4. Will you always write gay novels or do you have your eye on other
genres?
A: I want to write a variety of material. One of my first major pieces
of writing was a feminist novel written from the perspective of a young
woman in the 1950s. Hopefully, if my gay genre work sells well, I'll have
an opportunity to publish the other writing.
5. How did you become a voiceover actor and how does one get into
that?
A: My big sister was a commercial actress and I thought, "I can do
that!"
6. Was it hard at first?
A: I've had really great luck in this business. It's been a lot of
hard work, but doors have always opened when I knocked. I'm earnest and
don't take 'no' for an answer in life in general.
7. How do you integrate your sexuality into your career? Do you think
it’s important?
A: For me it's extremely important. For my dignity if nothing else.
I integrate it by being totally open and honest. If I'm at a recording
session and a producer or recording engineer asks, "So how was your
weekend," I don't hesitate to say, "Great, my boyfriend and I went to the
Huntington Gardens and knocked around Old Town Pasadena". Doesn't matter
if I've never met or worked with the people before. If they have a problem
with my being real, it's THEIR problem.
8. Are you single?
A: Nope! I'm four months into a steamy relationship with a Puerto Rican
from 182nd street, Bronx NY. We're polar opposites -- I'm a nice white
boy from St. Paul, Minnesota -- so there are constant fireworks, a lot
of laughs, and a fair number of fights. (But we always kiss and make up.)
9. When you worked at Fox Sports did you ever experience homophobia
and how did you deal with it?
A: Of all the places I've worked, Fox Sports was and is one of the
coolest in that way. Very decent people. I've never felt a moment's
unpleasantness around there.
10. Do people think because youíre hot, that your book is
probably fluff and you’re not that smart?
A: Completely. It's a hurdle I must overcome.
11. Devil’s Advocate: Do you think we would be interested in you’re
writing if you weren't hot?
A: That's the flip side of it -- no, you wouldn't. So being a 'model'
type has it's advantages too.
12. Are you working on a new book?
A: Yes. I get depressed and feel lost if I'm not writing. I put about
50-75 pages a month in my journal, but it's not the same as being
actively involved in a project. A couple of years ago, when I wasn't
writing, I produced two records just to keep my creative juices flowing.
13. Do you plan to come from behind the microphone and in front of
the camera?
A: Not again. Once was enough. It's a skanky business across the board,
but voice-over is some of the least skanky of it.
14. Will you ever write a screenplay?
A: I had one screenplay 'optioned' (which is a step below having it
sold outright) a couple of years ago. But my main interest is novels. To
me, screenplays are blueprints for another artist's finished work. Novels
are little self-contained universes unto themselves.
15. What do you do to keep that gorgeous body in shape? Do you do
exercises for your voice?
A: I'm at the gym three days a week pumping iron, and the other four
days I clock time on the treadmill and stair climber I have at home. As
far as vocally, I get a pretty good continual workout in the six to ten
recording sessions I do most days.
16. Favorite Cartoon when you were a Kid?
A: Bugs Bunny. (What a queen he is.)
17. What does the Renaissance Man do for fun?
A: Besides sex and eating and more sex? Um ... foreign movies, good
books, art exhibits, plus I like learning about whatever my boyfriend is
excited about at the time.
18. Any pets?
A: Not right now. But I've raised exotic wildcats in the past. Maybe
I'll get another one with the boyfriend this year.
19. What do you find attractive in a man?
A: Sense of humor is extremely important. And ass. And a great smile.
20. Do you think brains are better than muscle or visa versa?
A: You've got to have both to get my attention and hold it.
21. If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be and why?
A: As trite as it sounds, Jesus Christ. Probably the most amazing person
who ever lived. Why Jesus? Because, although I seldom go to church, being
more Christ-like is the most noble pursuit I can imagine.
22. Will your next novel be about the gay experience?
A: Yes. It picks up where "In and Out in Hollywood" left off.
Some of the same characters plus new ones and all sorts of shenanigans
drawn from my life and the lives of my friends.
23. How did you get the voiceover for Spider Man and what did you
say?
A: That was great luck for me. The guy who did most of that campaign
was out of town and my manager worked his ass off to get the studio to
listen to me. They dug what they heard, and the rest is movie history.
24. Any other famous voiceovers planned for the near future?
A: You'll be hearing my spots for the new Jack Nicholson film
"Anger Management" soon, also the trailer for the new Chris Rock
movie.
25. What do you want readers to take away after they’ve read one
of your books?
A: A sense of dignity and elevation that comes with reading good fiction,
seeing a good movie, or watching an excellent dance concert.
26. What are you doing for Valentine’s Day?
A: Taking my boyfriend for a romantic getaway to a resort in Santa
Barbara, California.
27. Who are you’re favorite authors?
A: I love Joe Heller, Ayn Rand, Thomas Mann, Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
28. What’s the funniest thing that has happened to you since becoming
famous?
A: Probably when I was asked to host a segment of the Venice Film Festival
in Italy. I was overwhelmed until I realized they were looking for the
"other" Ben Johnson, the western actor who died recently. It was pretty
embarrassing.
29. Any book tours planned?
A: I am so busy with work in L.A. that I can't do a book tour per se,
but I'm getting out on weekends as much as possible to meet and greet people
in bookstores across the country.
30. Dirk Shafer (writer /director of Man of the Year & Circuit)
said that you painted a detailed, fascinating and revealing portrait of
contemporary Hollywood’s lost soul. Why is Hollywood today so lost and
did anyone within its ranks not like the picture you painted? (Are you
getting death threats? - LOL)
A: Believe it or not, I've been approached by several people who were
mad that they WEREN'T in the book! I'll have to do a follow-up just so
I can slam more personalities.
31. Has anyone ever accused you of writing the truth that is really
masquerading as fiction for this novel?
A: Oh sure! Much of what's in this book is truth masquerading as fiction.
But that's the case with the work of any decent writer, except in the realm
of fantasy. You write what you know. That's how you make it ring true for
readers.
32. WHAT IF QUESTION: If you were on a plane in 1st class sitting
next to Madonna, what would you say to her?
A: Hey, can I tag along for yoga class on Sunday? (But I don't think
Madonna would be on a commercial flight.)
33. Last Question: What did you want to be when you grew up?
A radio broadcaster. I accomplished that by age 22 and had to move
on to other, newer goals. I'm reminded of the character played by William
Hurt in Broadcast News who asks something to the effect of "What do you
do when your real life exceeds the dreams you've dreamed? Then what?" I
guess I'm living that.
BLULIFE.COM would like to sincerely thank Mr. Johnson for stopping by
this part of cyberspace and giving us some of his time. Thanks and keep
on writing. |
