One-on-One: Conversations with Actors

Charlie David grew up in Saskatchewan with a “huge imagination” – and used it every chance he had, to entertain family and friends from early childhood.  “Since I was little, I imagined being in the arts,” he recalls.  “I did some radio, theater … but if you want to achieve your big dream, you have to make that move.”  He received his first paycheck at the age of twelve, performing in the popular Charles Dickens’ classic, “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” – an unfinished work where audience members vote on the ending they’d most like to see.  With a storyline that makes anywhere from 12-20 solutions to the crime possible, the cast (including the pre-teen Charlie) had to be ready, literally at a moment’s notice, to perform whatever ending the audience saw fit.  Formidable training for a young actor, but Charlie was up to the challenge – so much so, his work on the show led to other offers … and to the realization by his parents (who wanted their son home more) that maybe little Charlie was as talented as he was determined.

Radio jingles, TV commercials and other small projects led Charlie, by the age of fifteen, to the life-changing experience of joining Saskatchewan Express, an innovative musical theater troupe that toured throughout west Canada and the United States.  While other teenagers were hanging out, hassling with homework, or just discovering each other at school dances or sporting events, Charlie David was balancing being a kid with following a dream.

“High school was interesting,” Charlie admits.  “Half the time in school, half the time on the road.  It was a great experience, doing 1-3 shows a day … really gave me a taste of life on the road.” 

Sometimes the balancing act got a bit hectic:  “One time, my junior or senior year, when we were right into finals, I did a show … then had to run back to do my departmental exam … then back again.  (An actor must have) talent, a packed suitcase, a passport, and a smile; I’ve always had to travel for work.  It’s a bit of a gypsy lifestyle, but I love it – can’t tell you the countless times you go on an audition … then a day or two later, you’re on-set, working.”

This vagabond lifestyle of this already-seasoned theatrical performer came to a head during his first year of college, when Charlie’s now-best friend – Derek James – had just finished his tour with Disney, and had landed a spot with a boy band.  The band had lost its bass voice; Charlie auditioned for the position by phone on a Monday evening …

And by that Wednesday, he was in Malibu for photo-shoots and meetings – his career taking yet another unanticipated turn.

“It was a really manufactured process,” Charlie says.  “ ‘Here’s a condo; here’s a car’ – I mean, I had just come out of a performance-based college … and here I was, part of a band where we were all told to just lay around the pool, or go to parties.  We hadn’t even been in a studio or recorded anything!”  Charlie and Derek, knowing they wanted more – wanted to actually create – left the process and “ended up broke in Vegas”.  Hiring a publicist, the two actor/singers also found two other performers as hungry as they were … and the boy band 4 Now was born. 

“We finally got some songs written and recorded, self-producing everything on our own; there were lots of ups and downs with 4 Now.”  Some of the ups definitely being when the band was often on tour and opening for acts ranging from Snoop Dogg to Pink, Destiny’s Child to Black Eyed Peas to Rick Springfield – years Charlie now looks back on with both pride and mixed emotions. 

“In the end, we had a deal on the table with Sony,” Charlie remembers.  “But we had issues and arguments with management, regarding unpaid gigs and such … and Derek and I wanted to pursue acting.  While things were settling down with the band, (Derek and I) each got pilots … and the band just kind of faded out.”

But professional issues weren’t the only clouds hanging over the budding actor/singer/writer … who was also struggling with a public image that – initially – seemed destined to clash with the man he was inside.  Being a part of BoyCrazy! magazine opened his eyes to this issue particularly.

“When I was living in Las Vegas, and part of the boy band … it was both the best and worst of times.  We were recording, touring, everything was cool – but my personal life was topsy-turvy.  The pressure to come across as straight, and to appeal to teen and tween females, was incredible.” 

Charlie thinks a minute, then continues after a brief sigh, remembering.  “The tough part is, I’ve always been an honest, forthright person; I wasn’t strong enough to lead a double life anymore – and it would also be like asking those close to me to lie, and stretch the truth.  That would kill me.

“As important as my career is – as much as I love doing what I do – I just couldn’t do it.”

Part of this strong, true-to-himself character that exists in Charlie David can be traced right back to the core of a strong family, as well.  “I came out to my parents when I was 16; my family and friends have always been supportive.  It’s kind of jarring, even now, to go back – my family is major excited to meet boyfriends, see a wedding; even children. 

