James Roday

James Roday starred as 'Fin' in the Off-Broadway production of 'Extinction' which played from 13 Feb - 14 Mar 2010 at the Cherry Lane Theatre.

Place of birth?
San Antonio, TX.

You now live in?
NYC.

Did you go to training school, if so which one?
NYU - TSOA (Experimental Theater Wing).

As an actor, do you have a preference for stage, tv or film?
My preference is for good material, regardless of medium. That being said, there is no real equivalent to doing good theater.

Your first stage performance?
I was five or six and it was a church play and I think I was a paige or a serf or something.

Career highlight to date?
Psych -- it opened doors and it's a truly special group.

What roles would you most like to play?
I like being challenged. I'm happy to go down swinging and/or fail magnificently.

What's the best advice you have ever received?
Check your ego and your baggage at the door.

What has been your most embarrassing moment on stage?
It wasn't a moment, it was an entire production. The first time I tried Chekhov in college. Talk about going down swinging...

What is the most annoying part about your job?
Nobody wants to hear actors bitch about how tough it is to be actors. It's not. We're blessed, lucky and incredibly fortunate. Period.

Briefly tell us how you become involved with Extinction?
I'm part of a theater company in Los Angeles and we produced it there first. I went to school with Gabe McKinley, the playwright, and we had been looking for an opportunity to collaborate for some time. It all came together and I am very glad it did.

Briefly tell us about the character you play in Extinction?
I play a guy who's trying to evolve and leave his past behind. As we know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. As men, we often find ourselves wanting to be absolved of all our youthful transgressions because we hit some mythical age and it's "time to grow up." The truth is you can't forget and, more often than not, you can't outrun who you are -- no matter how much stretching you do.

If you had not become a performer, what might you have done instead?
I'd be a Veterinarian. I could spend all day everyday surrounded by animals.

Who are your favorite actors?
I grew up idolizing Val Kilmer and if I ever meet him I will thank him for inspiring me. Today I have an enormous respect for Sam Rockwell -- his choices, his talent, the way he handles himself. Not surprisingly, he's terrific in A Behanding in Spokane, by the way. Stephen Dillane can do anything and that Meryl Streep -- yeah she's pretty good. I'd love to see her live on stage.

If you could meet anyone in the world dead or alive who would it be and what would you say to them?
I'd love to go to dinner with Shakespeare and order whatever he orders.

What was the last film you saw, and name some of your favorite movies?
The last film I saw was The Prophet. My favorite film is probably A Clockwork Orange. But I could also watch Real Genius anytime anywhere.

Do you have any hobbies?
Fantasy sports. I make no apologies. It brings me peace.

What are your future plans?
I'd love to stay employed -- become a better actor, writer and director and do work that resonates and serves a purpose of some sort. I'm also looking forward to seeing my gal and our dogs soon.