Don't judge Jones by his 'Amy' character

Star-Telegram - January 25, 2001

By Candy Havens, Special to the Star-Telegram

He may portray the brooding court services officer Bruce Van Exel on the CBS series Judging Amy (9 p.m. Tuesday, KTVThannel 11), but actor Richard T. Jones says that when the cameras stop rolling, he's nothing like his character.

"I'm kind of an out-there personality, and he's reserved and holds in all that tension," Jones says. "In between scenes I'm a total goof, so that when the cameras are rolling I can be Mr. Serious."

The 29-year-old Jones has made more than 17 films, including Kiss the Girls, Event Horizon and the upcoming Phone Booth. Jones was born in Japan but grew up in Carson, Calif. He discusses his role on the hit series and what keeps him close to home.

Q: There was a lot of tension between your character and Amy in early episodes. What happened to bring you guys closer?

A: I didn't know when she first came in if she was going to be a fly-by-night judge. I think juvenile court is the first step for judges and they are kind of thrown in there, and they aren't very serious about sticking with it. She's shown she has a passion for what she does. She's as serious about protecting these children as I am, and we've grown closer. I respect her more now as a judge and a person than I did in the beginning.

Q: Was it frustrating that first year when the writers weren't giving you much to do?

A: Did I look that obvious? This year they promised me a lot more dialogue and they have come through. I didn't really know where my character was going last year. They told me to be patient and that they were developing my character and eventually would show more of my private life with my daughter and ex-wife. My relationship with Amy is going to get tighter and we will depend on each other more. I think it will come full circle. They are just now really beginning to flesh him out and see what he's about.

Q: How were you able to do the film Phone Booth and do Judging Amy at the same time?

A: I was really lucky because they let me tape my scenes for the show over a period of two or three days. Then they let me have two weeks off to go do the film.

Q: Who do you play in the film?

A: I play Jona, who is a police officer. Colin Farrell is a guy trapped in the phone booth and someone is going to kill him if he tries to leave. I try to help him. It was shot with four cameras and it felt more like we were doing a play than a movie. We did it in two weeks and it was one of the best movie-making experiences I've ever had.

Q: Have your children changed the way you look at the roles you want to do?

A: My daughters, Sydney and Auburn, and my wife, Nancy, have changed the way I look at everything. They are in my contract and go wherever I go. I never like to be away from home for too long. My children are too young right now to really understand what I do, but when it's time, I want them to be proud of my work.

Q: Is your wife an actress?

A: No, no, no! I wouldn't do that to myself. She was in pharmaceutical sales and now is enjoying being a mom. Actresses make great girlfriends for actors, but terrible wives. There's this competition thing that just doesn't work. If one of you is working more than the other one, it creates a problem. That is, unless you are Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. Then the partnership is more equal where work is concerned.


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