Interview with Shelley Malil

Shelley Malil has a resume that reads like the Nielsen ratings. He's appeared on such high profile programs as "E.R.", "N.Y.P.D Blue", "Seinfeld,", "Party of Five", and "The Jamie Foxx Show." His film performances include "Second Civil War", "Just Can't Get Enough: The Chippendale's Story," and "My Favorite Martian". Coming this fall, you'll see him with Arnold Schwarzenegger in "Collateral Damage".

But it doesn't stop there. He's also appeared in commercials for The Men's Wearhouse, AT&T, The New York Post, and Shady Brook Farms. Most notable of these commercials, however, is the Budweiser "What are you doing?" spot that appeared this year during Super Bowl XXXV.

He's a Hollywood actor from East India, via Texas and New York. We thought it would be fun to talk with Mr. Malil. Lucky for us, he felt the same way…

The "How are you doing" Budweiser commercial braodcast during the Super Bowl

Let's start with the Budweiser commercial. How did it come about?

Well I got the call from my agents about a possible spot for Budweiser for the super bowl. The only info I had was that they were looking for a "preppy" type of male in his mid to early 30's. When I got there and I saw the copy of the script I knew this was going to be funny. So I just went in to the room and had a great time. Then a few days later I was called back to meet the director and the agency at which time they put me on tape along with several other actors and sent it off to the headquarters of Budweiser. Then a few days later, I got the call that the folks over at Budweiser thought what I did was very funny and everyone was laughing at headquarters.

It was very successful. Did you have any sense that the spot would be so big? Has it opened doors for you?

Good God no, I had no idea it would be so big. But I new it was special because when we were filming it the director (Lloyd Stein) had the camera rolling and told me to improvise for as long as I wanted and we got a lot of really fun stuff on film, but only a 1/4 of ended up on the final edit. I remember having such a great time filming because later on that evening I was going to a party at the Playboy mansion (that always puts me in a good mood).

Yes, it did open doors for me, I got a series regular role on a new pilot for the FX network called "Bad News, Mr. Swanson" with Frank Whaley shortly after the commercial came out as well as landing a three commercial campaign for "Shady Brooks Farms".

You have great comic timing. Usually that comes from someone who influenced you. Where did you get your sense of what's funny?

I think I got my sense of humor from my grandfather. Growing up in India I spent a great deal of time with my grandparents. My grandfather and I would always try to out do each other by making each other laugh. I wish he was still around, he would have been so happy to see me follow my dream.

Malil with James Earl Jones. Use the force, Shelley, use the, oh never mind.

You've appeared on screen with some great actors. Do you ever stop and say "Wow, I'm here with this famous person!"? Is it still fun, or is it business?

For me it's always been 'business' working with actors, although I have a great time and I am always try to watch and learn from them. But, put me in a room with a rock star…forget about it. I will get a giddy as goofball!

Television. What do you watch? Are there any shows or actors who you feel are outstanding?

Unfortunately I don't watch a lot of TV. I do although watch about 5-7 films a week. But, when I do get the chance I like to watch The West Wing, The Sopranos, The Practice, Friends, and Everybody Loves Raymond. I think Martin Sheen and the rest of the cast of The West Wing are probably the some of the most talent actors on TV today in fact I think very highly of the writing and the directing of that show as well.

A scene from NYPD Blue, with Rick Schroeder

Jeffrey Tambor is a great actor and a mentor of yours. What did you learn from your time with him?

Jeffrey is just great. He no longer is teaching but if he does go back to it I will be there. He taught me that when you walk on to a set it's your job to lift up the attitude of every single person on the set and not just hide in your trailer until you're called on. He has taught me to take responsibility for my talent, which means to nurture it and develop it and never apologise for it.

Shelley with accusatory bagel on the Jamie Foxx Show

I have to ask this. You have "coconut tree climbing" and "elephant riding" on your resume. Is there much call for this sort of thing? Explain please!

Well I put that on my resume just because I thought it would set me apart from the rest of the actors that might be seen on any given day. I can't recall how many time I have gone into a room and the casting person has asked me about those skills. It has always given me a opportunity to break the ice with them and talk about something they otherwise might not have spoken of. It also helps them remember me hopefully. But no, I have yet to find the need to prove to anyone that I can actual do them. (Which I can!)

He seems to have his hands full with Nickelodeon's Cousin Skeeter

In your opinion, what's the dumbest thing on television?

I would have to say the dumbest thing on television is the "laugh track" I don't know how many times I have watched a sitcom and when something happened and it was not funny I would hear a laugh track. Why do they do this? Are they telling me I have no sense of humor? Or that it went over my head? I don't think so, I think it's because they know it's not funny but they know how much they are paying for it and it is a desperate plea…Please think this is funny.

You've chosen a highly competitive field complete with long hours, instability, and back-stabbing. How do you cope?

To me life is very much like golf, if you're always trying to outdo someone else you will never be happy. You might beat them but, there will always be somebody just around the corner who will put you in your place. You must strive to always compete against your own best. I think just like in golf it is the only way to improve your 'game'.

And if that is your primary focus to "improve your game" then the long hours, back-stabbing, instability, the rough green or the lakes by the greens is all irrelevant, because now you have a purpose larger than your obstacles.

Of all the work you've done, what is the performance of which you are most proud?

I think it would have to be my role as "Steve Banerjee" in the film "Just Can't Get Enough: The Chippendale Story". Just because I had a chance to try and recreate a person who actually existed here in LA back in the mid to late 80's. For this role I had gained 20 pounds, grew my hair long, and studied his speech patterns from listen to 9 hours of FBI surveillance tapes. I also spent several hours in the LA public library looking up every thing I could on him, talking to people who knew him so that I could find his essence. Then one day on the set I was approached by someone who knew him closely, and when she saw me she was horrified for a moment, thinking Steve Banerjee had come back from the dead. That's when it paid off for me.

Other than that I am proud of is my work as "Bottom" in a production of "A Mid Summer's Night Dream" that I did here in Hollywood a few years back.

As a guest star on G vs. E

Okay, let's see where your heart lies. Let's say you had to choose between film and the stage. What choice would you make?

I have to say stage, because it really is an actors medium and film is really a directors medium. The rush of a live audience is unbeatable. Although I do love to working in collaboration with directors in film. I also love having the resource that film industry can provide. Like for example, 'special effects'.

Here's the part of the interview where I ask you to shamelessly promote yourself. What are you working on right now? What do you want to tell people about?

Well I just wrapped work on the FX pilot called "Bad New, Mr. Swanson" it a story about a man (Frank Whaley) who finds out he has cancer. I play "Ashid" his best friend. Hopefully it will be picked up and start airing this fall on FX network. I also finished work on the Chippendales film "Just Can't Get Enough" which should be out in theatres later this year or may be HBO or Showtime. Currently I am in talks to work on an untitled project to be shot in Mexico. I also have another Bud spot about us all at a ski resort, it might air later this year.

Where are you headed? Is it the Academy Awards? Your own show? In other words; What's the dream?

Where am I headed? Well I hope…ahead! Awards are something I don't place as a goal although they are very flattering. We just won the "Golden Clio Award" for the original "What are you doing" spot that aired during the Super Bowl this year. I look forward to having it on my mantel soon!

My dreams and goals are simple, to always get better as an artist, as a father and as a husband. I want to be able to look back and tell me children this is what I did, I know you can do better. One thing I am sure of is life truly is short. Don't waste it on being angry, resentful and thinking what I could have been or could have done.

Live your life as if you don't have too much time left…because you don't.

Be sure to visit the Shelley Malil Homepage to find out more!

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