Xaviax Speaks!

An Interview With Actor William O`Leary Author: Bob Johnson Special Thanks to Steve Wang Official Website: Kamen Rider Dragon Knight CW 4Kids-TV Kamen Rider Dragon Knight A superhero television series is only as good as the villain they have to confront. For KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT, the producers turned to a veteran television and movie actor who they felt could carry the series as a villain that would appear from the very first to very last episode. William O`Leary spoke with SciFi Japan as we looked into just what makes a good villain bad and what it is like to go through the hectic and manic schedule of an independently produced television series. SciFi Japan - Tell us about your background growing up? What got you into acting? William O’Leary - My dad walked out when I was 4 and didn’t come back for 5 years. My mom tried to do a good job with me but even as a little kid I was getting into fights (which I always lost…). She had tried everything and one day saw an audition for the Narnia play THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE she made me audition. I got the role of Edmund (the rotten kid, naturally) and I loved it. I acted all through middle school, high school, college and then a Masters program (MFA). SFJ - You’ve done both film and television work, which do you prefer and why? O’Leary - Actually for me, film and TV are very similar. There’s more time on a movie; TV goes very fast. The big pleasure is theatre. There are no second takes; it’s live. SFJ - What do you consider to be your first breakout role? The one that made you think “now I’m an actor!”?

O’Leary - Even though I’d acted all my life I never felt like a real actor until I was able to go home from New York City one Christmas and announce to my family that I was going to open on Broadway opposite Ed Harris. THAT was when I felt like I was a real actor! It was a great time; I was very lucky. SFJ - What was the name of the play and what was your role? O’Leary - I played Ed Harris’ son in a play called PRECIOUS SONS about a Chicago family in the 50’s. SFJ - It looks like your main recurring role before that of General Xaviax was as Marty Taylor in 30 episodes of Tim Allen’s HOME IMPROVEMENT. What was that like? O’Leary - Yes, I’d actually done 25 episodes as a regular on the series DEAR JOHN (another sitcom) but they decided to cancel the show before they all aired. HOME IMPROVEMENT was awesome. Everyone worked really hard and the people were very funny. The show was # 1 while I was on it and that’s always a great feeling. Tim was a genius and they were very good to me. They let me write jokes for the show and that is unheard of for someone who is not a series regular. I loved it. SFJ - Was there any particular memories that stood out from the show? Favorite scenes or moments? O’Leary - Well, for me personally there was the blooper I made (which is available on the DVD) that actually became one of Dick Clarks Top Ten favorites; they even aired it on ABC’s Anniversary show. SFJ - How did you come across the role in KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT? O’Leary - I was actually submitted for it by my agent. And actually I’ve never told anyone this but when I auditioned, I hadn’t worked in a while and I was really depressed about my career. So I left town and drove 2500 miles cross country to my family’s cabin in Northern Wisconsin and I didn’t tell my agent I was leaving town. Of course they called me and said “They want to see you again for Xaviax..and the audition is the day after tomorrow!!!” Well, I couldn’t tell them I was days away and couldn’t make it so, I borrowed the money to fly back on one day’s notice and did the audition. Good choice! SFJ - What was your reaction when you first read a script or description of your character?

O’Leary - I had no idea!!! [laughs] Seriously, I had never been familiar with that form of Japanese entertainment! I had studied Japanese history and culture a little. I loved Japanese filmmaking and thought the U.S had a lot to learn from the Japanese people’s ability to handle their new reality after World War II. They adapted to their changed circumstances far better than we have; they have become more innovative and flexible and accepting of the future. But when it came to KAMEN RIDER, and it’s artistic style or how to act it, I was completely lost! My upbringing was Western: NARNIA and THE LORD OF THE RINGS. So I really had to trust the creators Steve and Mike Wang; they were awesome and so knowledgeable and passionate about getting it right and pleasing the Japanese fans. SFJ - As Xaviax, you are the main villain on the show, however although the character is evil, he also has to be charming to coax the different people into becoming Kamen Riders. How do you strike the right balance between the two extremes? Come off as charming and yet still remain a villain that viewers will love to hate? O’Leary - Typecasting. Really it’s what I’ve always been good at; appearing nice when I’m really not. SFJ - What was the schedule like working on the show? I assume the shooting was fairly hectic? O’Leary - Scheduling was insane!!! We shot an episode every three days. Consider that an episode of HOME IMPROVEMENT would take a week, what we did was amazing. SFJ - Of the actors on the show, you seem to have the most acting background. Did you mentor some of the younger or less experienced cast members?

O’Leary - Yes. I had tried (and probably failed, you can ask them!) be very careful and not make too many ‘suggestions’. I’m also an acting teacher and it was really hard to film all day, drive 90 minutes from the studio and straight into acting class and teach for 4 or 5 hours, and then figure out which hat I was wearing when I got back on the set at 6 the next morning! I’m pretty sure they were reeeeally tired of me giving them pointers…. SFJ - How did the cast get along? Were there any standouts that you felt you had a good rapport with in scenes? O’Leary - I hated not having more to do with the ‘heroes’. I loved the actors I manipulated and influenced but really wanted to get into it with Matt, Stephen and Carrie. Carrie was actually one of my students! SFJ - I`m sure acting class would not totally prepare someone for a show of this kind. How do you feel she did in the series? Would you give her a passing grade? O’Leary - Carrie was awesome!! My acting class teaches TV and film that is currently casting so we do everything. Crime dramas, to horror films, to special effects movies. She was always soooo positive and willing to try stuff. And a really good actress!

SFJ - What was your overall experience and impressions of playing a villain in this type of show? O’Leary - I loved it. You never get to have this much fun playing different characters unless you’re a huge movie star! SFJ - Did you get to wear the Xaviax armor? Or was it always a stunt actor? O’Leary - No, it was always one of the awesome stunt crew. SFJ - Did you have to work with the stunt crew to get certain characteristics or movements coordinated about your character so they would match? O’Leary - Yes, we tried to do a lot of that at the beginning but as the schedule went on and we didn’t film at the same time, we weren’t able to do as much. SFJ - What kinds of things did Steve and Mike have to do to get the right reactions out of the actors? I know in most effects movies and series, you don`t always see what is in the scenes with you... O’Leary - Honestly I didn’t see much of the effect stuff they did with the other actors. And it doesn’t really matter much to me who or what I’m acting with. I always just put myself in the situation. SFJ - What are your plans moving into the future? O’Leary - I’ve opened my own acting school and am producing a movie. SFJ - Can you tell us about Flyover Productions? O’Leary - It’s the production company I formed with my partner Seth William Meier. We are making financially responsible, low budget movies that people can enjoy without $80 - $150 million dollar budgets! Like the Japanese; we have learned to do more with less. SFJ - Can you talk a little bit about the movie you are producing?

O’Leary - Trying to get independent movies made today is really difficult. So you have to be very imaginative and creative. I wouldn’t want to give it away except to say it’s an old concept that is very successful that is usually pretty expensive to make but we’ve placed it in new circumstances that should be really exciting but that we can afford to make. It might even require some special effects! Hmmm. Steve…where are you…? SFJ - Is there anything you would like to say to the viewers and potential future viewers of KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT? O’Leary - I hope the series is hugely successful especially in Japan, because I desperately want to come and film there someday and I want to be (happily!!) booed in the streets because I’m recognized as General Xaviax!!!!! Stay tuned to SciFi Japan as we introduce you to some of the other villains from KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT, coming soon!

For more information on KAMEN RIDER DRAGON KNIGHT please see the previous coverage here on SciFi Japan: