Robert Knepper Interview! 10/2

Stranger · 10-02-2006, 11:11 AM

'BREAK' TIME: Robert Knepper
'Prison Break' star hopes next part will be different
October 2, 2006

By HUNTER HAUK

Character: Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell, a slithering sexual predator and murderer who would have spent the rest of his life in prison had he not weaseled his way into last season's escape. Currently, he's in Utah with several other escapees, trying to find millions of dollars buried under what's now a subdivision.

At the end of the last episode, the Feds were hotter on you guys' trail than they've ever been. Can you reveal anything about the next show?

All I'll say is that the writers are always one step ahead. I've had many people call me up and say, "Just when I think you guys are caught, you somehow get out of it." This show is like a really brilliant video game. One time my wife wanted me to reveal something after one of the cliffhanger shows last season, and I told her, "It'd be like giving you a Christmas present way too early."

Lane Garrison's character appears to be caught. Can we expect to see much more of him this season?

I'm staying quiet. You'll definitely find out next week.

Have the offers been rolling in for other creepy criminal parts?

No, and thank God, because I'd have to turn them all down. The next thing I'd like to do is some sort of film role that's different from T-Bag. I was fortunate enough to be in Good Night, and Good Luck, and I need to be in another Oscar-nominated film. [Laughs] People will always know that I really sunk my teeth into the T-Bag role, but I want to keep doing different things.

I'd imagine that it's a lot of fun to play someone like T-Bag. Who and what inspired you when stepping into that character?

I only had three days to prepare for the role, so I was really just flying by the seat of my pants. I had a gut feeling about T-Bag, though, that he's an animalistic, primal guy. But like most animals, he's smarter than you think. He's a cross between a reptile and a cat. When he has to attack someone he does it quickly and on target, but sometimes he'll move in slowly like a lizard. I am a trained actor, but my instincts are usually pretty simple.

What about the accent?

Before, I always used to hire vocal coaches for parts or visit the setting and study the dialect. But I had so little time with this one that I used some advice Christopher Walken had given me when I was having the same issues on another role. It was for a play that he'd played the same part in before me, so I asked him what he'd done about the dialect. He looked at me like I was the dumbest actor on Earth and said, "Um, I just did ... movie talk." I was like, "Movie talk?" But it's come to make more sense to me than it did then.

You have extensive TV, film and theater experience. What are a few things that you're proudest of having done, and for what reasons?

I played Bobby Kennedy in a silly TV miniseries, but I'm still haunted by that role. I did another TV movie about the miners who got trapped in Pennsylvania – that was a beautiful piece to work on. And I was lucky enough to be in the indie film Gas, Food, Lodging. Another beautiful piece of work. But I tend to invest in every part like it's my last, so every experience has been good for me.

How's Dallas been treating you? Any regular hangouts?

It's nice to work on a show that a lot of people watch. People in Dallas treat us so nice ... almost like rock stars. I'll go to Primo's or Breadwinners sometimes. I love the aquarium – that place is sweet. I like Ghostbar ... I'm happily married, but Dallas has some of the most beautiful women in the world. Still, my life does revolve around my 4-year-old son, so really I'm at places like IHOP most of the time.

Source:http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...3e91a4f.htm l

pbfan · 10-02-2006, 11:14 AM

I'm glad he's trying to play different roles other than TBag. I'd hate for his son to grow up thinking that was all he could act like!!!

DramaDiva · 10-02-2006, 11:21 AM

3 days wow ..he really went all out for only having three days to prepare and he took some Christopher Walken advice ..I love Christopher Walken he always played the vilian parts so well ..thanks Stranger ..you know i love ya right ???

Stranger · 10-02-2006, 11:35 AM

Knew you'd love it Drama!

Imagine bumping into "T-Bag" at Ihop!

fuzzybunn · 10-02-2006, 11:50 AM

He seems like such a nice normal guy.. they all do actually.

DramaDiva · 10-02-2006, 11:54 AM

Yeah that would be a little strange. Just sitting there at IHOP having your waffles and in walks Robert Kneeper and family ..i would probably faint

10-02-2006, 12:17 PM

Thanks for posting that for us. I didn't know about how short of a time he had to prepare for his role. I'd say he did a good job

I really need to rent some of his other work. I don't think I've seen Robert as anyone but T-Bag.

bpmovie · 10-02-2006, 12:27 PM

Thanks for posting this interview

I like Cristopher Walken and now I know why I like his character!

10-02-2006, 01:07 PM

thanks 4 this interview! lovin it!