“I have an older brother in the military, a younger sister in education, and another who’s a physical fitness instructor.  Our parents were always encouraging with whatever any of us wanted to pursue.  It’s definitely beyond the realm of their experience – when I call and tell them I’m on a billboard in Times Square, they can’t comprehend, necessarily, what that’s like – but they get a kick out of what I do.  Even my grandparents are wonderful – I was very nervous about telling them, especially regarding the generational difference, but they’ve been so great; my grandfather even told me he had gay friends in the military, during World War II – and that he can’t wait for the marriage, and to be a great-grandfather!”

Indeed, the warmth in Charlie’s voice, when speaking of family, is unmistakable – making it easy to see how the well-grounded and humble performer keeps it real, in an industry of pretension and make-believe. 

After 4 Now, working as a model in L.A. (some print, some live events) helped pay the bills, but modeling wasn’t where Charlie’s real passion lay.  He readily admits to preferring hosting (“F.Y.E.!”, “Crash Test Mommy” and the travel show “Bump!” only name a few) and acting, his two real loves.  “Modeling’s a little ‘static’ for me, “he reveals – though Charlie backs up that statement by also admitting that an underwear shoot in El Salvador catered to another real love he has – traveling. 

But the multi-talented performer also readily adds the moniker “writer” to his list of growing titles.  “It keeps me sane,” he says.  “Being an actor is a rollercoaster of emotions; right now I am ‘on hold’ for three projects I’m waiting to hear about.  Writing really helps; it’s something I can pursue on my own time that keeps me from obsessing over auditions.”  He’s been writing since college, thanks to Julia Cameron’s book “The Artist’s Way” – which “started it all” according to Charlie, who even now is still currently reworking a novel he’s completed.  Canada’s Reel Fast Film Festival – a challenge that saw Charlie writing, shooting and editing the short film “Is He…” within one 48-hour period, made the actor realize “I really dig this!”  He’s currently shopping a sitcom idea around to producers, as well – but his main focus is the continuing effort to raise funds for his film Mulligan’s (now in development, and with “The L Word” star Thea Gill already attached to co-star), which Charlie describes as a film about “two best friends who go home for the summer holiday, where everything’s torn apart when one of the friends has an affair with the other friend’s dad.”  If nothing else gives you a testament to the love and dedication to people, that Charlie David both gives and gets in his life as an artist and human being, consider this: many people working on Mulligan’s are donating their time and talent on the film free of charge – just to make a mid-range-budget film on a small budget.

And consider Charlie, the writer himself – who originally wrote the film for himself and best friend Derek James to star in.  With Derek now working on a TV show in Russia, Charlie and Rubberducky Films (the production company) have pushed shooting back to the spring – when Victoria Island is at its best, and Derek schedule will be free.

Such is the friendship you get from – and readily give back to – Charlie David.

And it was such a friendship that Charlie was able to hone when the casting director of “Dante’s Cove” saw an audition tape of Charlie’s, and invited the actor to screen test for “Dante’s Cove”.  That afternoon, the president of Regent Entertainment hired Charlie for the pilot, though for which role Charlie still didn’t know.  He was already on-set to shoot the pilot when he learned that his friend Sam Irvin was directing – an extra perk already on top of Charlie’s learning that he was to play Toby.

“Toby’s attractive to me because of the monogamous relationship he has with Kevin.  I wanted to put out there my reflection of the gay community, which is that there are gay men out there who want a relationship – want a family.  To have the chance to play a character who’s in a committed relationship.”  As someone who also “grew up devouring Anne Rice novels,” Charlie “loved the gothic atmosphere” of “Dante’s Cove” and is very proud of both the show and his work on it.  “I enjoy the fan mail – the recurring theme tat people are attracted to the Toby/Kevin relationship like a Rachel/Ross from “Friends” deal: they have issues, but are meant to be together.”  Charlie likes the fact that fans have told him they feel Toby to be a “friendly, approachable, honest guy – the voice of reason.”  He has a deep commitment to the character, for sure – but even more so to himself, which is emphasized when asked about what effect he feels being an openly gay actor may have on the future of his career.

