AC Exclusive Interview with Spike from Passions

Christopher Maleki may be better known to many of my readers as 'Spike'. On NBC's very unique daytime drama 'Passions' (well known for featuring mermaids, witches, zombies, and several other 'strange' things... where anything impossible is possible) Spike is a cold hearted criminal.

Spike is the one you turn to if you want a dirty deed done in the fictional town of Harmony. Spike is a manipulative man, who pimps out his wife Jessica (played by Danica Stewart) and his actions on the show are always unpredictable and downright mean.

However, Chris was an absolute delight to speak with. I was thrilled at the chance to do an exclusive interview for Associated Content with the man that I love to hate every weekday for an hour.

First of all, I have to admit that this was my first interview 'live' (over the phone) so I had no idea what to expect. Chris was actually very friendly over the phone, and we made a little small talk about the weather. (He sat on the balcony enjoying the 70 degree weather while I have my heat cranked up in my NY home.)

Here is what Passions bad boy Spike had to share:

(Me) Congratulations on Passions being saved! (more about this) Can we look forward to seeing you on Direct TV after Passions ends on NBC this summer?

(Chris) Well, there's really no guarantee for that. I've always been a free agent. I work on a weekly contract and I'm always available to work on other projects so I get the best of both worlds.

(Me) Well, I hope we can all continue watching you. You play the character that Passions fans love to hate. Your character is an abusive husband and an easy to buy criminal. How would you describe your character.

(Chris, laughing) I think he is a very, very, very misunderstood person. He has had a rough up-bringing, and there are many layers to him.

(Interesting perspective!)

(Me) Currently on the show, your wife Jessica (played by Danica Stewart) is pregnant with your baby. Your character (Spike) is threatening to sell the baby. How do you really feel about children? (Have any, want any?)

(Chris, nervously) No, I don't have any. I love children though, I look forward to having them (stressing:) in my future. I think Spike doesn't like the idea of the baby going back to his layers. He had a rough upbringing, ya know?

(Me) So how do you get into character to play Spike?

(Chris) As soon as I get into the wardrobe, I am in the character. When you're playing a character for so long it just becomes 2nd nature. {It's really how you view the character too.} He (Spike) does such bad things that you have to make it interesting and entertaining. You'd get bored with just a bad guy. With Spike, you really don't know what he's going to do next.

(Me) Aside from Passions, you seem to play the 'bad boy' a lot. (Chris also recently played a small part on CSI:NY as a 'bad guy'). Do you prefer this role, or does it just follow you?

(Chris) {You know how they say} the apple doesn't fall far from the tree? I can do other work, but I seem to play this role so well... any 'bad guy' you portray is really only doing things the way they're used to. You know? It seems wrong to you, but they think they're doing the right thing...

(Me) Okay... you know I have to try. Any hints at who the blackmailer might be?

(Chris, laughing) You know... I could tell you but I'd have to kill you!)

(Me) Just had to ask. Seriously though, when there is a big plot twist do you know about it or are you kept in the dark as well?

(Chris) Honestly, no. I only know 2 weeks in advance what I'm doing. It's interesting because there could be one actor playing one role and they don't even know {if they're really someone else}. (Chris referred to an older plot twist involving a mysterious monk that turned out to be Alistair.)

(Me) That must make it fun to work on the set then!

(Chris) (referring again to the mysterious monk) I'd prefer to know who it is I'm talking to...

(Me) I read on your myspace bio that you started acting at age 12! How did you know you wanted to act at such a young age?

(Chris) Yeah, I was a kid actor, I did the whole 'teen beat' thing. I always enjoyed being in front of people, I was always in plays {in school} and that sort of thing. I like to be challenged, it always makes me feel good.

(Me) Do you have any role models?

(Chris) My parents...

(Me) If you could work with any celebrity, dead or alive, who would it be?

(Chris) (after a moment of thinking) Probably Gary Oldman. I like him, he's a really good actor because he's a chameleon. You never really know what he's going to do next, he's unpredictable.

(Me) So I want to know a little more about you... can you describe yourself in 3 words?

(Chris) Driven... Sacrifice.... and Faith

(Me) What is your proudest accomplishment?

(Chris) What I'm doing right now... being able to do what I love. I'm young, healthy, and I work hard... and I love what I do.

(Me) What is the hardest challenge you have ever faced?

(Chris) I was involved in a car accident while filming Sliders ('97). We were in a dune buggy, and it flipped. A good friend of mine was in the vehicle also and was killed...

(Me) I'm sorry to hear that... how did you overcome something like that?

(Chris, still pained to talk about it) Time... and therapy. You get through it, ya know. You realize how valuable and fragile life is. We all gotta keep that in mind, life is short and you can't always let everything break you down.

(Me) So how do you cope with stress daily?

(Chris) I exercise. I run.... (laughing) you try to run away from some things and they're always right behind you...

(Me) Okay... when are you happiest?

(Chris) When I'm working...

(Me) Well, I'm dying to know. If you were stranded on a deserted island (for 6 months) and you could bring 5 things... what would you bring?

(Chris, thoughtfully) Food... can I say that for one thing? It would be a lot of food...

(Me) That's fine...

(Chris) Sunblock... a big old hat... several different women, cause you'd have to repopulate the whole place, ya know?

(Me, laughing) Okay, one more. (I didn't bother reminding him that he was only theoretically stranded for 6 months. Let the boy have his fantasy...)

(Chris) Oh yeah. My 51 inch flat screen TV with HD.

(Me, laughing again) Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me. Are there any last words you'd like to share with your fans?

(Chris) I'd like to thank you for your time also (That wasn't necessary, the pleasure was all mine Chris!) and I'd really like to thank all your readers and everyone who watches the show. Without them, I wouldn't have a job.

I would like to include that Chris is also a wonderful poet, and I felt compelled to include a poem he created (with his permission of course) to display that beneath the 'Spike' on Passions.. there is really a man with a heart.

AS I LOOK OUT TO THE VASNESS OF THE SEA, WE ALL LOOK TO THE QUESTIONS FOR THE ANSWERS THAT CAN'T BE, THE MAGNITUDE THE SIZE IN WHICH NONE CAN ME MATCHED, I LAUGH IN DISMAY AT THE SPECULATION I HATCHED, I FEEL GROWTH I FEEL RICH IN ALL THAT IS REAL, IT'S SO GOOD TO BE ALIVE AND HAVE THE THE HEART AND MIND TO FEEL, SO LIVE FOR TODAY BECAUSE TOMORROW MAY NOT COME , TO LIVE BY THESE WORDS EVERYDAY, NOT JUST SOME,

CM

Once again, I want to thank Chris for taking the time to answer some of my probing questions, and allowing me this chance to share a bit of his personality with fans.

You can watch Christopher Maleki weekdays from 2-3 pm on NBC, or you can view more of his work at Christopher Maleki's IMDB Page.