ER HEADQUARTERS.COM // Chat Transcripts
 

Online Host:  Copyright 1997 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved Copyright 1997 Warner Bros.

OnlineHost :  Good evening! The WB Virtual Lot Presents:  Cybertalk! Tonight we are joined by popular actor Abraham Benrubi who plays the likable admission clerk "Jerry Markovic" on the # 1 series "ER." Welcome Abe Benrubi!

AbeBenrubi :  Thanks, online host!

WB Online7 :  Our first question comes from MazzyS007...

Question  :  Did you expect ER to be such a hit?

AbeBenrubi :  Initially I didn't even know if it was going to be a TV show. But considering the creative people involved I knew it had potential for greatness.  :  )

WB Online7 :  From Maveric83...

Question  :  What was your favorite role?

AbeBenrubi :  I actually have a new role in the summer of '97 film "George Of The Jungle." I play a poacher who captures George's talking ape.

WB Online7 :  From Store400...

Question  :  Hello from Minnesota. My family loves "ER." We never miss it. You deserve more air time. Are there any plans for it?

AbeBenrubi :  No, plans are not revealed to me by the producers.

WB Online7 :  From MazzyS007...

Question  :  How do you feel about Sherry Stringfield leaving?

AbeBenrubi :  I will miss her greatly, she was a very cool woman. As far as her character leaving, people pick up and move all the time in real life...so why not?

WB Online7 :  From Sodie454...

Question  :  What landed you your role on "ER?"

AbeBenrubi :  I had worked for John Wells prior to "ER" on a pilot called "Angel Street" and when they were casting "ER" they offered me the role of Jerry and I heartfully accepted.

WB Online7 :  From Girl669...

Question  :  What directors do you want to work with?

AbeBenrubi :  I would love to work with George Lucas, Stanley Kubrick, Ridley Scott...I'm a huge fan of science fiction in general and "Star Wars" specifically. So I would love to work on the new "Star Wars" prequels.

WB Online7 :  From ALagrange...

Question  :  How does Noah Wylie act off stage? Is he a sweetheart like he is on the show?

AbeBenrubi :  He's twice as sweet offstage.

WB Online7 :  From Store400...

Question  :  How much time is spent in Chicago? Does the whole cast go or just the main characters?

AbeBenrubi :  Two to three days every six weeks or so. And mostly the director and a few cast members go. Also, some roles are cast out of Chicago. And I've only been once.

WB Online7 :  From BSK10204...

Question  :  Do you think you could really work in the emergeny room of a hospital? Love your show, your character is cool. Hope 38 VA

AbeBenrubi :  No way , not only is it too intense...it's too boring. :  )

WB Online7 :  From MWPACHECO...

Question  :  Abe, loved you on "Parker Lewis." Allway room for Jello. Do you feel that your over shadowed by the other star on ER?

AbeBenrubi :  Actually being taller than all of them, my shadow looms over the entire cast.

WB Online7 :  From HobgoodC...

Question  :  Abe, what is the hardest thing about filiming "ER?" What is the most fun?

AbeBenrubi :  The most difficult aspect is the physical choreography of interacting with the camera and all the other actors. And the most fun is goofing around in-between takes.

WB Online7 :  From MazzyS007...

Question  :  How does it feel to be the comic relief on an otherwise mostly dramatic show?

AbeBenrubi :  What do you mean "the comic relief?" :  )

WB Online7 :  From Store400...

Question  :  Everyone seems like friends on "ER." Do you all get along with each other?

AbeBenrubi :  Yeah, everybody gets along but just like any group of people who spend hours around each other we have our ups and downs. Mostly it's a good time.

WB Online7 :  From Mcymse...

Question  :  Is George Clooney as good looking in person as he is as Dr. Ross?

AbeBenrubi :  He is the most gorgeous man alive! I liken him to Michaelangelo's statue of David. I saw the "Batman & Robin" trailer and he looks great in latex!

