The Gypsy Mistress of Stage and Screen

by Jon Keeyes

Debbie Rochon's laugh is enchanting. "There is an element of absurd wackiness. When you work in B-movies you get to do things that you normally don't get to do in A-movies. The nice thing about the B-industry is that you get to act in situations that you will never get to act in more straight films." What makes Debbie Rochon so beautiful to talk with is her absolute love and appreciation for the low-budget industry. Though the b-genre is often scorned by mainstream critics, Rochon's enthusiasm is a refreshing reminder of an often overlooked form of cinematic art. "Don't get me wrong," she says, "I wouldn't pass up the security A-films offer, but there is a quality in low budget films that needs to make its way into the mainstream." What Rochon refers to is the enigmatic forms of b-storytelling that combine the craziness of the real world, fantasy to escape those fightening truths, and the ability to blend these through characters rather than huge special effects. "We've become so numb. We've seen so much that it is unbelievable what is required to shock us in a movie. The original Psycho is disturbing because it's that under-the-surface craziness that's very real. If something is possible, then it is far more frightening than something that is just absurd." Frightening fans through the craziness of film fantasy is Rochon's specialty. She's an actress of talent in an industry climbing its way into mainstream hearts.

For more than seventeen years, Rochon has been providing screen and stage fans with all forms of fright, lust, and laughs. Rochon began her career in 1980 when, at age 12, she appeared with Laura Dern and Diane Lane in the cult classic Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains! Realizing her love for entertaining, Rochon joined the acting department at a Vancouver community college. Soon, however, her gypsy feet got itchy, and she set off for England. She spent eight months there, followed by six months in Australia before ending in New York City. Arriving in the Big Apple, Rochon moved in with another lady living in "a closet of a bedroom". Working as a waitress, her adventures continued. "Warren Beatty use to come in. He was trying to get me to go out with him. I was so young, and it freaked me out. I knew his reputation and was just like 'I don't think so'."

Rochon joined the theater crowds in New York City, working with the improv group Chicago City Limits, the Samuel Beckett Theater, and other notables on Theater Row. In all, Rochon performed in more than 25 stage productions.

With the coming of 1988, Rochon made her first New York film titled Lonely in America for director Barry Brown, and she's been making movies ever since. She spent time doing the lower end exploitation films (films centered around violence and T&A versuses story driven plots) such as Cleo/Leo and Party Incorporated. By 1992 had found her way to leading lady status. In 1993, Rochon became heavily involved with the legendary b-genre company, Troma Studios. During her three year stint with Troma, Rochon was used for posters, cable work, and as a spokesperson. "We did a goof on infomercials with a product called Troma Systems. I played a really crazy character named Edna Pearlmother." Rochon was also the host of a European series called Troma Cafe in which she introduced Troma Films. Her most notable Troma work can be found in the recently released Tromeo and Juliet. Though filmed in 1995, Troma took their time in editing the film. " Troma took a lot of their time and money experimenting to put out something they felt really strong about." In this horrific parody of Shakespeare's classic, Rochon plays Juliet's nurse, Ness. Though a comedic relief in the original play, Ness is now the dramatic character torn with love for Juliet. "Ness is a tragic figure, almost the polar opposite to what had originally been written. I really enjoyed being able to delve into the deep emotions."

While living in New York City a friendship developed between Rochon and b-effuciado Joe Bob Briggs. "Being that we both lived in New York, when most people in our industry live on the west coast, it was inevitable that we would cross paths. We became great friends." Their friendship has lasted for many years, a friendship that is obvious in her voice when she speaks of him. Rochon went on to write a column for The Joe Bob Report. "When Melissa Moore stopped writing for him, (Joe Bob) gave me the opportunity as he was already familiar with my writing," Rochon recalled. "I would report on the goings-on, the gossip and the funny happenings in the b-movie industry." Her writing on industry personalities can also be found in movie publications throughout the world. Currently, she is writing The B-Movie Survival Guide with Peter Schmedick and Gary Cook (and a foreward by Joe Bob Briggs).

