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INTERVIEWS
Josh
LeBar draws on all kinds of life experiences when giving
voice to Flash Thompson for "The Spectacular
Spider-Man."
LeBar, best known for his role as agent Ari Gold's arch
rival Josh Weinstein on HBO's "Entourage," has lived the
life of both a prep jock and an aspiring super hero … so
taking on Flash Thompson's persona wasn't much of a
reach.
Growing up in Cincinnati, LeBar was the captain of his
high school football team and then advanced to Butler
University, where he starred for a year before a
shoulder injury ended his career on the gridiron – and
permanently steered his livelihood toward the performing
arts.
LeBar's comic book experience is a little less refined –
as you'll note in the Q&A below. In addition to
"Entourage," LeBar has been a guest star on TV series
ranging from "CSI: New York" and "Boston Public" to "7th
Heaven" and HBO's "Tell Me You Love Me." In this
Saturday's episode of "The Spectacular Spider-Man,"
LeBar gets the opportunity to give Flash Thompson a more
heartfelt side that goes beyond his usual goofy bully
approach.
"Intervention," an all-new episode of "The Spectacular
Spider-Man" premieres this Saturday, June 7 at 10:00
a.m. ET/PT on CW4Kids.
Question:
Do you have any relatable history in the super hero
arena prior to assuming the role of Flash Thompson?
Josh LeBar answers:
Oh yeah, I did a lot of research (LeBar snickers) – I
played The Flash at Six Flags St. Louis. I had to put on
the muscle suit and the roller blades, so I could whoosh
around the park for about four hours a day.
I'd just be flying through the gates of Super Hero Den –
it was pretty much the easiest job ever. When I got the
part of Flash Thompson, I thought that was just a funny
coincidence.
Question:
What do you bring to the role of Flash Thompson?
Josh LeBar answers:
I think Flash has a certain brashness, but he also has a
likeability, so he's not a complete doof that you hate.
He's a dichotomy – he's got a few different sides, and
he surprises people. I was both a theatre guy and a
football guy in high school, and people tried to stick
me into that one-note category, depending on how they
knew me – and I didn't like being stereotyped. So when
the (Spider-Man) show gives me
the opportunity to represent his other sides, like this
week when you see Flash's compassion rather than just
all that testosterone, I really enjoy showcasing that
part of his character because I can relate to his
situation.
Question:
As a relative newcomer to the Los Angeles acting scene,
you seem to have had some quick success – between the
regular gig on "Entourage," guest starring roles and a
main cast voiceover job on "The Spectacular Spider-Man."
Is it as easy as it appears?
Josh LeBar says:
I think I've been on about 600 auditions since I got to
LA, and I consider my ratio (of success) pretty good. I
used to log all the auditions, but it got depressing.
Spider-Man is a real blessing because it's employment
that's consistent, and it's great acting. You aren't
defined by your face in animation, so you don't get
over-exposed. I do one episode of "Entourage," it gets
aired 40 times and my face gets played out. You can get
typecast. Here, you get to step in every week and use
your voice as your instrument and really push some
limits. You really get to participate in the acting part
of the job.
Question:
This is your first true voice acting experience, and
Spider-Man records its actors together rather than
individually. How are you acclimating to this process,
and was there any intimidation factor entering the booth
for the first time with 10-12 other actors?
Josh LeBar answers:
Everyone has made this a great experience. This is an
amazing ensemble cast – they're all complete and total
professionals. It's fun, because I've watched all of
them in their iconic roles. I used to watch "Coach," and
here's Bill Fagerbakke. I loved "L.A. Law," and I'm
standing next to Alan Rachins. I've never missed a
"Nightmare on Elm Street" movie, and the first week I
did Spider-Man I'm right here with Freddy Krueger
himself, Robert Englund. It's amazing to be a part of
such a great, experienced cast.
Moreover, the calibre of the voice actors on this show –
the people you normally never see on camera – are beyond
amazing. These are the real A-listers. You have no idea
how good the people are that do the Saturday morning
cartoons until you actually get to see them in action.
It's really humbling. They walk in and just start
switching between three or four characters on a dime.
Actors like Kevin (Michael Richardson) and Daran
(Norris) and Vanessa (Marshall) – I'm just in here
stocking up massive amounts of experience and
information from these pros. It was a little
intimidating at first, but I'm more confident now
because I've now seen how the best of the business do it
… and I just try to emulate that.
Question:
Has animation and comic books had any influence on your
life prior to joining the cast of "The Spectacular
Spider-Man"?
Josh LeBar answers:
I was a cartoon junkie as a kid – I'd make my mom wake
me an hour early so I could watch cartoons before
school. I never missed a "GI Joe" and I always loved the
old Batman series, and things like "Thundercats" and "Voltran."
I still love those shows. But now I have two nieces, and
they don't get to watch "Entourage" and my primetime
shows, so they're very excited to see their uncle as a
cartoon character. And I've got my TIVO and my alarm set
for Saturday mornings.
Images and interview provided by Sony Television Entertainment.
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