Post by HollymCombs on Mar 12, 2008 17:40:04 GMT -5
Did you meet or talk to Patty Montanari, the woman you play in “Wisegal” who got tangled up in the mob?
I didn’t. But her son was on the set for a few days, and watched me do a scene. Afterwards, he said to me, “The way that you’re playing her [his mom] is so dead on that it’s eerie to me.” I took that as a good sign.
Do you have any traits that you think would make you a good a mob wisegal?
I’m tenacious. And feisty. And Italian.
Do you have any traits that would work against you as a wisegal?
I’m way too compassionate. I think that’s what made it so hard for Patty. There’s a certain emotional resilience that you need to have.
Was it at all intimidating to work opposite James Caan?
No. He’s the nicest, most laid-back guy. It was the most astounding thing to see, because when the cameras weren’t rolling, he was just joking around, having a great time, and as soon as the camera rolled, he became this scary monster. Our chemistry was great right off the bat.
What was your experience like working opposite Jason Gedrick?
Jason was awesome. He’s an incredible actor. Passionate. Very sweet. My Chihuahua just fell in love with him
What is your favorite mob movie of all time?
“The Godfather.” It’s such a great piece of art. My favorite moment is probably when [the movie producer Jack Woltz] finds the horse’s head in his bed [after insulting the don and refusing his request].
We’ve watched you make such a seamless transition from child star to adult actor, which we know many can’t do. How did you manage that?
You know, I have no idea. It’s one of the great mysteries. I’m more proud of the fact that I was able to grow up in this business and be a good human being than I am that I still have a career. But obviously, the fact that I can still do what I love to do is amazing. After “Who’s the Boss” ended, everyone said I’d never work again. But by some miracle, I’m still going, and I feel very blessed for that.
Speaking of being a good human being … which of your many humanitarian causes is closest to your heart?
I am the lead ambassador for the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases. Neglected tropical diseases are a group of 13 parasitic and bacterial infections that affect the poorest of the poor — people that live on a dollar a day. They’re debilitating diseases that affect over a billion people. And nobody’s talking about it. But the good news is that neglected tropical diseases are actually treatable. So for the price of a cup of coffee, you can treat one person afflicted with these diseases for a year. There’s a website you can go to. It’s gnntdc.sabin.org.
Besides being a humanitarian, you’re also a fashionista now. Can you tell us about your new clothing line?
It’s called Touch by Alyssa Milano. It’s a female sports-fan apparel line. I’ve been a huge sports fan my whole life, and I got tired of going into the stadium shops and not finding anything cute or fashionable. I pitched the idea to Major League Baseball. I don’t necessarily think it was the clothing line they responded to, but my passion for sports. They gave me a shot.
What is next for you?
I’m doing a bunch of episodes of “My Name Is Earl.” They have nine episodes left, and I think I’m doing a handful of those. And that’s all I have planned for now.
Do you think you’ll go back to television full-time?
Absolutely. I’m not one of those actors that need to do films to feel fulfilled. I’m very content with the stability TV brings. And I think that most of the interesting female roles in Hollywood are being produced on television, and not necessarily by film studios.
I didn’t. But her son was on the set for a few days, and watched me do a scene. Afterwards, he said to me, “The way that you’re playing her [his mom] is so dead on that it’s eerie to me.” I took that as a good sign.
Do you have any traits that you think would make you a good a mob wisegal?
I’m tenacious. And feisty. And Italian.
Do you have any traits that would work against you as a wisegal?
I’m way too compassionate. I think that’s what made it so hard for Patty. There’s a certain emotional resilience that you need to have.
Was it at all intimidating to work opposite James Caan?
No. He’s the nicest, most laid-back guy. It was the most astounding thing to see, because when the cameras weren’t rolling, he was just joking around, having a great time, and as soon as the camera rolled, he became this scary monster. Our chemistry was great right off the bat.
What was your experience like working opposite Jason Gedrick?
Jason was awesome. He’s an incredible actor. Passionate. Very sweet. My Chihuahua just fell in love with him
What is your favorite mob movie of all time?
“The Godfather.” It’s such a great piece of art. My favorite moment is probably when [the movie producer Jack Woltz] finds the horse’s head in his bed [after insulting the don and refusing his request].
We’ve watched you make such a seamless transition from child star to adult actor, which we know many can’t do. How did you manage that?
You know, I have no idea. It’s one of the great mysteries. I’m more proud of the fact that I was able to grow up in this business and be a good human being than I am that I still have a career. But obviously, the fact that I can still do what I love to do is amazing. After “Who’s the Boss” ended, everyone said I’d never work again. But by some miracle, I’m still going, and I feel very blessed for that.
Speaking of being a good human being … which of your many humanitarian causes is closest to your heart?
I am the lead ambassador for the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases. Neglected tropical diseases are a group of 13 parasitic and bacterial infections that affect the poorest of the poor — people that live on a dollar a day. They’re debilitating diseases that affect over a billion people. And nobody’s talking about it. But the good news is that neglected tropical diseases are actually treatable. So for the price of a cup of coffee, you can treat one person afflicted with these diseases for a year. There’s a website you can go to. It’s gnntdc.sabin.org.
Besides being a humanitarian, you’re also a fashionista now. Can you tell us about your new clothing line?
It’s called Touch by Alyssa Milano. It’s a female sports-fan apparel line. I’ve been a huge sports fan my whole life, and I got tired of going into the stadium shops and not finding anything cute or fashionable. I pitched the idea to Major League Baseball. I don’t necessarily think it was the clothing line they responded to, but my passion for sports. They gave me a shot.
What is next for you?
I’m doing a bunch of episodes of “My Name Is Earl.” They have nine episodes left, and I think I’m doing a handful of those. And that’s all I have planned for now.
Do you think you’ll go back to television full-time?
Absolutely. I’m not one of those actors that need to do films to feel fulfilled. I’m very content with the stability TV brings. And I think that most of the interesting female roles in Hollywood are being produced on television, and not necessarily by film studios.
