How did you get your acting career started?
I have a strong theatrical background: extensive acting experience in repertory theatre, in the US and Canada. I hold a Master of Arts Degree from the Dallas Theatre Center, where I was a member of the resident company for several years.
How did you land the part in Psycho II?
At the time of Psycho II casting I had been in Los Angeles for a couple of years, guest starring on Little House on the Prairie and Dukes of Hazzard. My oldest friend from high school, Tom Holland asked me to audition for director Richard Franklin and he cast me as Deputy Pool.
They always say there are no small parts, just small actors. What do you think about that statement?
Coming from a theatre background, I believed in the no small parts approach because it works for the ensemble, creating the strongest possible acting in each role. It should be true for TV and film work also but often the Hollywood star system trumps this.
How was it working on the set and how long did it take to shoot your scenes?
Working on the set of Psycho II was a thrill, my first big Hollywood movie, and the chance to work with my old friend Tom Holland. It turned out to be an awesome experience. We shot my scenes over a three month period, several days at a time. Most of the shooting went like clockwork. Richard Franklin moved things along rapidly.
Were you concerned about the producers making a sequel to a Hitchcock classic?
At first, 20 odd years later seemed a long time, but after reading Tom Holland's superb script and as I experienced the enormous dedication to detail by everyone on the set to honor Hitchcock's vision and be true to it, I realized that it would be an extraordinary motion picture.
How was it working with Anthony Perkins?
Tony was a consummate professional whenever we shot scenes together.
Many say there was a "feud" between Perkins and Meg Tilly on the set. Did you notice any anamosity between the two or any kind of problems?
I don't think it was necessarily a "feud" but certainly Meg was a relative newcomer, and very young. She was required to play a difficult and complex character and perhaps Tony was impatient with her.
How was working with Hugh Gillin as Sheriff Hunt?
I liked working with Hugh Gillin. He was a great, good old boy from Kansas with wonderful energy and a terrific sense of humor.
Do you keep in touch with anyone from the film?
Tom Holland and I remain close friends and I have acted in several films he directed, including Fright Night, The Langoliers, The Owl, and Fatal Beauty.
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