A favorite interview subject of mine, I had the pleasure of talking with Eddie Steeples just prior to his going into production on the first season of "My Name is Earl". I've met a LOT of famous (and infamous) people in my life, but Eddie is one of the most down to earth guys you could ever know. Am so glad "Earl" is a hit; it deserves to be, and so does he. But yeah, this one was done prior to the show, hence some of the references in the interview to the series being forthcoming.
This guy is also one BUSY guy, so was glad to get him to stay still long enough to speak to me. Again, one of my favorite subjects - and I hope you enjoy learning more about this great guy.
This guy is also one BUSY guy, so was glad to get him to stay still long enough to speak to me. Again, one of my favorite subjects - and I hope you enjoy learning more about this great guy.
The hit song by The Spinners sort of says it all ...
"Hey, y'all prepare yourself"For the RubberBand man."You never heard a sound"Like the Rubberband man."You're bound to lose control"When the Rubberband starts to jam!"
And OfficeMax saw it too, in the form of a young musical artist/actor, turning him into a character soon recognized around the world – and a series of commercials recognized with an Emmy award.
It was my first glimpse of Eddie Steeples, too – strutting like a peacock between a row of cubicles, pushing a cartful of office supplies, hair out to there and with the supreme confidence of a guy with all the answers. It took some time to realize this was the same guy who played Rasan in the hyperactive cycle film Torque, but once I did – and I saw the Christmas OfficeMax commercial – I realized the cliché "a star is born" was no cliché where this guy was concerned.
In one of my favorite Famous Fans interviews so far (and MONTHS in the making, thanks to the insane schedule of this multitalented man with more energy than a roomful of preschoolers), it was my pleasure to corner Eddie Steeples on the phone at last, to talk about his life and work and that damned RubberBand Man …
Raised in Spring, Texas by a mother who dabbled a bit in show business herself, from the ripe old age of four Eddie Steeples knew he was going to be an entertainer. Most of his love for the business came from every kid's favorite medium – television – but for Eddie that magical world held a personal fascination … his own mother did commercials for television, modeling. That started it all, and at various points a young Eddie wanted to be a cop ("Starsky & Hutch"), a highway patrolman ("CHiPs"), or a stuntman ("The Fall Guy"), depending on his favorite show at the time. But when he discovered Steve McQueen – the legendary actor who did his own stunts, as well – well, the thought of being able to jump out of airplanes, and drive fast cars – it was the actor's life for Eddie Steeples! After brief stints studying theater in Santa Cruz, then at St. Louis Repertory, the young actor took his dreams to the mean streets of New York City in the mid-1990's …
"When I moved to New York City it was a playground for me to develop my skills as an artist," Eddie remembers. "I wrote poetry in high school … was into music in Jersey and in D.C. … I met Nomad of No Surrender (the avant-garde hip hop group Eddie remains a big part of to this day) while passing out flyers in a club [and] when from poetry to spoken word to rap." No Surrender proved to be a perfect fit for Eddie's style and flow, and his contribution to the group continued … and it was in 1996 that Eddie met director Kevin Ford of Mo-Freek, an experimental indie film outfit. "I met Kevin while doing a play at LaMama (one of NYC's most popular experimental theaters) … saw that he was into theater [at the time], but I wanted to do film – that was my real desire."
And sure enough, Eddie's association with Mo-Freek kept Eddie busy with a string of roles in Mo-Freek productions including Caravan Summer and Lost in the Bush. Though proving himself a talented dramatic actor, Eddie was also able, during this time, to flex his muscles with comedy – no less than on Chris Rock's hit television show. When asked about working for/with a real king of comedy:
"It was great; it really gave me that first taste of the professional, real television and film world. It was small, very intimate … I only did a couple of skits, but it was really like being a part of the family. [I] wish I could have been around it more, to learn – but I had a great time."
Relocating to Los Angeles to pursue film acting led to Eddie's breakthrough role as Rasan in Torque, but Eddie barely had no time to concentrate on the fame sneaking up on him (or his resulting spotlight in People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" issue of last year!) – he was too busy working on writing, producing, directing, AND acting in his own production - Robbers, a film which recently wrapped production. Does a man wearing so many hats worry about maybe devoting too little time to one thing while trying to juggle so many balls in the air? Eddie's answer is yes, but it seems to be the only route for now …
"It is difficult, no doubt … but at the same time, I feel like if I only gave it all to just one of those things, I'd have so much free time, I'd go crazy …
"I do find it … sometimes I hate it, I feel like I could be so much farther if I just concentrated on one thing. Acting comes easiest to me, but I'm not sure of what direction I'm going in … I just want to become a better person – to grow spiritually – to see where it goes … "
Also one entertainer who definitely "remembers where he came from," Eddie adds his desire to pay it back by adding, "I would love to have my own production company … be able to help others who don't have the same opportunities. [I] would love to be able to do that, and help."
