Rich Sommer has been part of the amazing cast, as Harry Crane, on "Mad Men" for the past two seasons and he had a great comic turn as Doug in the hit "The Devil Wears Prada". What does this mean to us here in Dunderworld? Easy - he's the guy trying to break-up the beloved JAM. In season 5, Rich has played the role of Alex - Pam's art-school friend.
Recently ScrantonBranchOffice.com caught up with Rich and he shared his TwoCents with us about his role on The Office, PB&J, where his name comes from, Citizen Kane and more. Enjoy!
ScrantonBranchOffice: Could you please tell our readers a little about yourself and how you got your start in "show biz"?
Rich Sommer: I have a beautiful wife and daughter, I love Minnesota and board games, and I'm named after my father.
My big start came from doing a showcase with my Grad School classmates. I was approached by a fantastic manager, Davis Spylios Management, and we went from there. It's been amazing ever since.
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Rich Sommer has been part of the amazing cast, as Harry Crane, on "Mad Men" for the past two seasons and he had a great comic turn as Doug in the hit "The Devil Wears Prada".
ReplyDeleteWhat does this mean to us here in Dunderworld? Easy - he's the guy trying to break-up the beloved JAM. In season 5, Rich has played the role of Alex - Pam's art-school friend.
Recently ScrantonBranchOffice.com caught up with Rich and he shared his TwoCents with us about his role on The Office, PB&J, where his name comes from, Citizen Kane and more. Enjoy!
ScrantonBranchOffice: Could you please our readers a little about yourself and how you got your start in "show biz"?
Rich Sommer: I have a beautiful wife and daughter, I love Minnesota and board games, and I'm named after my father.
My big start came from doing a showcase with my Grad School classmates. I was approached by a fantastic manager, Davis Spylios Management, and we went from there. It's been amazing ever since.
SBO: You have a great role on the amazing show "Mad Men" and played a fun role in the hit "The Devil Wears Prada". What path led you to the Office Universe in the role of Alex - Pam's Art School "friend"?
RS: I met Mindy Kaling at a couple of events. We chatted about how much we liked the other person's show -- I am a huge Office fan, and she had really enjoyed the first season of Mad Men. We stayed in touch over time, and she mentioned that there was a part that I might be right for, and it worked out.
SBO: All shows with "couples" like to throw speed bumps at the relationships. In this season of "The Office", Alex is certainly looking like a speed bump to the Jim and Pam relationship. How do you feel about playing that role and have you had any backlash yet from "JAM" fans about your character's role?
RS: I've had lots of people tell me, both in person and via emails and comments to my blog, that I'd better not get in the way of PB&J. It's pretty phenomenal, actually. I've gotten almost as much correspondence regarding my time on The Office as I have from my time on two seasons of Mad Men.
As a fan of the show, of course I want Pam and Jim to be together with no hindrances. But as someone who's been in a relationship or two, I know also that a relationship without hindrances is, um, slightly unrealistic.
Although, they do seem to have had their fair share, haven't they?
SBO: Other guest actors who have appeared on The Office mention how wonderful an environment it is to work in. Do you have some favorite moments with the cast and crew of the episodes you've appeared in - either on camera or behind the scenes?
RS: Any time that I was able to sit and chat with anyone was fantastic. They are an incredibly warm and inviting cast, and their willingness to embrace a schmuck like me was very much appreciated. John and Jenna, Kate Flannery, Creed, Oscar, Brian, Mindy, of course -- they were all very welcoming.
SBO: What future projects do you have coming up that the fans can look for you in?
RS: Hmmm. Hopefully, a third season of Mad Men! Beyond that...
**Bonus Question!!**
SBO: If someone were to climb off a desert island and only have time to watch five movies to learn what American cinema is all about, what five movies would you show them?
RS: Citizen Kane, obviously. Then maybe The Godfathers 1 & 2, The Sound of Music, and Ghostbusters.
Many many many thanks to Rich Sommer for taking the time to help us expand the Office Universe here at ScrantonBranchOffice.com. Be sure to look for Rich in repeats of Mad Men and hopefully that third season too!
nice interview. i'm so glad alex didn't make a major play for pam though.
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ReplyDeleteGreat interview KP!
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