| E-Online Starboards Online Chat Okay. Let's get that Zach Morris thing out of the way right now. Sure, Saved by the Bell made him a household name, but Mark-Paul Gosselaar has been trying to get away from it ever since. Aside from a few TV movies of the week, this teen heartthrob's career was bitten by the downside of being a young Hollywood idol--though for a while one would imagine he was awash in glamour, glitz and girls. Reared on the West Coast, Gosselaar is the youngest of four kids and the only one born outside of Holland, where his father grew up. The 25-year-old now avoids the limelight, settling down outside of Los Angeles with his wife, Lisa Ann Russell (whom he met when she guested on Saved by the Bell: The College Years back in '93), two dogs and a horse. Okay, a hobby of race-car driving isn't exactly settling down, but what else would you expect from this hunk? Now that the hype has leveled off, he's making his mark anew, with a recent movie--Dead Man on Campus--and a debut series on the WB, Hyperion Bay. Of course, life on a TV show is no stranger to this veteran of the small screen. Gosselaar got his start at the age of 10, making appearances on Charles in Charge, Punky Brewster and Highway to Heaven before landing Saved by the Bell at age 15. Busy as he is, we cornered the now brown-haired boy with your questions on how it all started, his type o' tunes and, of course, boxers or briefs. (01) Question: How did you get your start? Answer: I began at a very young age (four years old). A friend of the family was in the business and introduced me to an agent. I never considered it a career till I was 18. (02) Question: One of my friends works on a current TV show and is always complaining about his lack of time for friends and a "normal" childhood. Do you feel you missed part of your childhood by working on Saved by the Bell? Answer: Yes, of course. But I've experienced many other things that otherwise I wouldn't have. I'm definitely thankful for that. (03) Question: Do you prefer television or movies? Answer: I enjoy doing both. One-hour television is not much different than doing movies, except the hours on films are generally longer. (04) Question: If you were not an actor, what would you want to do and why? Answer: I would've been a professional athlete of some sort. Sports have always been an influence in my life and I find great enjoyment participating in them. (05) Question: How do you keep in shape? And do you have any tips or recommendations for those who hate to work out? Answer: I work out with weights three to four times a week. My cardio consists of doing activities I enjoy, such as playing hockey, wake boarding, rollerblading or just taking a walk or run with my dogs. (06) Question: I've always wanted to know: boxers or briefs? Answer: Both--at the same time. For added protection against chafing. (07) Question: What's your favorite type of music--and which CDs are in your car right now? Answer: I'm a fan of all types of music. Currently in my car, I have Marilyn Manson, the Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Cake, the Dead Man on Campus soundtrack and Green Day. (08) Question: I am a Venezuelan girl, and I would like to know if you are interested in other cultures. Have you traveled a lot? Answer: I have traveled all over the U.S. and Europe. My mother is of Indonesian descent, but I've never been there. Someday. (09) Question: How do you handle the pressure of drugs and the "fast" scene in Hollywood? So many people, it seems, think you have to do that to stay in the "in" crowd and on top. Answer: I live with my wife outside of the city. I hate going into town for anything other than work. I do my job, and I'm out. I used to hang out quite a bit in Hollywood, but it grew old quickly. (10) Question: How did you feel playing a rapist in the TV movie She Cried No, with Jenna von O˙? Answer: I had always been typecast as a sitcom/comedy actor. This was a great opportunity to display my dramatic abilities. It was different than what the public was expecting, which made it fun and challenging. (11) Question: What do you find are the new challenges on Hyperion Bay? How do you handle them? Answer: The biggest challenge is waking up so early. I set my alarm clock. (12) Question: What advice would you give young people who want to get into acting? Answer: If it's your dream, follow it--just don't expect handouts. (13) Question: Do you keep in contact with any of your fellow castmembers from Saved by the Bell? Answer: No. Not on a regular basis. (14) Question: How did you feel about Elizabeth Berkley doing Showgirls and posing nude? Answer: No feeling. She did what she had to do. I was proud of her. (15) Question: Do you plan to further your education? What would your major be? Answer: Maybe in the future. Maybe drama or business law. (16) Question: What is your favorite movie of all time? Answer: The Star Wars trilogies. I can't wait for the prequels that are due out in '99. (17) Question: How do you handle the responsibilty of being a role model?? Answer: I never felt responsible for being a role model. I am who I am, just like Popeye always said. (18) Question: After seeing Dead Man on Campus, I realized you have grown as an actor. Your use of physical comedy really surprised me--it was outstanding. It was such a departure from what I had seen you do in the past. What would you say was different about your acting on DMOC versus other roles you've had? Answer: My acting did not change. I did, however, just change my hair color and add eyeglasses for effect. (19) Question: Did you ever just want to quit acting and concentrate on a more normal life? Answer: My life seems pretty normal to me. |
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