But that may have to put on hold, for fame caught up with Eddie Steeples at last, in the form of his friend Rene, at a local casting agency … who called Eddie in about a casting she was working on … seems she had a client looking for RubberBand Man for a commercial for OfficeMax. Eddie turned down the chance – repeatedly!
"She said they were looking for a RubberBand Man … the first few times I refused .. but she kept calling because they hadn't found anyone – nagging me! (he says with a chuckle) – but I was focused on film. Finally, I went as a favor … ended up doing the first one, then it was a hit and they wanted more …"
"The people at OfficeMax and DDB (the advertising agency) were really cool – it was fun, but I ran across a lot of people who said I shouldn't have done it."
And sure enough, the resulting fame changed Eddie's life forever. Eddie Steeples, now a recognizable face on the streets, was just realizing his first love-hate battle with fame:
:
"It's a catch-22 … nerve-wracking, but wonderful … your privacy becomes open to the public, and you get special treatment, - which everyone should get, everyone is special, but doesn't …" He also admits it's "a weird mental thing; I can see why people lose it. If you're not grounded, you can get lost in all that illusion."
And Steeples stays grounded by staying busy, and always making it about your next project. Along with finishing up Robbers, Eddie's been spending what few minutes he has working on his first solo album …
"It's slow … coming along." When asked what kind of music fans can expect, Eddie replies, with hesitation, "[It's] hard to describe … sort of rock/hip hop, [but] more like crazy electronic beats, with layers of guitar and drums … future music." He foresees its release sometime in 2007, "realistically," as he's busy writing the script for a film he'd like to shoot first.
Favorite actors that have inspired Eddie Steeples include Don Cheadle ("really a fan of his work, and he just seems like a good person – you can tell"), Johnny Depp ("inspires [me] in his choice of characters; he won't be fitted to a certain mold") and Clint Eastwood ("I would love to work with Eastwood") … but Eddie cites one of his greatest inspirations of his life as Ms. Wilma Marcus-Chandler, a former teacher of his at Cabrillo College. "She taught me how to act," is how he puts it, adding how much he still thanks her for the free classes she allowed a struggling young actor to take, simply because she saw the devotion he had to his craft.
Having even survived a brief brush with the horrible tsunami disaster in Thailand, Steeples came back tot the States with full determination to continue to work and grow and learn … he has a supporting role in the upcoming Akeelah and the Bee, starring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne – and this fall co-stars in "My Name is Earl" on NBC. According to Eddie, "Earl" is "really about a guy who wins the lottery, and about karma and righting all your wrongs." Jason Lee plays Earl, and Eddie will play Darnell, Earl's friend who works at a crab shack. Eddie describes the show as "taking it to the next level of what can be done on TV – I think it's going to be one of those shows, where either you're going to love it … or want it to go away." Indeed, the show – which premieres September 20 at 9pm Eastern Time on NBC – sounds like another cutting edge series for NBC that could bring Eddie Steeples even more fame than a certain office supply delivery guy …
And now that he has fans, what does Eddie think about them – of fame – of being asked for his autograph? Well, like everything else, the guy's opinions on these points are quite grounded in reality, as well …
"I don't mind – it depends on the person and how they ask … when people ask and they obviously don't know me – are just asking because they saw other people asking – I ask myself, 'Why?'
"I love it, but there are levels and degrees. I think it's cool, it's an honor that people are out there loving what you do … but I was driving in my truck the other day, [when] a guy a couple of cars ahead in the other lane saw me and brought out a camera, started taking pictures of me. It was weird, kind of nerve-wracking – [to know that] can happen anywhere, anytime, any place … I know it will get kind of crazy."
Indeed, if "Earl" is a hit, things could get VERY crazy, indeed. But Eddie has a plan – he always had – and when asked where he'd like to be in five years, Eddie's instant answer tells much about the heart of the man inside, for without hesitation he replies:
"I would love to be able to have already retired my mother. I would also have liked to have already produced and directed several films. Also to have spiritual and mental tranquility."
That last one may be difficult in L.A., for sure, but it anyone can do it – Eddie Steeples can. One exceptional man – one exceptional talent – he still doesn't even try to hide the kid inside, when quizzed about the kinds of roles he'd most love to still do:
"If I play more than one kind of role once, I get bored. I would like to play a real-life person … bad guys, villains …
"A sci-fi film, where I shoot rays out of my fingers! I wanna do it all!"
And from the enthusiasm in his voice … you can believe he will.
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