Actor James Thomas has been on the radar of some members of the LGBT community for a few years, thanks to his turn as a closeted gay man in the 2004 cult film Ice Men. He's followed that up with roles on TV shows such as Queer As Folk (where he played a character named "Hunkalicious") and Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye.
However, Thomas' star is on the rise; to witness this, look no further than the upcoming movie House at the End of the Street, a thriller in which he co-stars with Jennifer Lawrence (from The Hunger Games), Max Theriot and Elisabeth Shue.
Windy City Times talked with the affable, handsome Canadian about a variety of topics, from being "Hunkalicious" to his personal hygiene:
—On the mission possible: "I didn't always want to be an actor. I had many jobs—I worked at a mission, helping the homeless; I worked on projects to help disadvantaged people; worked in advertising; and got into catering, but I left that partnership.
—On becoming an actor: "While I was catering, a director asked me if I wanted to be in film. I wanted to travel and the director asked me why I wanted to do so; he asked me to try out. I got the part. I was fortunate enough to be in this short film called The Final. I was scared to death.
"I traveled for six months; when I got back, the film was winning awards. The director asked if I'd like to act more. [I ended up] moving to New York and taking classes. A Toronto casting agency asked me to come back. The long and short of it, my grandmother was sick so I went back. I just kept going, thinking, 'If I can fake it, I can continue. If I can continue to make a living, I will continue to do it.'"
—On insecurity: "I was very insecure [when I started acting]; I was from a totally different world [than most actors]. I was concerned that all the 'real' actors were going to figure me out. I didn't want people to know where I lived; I thought I was going to be a fraud.
"Every actor wonders when his next job is going to be—so if you're not working, you start wondering if it's you. Then you get a job and all that [doubt] goes away."
—On his love scene with another man in Ice Men: "I was scared to death doing the whole movie [because of inexperience], but it was an honor to be picked to work with these guys. ... There was no hesitation about the scene—but I hesitated just before the moment was about to take place; I was a deer in the headlights. All of these things, like taking off clothes on camera, were new. I did it, and I was so proud of myself for doing it—and the director said, Let's do it again.' I was like, 'What?'
"I learned that I had to make myself vulnerable on camera. It was very interesting."
—On being "Hunkalicious" on Queer As Folk: "The fact that they call me 'Hunkalicious' is awesome. The agent and assistant call me that now. Every character is going to be named that from now on.
"What I loved about [filming Queer As Folk] was working with Thom Best, who directed Ice Men but who was also [director of photography] on the show. When [I saw him], I felt comfortable because I was working with someone behind the camera who knew me and trusted me immediately.
"I felt freer to have more fun. I'd never been in a club where we had to pretend to be screaming at each other and slow-dancing like the Baywatch run; I was Baywatch-dancing."
—On being in House at the End of the Street: "Mark Tonderai is a very interesting director because he had a bible when it came to 'This is how I see this work.' All the motifs—for example, he had a Caravaggio painting and that's how he wanted the scene lit. I had never met someone so detailed.
"I'm basically a red herring in the movie. What's so funny is that when we all sat the table, I never realized how hot Jennifer's movie Winter's Bone was [at the time]. I'm sitting next to Elisabeth Shue and I'm gushing over her, thinking about all the parts she's played. The truth is this movie is going to blow up. Max [Theriot] is going to get a lot of press."
—One thing he would change about the industry: "There are so many creative people who will do anything to have the opportunity to perform or do what they love to do. I wish, in some cases, that Hollywood would make it easier for people to express themselves. The doors close so quickly for some people. There are some really talented people who never get the chance. A little more compassion would be great."
—On personal hygiene: "I was lucky that I didn't use deodorant when I was younger because I was told at a very young age that it has aluminum in it, which can cause Alzheimer's. [Editor's note: According to Alzheimers.org, "studies have failed to confirm any role for aluminum in causing Alzheimer's."] So I chose never to wear deodorant—and I've never had anyone tell me that I smell. I must have such nice friends—or maybe I'm just fortunate." [Laughs]
For more on James Thomas, see www.jamesjthomas.com .
