David Boreanaz

David Boreanaz

A January 2006 Interview

His days of bloody fangs are over. The actor has a hit series on Fox that should keep him tied up for years while thoroughly entertaining his fans. It’s hard work, but he’s the right man for the job.

It’s time for all television critics to admit that the talented actor who starred as a vampire with a soul (most of the time) in the fantastic universe created by Joss Whedon is not a creature of habit. In fact, Boreanaz has already scored another hit series and didn’t even have to suck the blood out of anybody’s neck to get the part.

He stars in Fox’s ’Bones’ as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth, a former Army sniper who likes to overwhelm criminals with his ability to track them down using witnesses and good old fashion detective work. Booth likes to act first and ask questions later, which is exactly the opposite of the way his partner in crime solving, Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel), uncovers evidence. She is a forensic anthropologist who has the unique ability to find clues that are hidden in and on the bones of the dead. She also is a famous author. Together, Booth and Brennan are almost able to overlook each other’s differences in time to solve their cases. They also are one hot couple, but fans of the series should not expect a lovefest to take place anytime soon.

On Wednesday (January 25, Fox will introduce viewers to the new day and time for ’Bones.’ The episode begins at 9pm and centers around the discovery of a woman’s body parts that are found near Los Angeles International Airport.

When I saw the ’Bones’ pilot, Boreanaz amazed me with his ability to divorce himself from the Angel character. In fifteen minutes, I quit thinking of him as a vampire hero and started to conjure up images of Cary Grant in roles that showcased the late actor’s wit in dramatic moments. That’s why I asked Fox for the interview that follows. I realized that their ’Bones’ lead is quite capable of delivering the goods in any role. He is a television star now, but don’t be surprised if Hollywood producers notice his versatility soon. It happened to George Clooney. Why not a former creature of the night?

The David Boreanaz Interview with Tony Bray

Are you on the road?

I’m on the road heading to work.

I think it’s good you have location shoots near you so that you don’t have to be pressured with flying all over the country.

It’s nice, man. It’s nice that we don’t have to shoot in Canada or some remote location since I have a family. This makes it very easy for me. That was something I definitely thought of getting back into drama. It has seemed to work out. It was a nice plus to have.

In the first ’Bones’ episode I watched, you immediately erased my memory of Angel.

Thank you. I really appreciate that. I worked a lot on the character. I was excited about the type of character he is. Everything is always going to be a challenge for me going into new things, as it is with any actor or actress that takes on a role. I’m blessed to have a good coach. I just keep putting it out there.

’Bones’ is a witty show for American television.

Yes. I couldn’t have asked for a better palette to kind of mix some colors up there, kind of put a character out there that I feel is identical to the blue collar guy he is. You know how hard it is to establish a show and establish credibility with an audience and the network. You’re limited to specific things you can or can’t do with the character. Now we’re trying to break away from the eye of the network just a little bit, not much. I can have some payoffs now for my character, for all the characters of the show. I think that’s going to help a lot. I’m excited about that chapter.

You and Emily have a great chemistry.

We work with the same coach on weekends for the show. First, I’m just blessed that she was open in doing that with me. Also, she comes from an entertainment family, as I do, but I come from a different level of entertainment. Her father is the cinematographer director, Caleb Deschanel. My dad has been in the entertainment industry for quite some time. Growing up you’re always around that. She’s very humbled and we just hit it off right away. We both have respect for our names, respect for others. We don’t have that chip on our shoulder, which makes it that much better when you’re in a series and working with someone day in and day out. She’s just a charmer. We have a lot of fun and expose our own vulnerabilities on screen with the characters. I think that helps a lot.

I keep reading critics compare you two to Mulder and Scully, but I don’t. You kind of remind me of Grant and Hepburn in some of their comedy roles.

Thanks. People throw in Mulder and Scully, maybe because of the Fox thing. I don’t know.

My mom was out a couple of weeks ago and said I look just like a young James Garner. I never thought about it before. I saw a picture of James and it was pretty spooky.

You and Garner both are great in light comedy.

I’m trying to exercise that side of me more, which I really enjoy. When I first came out to LA, I was doing odd jobs, doing commercials, working my way to get to a certain place. I remember going out on a lot of comedic pilots and getting very far with them. It just so happened that my first real splash into somewhat the corner of this industry was through a dark show which was called ’Buffy.’ That character just took off for me.

