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Asian American Heritage
Month
"What Are You Doing?"
With Actor Shelley Malil
Wednesday, May 23, 2001; 1 p.m. EDT
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage month and talk with actor Shelley Malil.
When you're flipping through the channels, you're bound to catch one of Malil's Budweiser
commercials as "Chad" one of the Budweiser “What are you doing?!” guys
in Anheuser-Busch’s inspired “Whassup?!” commercial spin-off.
After being voted as one of the best Super Bowl commercials by a number of trades,
magazines and entertainment commentators, Shelley replays Chad in two upcoming ads. He is
also a Series Regular in FX’s dark comedy pilot, “Bad News, Mr. Swanson,”
shot this spring, in which he plays Ashid, best friend to Frank Whaley’s Mr. Swanson.
He has also recently starred in Regent’s “Just Can’t Get Enough: The
Chippendale’s Story,” which premiered at the 2001 American Film Festival in
February, and wrapped “Collateral Damage,” with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s
fall 2001 release.
Shelley first came to Hollywood six years ago, after a two-year stint at New
York’s famed American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Within three weeks of his arrival, he
had landed a manager, a guest star role on FOX’s “Briscoe County Jr.” and
his SAG card. Since that time, Shelley has worked steadily, appearing in such television
shows as “ER” (in the Emmy-winning episode “Loves Labor Lost”),
“Seinfeld,” “NYPD Blue,” “Party of Five” and “The Jamie
Foxx Show.” He has worked with director Tommy Schlamme and the incomparable Tracey
Ullman in her award-winning series “Tracey Takes On,” with James Earl Jones in
the feature film “Second Civil War” and with Jeff Daniels and Elizabeth Hurley
in the big screen version of “My Favorite Martian.”
Shelley began pursuing his dream of entertaining people on the high school stage, where
his leading turns often earned awards in district competitions in Texas, where his family
settled after emigrating to the U.S. in 1974. As a child, he had dreams of becoming a
comedic actor like Bob Hope, whom he first saw on a neighbor’s TV set, the only one
in the fishing village on the southern tip of India.
The transcript follows.
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Shelley Malil: Good morning!
Herndon, Va.: Mr. Malil: The "Bud" commercials. Did you get your part
through your agent, the director asking for you? How? (Not a cattle call, I trust!)
Shelley Malil: Actually, it was a cattle call and I auditioned with 100 other
actors. It was a good day for me and they liked what I did. I was submitted through my
agency and after they submitted me I went through auditions and met with the clients.
After I got the part, I learned that they were really interested me and really jazzed up
about it.
Washington, D.C.: Do you do theater also? Any upcoming plays? How is it
different from Hollywood?
Shelley Malil: Theater is really my fundamental background. I did theater for 15
years mostly in Texas and New York --that's where I got my training. And then I moved to
Los Angeles.
Since I've been in L.A., I've been fortunate to be working in television, commercials, and
film and haven't had the time for theater. A few years back, I did a performance of
"Midsummer Nights Dream," where I was very blessed to be nominated for the best
actor in the play from the L.A. Ovation Awards.
Washington, D.C.: Is it hard to break through in Los Angeles when you don't have
any acting experience? What advice can you give an aspiring Asian American actress? Did
you have to go through any obnoxious stereotypical roles?
Shelley Malil: I think first of all, it's always going to be hard whether you
live in D.C. or L.A. What you can do is train. People who train very hard are the ones who
survive in Hollywood. Even though it's going to be hard for you, you can always back up
your arsenal with good solid training. I find that anything in life worth having is going
to be hard. So don't let that deter you!
I think you can get the best training in New York. The school I went to was the American
Academy of Dramatic Arts. Another great school is Juilliard School of Drama, HB Studios
and Circle in the Square. There are several others but those are the ones I recommend.
Re: stereotypical roles. Yes, you have to cross that path and do it and maintain your own
dignity. Don't compromise what you think is degrading to yourself or your race. But it's a
given that you have to walk through that path. And when you walk through it, you will
build character.
Arlington, Va.: Would you say you are more inclined to do comedy than dramatic
roles? In your new films and series, are they comedies?
Shelley Malil: Yes, I do more comedies than I do dramatic. I think on a
subconscious level comedy is what I love to do. If I had the choice between a large
dramatic role or small comedic role, I'd lean towards the comedic role. Just because the
hours that you put in on a daily work schedule on a set can be so very very long that you
might as well do something that you love.
The new film I did as the lead in the Chippendales's movie "Just Can't Get
Enough" is a dramatic role with a comedic essence. The series regular role on the
pilot for Fox is definitely a comedic role.
Los Angeles, CA: You are very funny and quite talented. Have you ever done
stand-up comedy or considered it?
Shelley Malil: I thought about it but the thought only seems to last about 5
seconds. When the reality of standing up in front of people hits me, I'm always
frightened. But it is my goal to overcome that fear and someday do standup. It's only a
matter of time.
Bowie: Does anyone ever ask you "If you're from India, how did you learn
English?"
Shelley Malil: No. I've never been asked that.
