Despite the uncertain future that lies ahead of him, Reggie Hayes says that once he arrived in Los Angeles, he immediately knew there was no going back.
In an exclusive interview, the 36-year-old veteran actor who was born and raised in Chicago and is the only male cast member of the long-running UPN sitcom, Girls took the time to share his thoughts on the crowd. The topic includes the career, the future and the entire acting profession.
EW: Reggie, how did you initially start acting?
RH: I was kind of a powerless kid. I was kind of rebellious. I had a lot of energy so I started performing with local theater groups in Chicago when I was young.
EW: When did you decide to travel to Los Angeles?
RH: I worked in Chicago doing theater and I was in the play all the time, almost at night. There was no connection between them in Chicago; The whole theater is non-union, which is better than going out here because you have to pay to do your job here. Anyway, I did a lot of theater in Chicago and I had a job today. On the weekends, I would do a matinee and a regular time show or just a time show and a late-night show. I always do three or four different shows. I did this one show for about two years and I wanted my family member, Paul Dillon, to bring it here (Los. Angeles ) and see if anyone would make it into a movie so I took a little time off from my office and came out here.
EW: What was going through your mind then?
RH: It was hard and I didn’t want to go. I started to get comfortable and had a nice bank job. I’ll see if I can. They (their job) were paying for additional education and I thought, ‘Maybe I should go into computer systems and work for a bank.’ My friend was like, Hey Reggie, c’mon what are you going to do. Do you work in the bank or come out here and do this show?’ My boss promised me he would give me my job if I wanted to come back. So my friend paid my rent in Chicago so I would return the place if things didn’t work out. I came out here and the first day I was like, ‘I’m never coming back.’ I came out at the end of November and it was like, I left 10 degrees with Chicago. It was about 75 degrees in Los Angeles when I got here. What do you say to me? I am a lonely man.
EW: I used to live in Champaign, Illinois when I was in the Air Force so I know all about Chicago.
RH: Were you in the military? I love the military. you see my house I have a lake and a flat. Everyone thinks I’m a big boy. He asked me once before what else I would do if I were to do it again and I always said that I went into slavery. Park in Highland H.S. in Chicago the same year. Before I could essentially rule myself, I went to military school and it was great. still a clown. They (military members) just laugh. But it’s better to be funny. He taught me a lot and gave me some training. Like now, get up and go to the gym every day. I learned that I can do what I have even if it hurts.
EW: Tell me about the struggles of “making it” in Los Angeles as a professional actor.
RH: I’m pretty lucky. I went out and did a show and played various characters. Several agents came and the venue was pretty good. Anyway, after four months in L.A. pilot W.B. I got rejected, so I cried a little and did things for a year and the following year I got another pilot with Fox called Getting Personal, which had Vivica Fox and Duane Martin. I had a role for “Friends” in 2000. I think it turned out very lucky.
EW: Tell me how you played those roles?
RH: Auditions can be quite intense, but ‘Friends’ was one of the easiest for me. He usually does five or six auditions for more and more high-level cases. The girl who created “Friends” was watching that other show, “Personal Quest” that I did and she liked it. I was kind of like Steve Urkell on that show and they were looking for … not a nerd, but a guy who was articulate. The girl’s husband was like, ‘What do you like about that guy from the show?’ They called me and I only had three auditions for the part and I got it.
EW: I accept that landing soldiers was somewhat of a milestone for you. Has it been your biggest role up to that point?
RH: Yes. It’s weird, not necessarily being a black performer, but a TV host, because people act like they’re watching and they want to be respectful. It’s like a guilty pleasure, but I love the show. You get the idea that it’s a black network, they watch it, but at this point in my life I’d rather be on UPN than one of the major networks. You watch black guys on certain shows and it’s like nobody really knows. Like, if I was on ‘Lost’ or something, it would be a ton more money, but it would be like, ‘Oh,’ that’s the black guy from ‘Lost.’ It’s a shame, but it’s true.
EW: More often than not, especially with the long run of television shows. You are kind of synonymous with the show and the character behavior, although I know the actor doesn’t like to be typecast into certain roles or behaviors.
RH: I think it’s the same as the show. I think that happens when you get attached to a certain character. Quite frankly, I’m fine with that. I know they are probably like, ‘The man is honest. I would really like to be a good example for the kids.
EW: Tell me a little bit about who lends you a hand along the way.
RH: My parents died early, it helped me a lot by going to military school. No matter what life has led me to, I am truly generous, kind people. Maybe I was just lucky. My mother died when I was four and my father died when I was a teenager. You must listen to the lessons they have given you before, and try to live by them.
EW: What is it like being the only male on the show?
RH: I like women because I used to have two sisters. But it’s difficult to be a man in the show “Girlfriends”, because when I’m advertising some or any other, it’s nice to have just four girls who look alike, success, lawsuits or whatever. However popular I am, I just don’t do advertising. I’m older and older, and my name doesn’t necessarily get older, so I’m not sure what I’m going to do with this show.
EW: What does the future hold for you?
RH: To be honest, I want to retire happy. I think (in the course of action) maybe above these monsters.
EW: I don’t want to get too personal, but have you made a decent living?
RH: Well, unfortunately on the major networks, those people can do one or two shows and leave if they want to. On UPN, you make a good living, but it’s not enough to drive you away from the rest of your life. We must always prepare for the worst scenario. It looks like I’m going to sell everything and take a break.
EW: What advice do you have for young actors looking to get into the Reggie industry?
RH: I would say take some classes and study your art. Not one of those types where you’re like, ‘Oh, so lucky to have seen you.’ Also community programs are good…somewhere they will make you. If nothing else, after a couple of group shows, you’ll know whether you want to do this or not. In fact, there is not much money in it. I enjoyed going to school and playing around with people, but life is where you don’t have a lot of money, you have to go to the market and you have an apartment, but if you want to do something, that’s fine. It is difficult to watch your profession and spare your pennies.
EW: Thanks Reggie and care.
RH: You too, Eric.
Eric Williams is a columnist for the Philadelphia Sun, who is syndicated to many other newspapers and online publications across the country. Contact Eric at [email protected].