You don’t have to tell me about ’Buffy the Vampire Slayer.’ I consider the Whedon ’Buffy’ and ’Angel’ series to be the best written and executed series of all time.

That’s just testimony to Joss and everyone around him. He’s just a genius with a word, and the myth, and the story. He’s just so gifted with that. Hart (editor’s note: Hart Hanson, Executive Producer on ’Bones’) comes from the same shaft in a different light. He has allowed me to take Booth to the comedic side. I think his character is an easily aggravated guy, one who can get easily aggravated, especially Brennan. I think it can present a lot of funny situations. Hart is so open to that. He and Barry Josephson allowed me to create something that is very close to home for me. I’ve enjoyed that.

That’s why people like working with you. Your character is the type guys want to go out and have a beer with and girls want to carry home.

That’s true. You got it, Tony. That’s me.

You are an attractive man, but at the same time, you’re not threatening. You look like you’re having a ball with life.

I get that from my dad and my mom. God bless that they’re still alive today. I’ve been fortunate to have really great parents. They really instilled some great values in me, established a foundation early on that allows me to enjoy life. Life is too short. I’m not in it to being moody. I’m not in it to getting one step ahead, to burn somebody else. It’s just too vicious a cycle, especially out here. It’s not worth it. You have to keep your guard up especially out here because these people will chew you up. I’ve seen it happen. I’ve been through it. You have to remain truthful to yourself.

If you’re happy with what you’re doing, it doesn’t matter if you’re a plumber or actor. Life is about smiling, about smelling the roses. Speaking of happy, the weight that you’re carrying on ’Bones’ really looks comfortable on you. I think it adds to the character. Is that the weight you want to be as a human being off the set? You look healthier.

Oh yeah, definitely. That’s me. I’m much more healthier. I look back at some of those pictures and I think "Oh Geez!" It was more of a younger period of my life. I wasn’t taking the best care of myself. Now that I’m in a routine of enjoying the fruits of life rather than the other way around, of letting people take advantage of me, I tend to take care of myself better everyday. That’s testimony to the people around me now and the people who got me through that.

It’s also called you growing older.

Growing up, maturing, having a different take on a lot of things. I’ve only been working as an actor for eight or nine years as far as steady income is concerned. I did the college thing. I traveled Europe, I started pretty late, I wasn’t a child prodigy. I’m just getting warmed up here.

To go from Angel to Bones and do the transition so smoothly, there really aren’t many people who can pull that type of transition off.

If the show were to end this year, I will have gotten in twenty-two episodes under my belt. It has given me the next step to the next level. That’s pretty much how I look at it. I look at these episodes as moment to moment. That’s how I look at my work in general — seeing how I can better myself and learn.

You’ve provided me with many hours of entertainment. You never came by my house and asked for a check or anything.

I’m in it for pure entertainment for people who are watching me so I can give something back, so I can get my son through college and take care of my family. That’s the most important thing.

Amen to that. Last question. At some point in time, the Hollywood producers are really going to realize you have that Clooney thing. Do you think you’ll ever make the leap to movies and leave television behind.

I don’t know. It is very difficult to do a series. It is really a work in progress. It works on one’s soul trying to balance your personal life with everything that is going on around you. The luxury with doing a film or a play is that it ends. But I would never say that I would never return to television if that were to happen. Doing a series is a challenge each day. The work is also very rewarding. I’m climbing a mountain right now and each step is getting me closer and closer to a Clooney kind of thing. Do a couple of films, spend time with my son, or go on an expedition somewhere — to me, that is the ultimate thing.

How old is your son?

He is three and a half.

What a wonderful age.

He says the funniest things.

You’re in for a treat. They make us younger.

They do. I learn something new every second of every moment I’m with him. His interaction with his mom is fantastic. It’s a beautiful thing to be a part of. When I told my dad we were going to have a child, he said, "you don’t know how blessed you are." He said, "you don’t know how much fun you’re going to have.

I’m glad you’re blessed with that.

I appreciate talking to you, Tony.

I’ve enjoyed it, especially since I like ’Bones.’ I hope your series goes for many more years.

What matters most is touching people’s hearts and entertaining them. That’s the most important thing. Have a great weekend. Bye