The Spur Newspaper Montgomery College -May 12 1997


Renee O'Connor Interview
by Interview Questions Prepared by Malaurie Hotier


Q. How old were you when you started your career? Did you always know that you wanted to be an actress?
ROC. I think I was about 12 years old when I started working in plays at the Neighborhood Theater in Katy (a town just west of Houston). Then I started going into Houston to take lessons at the Alley Theater. When I was 16, I auditioned for the HSPVA (The Houston School of the Performing & Visual Arts) and from then on, I knew I wanted to be an actress.

If you weren't an actress, what other career would you have pursued?
Actually, I was always interested in marine biology. I probably would have gone in that direction.

How did you get cast in the role of Gabrielle?
I auditioned for the part after playing a somewhat similar character on Hercules, the TV movie. I was drawn to "Gabrielle" from the moment I read the part. Gabrielle was very young, spirited, naive. And I definitely have a sense of that in myself that I can bring out.

Gabrielle has changed in a "positive" way since the beginning of the first season.
You're right. Gabrielle has developed a sense of who she is.

Did you have anything to do with this improvement?
From the beginning, I had hoped that she would mature quickly. But the writers are very careful to make sure that she grows up at a pace that's believable to the audience.

Playing with Lucy Lawless seems like a lot of fun.
She's fantastic to work with. It IS a lot of fun.

Do you have a favorite episode? Why?
"A Day in the Life". It's with Lucy, actually, throughout the entire episode. Very few characters interact with us in that one; the episode has more to do with our relationship.

Are there actresses or directors you would like to work with in the future? Have you been inspired by the work of particular actresses or directors?
In terms of actresses, I admire Jessica Lange and Sally Field, just because of their range. To pick a director is hard; there are so many that I like! I love the spectacle of Steven Spielberg; but then I love the energy of Martin Scorsese. And then I love how Francis Ford Coppola can tell an epic story. I respect and admire all of these people - and I'd love to learn something from them. But (laughing) we will see....

Many actors on TV shows have trouble "recycling" themselves when the show is over. Are you concerned about being stereotyped as "Gabrielle, Warrior Bard" (Renee chuckles) and having trouble finding different types of roles?
Not particularly, because Gabrielle is set in another time. I could probably do anything "contemporary" and that would be quite different.

Are you intending to keep on filming Xena for awhile?
Yes (warmly). As long as they'll have me.....

Do you have any special plans for the season break? Any movies to be filmed?
No, no plans for a film. Right now, I'm looking to study directing.

In your eyes, which country is the more beautiful
- New Zealand or the United States?
It's hard to say. America is so spread out and has so much to offer. But New Zealand is so "untouched" and so naturally beautiful! You can't help but go outside of Auckland and just be dumbfounded at how beautiful it is, noticing that there are no homes and no people around. So I'd have to say that New Zealand is more beautiful, because it's untouched.

What do you enjoy doing when you're not acting?
I do try to read and take in films, just to keep up with what's going on around me. I rock climb. And I do work out as much as I can to keep a well-rounded, healthy body.

Renei is not a common American name. Do you have any foreign origins?
(I was wondering because my grandmother's name is Renei. She is French and has Irish blood!)
Actually, I think we have Irish in our family. But my mother named me after a girlfriend of hers from high school.

Do you believe in the American Dream? What is the American Dream to you?
I believe that if a person or people aspire to a dream, they can achieve it. But they must continue to be persistent and ambitious. And they must seek education.

What is your favorite movie?
Gosh! I have so many favorites. The one I always tend to think of, though, is The Piano. And it's probably because I am living in New Zealand, and I work with a lot of the crew from The Piano. But I just thought it was a wonderfully symbolic and beautifully-shot film. It's a love story, just gorgeous. And Holly Hunter is in it. She's one of my favorite actresses as well.

I am from France. And when I first moved here, I was shocked by many things such as the impossible number of cereals at the supermarket! Did anything strike you when you first arrived in New Zealand?
That's an interesting question. I was surprised at how cosmopolitan Auckland is. It's quite a big city, and I was expecting it to be more rural. The people are more "British" than I had expected.

There are many things revolting in the world, such as child abuse, hunger....If you could help in any way, what would you do?
A very profound question. (A long pause here). I especially realized when traveling to Africa that people can't "change" the world. Yet if we do our own little part, maybe it will help in some way. Mine, right now - because I'm fortunate to have a job - is to participate in any sort of charity that I can. And the other way is to provide entertainment for people. I know that will change over the years. Hopefully, I will be able to do more as I gain education- and become more capable.


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