First things first, I’d like to thank you for taking the time to talk to us. You’ve appeared in an impressive array of projects, from The X-Files to Smart People and, of course, The Office. Next week, your new film Take will be released in theaters, co-starring Minnie Driver and Jeremy Renner.

Let’s begin with The Office, since it’s one of your more prominent roles. How did you end up on the show? Was Roy originally intended to be a one-shot character, or did you know that you were signing up for an important recurring role?

Well, I had seen the original version with Ricky Gervais so I had thought Roy would probably be around for a bit. But I did sign up for just a one time deal on the pilot. I hope to get to do a few of them, but I didn’t expect to last three seasons. It was a good time and a great run.

How would you describe your experience on the show? How did it compare to your other T.V. roles?

Working on The Office was an amazing experience. We all got to be part of something very special and that is really rare in TV. Most shows are asked to be like something else on TV. There is a formula to network television and to the traditional half hour comedy, but with The Office we got to take a blue print from the British version and create our own voice. I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve been involved with a more collaborative group of artists in TV. I doubt I’ll ever work with more talented writers and I’m just glad to have been a part of that.

Do you think Roy will ever return?

I think at some point people would want to see Roy run into JAM, but I don’t think we will ever see him in the capacity we once did. Who knows?

We’ve got some Tim Burton fans here, so I’m sure I’m not the only one who is curious about your experiences on the movie Big Fish playing Ewan McGregor’s rival. What was it like to work with Burton? What about McGregor?

Tim Burton is an amazing director. I had always been a big fan of his work and when this part came my way I couldn’t have been more thrilled.

Tim not only was one of the best directors I’ve ever worked with, but he is also one of the nicest. I wrongly assumed that because he had such a visual style he might not talk to actors that much, but we got along great. He was like a kid behind the camera. Laughing during takes and just having the time of his life. I loved his spirit and hope to get to do it again someday. As for that hack Ewan… he is by far my favorite big time celebrity I’ve been able to work with. Not only is he enormously talented, but he’s a class act. He is so kind to everyone and goes out of his way to make everyone feel comfortable around him. It was a really good experience all the way around. I really loved Big Fish.

This one is more for me, since I’m a huge geek. But - can you tell me what it was like working on Angel? Did you spend much time with Joss Whedon, David Boreanaz, or any other prominent players in the Buffyverse?

I didn’t work with Joss until he came on The Office and he hadn’t realized I played Skip on Angel. So you can imagine the triple take he took when he put them together. It was very funny. Joss was great and it was fun for us to see him kind of geeked out on The Office. I’d love to work with him again. I worked with David a few times on Angel and then once on Bones. He too had no idea what I looked like out of costume and was quite surprised to put the two together. I liked David. He is very quiet and pretty much keeps to himself on set. I wish I had some crazy story about fighting with him in the dungeon, but that was all a stunt doubles.

Let’s talk about your new project, Take. It’s coming out on July 25th, and you seem very excited about it. What’s it all about?

It opens in NYC on July 18 and on July 25th in Los Angeles, Orange County, Chicago, Austin, Atlanta, Salt Lake, and London. Then eventually it will open in Houston, Seattle, San Francisco, and Phoenix. The log lines goes like this…

The lives of two strangers—a struggling mother (Minnie Driver) and a gambling addict (Jeremy Renner)—converge in unspeakable tragedy. Years later, they must come to terms with themselves and one another. As two pivotal days, one past and one present, unfold in a non-linear mosaic, Take explores the corrosive effects of resentment and hatred.

It’s a very intense film and I play Minnie Drivers husband. I don’t want to say too much more other then I think it will be a good film and quite different from all the other summer movies out there.

For the benefit of those of us who live in podunk towns, do you know if Take is getting a wide release?

If it does really well they will try to expand it, but you might just have to wait until DVD.

Tell me about the experience of working on Take. And how’s Minnie Driver doing these days?

I thought it was a really great script about a very important subject matter. Restorative Justice is at the core of it, but it’s not why I wanted to work on the movie. I thought Charles Oliver was a very smart guy with a script that had a lot of colors in it. I think Minnie is a very talented woman and getting to work with her was an exciting opportunity. I don’t really know what she is up to these days. I think she is doing a show on FX, but I don’t know. We had a good time working together, but it is just that… work. When the job ends we all go on to the next one.

So far, what has been your favorite T.V. role? What about movies?

Well, I enjoyed working on The X Files, mainly because I was such a fan. It was a good episode too with aliens and all kinds of freaking out. I liked doing that job. As for film, I’d have to say Lance in Out Cold, because it isn’t something I get to play that often and we had so much fun making it.

Outside of your professional life, what are your favorite T.V. shows and movies? Do you think that being an actor in so many projects has affected the way you watch them, or your ability to enjoy them?

That’s hard to answer… I can’t give you favorites, but you can look on my myspace page and see a ton of movies I like. As for how I look at them, that is definitely effected by my work. I remember seeing movies when I was younger and I thought “wow that was so good” and I look at it now and think “what the hell is that?” It’s all relative, but I really like movies and TV shows from all genres for different reasons.

What do you do in your spare time?

Travel. Train for mini triathlons. Ride my motorcycle. And eat too much food.

Any other upcoming plans or projects you’d like to mention?

I have a movie called Fanboys that I did awhile back that we are hoping will come out in September. Keep an eye out for it. It should be funny.

Thanks again for satisfying our curiosity. I’d like to remind everyone that Take comes out on July 25th, and, if it doesn’t open in a theater near you, is available to save to your queue on Netflix. Take care, David!

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