Smallscreen Features

By Lisa Gerry Dec 10, 2007, 20:51 GMT

Interview with the Vampire: 'Moonlight's' Alex O'Loughlin

On December 2nd, 2007, the Pole Position Raceway in Corona California decided, on very short notice, to host a Toys For Tots charity campaign, and invited luminaries such as "Moonlight" star Alex O’Loughlin, "Cold Case" star Kathryn Morris, and "Jericho" star Skeet Ulrich, amongst others, to participate.

The members of Moonlightline.com rallied together and donated $1000 worth of toys to be given to needy kids.

The celebrities who attended this indoor event participated in several all-star go-kart races together, narrowing things down until there was a winner. In between these heats, there was the opportunity for the public to compete against their favorite celebrities, with proceeds going to charity.

The stars were very approachable, posing for pictures and answering questions posed by the attendees. This reporter’s short-notice request to Alex for an interview was very quickly granted, and we suddenly found ourselves in a one-on-one interview in the office of the owner of the facility.To some, actor Alex O’Loughlin, 31, appears to have come out of the blue, suddenly appearing on our television sets on CBS’s Friday night sleeper hit, "Moonlight", as reluctant vampire, Mick St John.

O’Loughlin has been in America, pursuing his craft for more than three years now. It appears that he’s had a long road to hoe, getting into the ‘big time’ here in the States.“I’ve been coming out for a few years now. Actually moved out here three years ago, and I was coming out here for a number of years before that and auditioning, and getting representation and the rest. The reason being, because we don’t have a big industry at home. It’s a boutique industry and you take what you can get. But here, everything gets made in L.A, and so, it’s the place to be if you want to be a career actor. So, I’ve done a few little bits and pieces here. It’s not just like you walk into a job like this, you’ve really got to get a few runs on the board and that takes auditioning five days a week for years and hearing the word 'no' a lot.” It’s a surprise to hear that this very talented actor heard that word as often as he suggests. His chameleon-like talent has become very apparent to those who have followed his career, from parts in movies such as "The Invisible," "August Rush," "The Oyster Farmer" and television programs like "Moonlight."Actually, O’Loughlin did star on another popular show before "Moonlight," albeit in a supporting role. Fans quickly noticed the good-looking star’s acting ability, on the FX show “The Shield”, where O’Loughlin played Strike Team member and intended Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis) replacement Kevin Hiatt.“'The Shield' was a really great springboard. 'The Shield' was a great introduction to television in America for me. With Moonlight, you never expect what happens. I certainly didn’t expect it. I didn’t expect people to respond the way that they have, and I’m extremely appreciative of it all the same and no, you’re never ready… well, I certainly wasn’t ready for it. I don’t wake up in the morning and see…I just see me, you know what I mean? I just see the person I see every day.I act because I enjoy telling stories and so that people want to come with me on that journey, you know, is real exciting to me, so I look forward to providing my fan base which is growing, as much exciting new stories in the future as I can.”In response to the people who compare "Moonlight" with other vampire shows, O’Loughlin responded.“I’ve heard the comparisons, the whole time. I’ve always known the differences would be dramatic and people on 'Moonlight', the producers, have described it as a more grown up show, Buffy for adults, Angel for adults. You know, 'Buffy' and 'Angel' were great shows, and for what they were, they were a different animal. Moonlight is a different animal. We cater to, I think, a slightly difference audience, though we do have a transition, there is a crossover of those fans of those other shows that have come on board with 'Moonlight'. I feel because we’ve kept the integrity of the genre, noted, we’ve made a few mythological changes. We haven’t gone too far from the drawing board and we’ve done it with integrity and so I think that we haven’t pissed too many people off.”On being told that many fans refer to Coraline/Morgan as “Morgaline”, O’Loughlin responded, “Morgaline?” He draws the name out in a sepulchral voice, laughing. “Sounds like a Dark Lord from Lord of the Rings!”The life of a Hollywood actor is not easy. O’Loughlin works long hours and days to bring this show to life. Real weekends and relaxation time are rare. “The funny thing is, I’m so busy that…this show consumes so much of my life…like I get a half an hour lunch break in an 18 hour day. 10 minutes of which I shovel food into my head and the other 20 minutes I’m usually being interviewed, like this, or reading the next script or in a photo shoot. And so it literally doesn’t stop. And on the weekends, it’s the same thing; I do stuff on the weekends.”This weekend has brought him to the Pole Position Raceway for what is billed as the first annual Pole Position Toys for Tots campaign. O’Loughlin smiles earnestly as he explains his presence.“I really enjoy doing charity, for a good cause, it’s like the least I can do, I really enjoy that stuff. I enjoy giving back."The huge thing on fans’ minds (beyond the emotional rollercoaster of the MickBeth romance – another term he said he had not heard before) is the current writer’s strike by the Writers’ Guild of America. There is a very real fear that the strike might lead to the cancellation of the show, which is the last thing these diehard fans want. In fact, fans that might not normally care about such things are now paying attention to ratings, looking at percentage points and the fractions thereof, and are calculating numbers as they become available each week, posting this information on fan sites such as www.moonlightline.com. Alex closed with this opinion of the current strike situation:“If they get this strike out of the way, sooner, rather than later, we’re a shoe-in. I’m not running the network. I know that they love us, I know that they know how important the show is to the people.”Alex O’Loughlin was indeed a very nice, genuine and open person with whom to speak, and I thank him for the chance for this interview. I know that fans will be pleased to know that I found him to be as genuine in real life as he appears to be in other interview situations.

