Interview with Jonathan Goldsmith, aka “The Most Interesting Man in the World”

0

Interview with Jonathan Goldsmith, aka The Most Interesting Man in the World

So many questions, so little time. That’s how we felt when we were given the opportunity to chat with “The Most Interesting Man in the World,” otherwise known as actor Jonathan Goldsmith. Really, what could you possibly ask a man whose personality is so magnetic that he can’t carry credit cards? Who, every time he swims dolphins appear? Who can speak French…in Russian? We were fortunate enough to sit down with the Dos Equis man himself to ask him a variety of questions, including how he was able to deliver a letter to us without a postage stamp and whether or not we could grow a beard as magnificent as his. We also asked Jonathan how he got involved doing the Dos Equis’ commercials, what is the one role he’d love to play outside of “The Most Interesting Man in the World” and what his favorite TV programs are.

Bullz-Eye.com: Hey, Jonathan!

Jonathan Goldsmith: Anthony! How are you?

BE: Great, how are you?

JG: Great. Now, if I slip and call you Tony is that all right?

BE: (Laughs) Yeah, that’s not a problem!

JG: That’s my best friend’s name.

BE: You have a great best friend then – or at the very least, he has a great first name.

JG: Where are you?

BE: I’m in Chicago – how about yourself?

JG: I’m out here in L.A. – 80 degrees, dolphins jumping, oranges on the trees…

BE: Ah, man – that sounds like the life!

JG: How much snow do you have on the ground, you poor bastard?

BE: (Laughs) Probably about three or four inches, you know…today.

JG: Oh my goodness.

BE: Yeah, so soak it up out there, my friend. So what does “The Most Interesting Man in the World” do on a mid-week afternoon?

JG: Well, on this particular afternoon we have eight interviews, but otherwise I’d be working on my boat that we live on, and/or sailing.

BE: I have to ask you, I have yet to be vaccinated for your charm and I hear it’s quite contagious.

JG: Well, you’re safe on the phone.

BE: I’m safe on the phone? Thank God, because that was one of my concerns.

JG: I can understand that. Do you have any cheesecloth?

BE: Cheesecloth? No.

JG: Ah, you should put it over the receiver.

BE: If we pause for a second I might be able to go get some.

JG: That’s all right.

BE: (Laughs) I find it interesting that every time you go for a swim, dolphins appear. What’s that like?

JG: It’s wonderful. As a matter of fact, yesterday they did appear but we didn’t go into the water because it was too cold.

BE: Too cold in L.A.?

JG: Yep, 62 degrees.

BE: So much for global warming. As “The Most Interesting Man in the World,” is there anything you can do about that?

JG: Oh, there is no such thing don’t you know?

BE: Yeah, where’s Al Gore?

JG: Exactly.

BE: (Laughs) Now, I got a letter in the mail from you the other day but get this, no postage was on it.

JG: Sure, that’s possible.

BE: How does that work?

JG: With pigeons.

BE: Pigeons?! How do you get them to come to you?

JG: They can’t help themselves – they’re drawn to me like a lot of animals.

BE: That is amazing.

JG: Yep, same with Tigers.

BE: Can you teach me how to grow one of those spectacular beards or does that just come to you naturally?

JG: It’s just in the DNA Tony, so it just might not work for you. But you have to understand something: I am not “The Most Interesting Man in the World” – I’m just the actor that is fortunate enough to play him.

BE: (Laughs) How did you get involved in doing these commercials, Jonathan?

JG: Well, it was just one of those days when I got a call, as I do frequently, from my agent who said they were looking for someone that was going to be good with an improvisation. And the ending to the line, no matter what you were talking about, had to be: “And that’s how I arm wrestled Fidel Castro.”

BE: (Laughs) Do you enjoy doing these commercials? They’re hilarious.

The Most Interesting Man in the WorldJG: I love them and I will tell you that the best ones are yet to come. We finished them a couple months ago and they’re supposed to debut in March and while I think the other ones are funny, I really love the new ones. These writers get better and better and better, so I believe the best is yet to come.

BE: I really enjoy them. Do you like being recognized for playing this character?

JG: (Laughs) Yeah, especially after a long career – I did a lot of stuff! I get recognized sometimes and of course, they don’t necessarily know my name, but what has happened now has really been a phenomenon unlike I’ve ever enjoyed before. It’s amazing wherever we go, cars stop us…you know, it’s wonderful.

BE: As you were saying, your resume is impressive: Knight Rider, Dallas, Murder She Wrote…but you’re recognized by this character and it’s okay for you?

JG: Oh it’s fine! Well, it wasn’t okay before.

BE: (Laughs) Sure.

