Douglas Arthurs kindly agreed to participate
in a Question and Answer session with the Our Stargate Forum. The questions
were gathered online on the forum and submitted to Mr. Arthurs and he has
provided these answers for our edification and amusement. Thank you, Dougie!
Thank you also to the Douglas Arthurs’ online site which has provided us with
some lovely photos and to Dana Jeanne Norris for sharing her photos from Best
of Both Worlds in Australia. There is a banner and a link to Douglas’ official
website below. Make sure to pay them a visit!
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STARGATE RELATED QUESTIONS |
1) Have you ever played a character anything
like Heru’ur before?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: This was the first
time I ever played the ruler of a galaxy.
2) What do you remember best from your first
day on the set of Stargate?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: My girdle didn’t fit
properly!
3) What was the best thing that happened to
you while you were filming Stargate?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: It’s fun to threaten
Mr. Shanks!
4) What was the worst thing that happened to
you while you were filming Stargate?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: There was no zipper
in the suit for peeing.
5) What was the most fun about filming Stargate?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Gods always get their
way!
6) What was it like on the Stargate
set (general working atmosphere) from your perspective?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Everyone is very
professional and polite.
7) Heru’ur, Nirrti, Apophis and Hathor are
four of the more popular Goa'ulds. Thanks to fan fiction they will live
forever. Do you know about ‘fanfic’?
What’s your take on it?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I think deep down
everyone is an erotic writer.
8) Who is your favorite Stargate
villain, dead or alive (and Heru’ur doesn't count!)?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Hathor is my favorite
villain.
9) Do you watch Stargate? Do
you like it?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Last time I watched I
was on Bondi Beach, Australia.
10) Do you visit any Stargate
sites online?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Mr. (Colin)
Cunningham’s site is always the best.
11) If you could write an SG-1 episode, what
would it be about?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Aliens take over the
President … oops, already been done!
12) Which cast member did you have the most
fun experience working opposite?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Michael Shanks. So serious.
13) We hear that the Stargate
set is often a lively one, what was working with Richard Dean Anderson like?
Michael Shanks? Christopher Judge?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: The boys work long hours and joke all the
time!
14) As an actor did you do anything
deliberately different to distinguish yourself from playing the host and
playing the Goa’uld?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: There really wasn’t
any time to prepare for Heru’ur, so I couldn’t distinguish between the host and
Goa’uld.
15) In acting you sometimes have to work
with props like the hand devices where the special effects are added later. As
a viewer we simply see you raise your hand and the characters of Daniel and
Jack go flying, for example, but from an acting perspective how does a scene
like that work?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Thank God for
stuntmen—they do all the jumping.
16) The Stargate set is pretty
well known for the practical jokes the actors play on each other. What kinds of
things did the others pull on you when you first got there? And how did you
"retaliate?"
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Salt in the morning
coffee is always a way to retaliate. Wedgies for Gods!
17) As an actor, how do you prepare yourself
for an over the top role like that of a Goa'uld system lord?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: As a person, I’m
already over the top! EASY.
18) If you could have played any other
character on Stargate SG-1, which one would you choose?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: The General in Drag!
Mr. (Don S.) Davis has great legs.
19) If it were up to you to decide to bring
back Heru'ur to show, would you bring him back and what would you like to see
happen to him upon his return?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I think Heru’ur and
Amanda Tapping should have an affair on a “faraway planet” under coconut trees!
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SEMI PERSONAL QUESTIONS |
20) What got you into acting?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I was going to be a
social worker, but the people in our business are far more interesting to
relate to!
21) On a personal level, are you the only
member of your family bitten by the acting bug?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I’m the only crazy
one to try acting.
22) Some parents disapprove, how did your
family react to your desire to be an actor? Supportive or completely not?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: My parents didn’t
support my decision, but they knew they couldn’t stop me.
23) If you had the knowledge of the job back
then that you have now, would you still choose to be an actor?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I would still be an
actor, even with the continual rejection one gets at auditions.
24) Are there any causes or charities close
to your heart?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I contribute to the
SPCA—Dogs Rule!
25) Do you ever get nervous when starting a
new role and how do you cope?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Nervous is my middle
name. I shake more at Cons!
