Co-star of "Galaxy Quest"

May 01, 2000

CheckOut.com presents actor Enrico Colantoni (who appears regularly on the hit NBC show, “Just Shoot Me”) who discusses his role in “Galaxy Quest.” Colantoni, who plays the alien Mathesar in the Sci Fi film, talks to fans about working alongside Sigourney Weaver, Tim Allen and others, and how he managed to score his first major break in the ‘biz,’ with “Hope and Gloria.”

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CheckOut.com: Welcome to a chat with actor Enrico Colantoni, best known as photographer Elliott DiMauro on NBC's hit series "Just Shoot Me." Enrico recently appeared in DreamWorks' funny and heartwarming spoof "Galaxy Quest" as alien leader Mathesar. The film will be released on DVD and VHS May 2nd. Welcome to CheckOut.com and Talk City, Enrico!

Enrico Colantoni: Thank you for having me!

Sandi345: I loved the movie! Where did that silly face come from?

Enrico Colantoni: That silly face is mine! And when I pretend that I am an alien, that is the face that comes out.

Cc498: How many hours make up did you have to go through to achieve your look for the movie?

Enrico Colantoni: Oh, not many.maybe two hours a day. The difficult part was growing all that hair everyday.

CO-bispacious: Did you have to do any tricky stunts in "Galaxy Quest" yourself?

Enrico Colantoni: Only falling on the gimble that shook us when we were being attacked. Although it was a lot of fun…that was the only 'real' stunts we had to do.

Rhonda: What was the funniest thing that happened while you were filming? Any funny out takes you can share?

Enrico Colantoni: Most of the funny stuff we just kind of captured on film and was of the scene. Everything else was just listening to Tim speak.

CO-John: I remember you from some old sitcom with Alan Thicke, "Hope and Gloria." How did you get started?

Enrico Colantoni: Well, I studied for a lot of years and struggled for a lot of years, then I did a show called "NYPD Blue." That brought me out to Los Angeles, and while I was in Los Angeles I auditioned for "Hope and Gloria" and they hired me.

Cc498: Did this film take long to make?

Enrico Colantoni: Four months - four long months. It took my hiatus between seasons of "Just Shoot Me."

Webbienut: What was the hardest part about your role in this film?

Enrico Colantoni: Keeping a straight face. Everyone was just so funny!

Doofus: Did you have any problems acting against the 'blue screen' during shooting, since the special effects there would only be added in later?

Enrico Colantoni: There wasn't a lot of blue screen for the actors, except for maybe Tim. It was an ensemble cast, so we got to act opposite each other a lot.

Thewiz: Greetings from the Great White North. How does a nice boy from Toronto get such a great role?

Enrico Colantoni: Well, I'm trying to see if my having been born in Toronto had anything to do with it, although anyone who comes into a strange country wants to do everything in their power to be accepted by that country. So, as a Canadian, desire has to be greater than most other people in the business. If you want something, and you persevere, you'll get it!

Falconsis: Is there any special acting technique to playing an alien, or is it a natural thing for you?

Enrico Colantoni: Both. I think I'm half alien, and the other half is the actor who is willing to look like an idiot.

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