It’s A Glam Thing’s longtime friend, Patrika Darbo is one of the most recognizable actresses on the small and large screens. Everywhere she goes, fans know her from her various television appearances on such shows asIn The Big Bang Theory, Devious Maids, Dexter, Desperate Housewives and from her Emmy nominated role on Days of Our Lives. Film buffs know her from her stand-out performances in In The Line of Fire, Midnight In The Garden of Good & Evil, Daddy’s Dyin’, (Who’s Got The Will?) and a host of other silver screen favorites. Always reinventing herself as an actress, the veteran of over three decades worth of Tinsel Town trade is now nominated for a Primetime Emmy for her role on the internet series Acting Dead.
It’s A Glam Thing caught up with the talented red head in an exclusive Q & A!
IAGT: Congratulations on your Emmy nomination for Acting Dead. Short Form is a brand new category for the Primetime Emmys. Can you tell us a little bit about the category?
PATRIKA: Thank you. This new category is for projects that are 15 minutes or less. So if you have very little or no money, you can still create quality television. The Short Form Category gives up and coming or established artists the opportunity to do great work and have a bigger audience.
IAGT: The title is curious. Please tell us a little bit about the premise and story line for Acting Dead?
PATRIKA: Basically, if you look at a lot of television these days, it’s all about vampires, witches, zombies…the scary creatures in the supernatural genre. Our show is about actors who actually become real zombies in order to get work in Hollywood!
IAGT: Your character, Margot Mullen is quite a “character”. Tell us a little bit about her and are there any similarities between Margot and Patrika?
PATRIKA: Margot is a Travel/Talent agent who can get you on a show and get you a fabulous vacation all at the same time. I think the similarities are that we both have big personalities and big hair!
IAGT: You are the only nominated actress in your category that is from an independent production. Independent productions take a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Please take the time to tell us a little bit about the other people who are behind this production.
PATRIKA: Yes, my nomination was the only nomination for an indie series, meaning no big network, website or production company was involved. It was created by and stars the fabulous Brian Beacock and Jillian Claire. Brian produces it with Paul Nygro and Susan Bernhardt. All the actors work deferred, which means we don’t get paid. I am very fortunate to have been nominated, so this is my pay. Hopefully, if I win, we will get enough notice to garner more producers with money to allow us to do more episodes. The show is really fun and I think with a larger platform and a bit more financing we can get a much larger audience, all get paid, and entertain more people.
IAGT: You are no stranger to Emmy nominations. You were nominated for a Daytime Emmy for your role as Nancy Wesley on the NBC daytime drama, Days of Our Lives. Fans of this show miss you. Do you think Nancy will ever return to Days?
PATRIKA: I am very blessed to have been nominated for a Daytime and now a Primetime Emmy. These nominations come from your peers and I so appreciate their acknowledgement of my work. I was invited back to Days and will start appearing in late November. It was like home and although there are some new faces, a lot of the fabulous actors I have worked with before are there for me to “play” with again. Be sure to tune into NBC for a great storyline.
IAGT: While so many daytime actors seem to only work in the daytime genre, you continue to work in both primetime and feature films. You recently worked on The Big Bang Theory, Devious Maids and The Middle. Is there something about you or your technique that makes you more cast-able in acting arenas outside of daytime?
PATRIKA: I have had and am still having the opportunity to work in TV and film and I hope to be doing it for more years to come. I am a character actress. I love what I do. I think it is more difficult for a lot of daytime performers to do other genres because of the shooting schedules for daytime. Don’t forget, on a soap you virtually shoot an entire script a day, 160 plus pages. That’s a lot of words to memorize and time-wise doesn’t give an actor the opportunity to go audition for other projects. Also, because daytime is so fast and everyday, getting a job that would take you away for a week or two is just not possible. If time allowed, I’m sure you would see more of your favorite daytime performers in other venues. In fact, some were in Acting Dead.
IAGT: Of all the big feature films that you have worked on, which film(s) was your favorite and why?
PATRIKA: My favorite film was Daddy’s Dyin’, (Who’s Got the Will?) I originated the role on stage in a small 99 seat theater, got to go to the Fringe Festival to perform it in Edinburgh, Scotland and then reprised my role in the film starring opposite Beau Bridges. I have to say that I get recognized the most to this day from the film InThe Line of Fire. There I got to work with John Malkovich and Clint Eastwood. How lucky can one girl get?!
IAGT: If they call your name to go up and receive that Emmy award, what do you think you will say in your speech?
PATRIKA: It makes me nervous to think about it. I am just so honored to be nominated and although I would love to win, I already feel like I have won. If I do win I would thank my husband, Rolf who puts up with me on a regular basis, then the TV Academy and my peers who made it possible and then Brian and everyone involved with Acting Dead. Truthfully, I’ll probably be blubbering and forget everyone and everything.
Watch the first season of Acting Dead at www.ActingDead.com!
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