WB Online7 :  From Jeewlia...

Question  :  What are your favorite movies?

AbeBenrubi :  Well, "Star Wars," "BladeRunner" "Clockwork Orange," and "Lawrence Of Arabia" and a new favorite "Sling Blade."

WB Online7 :  From TARUtter....

Question  :  What was your favorite episode to act in and do you watch the show?

AbeBenrubi :  Yeah, I watch the show. My favorite episode was probably the one where Jerry joins a Shakespearean theatre group.

WB Online7 :  From Maveric83...

Question  :  Do you have any role models in acting?

AbeBenrubi :  Very few, but if I must name some...Richard Harris, Bob Hoskins...mostly British actors.

WB Online7 :  From MazzyS007...

Question  :  Do you have any upcoming projects?

AbeBenrubi :  "George Of The Jungle" will be coming out this summer. Also an Oliver Stone film called "U-Turn."

WB Online7 :  From MWPACHECO...

Question  :  Loved you death in "The Shadow." Tell me, Have you dated any of the nurses, in real life?

AbeBenrubi :  Deezer D. who plays Malik and I often go out but I don't know if you would consider it a date.

WB Online7 :  From LS63...

Question  :  How old are you?

AbeBenrubi :  27 years old.

WB Online7 :  From Lolly44...

Question  :  Do you ever plan on directing?

AbeBenrubi :  Maybe some day. It would have to be something I was in complete creative control of.

WB Online7 :  From July712...

Question  :  You are great the show - will they give you some more time? I'd like some of the characters explored a little more.

AbeBenrubi :  Write to our friendly producers or NBC and let them know how you feel.

WB Online7 :  From MazzyS007...

Question  :  Would you like to venture into any other aspects of the business?(directing, writing)

AbeBenrubi :  I'm pretty happy acting. I certainly have some interests in all areas of filmmaking but I prefer creating characters at the moment.

WB Online7 :  From Drums13...

Question  :  Where exactly is "ER" filmed ? I know its based in Chicago but where exactly is it filmed?

AbeBenrubi :  About two blocks from where I'm sitting right now. At Warner Bros. studios in sunny Burbank, California.

WB Online7 :  From Nepenthial...

Question  :  Do you have any advice for somebody who is interested in directing or acting?

AbeBenrubi :  Patience, confidence, resiliance....good luck.

WB Online7 :  From GOODGLYMM...

Question  :  Can you tell us about "George of the Jungle?"

AbeBenrubi :  It's based on a cartoon from the '60s. Sort of a slapstick Tarzan. Brendan Frasier ("Encino Man") plays George and I play a poacher.

WB Online7 :  From Missy62...

Question  :  Didn't you do a show with my brother Carey Scott, he says you guys are good friends. I think your character on "ER" is great. I wish you were on more:)

AbeBenrubi :  I did a film with Carey Scott and speak to him regularly.

WB Online7 :  From MazzyS007...

Question  :  Would you like to continue to do TV in the future or would you rather concentrate more on movies?

AbeBenrubi :  Ideally, movies. There's a lot more creative freedom allowed and more risks can be taken.

WB Online7 :  From GOODGLYMM...

Question  :  What is the best joke that you have played or has been played on you on the set of "ER??"

AbeBenrubi :  Recently, we got a new cook at the "ER" set and one day she was making jambalya... in the middle of a take, Yvette Freeman who plays Nurse Haleh, reached into her pocket and pulled out a crayfish! We don't know how it got there to this day.

WB Online7 :  From Wombusaum...

Question  :  What's your favorite part of doing "ER?" Do you like the free food? :)

AbeBenrubi :  Seeing how people react to it and what trivial bits of information they want to know about it.

WB Online7 :  From DARA520...

Question  :  Abe, my son has been a fan of your since "Parker Lewis," loves you on "ER" but only gets to see you in the summer because of school(8) he wants to know if your role is going to increase?