Manassas, Va.: There was only one TV set in your home town in India when you
were growing up? How far you've come. Do you often think about your native roots?
Shelley Malil: All the time. It is in the essence and the core of my work. What
I pull from is my memories as a child in India -- all the comedic and even dramatic
situations. That's what I bring into my work.
Shirlington, Va.: You worked with Arnold? What was he like, what's the movie
about and what's your role in it?
Shelley Malil: Arnold is a very funny man and he's constantly cracking jokes. He
loves to laugh and loves what he's doing. It's great to work with someone who loves what
he is doing. The movie is about a man who is a firefighter who looses his family from a
terrorist act from a South American group trying to kill an American ambassador. During
that act, his wife and child wind up dying. That's where the title comes from
"Collateral Damage" -- it sparks Arnold to go and find the killers. I play the
doctor who removes a large piece of glass from Arnold's thigh that almost kills him. After
that, he clicks and he transforms into the Arnold that we all know.
Studio City, CA: Are people recognizing you as the 'What are YOU doing' guy and
coming up to you now with the popularity of the commercial? Have you had any funny moments
with people approaching you and busting out your line?
Shelley Malil: Yeah I have. The first time it happened was at a steam room at
the gym with ten other naked men. One of the men says out "Hey, you do commercials?
Aren't you a guy in the Budweiser commercial?" Then it began.
All the other ten naked men started imitated me! I was so embarrassed and stayed along and
smiled. At the time, I was so embarrassed and I'm sitting there naked. Looking back, it
was really funny. That could be a commercial in itself.
Washington, D.C.: Do Asian American actors often get typecasted? Are Asian
actors and actresses limited to roles because of their race? Isn't this a form of
discrimination and is there anything that we can do to protect ourselves legally?
Shelley Malil: I don't know about the legal aspect. But there are a lot of
typecasting for Asian American actors. The only thing I would say is go out there and be
an actor first and get the job. After you have the job, then you can do what you can to
change their views on how this character should be. For example, if a character is written
with a below average IQ, which they are, you can play him with a higher IQ. Once they see
that your work, they usually won't try and change it because ultimately they want to see
great work.
Another pro-active thing that every ethnic actor can do is start writing their own
material. The reason that there is so many stereotypes out there is not because they want
to do us harm, it's because they don't understand where we come from. Therefore, if we
start developing characters through our own writings, the stereotypical characters that we
all fear will start dissipating.
Hollywood, CA: What are your favorite movies? actors?
Shelley Malil: I would have to say that my all time favorite movie is The
Godfather and Life is Beautiful. I love any movie directed by Martin Scorsese, I love
everything pretty much De Niro has ever done. My favorite recent films are Magnolia,
American Beauty. I also love Jim Carrey.
Arlington, Va.: How long does it take to shoot a commercial like the one you
did?
Shelley Malil: About one day. The day takes about 14 to 16 hours though. We shot
the first commercial in one day. And the others took two days. The most recent commercial
started airing a week ago in the NBA finals. Chad is in the bathroom checking himself out
and goes out to try to pick up girls.
New York, NY: Is there anyone you really admire who you would love to work with?
Shelley Malil: Yeah Martin Scorsese. I just think he's brilliant! Other
directors I would love to work with are Steven Soderbergh, Sam Mendez, and Tommy Schlamme.
Los Angeles, CA: Do you have a family? I understand when you are shooting that
you work long hours...is it hard for you to have a family life..and if so what do you
suggest to help an actor keep that in perspective?
Shelley Malil: The times when you are not working, you should spend more time
with your family. Hopefully your family understands that the work you have chosen demands
a lot of time away from the family.
Harrison, NJ: Have you seen Hollywood Shuffle? How much of Hollywood is still
like that, or have things improved?
Shelley Malil: I haven't seen Hollywood Shuffle. But here's a great book to see
how Hollywood really works, "Hello He Lied" by Linda Obsyt. It's a fantastic
inside view of how Hollywood runs.
Harrison, NJ: How do you approach a role that may be degrading to your race or
culture? Have directors/producers been receptive to toning things down, or is it basically
do it or we'll get someone else?
Shelley Malil: Usually people are more open-minded than they are perceived to
be. In fact, I haven't worked with anyone who has been that closed-minded. If you approach
it in a sensitive and professional manner, everyone can reach a happy medium.
Los Angeles, CA: On your website it says your athletic skills are:
skateboarding, golfing, fencing, riding a camel, climbing a coconut tree, and riding an
elephant. That's quite a list. How often do you do these activities?
Shelley Malil: I put coconut riding and elephant riding in my resume because I
felt that when I came into Hollywood, I needed an edge and had something that made me
unique. I haven't been asked to do them yet.
Although there has been an talk from a production company for me to play a character that
can do all these things called "Mr. ABCD"-- an Indian version of Austin Powers.
The production company is runned by the two daughters of Peter Gabriel and Tom Petty.
Sherman Oaks, CA: Have you ever seen the short film 'True' which the Budweiser
Wazzup commercials are based on? I saw it yesterday, it is hilarious. The commercials are
obviously completely derivative of the film. Do you know if the director of the film is
involved with the commercials?
