The London Free Press
January 20, 2002
Career heating up for actor Bacalso
By Louis B. Hobson -- Special to The Free Press
HOLLYWOOD -- There was already a doctor in the house, so Joanna Bacalso didn't
feel too guilty about pursuing an acting career.
Bacalso, who stars as Cuba Gooding Jr.'s love interest in Snow Dogs, was born
in the Philippines, but was raised in Toronto.
"My aunt sponsored our family to join her in Toronto when I was eight. My mom
is a doctor and is still practising in Toronto, where she had two clinics until
one burned down last year," says Bacalso, who started modelling when
she was in high school.
"I went to an all-girls school run by nuns, where I was a real tomboy. I was
the quarterback on our flag football team and had never even worn lipstick when
I decided to attend a modelling call."
She feels fortunate that 15 years ago "the market in Toronto was really
opening up for Asians. I didn't know how to walk in high heels, but I knew it
would be an easier way to earn money for my university education."
Bacalso enrolled in biology, with an eye toward medicine, but her career was
sidelined when the film Car 54 Where Are You? filmed in Toronto.
"I got a small role, but I was so excited because I had eight costume changes.
I really enjoyed the experience and started taking as many roles as I could."
She guest-starred on such series as Kung Fu, La Femme Nikita, Veronica's
Closet and Wish You Were Here before getting recurring roles on The District
and Ally McBeal.
Four years ago, she and model Matthew Garel, who subsequently became her
husband, moved to Los Angeles.
The couple is expecting their first child in March. Bacalso has a 13-year-old
son, Jordan, from a previous relationship.
"My husband invented a spelling game, called Could You Spell With a Twist,
that is really taking off. His sister, Saskia Garel, has one of the leads in
the Toronto production of The Lion King.
"Matthew and I really miss Toronto because we have a core of friends there as
well as our families. For us, it's such an intimate city. I wish we
could be back more, but it's better for my career at this point to be in
Hollywood.
"A lot of doors are opening for ethnic actors. When they were casting for Snow
Dogs, Disney actually stated they were looking for an unknown ethnic
actress."
Bacalso no longer plays football, hockey or track and field as she did in
Toronto, but she is still very much an athlete.
"I'm a kickboxer. It's important that women be athletic these days. Because of
The Matrix and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, producers expect women to be
more physical.
"Strong female characters are suddenly all the rage."
Bacalso had hoped to be more physical in Snow Dogs and even drive one of
teams.
"The closest I got was to attend two days of mushing classes."
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