26) Did you enjoy your surfing holiday after
BOBW? What was the highlight of your trip?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I found Aussie girls
a bit too shy, but the Barrier Reef was fantastic!
27) Hello, and thank you for taking the time
to answer questions. I was wondering where you learned your craft? Did you
always want to be an actor?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I studied in Los
Angeles and New York. I was acting in Kindergarten for the teacher (always in
me).
28) Did you plan on something else before
becoming an actor?
Travel the whole world. Plus, make a
pass at Olivia Newton-John.
29) How did you get to be called Dougie?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Certain girlfriends
give pet names to show affection (I cuddle a lot).
30) What's your favorite part of the world
to visit and why?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I was chasing Hobbits
in Nepal, and a few Swedish girls. Katmandu is a crazy place; the best pies in
the world.
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NON STARGATE ACTING QUESTIONS |
32) What has been the non-Stargate
project that you feel was your best work to date?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Doing Maxim Gorkis
(The Lower Depths) was my best work.
33) You've had roles in shows and movies
from a number of genres. Which genre is your favorite to work in and why?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I’m still a sucker
for Cowboy movies. There is nothing like riding a horse into the sunset.
34) Any ambitions to do something completely
different?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Dare I say: marriage
and kids?
35) What type of character do you enjoy
portraying the most e.g. good guy, bad guy, romantic guy, psycho guy?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Psycho guys rule!
Except I never get the girl.
36) What television show would you really
like to guest star in?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: CSI Miami
37) Who would you give your eye teeth for to
work with?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Pamela Anderson
38) Out of the work you've done other than Stargate
so far, what's been your favorite part? Why?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Breaking Mulder’s
thumb on the X-files. Poor Guy.
40) Do you plan to stay in acting or branch
out into producing/directing as seems to be the trend nowadays?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Baby, I have enough
problems with just acting. Producing requires a certain (asshole) discipline. I
don’t have it.
41) What would be your ideal role?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Mary Poppins
42) What would your career be if you
couldn't be an actor?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: A travel guide in
Asia---No phone work—Ha Ha Dana! [the person who submitted the questions, Dana
Jeanne, is a travel agent in real life]
43) If you could play any character in the
world, who would your dream character be? If it's not a character that already
exists, what would the character be like?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I think Rasputin
would be my dream character. Talk about intensity!
44) You've played a wide variety of roles,
in different genres - which ones do you remember most fondly and do any make
you wince when you look back at them?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Actually, most of my
roles have been psychos, but “Nightman” was an especially horrible show.
45) Any as-yet unachieved acting ambitions?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: A Broadway play.
46) Any roles you wish you'd been able to
get?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Gollum in The Lord of
the Rings.
47) Do you have a preference in your type of
acting? Movies vs TV vs stage? Why?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Stage is where your
craft really shows; scares the hell out of me.
48) Would you consider yourself a method
actor or is there another school of acting you follow?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Method Actor—if there
is still such a thing!
49) What actors, writers and directors do
you most admire and why?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Robin Williams can do
comedy and drama! Very few actors can.
50) What do you look for first in a role?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Is there emotion in
the character?
51) If you could film any novel and play the
lead what would it be and who would you choose to be in the cast with you? Why?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Doctor Zhivago—with
Julianne Moor and Ed Harris. Great actors to watch.
52) Some actors take up fencing, horse
riding or a musical instrument either for fun or to strengthen their position
during auditions. Is there a particular skill you have acquired either for fun
or for a part?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I rule when it comes
to Break Dancing! Tight ass-cheeks.
53) Is there anything you would like to see
change in the show business industry?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: More roles for women
as they age.
54) I can't help but notice a whole run of
works you appeared in with the word "Dead" in the title... how did
that happen? Was it just a fad at the time? <Grin>
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Directors love to
kill me in their movies, and such movies always have ‘dead’ in the title.
55) If you could be in a remake of any movie which one
would it be, what character would you be and why that particular one?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory—the
character of Willy brings out the kid in me.
56) Are there any projects we can watch for you in?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: June 12: “The Chronicles of Riddick”
57) Any tales to tell about working on Lonesome
Dove: The Outlaw Years? I adored that show and Tracy Scoggins is one of
my favorite actors.