Shelley Malil: I don't think that the director is involved but yes the
commercial is based on that film. I think Anheiser-Busch made some sort of deal with the
director of the film to make the Whazzup campaign. The film is very very funny.
Lexington, KY: do you feel that being indian pigeon-holes you for roles that
call for a non-white or indian characteer; or do you think hollywood has become more
flexible in creating normal characters who are not white?
Shelley Malil: Things are changing. When I first got to LA six years ago, the
roles were very narrow. As the years have gone by, the roles have expanded and become
flushed out. I think it's because there are more Indians in the production side. I think
because of people like M. Night Shaymalan, since he has come to the forefront of the
industry, people are moving away from the stereotype and flushing out the characters more
and more on a yearly basis.
Los Angeles, CA: From what I understand, actors deal with a lot of rejection,
how do you deal with that?
Shelley Malil: My belief and always has been: The more rejections you get, the
more closer you are to the big yes. As sick as it might sound, I get turned on by
rejection because when I get rejected, the closer I'm getting to the big yes. So I welcome
rejection with arms wide open.
Lexington, KY: what do you think is most misunderstood about Indian culture?
Shelley Malil: That we are all Hindus and that we all worship cows.
Los Angeles, CA: Being and actor is not a common indian profession...was your
family always supportive of you?
Shelley Malil: Oh no. When I first wanted to go into the field, everyone told me
"Don't do it and get a degree to fall back on." Luckily I didn't listen to
anybody and I approached acting as "do or die." I always felt that if you have
something to fall back on, you will fall back on it.
Washington, DC: Your Bud commercials are very funny. Do you have any film or TV
projects in the works? Will there be more Bud commercials?
Shelley Malil: Yeah there is the two that are running and there should be
another Budweiser commercial with us in a ski lodge that will be coming out this year.
There might be more depending on how this campaign does.
I'm working on several projects. One is the pilot for FX and an independent film called
"Thank you Good Night" with Sally Kirkland and Gary Busey and the Chippendales's
movie should be coming out very shortly. And I'm also in talks right now for another
independent film to be shot in Mexico.
New York, N.Y.: How did you start getting involved in acting?
How did you get started in Hollywood? What did you have to do to get an agent, SAG
membership, etc.
Shelley Malil: First thing is training. You have to get a solid foundation of
training for a minimum of 2-4 years. Then you have to do work such as various theaters and
do student films, local commercials, etc.
Then you have to present a demo reel of your works to an agent. You can just go to a
theater bookstore and get names and addresses of agents out there. After you have a
headshot, a resume and a tape and you start mailing it out to agents, eventually somebody
will like what they see and call you in and represent you and start sending you out on
professional jobs. Then you make a demo of your professional jobs and you just go up from
then on.
Bethesda, MD: Have you ever fenced competitively? Where and how often do you
practice?
Shelley Malil: No, my fencing is only for stage not competitive.
Los Angeles, CA: Looking at your credits you seem to have done a lot. Do you
consider yourself to be successful?
Shelley Malil: I consider to be successful just because I'm living my dream and
not because of my resume. I think anybody who is lucky enough to live out their fantasies
or their dreams is successful. It doesn't matter what their dream is. My dream has always
been to be an actor and that's how I make my living. Based on that, I feel very blessed to
feel successful.
Garden Grove, CA: what is your pilot like, what kind of character do you play?
When and where can we watch it?
Shelley Malil: The pilot is very much in the same vein as American Beauty. It's
a dark topic with comic overtones. It's unlike any sitcom out there --very original and
thought provoking. It's about a guy who has cancer, the tag line for the show is "the
story of a man who starts living the day he finds out that he's dying." The man is
played by Frank Whaley, I play his best friend, Ashid, and once he finds out that he is
going to die, he has this character that only he can talk to (a ghost character) played by
Johnny Rotten. It's like American Beauty meets It's A Wonderful Life. When it gets
picked up, the series will be airing on FX network this fall
Vienna, Va: What do you think about the negative media portrayals of Asian
stereotypes? For example, the East Indian character on the Simpsons or overly-accented
East Indian grocery story owner comedy skits?
Shelley Malil: I don't like anything that's negative in the media regarding any
race or group of people. I can see in the case of the Simpsons that it has a comic element
to it. There are people in my family that speak like the character and I find them very
funny. Whether it is negative is an individual interpretation and not a generalization.
Irvine, CA: What do you like best and what do you like least about being in the
entertainment industry?
Shelley Malil: What I like the most about the entertainment industry, especially
as an actor, is the ability to lose myself in a character. What I dislike most about this
industry is never knowing what's going to happen tomorrow because in this industry, one
day you can be at the top and the next at the bottom. And there is no sign of things to
come to come. And when you have a family, it's hard not having anything solid that they
can count on ever.
Shelley Malil: Thanks very much for all your questions and comments. For anyone
out there who is interested in a career in the entertainment industry. I'll say
"Follow your heart and don't listen to anyone else and try to always remember God
through the ups and the downs." Thanks also the washingtonpost.com!
washingtonpost.com:
That was our last question today. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.
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