Today on Kevin Lane's Spill Your Guts, we’re talking to one of the great chameleon actors working today.
You’ve probably heard that term before when it comes to actors like Daniel Day-Lewis, John Turturro, Sam Rockwell and maybe the most versatile of performers in show business, Gary Oldman. The chameleon actor has the uncanny ability to play both leading man or supporting actor with the same degree of immersive skill. They are usually very different in every role, because whereas some actors are hired to bring their persona to the work (think Jack Nicholson or Tom Cruise), these actors mold and sculpt all aspects of themselves to become the character they portray. Kevin first saw this actor in the groundbreaking 2004 series Battlestar Galactica, in the role of Anders. He was strong and stoic, while also raw and vulnerable. It was a balancing act few actors could have achieved.
This has continued to be the trajectory of Michael Trucco ever since. You’ve seen him on countless network series such as the male lead in Fairly Legal, reoccurring roles on shows like How I Met Your Mother, Revenge and Castle, and many more. Never the same, always at the top of his game.
In the world of horror, Michael first appeared in Wishmaster 4, in a scene stealing role as the film’s villain. But it was when he was cast in genre master Mike Flanagan’s Hush that Michael really cemented himself as a genre favorite.
Now a regular in Flanagan’s ensemble of actors, you have got to see Michael in Midnight Mass. We're guessing you already have, because who didn’t watch it. Midnight Mass is a darkly beautiful series full of big questions and imagery that stays with you long after you’ve finished watching. Michael’s role as the town mayor Wade Scarborough, is a stunning performance. You can't stop watching Michael in this series or help but admire the transformation he makes. This guy didn’t just look and sound completely different than Michael Trucco, he felt like a completely different person.
In this conversation with host Kevin Lane, Michael discusses in detail his ongoing work with Mike Flanagan, including his role in the highly anticipated The Fall of the House of Usher. We should mention this conversation was recorded before the highly publicized removal of Frank Langella from the show.
Kevin and Michael also talk about working with Doug Jones in the underrated monster movie The Bye Bye Man and his role in Through The Glass Darkly. They also discuss Michael's role in Kevin's 2009 horror movie Lineage, which we've added to the bonus content on our Patreon page. If you get a chance, you should really listen. It includes a very Canadian moment for Kevin as he talks about his inability to accept the idea that Michael said “yes” to the film.
We should also mention that this conversation is a little looser then some of our other episodes. Michael and Kevin have become really great friends since their work together in 2009, so this time together was an opportunity to not only talk about his work, but also throw back a few drinks and just hang out together.
So, fix yourself your beverage of choice and let’s get into all things Michael Trucco.
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