Mickey Jones
January 2000
Q: What were you feeling playing Chris Farber and acting along side of Ham Tyler (Michael Ironside)?
A: Chris Farber was one of those roles that every actor would love to get. Especially when your still working your way up the acting ladder. I will never forget the first day i met Michael. It was the first day of shooting "V-The Final Battle". I went to his dressing room and introduced myself to Michael. I was not familiar with his work and didn't think he was to friendly on our dressing room meeting. But when we did our first scene together, I knew we were going to click. It was as if we could read each others mind. We connected that first day and the rest is history. We are still best friends today.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: The thing i enjoy most is playing golf. I do number of celebrity golf tournaments around the country each year and that satisfies my need to help charities and my golf urges.
Q: I heard your a golfer. How good are you?
A: YES!!! My handycap is 18 so i am a bogey golfer. It tends to go up or down depending on the level of players I'm playing with. If I play with single digit player, I can most likely play to a 12 or 13. If you put me with two 24's and a 36, I can play right to the 36. You know, good days and bad days. All in all, I'd rather lucky and good.
Q: If V was to return would you like to rejoin the cast?
A: ABSOLUTLEY!!! My big hope is that Michael would bring back Ham Tyler. That would be icing on the cake for me.
Q: What was your experiance like on Tool Time?
A: Most days I would come home and my side would be killing me from laughing all day long. Tim Allen is a funny and great guy to be around. In fact the hole crew is great.
Q: In V the Final Battle you was known to use a cross bow, amung other weapons. Did you like the crossbow over any other weapon?
A: I used a crossbow, a .357 Magnum in a shoulder holster, a 9mm UZI under my jacket on a shoulder sling, a .44 Magnum in a shoulder holster, and I carried all the Plastic bombs with timers. I was a walking arsenal. Actually, the .44 Magnum in a belly holster came out in the series. I loved all the weapons. The crossbow was especially effective during silent running. In The Final Battle, I made a shot with the crossbow outside the power station to divert a Lizard's attention. I shot about 80 yards to the boulder to make a spark. I actually made that shot. I loved the crossbow.
Q: Do you preferplaying rough characters like in V, CHiP's, or Dead Bang. Or simple like in Home Improvement or Nadine?
A: I love playing the bad guy. I was asked recently in an interview with the BBc in England, "How many people have you killed on camera?" I told the reporter, "I'll have to get back to you on that one." After some research, I found the answer. I killed 119 people on camera but i've also died 92 times. That means I'm still ahead of the game. The "Breath Svers" commerical is now the most aired commerercial in the history of TV. I like that. I also love playing Pete Bilker of K&B Construction on "Home Improvement." Sometimes its good to play the good guy. I just did a 10 minute movie with Billy Bob Thornton called "The Last Real Cowboys." I may bring it to the V convention in September and run it for everyone.
Q: In your early carrier you played music. Do you still enjoy to play.
A: In the last few years, music has become fun again. After 23 years on the road, music became nothing more than a job. It wasn't so much the music was a drag but all the crap you had to go through to play the music was the drag.Today, music is fun again. I write music, publish music. I did the main song "double Bogey Blues" in Tin Cup with Kevin Costner. It is on the soundtrack album and doing great. I also own half the publishing rights. So if you go buy the soundtrack album, I'll get 6 cents. Or you can give me the 6 cents now. Which ever is easier. I recently got a call from a friend of mine, Dusty ill with ZZ Top. He called to invite me to see them in concert at the Arrowhead Pond. I've known them since High School. They are still the hottest Rock & Roll band in the world, bar none.
Q: Do you like the acting or music business?
A: I like them both. I made a wonderful living in the music business for 23 years as the drummer with Trini Lopez for 8 years, Johnny Rivers for 3 years, Bob Dylan and The Band for 2 years, and Kenny Rogers and The First Edition for almost 10 years. As you may have heard, Rick Danko our bass player with The Band died this past week. Very sad news. I left the music business because i just had to get off the road. I am having more fun at this stage of my life that I have ever had, being an actor. It's the only job i know you can work 12 weeks out of the year and have a 40 week vacation every year. Thats a lot of golf!
Q: A rumor hit our attention that you had surgery on your knee. Was it serious? And can you still kick some lizard booty?
A: I had a lot of torn cartilage removed from my right knee. It has been eight weeks and now it is better then ever. You can see photos of the inside of my knee on my website. www.mickeyjones.com It shows before & after in living color. and, YES!!! I can still kick major alien butt. There is nothing i'd rather do then wake up in the morning and kill a lizard.
Q: Are you married?
A: I am. My wife is truely, my gift from God. She is my best friend as well.
Q: Do you ave any siblings?
A: I do have a sister. She lives in Denver CO. She recently had a stroke so i hope you will all extend any wishes and prayers for her recovery. Her name is Cheryl. I thank you for that.
Q: Where you pleased wit your role in V?
A: I'm like a lot of actors, I have a problem watching my self. You always think you could have done that scene better. That's normal. After having seen it over the years, I am quite pleased with the show. I still think it hold up today. If we o it again, I think i will do a better job, because i now know Chris Farber pretty well.
Q: Do you miss V the TV series?
A: I do miss it. It was fun getting up everyday and doing something that was so much fun. At the time, none of us thought we were doing anything special. It was just a job. Today, I realize, we did do something special. As I travel around the country, I am reminded by fans just how special it was. Thanks for that.
Q: Do you think that there could of been more done with you character in The TV series?
A: I think there could of been more done with Ham and Chris but not chris alone. The pairing of Ham and Chris and Michael and Mickey was perfect. Michael and I talk about that from time to time. He agrees.
Q: Do you prefer beard or no beard?
A: If you see me without a beard, it is because i had to shave it for a role. Otherwise, A BEARD!!! There is a extra chin under here that i don't want anyone to know about.
Q: What has been the your most favorite set/sound stage to be on?
A: Easy answer, "Home Improvement". I would go to Disney studios, work all day, come home and my side would be killing me from laughing all day long. That ha never happened before or since. I've done a lot of film and TV that were fun but "Home Improvement" was the best thing that happened to me in my career. I will always thank Tim Allen and all the folks at the show for the most fun of my carrer.
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