Interview
Please do not use any parts of the following interview without the express permission of Teresa Hofheins or Jim Knobeloch.
Jim has kindly agreed to do an interview for our readers. We appreciate the time it took him to answer the following questions. Thanks Jim!Teresa Hofheins: When did you decide to become an actor?Jim Knobeloch: I first got bit by the acting bug as a junior in high school, performing Capt.. Keller in what proved to be a moving production of The Miracle Worker. I took a double major in Theatre and Art in college, and by the time I got to grad school, I had decided to focus on Acting, with the intent of teaching. Working summers in an Equity company convinced me that I might make a go of it professionally, and I went to NY for 12 years, then LA for another 12 (including DQMW), now Oz.TH: What would your dream part to play be?JK: Dream part. Hmmmm....Period drama has always appealed. I like wearing funny clothes. I have a soft spot for Thomas Beckett, tho' I must confess that I really don't have one "dream role". The NEXT role...TH: Who is the person that inspires(d) you most?JK: Inspirational person... A toss up. Martha Van Aken, my high school drama coach Shanghaied me into the Miracle Worker production and was probably the single most important person in opening that door. She was erudite. articulate, extremely knowledgeable, and most importantly passionate about the theatre. Her love of the theatre and resultant work ethic regarding pursuit of ones craft was probably the single most important gift I received from a mentor. Geraldine Page, with whom I had the great honor of working with on the New York stage for two seasons was very important to me in a different way. She was supportive and very complimentary of my work, which was heady stuff, coming from the "burning bush" of the American theatre. Her respect for me gave me a better sense of my own worth as an actor in an intensely competitive field.TH: Who do you admire?JK: I admire any good artist. Paul Scofield is near the top of my list. Any actor who can achieve stature in the business (not just $$$), and maintain some degree of humility, while keeping his or her ego intact, gets my vote.TH: If you could instill one thing in your children, what would it be?JK: If I could instill nothing else in my kids, I would want it to be the knowledge that if they can find what it is they truly love to do, and do it fully, they will always make a living, feel fulfilled, and never have to "work" a day in their lives.TH: If you were not an actor, what would you be?JK: A teacher. Or a builder/architect.TH: What advice could you give someone who may want to pursue an acting career?JK: Don't. Just kidding. My advice to would-be actors is: train. Formal training in New York, LA or London. The best you can afford. In one of these industry centers, you'll gain insights unavailable elsewhere. If you do not train formally, it is nearly impossible to acquire the respect for your craft, not to mention the professional survival techniques essential to creating and maintaining a career. Hollywood is teeming with pretty boys and girls who haven't a clue, sometimes get lucky for a short time, then end up in the food industry. Train. And learn the "business". What does that mean? Find out.TH: What would you like to see your children become?JK: I'd like to see my kids become what makes them happy. I don't care if they're involved in my business or not. If they told me they wanted to act like Daddy, I would say, "see above".TH: Your hopes and dreams for Jack and Tess?
JK: See 5 and 8TH: What are your hopes for your future?
JK: I want my family to be secure, with options. I want to continue work as an actor in hopefully worthwhile projects as long as possible. I want George Bush to go away and leave us alone.Thank you Jim for sharing your thoughts with us.