Joe Manganiello Interview

When the Ancients looked up at the night sky, they made sure their way of perceiving the cosmos would have a profound impact on civilizations to come. Today, such close attention is paid to the Zodiac with hopes that its unknown power will reveal which breakfast special one should select off the menu.

Speaking of the powers that be, the age-old question still remains: Is it possible to fully discern the obscure mysteries of the universe? If so, how?

Should we turn to palm reading or a magic ball? Or perhaps a tarot card session? Without a doubt, people are obsessed with uncovering their future destiny.  We are fascinated by the idea of premonition, oracles and anything that would allow a sneak peak at the unknown.

But before you begin your search for Miss Cleo 2009, consider actor Joe Manganiello and his take on it all.

“No power on Earth will keep you from doing what you’re supposed to,” he said. A Capricorn himself, his provocative persona that lands him stud roles gives way into deeper intellect, an adventurous spirit and an assurance in a positive destiny.

“If you’re meant to be someplace, then you will be,” he said. Joe believes acting was his calling — a force that came and found him. “It was easier to do it than not do it.”

Known for his role as Owen from One Tree Hill, he attended Carnegie Melon University School of Drama and holds a BFA in Acting. Originally from Pittsburgh, he’s an east coast boy at heart and moves on the fast paced east coast clock, even in LA. He’s been spotted in movies such as Spider-Man I, Spider-Man III and Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia. A funny, spiritually inclined guy, Joe is most definitely “religious”…well, at least he is when it comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers — a joke he made with a devilishly handsome and often fawned-over grin.

Aside from being an avid football fan, he is ardently dedicated to his career. For him, movies and plays are like dreams where great writing and acting are both heavily influenced by the subconscious.

“The thing I love about acting is I’m constantly learning why people think and do what they do and I’m constantly learning new skills,” he said.

Learning “new skills” quickly morphs into developing new passions, and Joe makes it a top priority to get a usual dose of endorphins. In his downtime, boxing keeps him in top shape, and he trains in LA. He also possesses a profound admiration for skydiving (especially with actual Navy Seals) and shooting guns. Clearly, the forefathers of the USA believed that the right to bear arms was more than a clause about protection — it was about having a little fun.

“If you’re a member of planet Earth, you should, at some point, jump out of a plane and shoot a gun,” Joe said. So, in the name of “research,” I took his advice. Needless to say, after having the opportunity to fire off a blank machine gun from an active US Army ship during New York’s Fleet Week 2009, I can understand the adrenaline-fueled fixation.

As for skydiving, he finds it to be much like acting, and once you’re in the plane, there is only one way you’re going out and it’s through the door (or in the case of theatre, through the curtain). In his opinion, the profession of acting allows for the exploration of philosophy, psychology and history, all subjects essential to understanding our fellow man and woman. At the end of the day, it’s the people that Joe hopes to inspire.

“The root word of ‘inspire’ is ‘spirit,’” he said, and elaborated by adding that it’s about injecting the audience with feeling and taking them for a ride so they come out of the experience with a better understanding of humanity.

He compared this ride to sex, but not quite in the way you might think. Relax, ladies, and consider this: Like innocent curiosity about the world of S&M that leads one over to the “naughty” section in Barnes and Noble, audiences willingly embark on journeys that explore the dark desires and hidden agendas of characters in movies and plays.

Speaking of journeys, Joe finds “moving around and working on different projects” enjoyable and educational. He admires the writing of Joseph Campbell and the work of actors Eric Bana, Gary Oldman and Christian Bale. To aspiring performers, his advice is simple:

“Don’t ever stop learning.”

Now that you learned a bit about Joe and his philosophy on acting and life, don’t forget to check him out at www.joemanganiello.com if you want some mental and (visual) stimulation.

Again, ladies, relax.