“There will be many roles I’ll never be considered for – or get – as an openly gay actor.  That’s not easy to think about … but it’s okay.  There are amazing things happening, but we’re not there yet – we’re still praising straight actors for playing gay, but why is that so amazing when it’s just another character?  As members of the LBGT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender) community, we have many different faces – come from all walks of life – and it’s important to me to bring a strong representation of that community forward.”  He admits to having seen amazing growth – even in his personal life, as his mom now calls him to recommend gay –themed movies that she has seen and enjoyed –

“But if I play gay characters for the rest of my life, I’m cool with that – so long as they’re interesting characters who challenge me.”  After a moment he adds, “There will be challenges in my career- times when I’ll be pigeonholed – but maybe if that happens to me now, maybe the next generation may not have to go through that … can maybe just go through their job, without anyone wondering about who they love or sleep with.”

Amazing words from an amazing man – but before every gay man in America brushes off their dance shoes and tapes Charlie David pin-ups to their wall … you need to know, this is one of the good ones who’s taken:

“I have the most amazing man in my life; we sit down for dinner at night and talk through the day – have coffee in the morning.  We’re supportive, we really love each other.  He wants the best for me – for us – and beyond what we do separately, we work on projects together.  When I’m kissing someone on screen, he knows it’s my job – at the end of the day, we know where the love is.”

Beyond “Dante’s Cove’, Charlie’s just finished shooting a four letter word in New York City – an indie film that will be doing the festival circuit in the spring of 2007, sort of a “gay Pretty Woman” in which Charlie plays a street hustler who falls in love with a  pathological liar (“A neat twist on playing a friendly, upbeat guy like Toby.”).  Meanwhile, he continues with hosting, and continues seeking roles that challenge him:

“Something quite dark.  I’m often cast as the guy next door; someone like Ambrosius (the darkest character on “Dante’s Cove”) would be a challenge.  Maybe someone mentally disturbed – a sociopath – like the characters in Running with Scissors.”  Actors who inspire his own work include Gael Garcia Bernal (“He is fearless as a performer, and seems to have a huge emotional well to draw on), and loves the comedic styles of actors like Owen Wilson, Seann William Scott, and even Will Ferrell (“I would love to play both ends of the spectrum.”)

With such openness, you’d think Charlie David would have no side not easily seen by the public – but in fact, when asked what fan should probably know about him that they may now know already, the answer is both a surprise … yet totally in keeping with Charlie’s character.

“The fact that I am an aspiring family man.  That path is very important, and I just can’t wait to have kids.  Not now, but maybe within a 5-year window.”  He’s already looked into the adoption process, as well as sought advice from friends who’ve adopted from overseas.  “I’m definitely a planner,” he adds.  “The idea needs to be well thought-out; bringing a child into your life should be planned.”  Other goals in that 5-year window include seeing more of his screenplays developed/produced … as well as the hope that more challenging roles will come to him as a an actor.  He also seeks to continue hosting, as he loves the personalities he meets and the traveling that comes with the job – and definitely marriage and maybe a first child fit into the plan, as well.  “I’m going to be the type of person who will have a long career path in this industry, but who won’t be career-obsessed; kind of like Warren Beatty or Annette Bening. 

And in further giving back all that he gets, Charlie also hopes to always continue working with his favorite causes, like the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation (an organization dedicated to helping kids with cancer and leukemia – www.candlelighters.org, www.candlelighters.ca).  He also works with inner city gangs, and is a huge supporter of independent film via First Weekend Club (www.firstweekendclub.ca).  Hollywood HEART (www.hollywoodheart.org), a Los Angeles non-profit organization that provides recreational and educational opportunities to at-risk youth, is a cause he and his partner hope to work with more in the future, as well.

He’s eager flattered when asked for an autograph, and often does signings at Pride events in Canada and the USA.  “I do a lot of public appearance stuff,” Charlie says.  “It’s wonderful to meet fans in person, talk about the shows and get to know them.  If people don’t have access to me one-on-one, they can email me through my website (www.charliedavid.com) for a  headshot, postcard – whatever.”  Indeed, Charlie’s website is informative and entertaining enough, even non-fans will have fun exploring all the pages have to offer.

Definitely a man who wants to make a difference in the world, and in people – none of which shows more than in Charlie’s reply, after a long thought, when asked how he’d like to be remembered 100 years from now:

“I want to be remembered for the creations I put into the world – whether via writing, film, or acting… that people got enjoyment from it, education from it, and that is serves as an indication of where we were in 2006.

“I’ll be a little dot on the map – a performer who came out early, and enabled other performers, who’ve come out since, to be able to be who they are.”

Not a bad legacy for a show biz-loving kid from Regina, Saskatchewan, who was born with a huge imagination – and an even bigger heart.