|
|
 |
Dennis Haysbert interview - Radio Times, March 2002 |
|
|
|
 |
|
He's been a quietly impressive actor for
20 years but, with his role in fast-paced thriller 24,
Dennis Haysbert may finally make it to stardom. He talked to John Naughton.
Two weeks ago in [the first series of] 24 there was a threat to
Senator David Palmer's
life. Counter-terrorism agent Jack
Bauer took
the threat seriously, so now we
have another 22 episodes left to
see if he can save Palmer's life.
If the face of Dennis Haysbert,
who plays presidential candidate
Palmer in 24, looks familiar, well,
it should. Haysbert, 47, has been
on the fringes of fame for almost
20 years, but as the softly spoken
actor concedes, "I have had
interesting, provocative roles that
I've really enjoyed, but stardom
has eluded me a little bit."
24 may be about to change that
as Palmer plays a pivotal role.
Not only is he the subject of an
assassination attempt, which
might involve betrayal close to
home, but he also, like Bauer, has
problems within his family.
"I feel Palmer's a good man,"
says Haysbert. "A man who wants
to give himself to the people and
be the kind of politician that you
want real politicians to be."
It's unclear
whether Palmer is a Democrat or
Republican, but there's no doubt
where Haysbert finds his
inspiration. "I think Colin
Powell is an
incredible leader,"
he says. "He's got
great integrity,
heart and passion
and a willingness
and energy
to do good.
I think, as
President, he
could bring
our country
to a level it
has never
achieved."
Born in San
Mateo, California,
the second youngest
of nine children, Haysbert was
offered sports scholarships, but
declined them in favour of acting.
After ten years in television, his
first movie break came in Major
League, followed by Navy Seals,
Love Field and a brilliant cameo in
Heat, where he played an ex-con
lured back by De Niro into a fateful
bank raid. "It's an awesome movie,"
he says, "one of the few that tells
the truth about prison and how it's
set up to be a revolving door."
Haysbert's CV is impressive, and
if 24 does bring him wider fame,
no one could doubt on whose
terms it will have been achieved.
"If I'd taken everything that was
thrown at me I'd be a very wealthy
man already," he says. "But I can
honestly say there's not one role
that I have taken that I would give
back. I don't think a lot of actors
can say that."
**
Now take a look at our full 24 guide.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Advertiser link |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| EMAIL A FRIEND |
|
| Want to share this page with a friend? It's quick and easy! |
| Email a friend |
|
|
|
|
|