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EveDec 24th, 2007 - 05:55:41

Loved this interview and the photos with it! Alex sounds so genuine and it's so nice to hear he wants to 'give something back'. It's also great to hear he's positive about the show's future. Thanks for bringing out these points and all the other fascinating information.

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LisaDec 29th, 2007 - 22:32:02

I really love Moonlight and I hope that this strike ends soon..I was a fan of both Angel and Buffy the Vampire slayer..but moonlight is so much better..It's written for the older and more sophisticated audience..The relationship between Mick and Beth is magic and they have great chemistry and are slated to be together..Love Alex...doesn't hurt that he is easy on the eyes and mesmerizing..you root for him and his love for Beth..Good Luck to all involved with Moonlight and this fan is eager for the rest of the season..hopefully it will be extended..I look forward to seeing it on next fall's schedule..Any prospects for a wall calendar?? That would be wonderful...Sincerely, Lisa Racanelli

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Moonlight ChancesJan 9th, 2008 - 01:47:34

I really enjoyed reading about your interview with Alex. It was so nice to hear your wonderful compliments on how genuine and personable he is.

Alex is so amazing. He is an incredibly gifted actor, and is very charismatic. Beyond his talents, he is the best looking guy on t.v.and in the movies, and is stealing all of our hearts !

Moonlight is truly the best new show of this season with its intriguing characters and storylines. It is visually appealing, and has a talented ensemble cast.

Alex is right when he says his fan base is growing. We love him and the show, and are loyal and supportive of Moonlight.

I hope this show airs for many seasons to come.

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KeiraJan 9th, 2008 - 13:25:44

That was a great interview, i really enjoy the shows it's something different to watch instead of all the usual stuff that's on TV. I also agree with Kay i too hope the series stick around for a while there really exciting to watch.

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shadowJan 12th, 2008 - 15:19:51

I think this is the best new show on television. He is a great actor and the story line is always interesting. I hope it stays around for a long time to come. What a n extremely good looking man who also just happeneds to be a good actor.. Long Live Moonlight.

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KarkucJan 23rd, 2008 - 00:30:40

I hope Moonlight comes back.I love this show. I look forward to Friday's. I think Alex is so cute,and also is a good actor.
I hope they settle the strike soon so we could have our favorite show
back. I miss it so much.

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patriciaJan 25th, 2008 - 08:58:22

just discoverd vanpires gosh and along comes Alex O'loughlin im in love He is so beautiful and like sweet sexy and okay down to earth i look forward to friday nites where the progam is realy getting into the thick of things I look foward to many more episodes no more strickes please

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PinkiepieMay 30th, 2008 - 15:13:08

There is nothing and no one in the world like Alex O'Loughlin. He is a phenomenon unto himself. I have never seen an actor that can change roles and characters so completely yet still maintain his own identity. This man is amazing and CBS is absolutely crazy to let him and Moonlight slip through their hands. The series was captivating and unlike any other series on TV. They cancel this and they replace it with what, CSI-Hooterville?
Long live Alex but we will hold Mick St. John in our hearts forever.

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KathyMay 31st, 2008 - 22:52:26

Moonlight and Alex used to brighten up my fridays for sure. From all I've read he really does seem like a very nice person - and I might add very easy on the eyes ;-) I was devastated when Moonlight was cancelled. I was reading over on www.moonlightline.com about all the plans that the fans have to try to save the show. Let's hope they work. Check it out yourself.

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gracedunnJun 30th, 2008 - 02:40:00

Save Moonlight! I've heard that with enough dedicated support, it is possible.

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Interview with the Vampire: 'Moonlight's' Alex O'Loughlin

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