By his own admission, Colin Hanks, a cast member of the WB sci-fi drama "Roswell," flies "under the radar."
While others on the show such as Jason Behr and Katherine Heigl generate lots of media and fan attention, Hanks moves though his normal life without a peep. For some Hollywood types, missing out on the hype would be a hassle. Not for Hanks.
"I'm completely fine with that," he said. "I'm just happy to be working. I'm just a 22-year-old actor in L.A. who works consistently. That's what really comforts me, that I'm working and I have money to put food on the table."
Hanks plays Alex Whitman on the Monday night show about a group of aliens who look like humans and live in Roswell, N.M.
Hanks plays Alex Whitman, one of the humans the aliens befriend.
"We know more about their history and their purpose," Hanks said of the current season. "We're seven episodes deep [into production]. We've been exploring all sorts of story lines about other aliens out to get us and trying to keep it a secret.
"We push the science fiction now, which is great because it opens up so many doors," he added.
The show debuted last season to good reviews and a strong cult following, although its ratings were generally weak. Then, when it appeared "Roswell" might be canceled, fans began a campaign to get the show renewed that involved their sending thousands of bottles of Tabasco sauce to the WB. Show followers know, of course, that the aliens love Tabasco.
"It was great," Hanks said of the campaign. "That way, you know that people are actually watching the show and they like it. … It's praise for a job well done."
Despite the media attention for the near-cancellation, Hanks said he was not overly concerned. If the show continued, great. If not, he would be back out on auditions the next day.
Part of his approach to the business, no doubt, is genetic. As the son of Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks, Colin knows a little bit about the business.
Being the son of a famous actor is a double-edged sword, he said.
"When I was first auditioning, I hadn't been in anything, so people were going on the name," he said. "Then it was, 'Let's see what he can do; can he cut it?' But if I [stunk], people wouldn't ask me back."
Since starting on "Roswell," he has landed parts in two movies — "Whatever It Takes" and the upcoming "Get Over It" — and he will continue to audition when he can.
"I just want to be able to work," he said. "That's the thing. If the big name and everything that comes with it comes, great. But I just want to act."
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