My conversation with Bruce Campbell: Straight, no chaser and no agendas
Captain Oh My Captain – Bruce Campbell – Courtesy of Alberto E. Rodriguez-Getty Images North America
Captain, Oh My Captain!
1428 Elm: Prior to taking this job, were you familiar with Jim Gavin’s writing? Did you read Middle Men?
BC: No, I was not familiar but it seems to be a trend in television. You start with a good writer and go from there. That’s what happens with Fargo and guys like Noah Hawley. It’s kind of nice to see writers being treated with respect. It’s a beautiful thing.
1428 Elm: It is! I am glad to see that because so many times writers get overlooked. Jim Gavin is extremely talented and Lodge 49 is brilliant. It’s about the magic in everyday life. What attracted you to the role of Captain or Gary Green? What made you say, “I have to do this?”
BC: I like characters that are flawed or have problems. Material isn’t interesting without conflict and self-conflict and self-loathing. I like anybody that has multiple things going on.
On one hand, he is incredibly successful and on the other hand, he’s kind of a criminal. His personal life has gone completely down the s******. I thought it was an interesting character who was doing well and then not doing well at all.
1428 Elm: Gary is wound pretty tightly. He is a type A personality. Do any aspects of your personality mesh with his?
BC: I have the drive that he does. Characters have to have a little drive and a competitive nature. I have some of that because otherwise I wouldn’t have gotten into the film business.
Wading Pools and Corrupt Characters
Wading Pools and Corrupt Characters – Bruce Campbell – Courtesy of Frazer Harrison – Getty Images- North America
1428 Elm: The way that we get introduced to your character at the end of episode 7 is rather interesting. In the beginning of episode 8 after we get past Gary’s story, you are pretty much in a wading pool for several scenes. Out of curiosity, since that is not your average introduction to an audience, were you in the water for the entire day?
BC: Some stuff just takes a while. It was a fair amount of material. It’s just the way the cookie crumbles. Some scenes are on roller skates and others are in wading pools. It made sense.
The guy is in a s***** development, those development types are always pretty crude and primitive so it was kind of fitting.
1428 Elm: Are you getting to the stage in your career as an actor where you are going to be playing corrupt politicians, etc.? I remember you said that in a past interview.
BC: For sure! Gym teachers, presidents, you know. Stuff like that, you move into those characters when you get into your golden years. So, I am sure that judges and things like that are in my future.