03 March 2014 (released)
03 March 2014
American actor Charley Koontz grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and later earned a Bachelor’s Degree In Theatre Arts at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Today he is well-known for his role as Fat Neil in the NBC comedy series Community.
Starting out in school plays, Koontz worked on his craft and credits this experience as making him fearless as an actor. Influenced by the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Koontz understands the importance in being truthful in all that he does.
Film News caught up Koontz to discuss his role as Fat Neil and how to deal with the arduous process of auditioning.
Film News - When did you first know you wanted to become an actor?
I was always interested in TV and movies as a kid. I used to put on my Indiana Jones fedora on when I watched Raiders and I put on a red mask and strapped a laundry basket to my back when I watched Ninja Turtles. I started doing theatre in High School because of a girl I liked and wanted to be close to her. But it wasn't until college that I did a play for fun and a few professors encouraged me to change my major to theatre that I started to truly love acting. If it weren’t for those mentors that convinced me I could make a go of it I'd probably be working at a GAP somewhere so I am very thankful for them!
Film News - Which actors have influenced you?
Philip Seymour Hoffman, of course. He was and is truly my hero. I never had the chance to meet him or be in the same room with him but his death has struck me in a profound way. He was one of the greats and there isn't a false move in anything he's done from Love Liza to Along Came Polly to Synedoche, NY. I never knew him but I miss him a lot already.
Film News - You got your start in school plays. How did that experience help you as an actor?
School plays are fantastic because there is so much room to fail! You can learn your craft and the way you approach plays and other actors with so much safety and fun, stays in your bones forever. I totally encourage anyone and everyone in school to go out for a play. Once you discover what it's like to be fearless in front of an audience you can truly begin to work on the craft of acting and being with my friends in school plays trying crazy, outlandish things together really embedded a fearlessness into me.
Film News - You’re currently working on Community as Fat Neil. What can you tell me about that?
I can tell you that it's AWESOME! With Dan Harmon back at Community for Season 5 the show has been at the top of it's game and I'm lucky to be along for the ride. So far in season 5 Neil has been back on the radio, guarding Shirley's fortress, freaking out about an inappropriate dance idea and starting a riot. So it's been a pretty good year so far. You'll have to keep watching to find out what happens!
Film News - What has been your favorite role so far?
Neil has to be the top. I'll always feel the most connected with him because he was my first great gig and we've gotten to grow together over the last 4 seasons. It was an honor to be on Modern Family in an episode directed by Bryan Cranston. That would be a highlight for any actor. The cast and crew on Royal Pains became really fast friends. So, I love different parts for different reasons but I'll always be Neil.
Film News - What is the scariest part of an audition?
Waiting to find out if you got the part. After a while you get used to go into the room and auditioning for Casting Directors, Producers and Directors but you never quite get over the few days after the audition sitting by the phone waiting for someone to call you. So it's important to stay busy in your personal life and try not to let it get to you. It will. But try anyway.
Film News - What advice would you give to young actors?
Work as often as you can. Anywhere. Forget "looks". Forget networking. Forget trying to be a movie star. Just work and hone your craft, because I truly believe that if you work hard enough and become really truthful in your acting then your skill will rise to the top and all those things will follow. But it has to be about the work.
Film News - If you weren't acting, what would you be doing?
I don't even want to think about it! It's hard to imagine a life without acting. So I'll just make one up and say I would be billionaire, playboy, astronaut-slash-amateur-botanist. (Ha ha, love it Charley – C)
Film News - What are you currently working on?
Right now I'm working on a small project called Sons of Guns about 3 siblings that find a bag of old guns belonging to their deceased father and a mystery man comes looking for them. It's fun! Other than that you can check out Haunting of Cell Block 11 coming out this June and check out Contracted on iTunes now!
Film News - Before we go is there anything else you would like to share?
Be truthful in everything you do and remember there is always money in the banana stand.