JG: I had a lot of “almosts” and “maybes” for major stuff. You know, I did a couple of big pilots for big people that just didn’t sell, which is usually the case. Like most actors, the golden ring has just been out of reach for me. You get to touch it, but you don’t necessary have it – “almosts” and “maybes.” And now finally it has turned around completely and everything that had escaped me for all of those years is just now coming to me. Doors are open that were not open before.

BE: This is probably an obvious question but would you like to do other roles?

JG: Sure I do. I would prefer to do what I’ve always wanted to do but was never allowed to and that’s comedy. That’s what I want to do. I’ve played heavies for most of my career.

BE: Well, you’re hilarious so hopefully you’ll land more roles. Do you want to do TV or film?

JG: Well, if it were the right fit, I’d love to do a TV series. I would certainly like to do a film, but for the first time in my life we’re able to pick and choose and if the project is right, I am certainly agreeable and would love to do it.

BE: I’m envisioning a Dos Equis TV series. Would that work or is it only good in small doses?

JG: You know, I don’t really know. I know for a long time, and I can certainly understand it, they didn’t want me to make appearances on television. We had the biggest opportunities to do so and I felt they were correct because it’s not a character that one could sustain. I don’t want to be known only as that character.

BE: For sure. What’s your most interesting moment in life?

JG: The most interesting moment in life for me was the day my son was born.

BE: Some say that’s a pretty good day.

JG: Ah, it was a great day. It was a great day.

BE: If I said to you right now, Jonathan, you can play any role you choose. What role would you like to play?

JG: Well, I actually used to love restoration comedy, but it’s hard to say because it’s so diverse. I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of it, but there used to be a show called Utopia and it was a marvelous show. I love stuff from the Guinness Art Theater, I love sophisticated comedies, things like Goodfellas – I don’t know if you’d call that a comedy – but I just enjoy comedy. Charles Grodin is a very talented actor. Burt Reynolds has done some good stuff. I would love to host a show to tell you the truth. I would love to do a show where I interview people, because I’ve been in the business so long and actors’ lives are filled with comedic times and tough times. The whole industry itself is genuinely funny. Entourage is marvelous show – I think it’s the best show on television. I would love to do something like that. There’s a whole range of stuff – comedy is comedy. It doesn’t matter if it’s 14th Century or if it’s something like Entourage, which is something I would love to do.

The Most Interesting Man in the World

BE: What other current TV shows do you enjoy outside of Entourage? Do you watch The Office?

JG: No, I don’t. I don’t really watch a lot of television because I’m more of a news junkie to tell you the truth. I love politics. I love to watch MSNBC because some of my favorite pundits are on that if you will. CNN is wonderful, I like Nightline because it’s very current and interesting, the CNN specials, Christiane Amanpour is delightful, Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann…those are the shows and people I spend my time watching. Oh, and The Food Channel is sheer entertainment and I would love to do something like that.

BE: Do you follow sports being out in L.A.?

JG: Oh sure, I love to watch sports. I used to play football until I was tackled, and then that was that.

BE: (Laughs)

JG: It’s no place for a Jewish boy.

BE: (Laughs) I hear L.A. may get a football team in 2011. What are your thoughts?

JG: Well I hope so – and I hope it’s all female.

BE: (Laughs) I don’t know how the female athletes would like playing against the rest of the NFL.

JG: Well, that’s why we have to have an all-female league and I’m pushing for that.

BE: I don’t blame you. Maybe “The Most Interesting Man in the World” could be the league’s spokesperson.

JG: Spokesperson, head coach, trainer and physical therapist.

BE: (Laughs) Well Jonathan, I don’t want to keep you too much longer because I know you have a lot of interviews today. I really appreciate your sitting down and talking with us and just sharing your thoughts.

JG: Sure. Sometimes I get to Chicago, if so, I’d like to say hello to you and shake your hand. You’re a delight to work with.

BE: Well, I appreciate that – thank you. I would love to sit down with you and just talk careers someday. I love the Dos Equis “careers” commercial when you tell people to figure out what they can’t do and then don’t do it.

JG: (Laughs) Send money, I’ll come, stay a couple of days, we’ll hit The Palmer House, The Buttery if that’s still around and my favorite steak house in the world, which sounds like Gloria Leogettis but that’s not it. Georgia something?

BE: Gene & Georgetti?

JG: That’s it! Best steak I’ve ever had in the Midwest.

BE: You should come out for the Taste of Chicago – you’ll get to try everything.

JG: Ok, we’ll work out something.

BE: Thanks, Jonathan!

JG: My pleasure, Anthony.

 

By Anthony Statler

Share.

About Author