You may know LisaGay Hamilton from TV’s “The Practice” but she is currently playing “The best American mom ever” according to her co-star, Andre Braugher, in her new show “Men of a Certain Age”. With the show just starting season two on TNT, Movie Mikes had a chance to catch up with LisaGay and as her a few questions about the show and her career.
Click here to purchase “Men of a Certain Age” Season One on DVD
Mike Gencarelli: Tell us about season two of “Men of a Certain Age”, what are we going to expect from you and your character?
LisaGay Hamilton: I think what is really exciting for me is that we are trying to go into exactly who Melissa is. Not only is she the best American wife ever [laughs]. Or as Andre (Braugher) says, “The best American mom ever”. He says I am the perfect television wife. I am happy to see her more and what her personal life looks like. They are beginning to explore that a little bit. We had a lot of fun this season with testing and finding out what my character might be good at. We had a couple of really fun episodes trying to figure that out.
MG: What has been the best part for you working on the show?
LH: I would say the best part is Andre Braugher. Andre and I went to school together, actually at Juilliard. It is a real treat to work with someone that speaks the same language so to speak. As well as someone that I can completely trust personally and professionally. He is a dear dear friend. I am very lucky to be working with him. I could not ask for better.
MG: Prior to “Men of a Certain Age”, you were on “The Practice” for many years, how does working the show differ for you?
LH: Part of it, I feel very fortunate since it is tough being an actor period. Let alone being a women. Let alone being a 
woman of color. I had the opportunity to work on two great shows, both “The Practice” and “Men of a Certain Age”. Both of the shows share similar qualities. They both have superior writing and acting. I have had the best of both worlds for me. I think what is different is the experience in terms of my character. I have the opportunity for Melissa Thoreau is to play a little more of a cool person. You didn’t really get to see Rebecca be a sexual being or someone that was intimate, you did not get to see that at all. I really like that on “Men of a Certain Age”, LisaGay the actress get to show her dramatic side which we know but also gets to show my comedic side. I also get to be a human being with a social love and has a sexual life.
MG: You have done both TV and movies, which do you prefer doing and why?
LH: Yes…theatre [laughs]!!! I prefer theatre if I could pick my choice [laughing]. But of course it is impossible to make a living as a theatre actor. If I could have my world that would come first. The best of both worlds is being able to travel between all three worlds. That being film, television and theatre. Lastly it is just called working. Just being a working actor is a privilege.
MG: Terry Gilliam is one of my favorite directors, what was it like working with him on “12 Monkeys”?
LH: I did work with him but I had the tinniest of roles. I vaguely being in the same room with Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt as I sat on the floor being one of the 12 monkeys [laughs].
MG: Tell us about your upcoming film “Beastly”?
LH: We are hoping it comes out in March in 2011. Our fingers are crossed it will actually see the light of day. I was really appreciative of the experience. I am of a different generation. I am a woman of a certain age. I have never seen “High School Musical” or those type of films. It was nice to see the next generation of young performers come up. It was a lot of fun.
MG: Anything else upcoming for you?
LH: My fingers are crossed that I will be able to direct an episode of “Men of a Certain Age” in the near future. No promises have been made but I am lobbying hard.
Click here to purchase “Men of a Certain Age” Season One on DVD
