The Official Michael Sheard Site

Echo Base Interviews Michael Sheard
(This interview was featured in Echo Base magazine #2.)

Could you tell us how you got the part in "The Empire Strikes Back"?
Sorry, but there is no mystery, no gongs banging or trumpets blasting. My agent simply rang. 'They're doing a sequel to that film they made a couple of years ago which is proving to be quite successful. You've got a month before your next movie starts and there's a part in this one which would fit. There's not a lot to it but there is a rather nice death'. The rest is history!

About "The Empire Strikes Back", you must have a lot of memories working on it. Can you share some of those?
Not that many in fact - I wasn't on the film for very long (see above). I'd already worked with Harrison on 'Force 10' and he and the rest of the Americans were extremely nice. My old chums of course - all the Brits - I'd held a glass with all of them many times. Likewise the crew. Tiny Nicholls, the wardrobe master, and I had spent three months together in Ireland on 'The McKenzie Break'. 'Empire' was an enjoyable job, the same as very nearly all the other films TV I've done. A footnote! I've just returned from a great convention here in Bournemouth with Robert Picardo and the guy in charge of reception at the hotel was Don Henderson's son. Small world.

Do you feel neglected for being one of the few people who still hasn't got his own action figure? Or do you compensate that with your books?
Certainly not, I don't give a hoot. But there is one of me you know, I have the prototype. It's not been released yet because another movie got in the way!

You played "Sergeant Bauer" in "Force 10 From Navarone" which also starred Harrison Ford. Ten years later you met him again in "Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade". And of course, the both of you were in "The Empire Strikes Back". How would you describe your experiences with Harrison Ford?
He's a good hard working bum (the American use of the word as also used on the cover of my first book) actor, same as the rest of us. A very nice guy. For more info read 'Yes, Mr Bronson'!

Could you tell us a bit more about your books, especially your new one, 'Yes, School's Out'? What are the topics covered in them? How did you get into writing and why?
I was approached - heavens, it must be about eight years ago - by a publisher who wanted a book about the business which was not a 'kiss and tell' tome, but an insight to the business from a working actor's point of view. 'Yes, Mr Bronson' was the result and it's still selling like mad! I then wrote - as a result of 'Yes, Mr B.' proving so popular, 'Yes, Admiral' (as in 'Star Wars' Ozzel) which is slanted more towards Sci-Fi. This, too, is proving very popular I'm delighted to say. 'Yes, School's Out' is mostly (it still covers my career) my gift to all the lovely people I've met, and danced with, laughed with, and had a couple with at the bar, at Sci-Fi conventions. The proofs have just gone back to the publisher and it's due for publication in May. My wife thinks it's the best yet! I think I've answered the 'how did I get into writing', the 'why' is that I love it, it's my relaxation and - God help us! - I'll continue until I drop, or even after!

You've worked with both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, legends in their fields. What was that like?
Steven is superb. George never directed me, I can't even remember if he was on the set or not - I'm sure he had more important things to do and I know he had a lot of faith in his director. I seem to remember him being around more on 'Indy' but that may have been because he liked the sun in France. Legends? We're all legends - no, I was called 'cult' the other day! Forgive me if I sound flip, but I'm sure all who are on my side of the fence would agree (except my 'Father' - he's six months younger than I am - Jeremy B. He thinks he's exceptional!! Joke!) that we are all working for the best product we can make. It doesn't matter if it's the biggest film of all time or a tiny television show, we are all trying to make it the best thing ever. There are no legends, just professionals.

How did you, as an actor, experience the evolution of movies from the sixties until now? Do you still enjoy acting as much as you did in the sixties?
I wasn't making movies in the sixties. Try the seventies, just, and you'll be a bit nearer the mark! I love the movies and whenever I work in them I'm happy. Nothing really changes. At the end of the day, a man points a camera at another, and someone says 'action'!

Of all films and television series you've played, what would be your favourite role?
Quite impossible to say. I get something out of every part I play. But at the end of the day I think I have a favourite movie. It was made on Rhodes - we were there for three months - it had a wonderful cast, a great script, lovely part for me, super time had by all. It was called 'Escape to Athena'.

For the tv-series "Final Frontier" you are working with Jeremy Bulloch again. Do you have any other projects lined up?
'Father' Jeremy will work along side me. It's my name above the title along with Claudia Christian! Yes, I've many great projects coming along. A radio Sherlock Holmes series with Tom Baker; a movie in Ireland called 'The Connemara Days', about the making of 'The Quiet Man' which starred John Wayne; two more series and a film with Norman Wisdom; plus 'Call My Bluff' - at least six times - and 'Countdown', etc.

Is there a type of character you have never played before, but which you still would like to portray?
I honestly can't think of one - I've done them all. Well, I do have over 800 TVs and 43 movies under my belt!

The "Phantom Menace" was the first new Star Wars film in 16 years. It has received a lot of criticism, a part of which came from a number of fans. You, as an actor from the original trilogy, must undoubtedly get asked what you think of this film a lot. Why do you think fans ask you this question?
Because, as you say, I was in the first three (rather number 5!). It's not really for me to comment, but I think the idea was to go for a younger audience. This perhaps was unwise.

You have a US and UK version of your web site. Why are there two? What are your goals with your own web sites?
I used to have none! Then both America and Scotland asked me at almost the same time. They liase with each other and as to goals, well they do keep people informed and I can advertise my books!

I can imagine people recognize you on the street, but which role that you have played are you mostly identified with?
Here, in the UK, Mr Bronson from 'Grange Hill', followed by many others. Out of the UK, in those countries where 'Grange Hill' is not seen, Admiral Ozzel from 'Empire', followed by many others!

You've played in many SF series such as Doctor Who, The Invisible Man, Space:1999 and Blake's 7 which have all become classics. Do you have a special bond with science fiction?
No, see my first book 'Yes, Mr Bronson - Memoirs of a Bum Actor'. That's the American use of the word. I'm a vagabond, a travelling player, I'll do (almost) any part I'm offered.

You've also played quite a lot of Germans in your career, most notably Hitler, Himmler, Goering... Does WWII have a special meaning to you? Why is it that you've played these (kind of) characters so often?
All I can say is see the above answer - oh, and that my German is quite good.

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