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Try acting and
walking in mud up to your ass—difficult.
58) Any tales to tell about working on Highlander?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: The Highlander is the
sexiest man in the world. A real sweetheart to work with.
59) Do you see yourself as a 'character'
actor? If so, are you happy with that
since so much more attention is being focused on the character actors today, or
would you rather see yourself as a lead actor?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Because I have the
actor’s ego, I see myself as a lead actor.
60) What was the worst job you held as a
struggling actor?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I was a nanny for
eight months in New York. Diapers scare me.
61) Who's the actor you've most enjoyed
working with? Can you tell us about any unusual or bizarre experiences while
you've been an actor?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Patrick Stewart. We
talked about the lighting problems (Bald Actors) have on set—we look like eggs.
62) You've appeared in various genre shows -
what's your favorite? How does appearing in a western show compare with
strutting your stuff as a system lord?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Wearing cowboy boots
beats the girdle you have to wear as a system lord.
63) Is there a character you've portrayed
that you would love to 'revisit' to see how they would be now?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Most of my characters
blow up, so I can’t revisit them.
64) Is there any type of role you would NOT
accept?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Honey, actors are
highly paid prostitutes; we never say no!
65) Dougie, you are like the coolest guy.
Thanks for buying me a drink at the BOBW 20 wrap party...What was it like
breaking David Duchovny's pinkie? For those who don't know the episode that
Douglas Arthurs’ Guest starred in on the X Files (Season 5
"Pine Bluff Variant") he played a goon who tortured Mulder and broke
his finger.
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: David was complaining
about the rain in Vancouver, so it was payback time—Canada Rules!
66) Well, but, he didn't really break
Duchovny's finger, did he? I mean, it wasn't real, was it?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Nothing like a
plastic finger at lunchtime.
67) Douglas-- what's it like playing bad
guys?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I shoot a lot of cool
guns. The pimp suits are nice.
68) Which popular hero would you love (or
have loved) to play (eg. Superman, Han Solo, Indiana Jones)?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I would love to play
Mother Theresa.
69) Which popular villain would you love (or
have loved) to play (eg Lex Luthor, Chauvelin)?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Kingpin in
“Daredevil”—if I weighed another 200 pounds.
70) If cast to appear in a Reality Show,
would you take on such a job?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Never! The shows are
destroying the biz.
71) If cast in a long-term, multi-feature
movie project like LORD OF THE RINGS, on the other side of the world for years,
would you commit to such a gig?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I just came back from
New Zealand and would go back in a heartbeat.
72) If you were trying to convince me to
offer you a role in Lord of the Rings:
A. Which character would you want to play?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Sam Wise Gamgee
B. What could you bring of yourself to that
character?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I really am a
supportive kind of person! But, when you look as scary as I do, directors can’t
see the “love.” Oh well.
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CONVENTIONS AND FANDOM |
73) You're something of a convention veteran
now. What, if any, idea did you have of what sci fi conventions would be like,
and how did the reality match up to those ideas?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I knew I would be
kissing a lot of girls and it came true. There is a God.
74) Do you plan on attending any conventions
this year? Where? When?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I will be at Gatecon,
and the Level 3 in London.
75) What's the funniest or most unusual
thing that's ever happened to you at a con?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: A man offered his
wife to me. I’m very shy and declined.
76) Thank you for taking the time to answer
our questions. I'm looking forward to meeting you at a con. Will you be at
Gatecon?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: YES! I’ll be in my
kilt.
77) You seem to really have a lot of fun at
conventions. What is your favorite thing about them?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: I love meeting people
from other countries. (lots of stories)
78) Is there anything annoying about them?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Friendly people are
never annoying.
79) Do you have an interesting con story you
could share?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Dana keeps pinching
my bum at the cons.
80) What do you make of all the rumors out
there on the internet?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: They’re all true
about me and the goat!
81) What's the weirdest rumor you've ever
heard about yourself on the net or in the press?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: There aren’t any
rumors about me on the net!
82) Has a fan ever done anything that
shocked you?
DOUGLAS ARTHURS: Do you really think I
can be shocked? HA!
And on that note, Our Stargate can only say
… thank you, Dougie! Come back and visit some more sometime. Check out Dougie’s
website here:
Return
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