ConChat With . . . Jeffrey Combs

1-Iconic Actor with Numerous Stage, Film, TV, and Voice-over Credits
Which genre do you prefer - movies, television, voice-over, or stage acting? Why?

Honestly, I don't have a preference. They each have their own unique challenges. Film and TV are the most similar, of course. I love the technical aspects of them. Getting the right coverage for a scene, special effect shots, making sure that all the pieces fit together like a seamless puzzle even though scenes are often shot out of sequence. Love all that. And I hate the time it takes to do all that! Regarding voice-overs: it's surprising how difficult it can be. An actor's instrument is their whole physicality, but with voice-over work the only part of your instrument you work with, of course, is your voice. You must funnel and compress all your ideas about the character down into only it. Easier said than done. It really does require a specific skill set. I do love that there's no make-up and costume involved with voice-over though. Just show up in your street clothes and emote! And there is home base: the theatre. It's where I come from. It's where I received my training and learned the art, discipline and love of acting. I suppose if I had to choose a favorite idiom it would be the theatre. Theatre is the true realm of the actor. It's where the actor has more control over the process. It's all on you to bring the character and the ideas of the play alive from start to finish without interruption. Movies and TV pay better though!

2-As a multiple threat actor, do you ever feel like you lose focus on any one particular genre?

No. I don't think in terms of genre. I think in terms of character.

3-If you could pick any role you have played to become your new permanent persona, which would it be?

New permanent persona? I don't even know what that means. Actors act. It's their job. They create the illusion of being someone else and then they go home and if they do their job well they get to come back and do it again. I suppose if you do it really well then people start thinking that's who you are. England does this right. They think of actors as craftsmen and they don't confuse their roles with the skilled people who create them for a living.

4-What is your favorite on-set experience?

Mmmm. Well, I have many. I bask in the warm glow of a lot of great on-set memories. Any time I'm on set I feel such gratitude to be there doing what I love most. But I think perhaps my many times on the set of the Star Trek series as my fondest when it comes right down to it. To be on the Paramount lot surrounded by top of the line production values, being paid well, eating well, having great words to speak, interacting with other wonderful actors who are my friends to boot. That would be my personal slice of heaven.

5-How does it feel to be called the modern day Vincent Price? What would you ask him?

I certainly take it as a compliment. Mr. Price was an artful, well-spoken actor with an illustrious career. I'm humbled to be compared to him, but, frankly, these kinds of comparisons are sort of pointless to me. Actors are so different from one another. It's like comparing apples to oranges. I should be so lucky to have his longevity of career. What would I ask him? If maybe I could come over for dinner. I understand he was a stellar chef!