Interview with Michael Muhney

We got the opportunity to do an interview with Michael Muhney who played Sheriff Don Lamb on "Veronica Mars". He talks about his daughter, his new projects, "Veronica Mars" and what he has done during the writers strike.

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1. First of all: You speak German. Where did you learn it? And why did you decide to do so?

Well, meine mutter was born in Deutschland and her family moved to America when she was a young girl. She and her 3 brothers and her parents learned to speak English once they arrived in Chicago. I learned to speak German from both my family and a High School class. Ich verstehe much better than ich spreche. And by the way, my spelling is atrocious!

2. You are a father now, congratulations. How did your life change since your daughter Ella was born?

Ella has changed the meaning of "love" for me. When I met my wife she had a little baby boy, whose name is Dylan. I've raised him since he was a baby (I can't believe he just turned 6 this week!) so I've been a father for years now, but to be there with Ella from the minute she was born is quite rewarding (except for the sleepless nights!). I love both Dylan and Ella in an extreme way. They help "daddy" feel better about some pretty brutal days in this business. It's nice to come home to so many smiling faces. Lots of hugs and kisses in this family. But, at this point the kisses from my daughter are made of about 10% love and 90% drool.

3. You really stay in touch with your fans by posting messages etc. Not many other actors do something like that. Why did you decide to do it?

I've been a little absent from the online world lately with the birth of my daughter, things are crazy around the house, not much schlafen getting done. To answer your question, the truth is I feel that the performance and the show are FOR the audience, FOR the fans. With that belief, you hold the fans in high regard, and that is exactly what I do. I feel it's necessary to stay approachable with those who enjoy your show or your performance... it's a relationship you'll have for your entire life.

4. When and why did you decide to become an actor?

I got the bug in high school. It started with plays, and it was a great way to escape being an awkward teenager and step into the shoes of great theatrical characters.

5. If you watch a movie, can you really concentrate on the story or do you catch yourself watching the actors mimic or gesticulation?

Unless a movie or an actor is distractingly untalented I find that I can enjoy a movie like a fan. I enjoy taking a journey while watching a movie or an excellent TV show.

6. How did the writers' strike effect you?

It might have contributed to my pilot, "Family Practice", not being picked up. I'll never know. It certainly killed a very hot streak I was on that lasted all throughout 2007 with the end of my VMars run and then the Val Kilmer/Kevin Spacey movie, then came the Stacy Keach/Michael Madsen movie, which was followed by a fantastic horror movie that was shot out in the desert, and after that there was my pilot which was filmed in Chicago and then came a fun guest star gig on CSI: MIAMI. That was a great busy streak, and the strike kind of slowed things down a bit.

7. How was it to work with Kevin Spacey, Val Kilmer and Marg Helgenberger on “Columbus Day”?

I was pleasantly surprised with the work, the attitude, and the kindness on the set of Columbus Day. Everybody involved was great to me and I am really excited about seeing the movie fully cut together.

8. You once said that you’d love to be on “Supernatural”. Any possibility that you are going to make a guest appearance on the show?

I guess there's always a chance I could end up on Supernatural. I've remained friends with Bob Singer for over a decade and he and I have recently discussed making an appearance on the show, but a lot of things would have to come together with my schedule and their story to make it work.

9. Are you still in contact with some cast members from "Veronica Mars"?

I am definitely still in contact with some cast and crew from VMars.

10. Was the death of your character planned or was it because of the development in season 3?

It came as a result of season 3.

11. If you look back, which season of “Veronica Mars” do you think was the best and why?

Season 1, as a whole, was fantastic. The second season had a lot of great moments for me, too.

12. What do you think about the series finale of "Veronica Mars"?

It was sad to see a good show go.

13. What projects are you currently working on? Any new shows or movies coming up?

Currently I'm available. I had a contract set up and screen tested and came down to the final two for something amazing but received the bad news that they went with "the other guy" a couple weeks ago. Oh well, gotta move on!

14. Since myFanbase is an online magazine about TV series, do you have a favorite one?

Favorite shows? Battelstar Galactica fan since the very beginning. Huge fan. I even ended up helping correct a BSG reference made in VMars on one episode because I was so familiar with the show. I did not receive a writer's credit for it, but they did thank me! :) Okay, after BSG I love the Office. Brilliant show. I still enjoy escaping with Lost. I have watched Heroes from the very start but I started to fade with some of their more recent episodes, I'm not sure if I'll continue on with that. I also watch every episode of a documentary series called "Intervention". And I already have a new favorite show that I can't wait to start watching this fall called "Dollhouse" that is sure to be brilliant with a capital "J".

Thanks for the interview! And HELLO to everyone out there reading. Say hi to Germany for me! (I was visiting there less than a year ago and I already miss it so much!)

Annika Leichner - myFanbase