Michael Papajohn
In several very recent interviews Michael Papajohn reveals that he will be on True Blood next season. On his website he states that filming will start in the week of April 27 and according to my info that would mean that he will play a part in Episode 2.09 – I Will Rise Up. But what Michael doesn’t reveal is the name of the character he will portray.
He plays one of the locals in the show’s fictional town of Bon Temps, La., and the good news is, he gets to live to perhaps see another episode. “I say that jokingly because I’ve died in so many movies that when I actually live, it’s kind of cool,” Papajohn says.
Michael Papajohn just concluded shooting Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and was most recently seen in Land of the Lost and Terminator Salvation.
On About.com Papajohn talks about True Blood:
And, being a huge True Blood fan, I have to ask you about getting a part in that HBO series. Are you playing a vampire?
Michael Papajohn: “I do not die.”
Okay…
Michael Papajohn: “What I can say is my wife treats me totally different now, she loves the show so much. A real quick story, my wife, she locks the door – ‘Watch the baby, True Blood‘s on.’ You know, I love the show, I watch it [on Tivo] but my wife watches it when it comes on that night. So when I got the audition, she was giving me notes while I was running lines with her. She’s not an actress, which is really refreshing for me, but I run lines with her all the time. But this time she’s like, ‘No, no, no, Michael. You’re playing it all wrong. You’re playing it way too fast. You’ve got to watch the show; they play things slower.’ I said, ‘Paula, I’m just running lines with you,’ and she goes, ‘But your accent’s not even there.’”
“It was hilarious. And then right before I went out to go on my audition, she goes, ‘You have to get this. Now how can I go to the set with you?’ Now she’s figuring out how she could go to the set.”
“But no, it was cool. We went in the audition room to read for Alan Ball and you know the projects that he’s been involved with. Working on it, in my experience you walk on a set – even if it’s television – you kind of get a vibe of how the crew is and the actors with the crew. You can see why that show is so successful, because the collaboration with everyone and the energy on the set was amazing.”
Alexander Skarsgard and Carrie Preston couldn’t say enough good things about the production in our interviews.
Michael Papajohn: “Well I actually got to work with him. Everyone was awesome. And I can tell you I don’t die.”
How many episodes will you be in?
Michael Papajohn: “I don’t know. Who knows? They may have me back. That show can turn any moment. I can see watching it how anything can happen and anything can become anything.”
And characters you don’t know are going to become big can become big all of a sudden. It’s an interesting show.
Michael Papajohn: “My wife has been telling me for a year, ‘Michael, you have to get on that show,’ for a whole year. But I didn’t know it was about her wanting to meet all those good-looking vampires. [Laughing] She loves those vampires. I thought it was more about me and my career… She has an ulterior motive. I found that out later.”
Was the set as interesting to be on as it looks? It looks like they’re actually filming in Louisiana.
Michael Papajohn: “Well they do go to Louisiana to film but the majority of True Blood is filmed in LA and the set that they picked was, when I was working, was a cemetery. It was a really cool church that they picked, a great location for the scenes we did. [It was] a really cool cemetery outside of LA. I mean I drove up and the sun was going down and I was like, ‘Well the vampires are coming out tonight.’ What a set. I’m parking my car in the middle of the cemetery and it kind of felt too real. I was like, ‘No acting required,’ you know? I’m looking over my shoulder with my bag, waiting, just hoping for the van to come pick me up.”
He killed Spidermans uncle, bastard.
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Shadaliza Reply:
May 23rd, 2009 at 10:40
It wasn’t real, it was only a movie :)
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I’ve seen Michael Papajohn before, he’s a great actor. I wonder what part he’ll be playing. Hmm. How exciting. And he has such a naturally intense look about him. I’m sure whatever character he’s playing, he’ll be a pleasure to watch.
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I think he’s rather handsome, actually, hehe
And I love how obsessed his wife is about the show. She’s not alone, lol
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I’m gonna go out on a limb here and guess… Alcide? Maybe? Possibly?
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Huge fan of the show, first of all. Being a born and bred southerner, I’m very critical of the accents, and everyone, especially Jason, has the accent down, except for, sorry to say, Tara. Her accent almost made me quit watching, but thank goodness for Stephen Moyer (everyone’s fave southern gentleman) and Ryan Kwanten, (can he play a southern red neck, or what?) and the other believable characters from Bon Temps, LA. Also, I’ve been so afraid of vampires that I still have to pull the covers over my neck when I go to sleep….just something i can’t get over ever since sneaking around the back of the couch to watch Barnabus Collins from the ABC soap, Dark Shadows. I couldn’t have been more than 5 or 6, but whatever I saw on that show, no matter how brief, set the tone for my fear of vampires. I also love looking at Gran’s house and the other settings for authenticity of where the scene is taking place.
Now, Michael Papajohn happens to be an old friend…known the guy since 3rd grade. He was in my husband and mine’s wedding and we were blessed to see him get married in Santa Monica several years ago. He’s a straight up great guy, great friend and I’d be happy to see him do voiceovers in Dora the Explora, it doesn’t matter to us. He’s followed his dream. Studied and worked his but off for it. It’s time he reaped some rewards. I’m so happy for you Michael and can’t wait to see you on TB on Sunday nights. If you get cut or your scenes do, just tell Alan Ball he’ll regret it.
Good Luck and we love you!!! Hi to Paula and the little man Shawn! Love ya, Bud and Lisa
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