got to work with Paul Newman on Fat Man and Little Boy, and Al Pacino during Any Given Sunday.
face: what is it about Stone that works so well for you?
John_C_McGinley: He's intensity and his focus.
irishlad: do you follow "the method" in acting? what does that mean for you?
John_C_McGinley: No, I have an approach that is a little different than purely method.
easter: What is the most bizarre fan present you have ever received?
John_C_McGinley: I don't get many fan presents. John_C_McGinley: I'm available to start receiving them any time anyone wants to start sending them. John_C_McGinley: I'm fan present friendly.
RobGSpeed: Sole Survivor seemed to have a X-Files "feel" any link besides being on fox?
John_C_McGinley: No.
moviebuff: Do you watch the x-files, and if so are you trying to appear on any of the episodes this season?
John_C_McGinley: I would love to appear on the X Files as soon as I'm invited.
easter: Do you find yourself to be an adventurous person?
John_C_McGinley: Yes.
John_C_McGinley: Some one want to take me on a date or something?
easter: who is your favorite x-files character?
John_C_McGinley: David. John_C_McGinley: Cause he's a great actor and an even nicer person.
face: Do you have any other upcoming movies or TV appearances?
John_C_McGinley: Yes, there is a Sylvester Stallone movie coming out October 6 called Get Carter. John_C_McGinley: You should see her in this movie. She is absolutely stunning.
moviebuff: What do you do in your spare time? Like what are you into, not Hollywood parties I hope
John_C_McGinley: I'm into my son. 24 hours a day.
FOXcom_Host: Thank you so much for being here to chat with us!