Speaking of Peter Schmedick, Rochon's voice gets filled with excitement. "I have an online radio show with Peter that is 'net cast'," she says. The show is Illumination Gallery which can be found on Friday nights at www.pseudo.com. "Illumination Gallery is considered a film show, but we also have journalists, inventors and creators. One guest was Mr. Palogreeno. He developed the DNA science behind Jurassic Park." Rochon and Peter Schmedick began working together through Peter's show for WBAI radio in New York. "When I met Peter, I was on as a guest interview, and after the show I was speaking to him about all the different people that I knew. I said, 'It's almost Halloween. If you want to do a b-movie special I could book all the greats like Leatherface and Pinhead'." The show was so successful that the two have been co-hosting ever since.

With a high rated "net cast" show, Rochon's interest in the internet has increased. She maintains her own website through www.b-movie.com. Though she has concerns about the internet's effect on the magazine industry, she does feel the internet is helping the b-industry. "With all the directors and personalities having their own homepages, and films having their own homepages, it's making the (films) so accessible."

Speaking of films, Rochon has several recently released films and a couple getting ready. Besides Tromeo and Juliet, Alien Agenda and Hellblock 13 are both new arrivals. Alien Agenda is a story intensive alien film. "It focuses on a very cool storyline, ala the X-Files. (The film) is very story intensive and character driven."

About Hellblock 13, she says, "I'm the illegitimate daughter of Charles Manson who has commited the most heinous murders that are conceivable. I've been on deathrow for a number of years and today's the day I'm going to be executed." This anthology film takes place just prior to her execution. Her character shares with the guard (co-star Gunnar Hansen of "Leatherface" fame) a book of stories she supposedly channeled from other women who had been executed. Coincidentally, Hellblock 13 was done the same year that Charles Manson declined his parole hearing because "he was happy working on the internet from within prison."

Arriving in the Fall, probably Halloween, is Strawberry Estates. A pseudo-documentary, Estates is the tale of a closed mental institution with paranormal activity occuring. "We're a group of paranormal investigators. We go into the building not so much wanting to 'clean' it, but to study the poltergeist activity. And, slowly but surely, I become possessed with whatever it is in the building that's made every person before me go crazy."

Rochon is also preparing for several roles to begin shooting soon. "I'm getting ready to do a film called Split that is a film where reality takes alot of turns and you're not sure what's really what...sort of like a Jacob's Ladder. It's about a guy named Joe who works for this 100 yr. old madame who is this violent, crazy bitch. It's complicated to explain but Joe gets caught up in the madness; not knowing if he's dreaming, hallucinating, what's going on. I play a mutilated, deformed 'thing' for this madame. (Her character) has had her face cut-up as many times as she's cut-up other faces." Other films getting ready to go into production include an occult film with the possible title of Frightmares, and another called Ozone Killings co-starring Tom Savini.

Rochon laughs as she speaks about her career. Though she went through the exploitation phase, she graduated sometime back to films with stories. It is her desire to see more low budget films released with strong stories that hint around truths while delving into societies pysche. She is also quick to remind people that low-budget does not equate to bad acting. While some people look upon actors such as Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff and other low-budget actors as "so-so", Rochon remains firm in the belief that "to be insane, or scared, or absurd takes a lot of talent. It's not easy. Easy is being that monotone character so often found on television."

Rochon plans to stay busy, be it filming movies, hosting shows, writing, or being on the radio. "I've already been through the trenches. I did so many low budget films at low pay that I'm at a point where I get a nice salary. I want the roles that I'm offered to continually improve." Based upon her career, Rochon's adventurous, gypsy nature is going to take her far.

Visit Debbie Rochon's Homepage

Originally published in GC Magazine - Edited by Jon Keeyes.