10-02-2006, 02:12 PM

thanks for posting...I was imagining him speaking it in the accent and mannerisms of T-Bag.
I really need to watch him in some other roles!! lol

10-02-2006, 11:11 AM	#1
Stranger Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,579	Robert Knepper Interview! 10/2 'BREAK' TIME: Robert Knepper 'Prison Break' star hopes next part will be different October 2, 2006 By HUNTER HAUK Character: Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell, a slithering sexual predator and murderer who would have spent the rest of his life in prison had he not weaseled his way into last season's escape. Currently, he's in Utah with several other escapees, trying to find millions of dollars buried under what's now a subdivision. At the end of the last episode, the Feds were hotter on you guys' trail than they've ever been. Can you reveal anything about the next show? All I'll say is that the writers are always one step ahead. I've had many people call me up and say, "Just when I think you guys are caught, you somehow get out of it." This show is like a really brilliant video game. One time my wife wanted me to reveal something after one of the cliffhanger shows last season, and I told her, "It'd be like giving you a Christmas present way too early." Lane Garrison's character appears to be caught. Can we expect to see much more of him this season? I'm staying quiet. You'll definitely find out next week. Have the offers been rolling in for other creepy criminal parts? No, and thank God, because I'd have to turn them all down. The next thing I'd like to do is some sort of film role that's different from T-Bag. I was fortunate enough to be in Good Night, and Good Luck, and I need to be in another Oscar-nominated film. [Laughs] People will always know that I really sunk my teeth into the T-Bag role, but I want to keep doing different things. I'd imagine that it's a lot of fun to play someone like T-Bag. Who and what inspired you when stepping into that character? I only had three days to prepare for the role, so I was really just flying by the seat of my pants. I had a gut feeling about T-Bag, though, that he's an animalistic, primal guy. But like most animals, he's smarter than you think. He's a cross between a reptile and a cat. When he has to attack someone he does it quickly and on target, but sometimes he'll move in slowly like a lizard. I am a trained actor, but my instincts are usually pretty simple. What about the accent? Before, I always used to hire vocal coaches for parts or visit the setting and study the dialect. But I had so little time with this one that I used some advice Christopher Walken had given me when I was having the same issues on another role. It was for a play that he'd played the same part in before me, so I asked him what he'd done about the dialect. He looked at me like I was the dumbest actor on Earth and said, "Um, I just did ... movie talk." I was like, "Movie talk?" But it's come to make more sense to me than it did then. You have extensive TV, film and theater experience. What are a few things that you're proudest of having done, and for what reasons? I played Bobby Kennedy in a silly TV miniseries, but I'm still haunted by that role. I did another TV movie about the miners who got trapped in Pennsylvania – that was a beautiful piece to work on. And I was lucky enough to be in the indie film Gas, Food, Lodging. Another beautiful piece of work. But I tend to invest in every part like it's my last, so every experience has been good for me. How's Dallas been treating you? Any regular hangouts? It's nice to work on a show that a lot of people watch. People in Dallas treat us so nice ... almost like rock stars. I'll go to Primo's or Breadwinners sometimes. I love the aquarium – that place is sweet. I like Ghostbar ... I'm happily married, but Dallas has some of the most beautiful women in the world. Still, my life does revolve around my 4-year-old son, so really I'm at places like IHOP most of the time. Source:http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...3e91a4f.htm l __________________

10-02-2006, 11:35 AM	#4
Stranger Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 7,579	Knew you'd love it Drama! Imagine bumping into "T-Bag" at Ihop! __________________

10-02-2006, 12:27 PM	#8
bpmovie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 128	Thanks for posting this interview I like Cristopher Walken and now I know why I like his character! __________________ My space

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10-02-2006, 11:14 AM	#2
pbfan Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 106	I'm glad he's trying to play different roles other than TBag. I'd hate for his son to grow up thinking that was all he could act like!!!

10-02-2006, 11:21 AM	#3
DramaDiva Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 13,933	3 days wow ..he really went all out for only having three days to prepare and he took some Christopher Walken advice ..I love Christopher Walken he always played the vilian parts so well ..thanks Stranger ..you know i love ya right ???

10-02-2006, 11:50 AM	#5
fuzzybunn Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2	He seems like such a nice normal guy.. they all do actually.

10-02-2006, 11:54 AM	#6
DramaDiva Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 13,933	Yeah that would be a little strange. Just sitting there at IHOP having your waffles and in walks Robert Kneeper and family ..i would probably faint

10-02-2006, 12:17 PM	#7
IamBreakingOut Posts: n/a	Thanks for posting that for us. I didn't know about how short of a time he had to prepare for his role. I'd say he did a good job I really need to rent some of his other work. I don't think I've seen Robert as anyone but T-Bag.

10-02-2006, 01:07 PM	#9
LinkinAngela Posts: n/a	thanks 4 this interview! lovin it!

10-02-2006, 02:12 PM	#10
katrine Posts: n/a	thanks for posting...I was imagining him speaking it in the accent and mannerisms of T-Bag. I really need to watch him in some other roles!! lol