HOLLYWOOD—There are so many celebrities that have lit up our lives over the tube and the big screen. You have the sitcom sensations, teen idols, movie stars, stand-up comics and the celebrities that star as themselves. The celebrities that star as themselves, are the one-of-a-kind originals. Tommy Garrett is known as the headline hunter and the grand inquisitor interviewer. He is not afraid to ask a probing or confrontational question. Tommy will be appearing as himself in the upcoming Henry Jaglom film “Queen of the Lot” which is scheduled for release on November 18, in Los Angeles. The New York premiere is scheduled for December 1. Canyon News had the great honor to interview one of the true journalists of this decade, Tommy Garrett.
Q: Tommy, tell us about your first big break into this business?
A: “Well, I take it you are talking about my first movie break? When it comes to my first big break, that goes back decades. In 1982, I hosted a horror movies TV series for Fox, then in 2004 I created a classic movies TV series, which is in syndication now throughout several TV affiliates around the nation called ”˜Hollywood Classics,’ and of course my primetime TV debut was in 2006 on HGTV’s ”˜Living With Ed.’ I guest-starred on CBS’s soap ”˜As The World Turns’ previously. However, yes, this is my first movie. The film is ”˜Queen of the Lot,’ a film by the great Henry Jaglom. I have a cameo in it, and it’s a lot of fun. I use empathy when interviewing an actress Maggie Chase, played by Tanna Frederick.
“Maggie is someone we will feel like we know. It’s very coincidental, but she’s living the life we have witnessed Lindsay Lohan live this past year. However, when we filmed the movie in December of 2008, who knew this would be such a timely subject?”
Q: The character you are playing is yourself, did you have to prepare for the role?
A: “Yes, I did prepare for the role, but not for the interviewing of the character part. I had to get my nerves up to be prepared for a very challenging, yet acclaimed director. It went a lot easier than I had thought it would. I had taken the advice of the late Darlene Conley, who worked in Alfred Hitchcock’s ”˜The Birds’ and on ”˜The Bold and the Beautiful.’ My friend Darlene often told me to go into the dressing room and be quiet, don’t waste my energy chit-chatting around the set with everyone. So I took her advice, when my call came to be on-set, my energy level was high, so we did the scene in one take. I love working for Henry and will do so any time he ever wants me again.”
Q: How did you find Henry Jaglom’s story and what was the process behind making it into “Queen of the Lot?”
A: “Henry is so very professional. He makes the process work for you. He brings out the best performance possible, by giving stern guidance, but true freedom to be yourself. So if you are in the moment, in the scene, you can fly! When I finished the scene, I felt exhilarated, not tired or nervous at all. The story is sensational. It’s something that everyone will be able to identify with. For those of us in the industry, it has one meaning, but for viewers who know nothing about Hollywood, they will find a love story and a story of redemption, as only Henry [Jaglom] can tell. He’s truly the William Wyler of this era. I felt like Henry Fonda for a day!”
Q: I’ve watched the trailer of “Queen of the Lot” and loved it. What do you want to tell the audiences about the movie?
A: “Be prepared to laugh, to cry and to say, ‘That really didn’t happen!’ It’s a wild ride, one of the best written scripts I’ve ever been handed. I’ve turned roles down in the past if the script was lame, this was not. Get ready to see Tanna Frederick do what no actress has done since Bette Davis in ”˜All About Eve.’”
Q: Your movie career is really taking off; tell us about your next movie?
A: “My next film is a vampire hits 90210 type of story. It’s called “Twilight of the Gods,” and I get to work with exciting but equally as talented producer [Domi Arcangeli] and director [Kern Saxton] for this film. I can’t divulge what happens, but imagine ”˜Dynasty’ meets ”˜True Blood.’ I’m really excited to be chosen for this role, which again, I did not have to audition for. So far I’ve not had to audition for any of the roles I’ve had on TV or on film. The script for ”˜Twilight of the Gods’ is absolutely amazing. I literally shook for an hour after reading it. I have not been this moved by a script in a long time. And to my promise of 27 years ago, I still will be on-screen in a suit and tie.”
Q: Would you like to share with us what the next addition to your resume is?
A: “After ”˜Twilight’ there are two films I’m slated to do. One is a zombie picture and the other, another horror film. It’s all very exciting, but I keep it all in perspective. Hot today in Hollywood may mean cool next week. So I’m keeping my day jobs! Which thankfully all are all in the entertainment industry.
On Saturday, November 6, Tommy won for Best Ensemble at the Wild Rose Independent Film Festival. Tanna Frederick won for Best Actress, Noah Wyle for Best Actor, Ron Vignone for Best Editing, Henry Jaglom for Best Director and the film “Queen of the Lot” won for Best Picture.
Photograph Courtesy: Inbar Television Productions
