William Ragsdale
"Brother's Keeper" - ABC
William Ragsdale had an extensive television and stage career before landing the role of Porter Waide on ABC's "Brother's Keeper." Not only did he star in FOX's "Herman's Head," a show which featured the inner workings of one man's brain, but he had several notable guest spots on ABC's "Ellen" and the sitcom "Hope & Gloria." On stage, he's had major roles in "Getting Away With Murder" and "Biloxi Blues" on Broadway. Ragsdale lives in Los Angeles.
SB: Tell us your favorite TV shows?
WR: I generally watch shows that are informative and deal with subjects that are historical or scientific or political. I also enjoy "Frontline" on PBS and "60 Minutes." The only other thing I watch with some regularity is "South Park."
SB: You played Ellen DeGeneres' boyfriend on "Ellen." What other TV actress would you like to be a boyfriend to?
WR: That chick who used to play Emily Valentine on "Beverly Hills 90210." Pretty, but brainy. Very sexy.
SB: If you were leader of the free world, what would be your first declaration?
WR: No more creeds of intolerance and lots more bicycles.
SB: How do you like to relax after work?
WR: A nice dinner and a movie.
SB: What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you on a set?
WR: One time while doing a play with Nathan Lane, we got to a scene where he had to run into the room and wake me. I was lying on the bed and he flew into the room and his knee broke the headboard of the bed. A piece of it flew off and hit me in the face and made this huge gash in my forehead. I had to do the rest of the scene with blood pouring down my face. The audience was aghast.
SB: If you had to live in somebody's head, which emotion would you like to represent?
WR: Hhmm. I'm not sure. Whatever emotion taps into the taste buds. Good food is one of the fastest routes to Nirvana for me.
SB: What's the best showbiz advice you've gotten?
WR: Don't forget it's about entertainment.
SB: If you had to be a professional sports player like your brother on "Brother's Keeper," which sport would it be and why?
WR: Soccer. I just think it's such a beautiful game.
SB: If you hadn't become an actor, what do you think you'd be doing today?
WR: I like to think I would have become a writer or maybe a lawyer, but in reality I would probably just be doing the weather on some local TV station.
SB: All I ever needed to know I learned in:
WR: A state of profound confusion.
SB: What's your preference: CDs or Vinyl
WR: Vinyl
SB: Art Museum or Medieval Times
WR: Art Museum
SB: Bill Clinton or Monica Lewinsky?
WR: Bill Clinton