You may know and love him as the platinum-blonde, Spike, from the Buffyverse or from Torchwood, Smallville, or his tribute to his shared passion for Dragonball with his son...or for his music with rock band, Ghost of the Robot; their 2011 album, Murphy's Law, was released on iTunes in 2011. However you know and love him, James Marsters, in real life, is a kind, generous person who, apparently, cannot get embarrassed. At all.
On Friday afternoon, I had the pleasure of hosting James' Q&A session at the Philadelphia Wizard World Comic Con after performing my own show on vampire myth and supernatural-superhero legend the hour before. As I warmed up the audience before Marsters' arrival, James snuck in the room.
A dynamic, charismatic force of nature, Marsters energetically hopped on stage, coming right over to give me a warm hug and a kiss, telling me it was great to see me and how beautiful I looked. And although I was extraordinarily flattered by James and his kind generosity, he really made me smile when he began talking about his love of Winnie the Pooh character, Eeyore.
You see, I loved Eeyore also. Even had a stuffed animal of the little sad donkey from the time I was about four until I gave it to my own son, about the same age as Marsters' boy. And yes, I understood Marsters' desire to act in the film, Dragonball Evolution. It was a fun film because, no matter how much we succeed in life, all parents want to do something their children will be excited about. I can sell lots of books in as many different languages, receive multiple teaching awards and accolades, but all accomplishment is made that much sweeter if it makes you a hero to your children.
The director signed on to the Dragonball project was not actually present during the shooting. The rather large budget shrank to 25% of what was initially promised. And ultimately, though Marsters, originally a stage-actor before getting his first TV-role on the Emmy Award winning, Northern Exposure, in 1992, played Piccolo well and with more depth than perhaps the character deserved, the film, as Marsters himself said, would have been incredible if it had been done as Dragonball Z.
And the enthusiasm Marsters had in talking about this, an answer to an audience question, was simply remarkable. Marsters was thoughtful, generous and kind--whether someone asked him about a film in 2009, or his work on Buffy, or something deeply personal...like the last time he had a threesome. Gasp!
When Marsters first sat down, he challenged the audience to try to embarrass him. As a moderator, I knew this was dangerous ground. And it was.
When Marsters confirmed his inability to be embarrassed, an audience member who had asked him what his most embarrassing moment was, proceeded to attempt to embarrass others by relaying a turd-story. No, I'm not joking. And then, the inevitable--someone asked James when he had his last menage a trois.
I was ready to deflect and move on, but Marsters was not kidding when he said he could not be embarrassed.
So when was it? Marsters last three-way???
According to Marsters, it was in the mid-late 90's and he was newly single.
Other revelations included Marsters best on-screen kiss: It was with his Torchwood co-star, John Barrowman, not Sarah Michelle Gellar of Buffy fame. Surprised? I wasn't. That kiss with Barrowman was passionate, or at least it appeared that way. And Marsters said that he actually bit Barrowman on the first take because of the nature of the scene. And there were many, many takes. Marsters now-wife, Patricia Rahman, was directing the scene; the couple have been married for just over a year. According to Marsters, Patricia found the kissing scene with Barrowman so hot, she insisted on seeing it done repeatedly during shooting.... ;)
More coolness from the master of cool, James Marsters? He spoke eloquently about how when you're paid to kiss people, it's not even remotely romantic. That's a great distinction for the audience. Marsters elaborated on how kissing on screen looks spontaneous and romantic, but in reality, is quite technical.
Marsters was asked about his favorite muscians, given his own musical talents; he gave a very long list of diverse musicians that included John Lennon and Nirvana.
James Marsters is this incredible pillar of courage, confidence and strength, a man who knows who he is and is no longer apologizing for it. I aspire to be like Marsters. Everyday. I've actually never met anyone quite like him. He's rather irresistible in that way. And the surprising part? He's also really fun. Marsters knows his literature; he knows his history. And he certainly knows and loves his popular culture. He's a truly brilliant man and that translates into his roles both on and off screen. But he's also friendly, intuitive and charmingly flirtatious. Marsters is as professional as I've ever seen. In my opinion, his talents are so vast, so broad, and the depth and breadth of his craft so cunningly carved, that Marsters is poised for a magnum opus, a grand work that will both surprise and charm you. And I, for one, can't wait.
Though Marsters did not know this, I have been his fan since his stint on Northern Exposure; I've loved watching him over the years. His Spike character was so complex and well-developed that show-creator, Joss Whedon, was unable to kill the character off as originally scripted, much to the joy of the Buffy audience...and me. I watched Marsters masterful performance of Spike in the last season of Buffy. What was remarkable was how Marsters played the role--a monster without a soul, who, for the sake of love, earns it. Piece by miserable piece. He goes mad for love. He changes himself completely for it. And that stupid girl uses him up. Marsters performance was so good, that the audience--pre-programed to love the blonde, beautiful cheerleader turned slayer-- actually sympathizes not with the hero, but with the villain. Marsters made Spike the most human character on that show...the most real. And so therefore, Spike, and Marsters, are the most beloved.
If I were a Hollywood producer...oh wait. I am! True, I'm not at Marsters' level, but if I were, I'd write a script just for him. A character to end all characters. He'd be Shakespearian at his core--horribly conflicted, stuck in a conundrum of love and hate. No one can express the innate duality in the human condition as well as Marsters. And I mean, NO ONE.
An honor and a pleasure, Mr. James Wesley Marsters! I'll see you in Austin in October. In between, safe travels. Be well, my friend.
And to all of you, I heartily wish the same.