AbeBenrubi :  Not to my knowledge, but hopefully I'll have several years of entertaining your son.

WB Online7 :  From PopterBR...

Question  :  There have been several movie actors on the show in the last few weeks, are there going to be anymore coming up?

AbeBenrubi :  There are always great guest-actors on "ER" whether you know them or not shouldn't make a difference.

WB Online7 :  From JBones77...

Question  :  How is it working with Eriq La Salle?

AbeBenrubi :  Eriq is to acting what a taskmaster was to sailing in the dark ages. Actually, he's a very nice man. And I enjoy his company immensely.

WB Online7 :  We will have one more question from "ER's" Abe Benrubi, but if he missed your question he will be going over to the Virtual Lot at Keyword:  WBLot for a few more questions in a few minutes.

WB Online7 :  From Kelly44....

Question  :  How do you describe your character?

AbeBenrubi :  A big, lovable teddy bear of a man with numerous vices. Including cigar smoking, coffee drinking, etc, etc, etc....

AbeBenrubi :  He hates his job. But loves the people he works with.

WB Online7 :  We would like to thank the popular actor Abraham Benrubi who plays the likable admission clerk "Jerry Markovic" on the # 1 series "ER." Watch Abraham on ER every Thursday night at 10 pm on NBC. Don't miss renowned psychic Abigail on Monday @ 9 pm/et! She'll be talking about dreams and what they mean - don't miss it! keyword:  cybertalk. If Abe missed your question, he will be going over to the Virtual Lot at Keyword:  WBLot for a few more questions after we leave here in the chat lounge. Abe, do you any last words for your cyberpals?

AbeBenrubi :  Thanks, cyberpals. It's a great pleasure to know that people are aactually interested in someone like me. Buy Macintosh! Good night.

WB Online7 :  Bye everyone! See you at Keyword:  WBLot to chat further with ER's Abe Benrubi! Click on CHAT LOUNGE. Good night! See you next Wednesday at 9 pm/ET for more Virtual Lot CyberTalk!

Online Host:  Copyright 1997 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved Copyright 1997 Warner Bros.

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More about this Event:

02/26 "ER" Actor Abraham Benrubi 9:00pm ET (Coliseum)

Actor ABRAHAM BENRUBI is a familiar face to the many fans of "ER" where he plays admission clerk "Jerry Markovic" on the popular television drama. This Indianapolis native grew up reading Spiderman comics, watching "Star Trek" and viewing futuristic space movies. Benrubi's love of comic books and science fiction played a large part in his decision to become an actor, and he cites the movie "Star Wars" as the film that changed his life. His imposing size as a youth (he now stands at 6' 7") easily won him roles in school and community plays. On his 10th birthday, Benrubi won his first role as the father in the Indiana Civic Theatre production of "Rumplestiltskin." During high school, he performed with a teenage improvisation group that traveled the Midwest performing for children and he continued to act in local theater throughout his teenage years.

After obtaining his SAG card for a role in an anti-drug film, Benrubi moved to Hollywood and landed a part in a commercial on his first day in Tinseltown. Several months later he was cast as a regular on the popular Fox series "Parker Lewis Can't Lose." Since then, Benrubi has been a busy actor on both television and the big screen. In addition to his recurring role on "ER," he has appeared on episodes of "Blossom," "Married With Children," "Wings" and "Roseanne." His feature films include the "The Shadow," "The Program" and the box-office hit "Twister."  Benrubi can also be seen in the upcoming film "George of the Jungle."

Offscreen, Benrubi considers himself a "rabid music fan" and his passion for music includes everything from Beethoven to Bob Marley. He also loves all things science fiction and enjoys surfing the net.

So get your questions ready for ABE BENRUBI from "ER" as he joins his cyberpals online in Cybertalk this Wednesday, February 26th at 9:00 PM ET in the Coliseum!

Event Keyword:  "WBLot"



Transmitted: 2/28/1997 1:10 PM