Julie Benz Interviews & AOL Chats





Julie Benz - Kathleen Topolsky

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Chat with Julie Benz
Source: react.com
Julie Benz has played some memorable characters. Like Rose McGowen's snotty friend Marcy in Jawbreaker, and the girl who made out with Billy Crudup in Inventing the Abbots. Most recently Julie had a recurring role in Roswell, the WB's show about a group of alien teens. Julie plays the guidance counselor who is really an FBI agent searching for aliens. We gossiped about the cast and found out that Brendan Fehr (Michael) is taller than Jason Behr (Max) and Majandra Delfino (Maria) is far and away the funniest.

React_Host: react.com is proud to present Julie Benz.....
react_julie: Hello!

moonruler_16 asks: How did you start your acting career?
react_julie: I was an ice skater growing up and I had a bad injury when I was 13 years old.
react_julie: My mother didn't want me sitting around the house so she took me to a modeling agency in Pittsburgh.
react_julie: I started doing some acting work and met my manager, and started going to New york for auditions, and just fell into it.

angelcallaway asks: What was it like being on the "Buffy" set
react_julie: I was on the first season, I did four episodes. Then I went back a year and a half ago and did another episode, and I'm going back in a couple of weeks to shoot an episode of Angel. It was a lot of fun, the cast was really wonderful.

plastik9_1999 asks: Hey Julie, went to high school with you and I just want to congratulate you on your recent success.
react_julie: That's really nice! Who are you?

fehrwell asks: Were you popular in high school?
react_julie: I like to think so, I was popular in my own mind. No, I was, everyone knew who I was, but I wasn't the ultimate popular girl. I wanted to be the Jawbreaker girl. I was never cool enough. Or mean enough.

starburst_877 asks: What was your first acting job
react_julie: I did a horror film called Two Evil Eyes, starring Harvey Keitel, directed by an Italian horror film cult director named Dario Argento. I got to work with Harvey Keitel which was great, though at the time I didn't know who he was and didn't care. But it was fun. I was the clueless person, all these people were dying and I didn't know. Big stretch for me!
react_julie:So, in case you were wondering, on Roswell, I played Kathleen Topolosky. The guidance counselor/undercover FBI agent. And know I sound really conceited, but the question was asked to me, it just didn't post. I had a great time working on Roswell, I hope they bring me back to do more.

moonruler_16 asks: I love Roswell, How do you like being a character on the new hit show?
react_julie: It was great! Every actor's dream. A lot of fun! I really enjoyed the character and working with the cast. I hope they have me back, I left to do a movie, and I just got back, but there was talk of bringing me back on. Hopefully, it will work out.

fehrwell asks: Who's the funniest Roswell cast member on the set?
react_julie: Definitely Majandra. I did a movie with her this past summer and she just makes me laugh.

esaleh1 asks: I didn't understand one thing. Were u really on Michael, Max snd Elizabeth's side? Detroit MI
react_julie: That's a mystery. The writers don't tell us those things. I don't even know. I like to think I'm there for the good of the kids, but that might not be true. They didn't even tell me I was FBI when I started. I found out I was FBI when I got that script.

nuxtxeeg asks: Do you believe in aliens?
react_julie: I try not to think of that a lot, but when I do, I do probably believe that there are life forms out there somewhere. I don't believe there are little green men running around, but I do believe there has to be life on some other planet. But I don't like to think about it!

miristar asks: Was there any one specific interesting thing you experienced while working on Roswell?
react_julie: Just the whole experience of working on a show where they don't reveal much to you, and trying to put the storyline together without really knowing what's going on. That was very interesting to me.

PIPER_0000 asks: What is like working with Jason Behr?
react_julie: It was wonderful! He's very sweet. He has a very sexy quality to him, even in real life. He's very much like his character, except he's not an alien. Very friendly, very nice, I can't say more. I think he's single too!

katie178_2000 asks: What movie did u do with Majandra (maria)?
react_julie: I did a movie called "I Know What You Screamed Last Summer," an independent film a spoof of all the teen horror movies. She played the Neve Campbell type of character, and I was more like the Jennifer Love Hewitt character. It also starred Simon Rex and Danny Strong, and Tom Arnold.

shleprock8 asks: What was it like to work with Jack Nicholson?
react_julie: It was great, a dream come true. I didn't have to work after that, he was my ultimate, he was the one person I would have given anything to work with, and I did. He was great. He didn't hit on me though, I was a little disappointed.

fehrwell asks: What's your favorite book?
react_julie: I love The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath, and We, The Living by Ayn Rand.

tklr5150 asks: Are you ticklish, and if so where?
react_julie: LOL! Do I have to answer that?

chasseyblue asks: Do you like the show X-files?
react_julie: I think the show is very well done, and very well written, and the acting is excellent on it. But if you don't follow it, you kind of lose track, and I kind of lost track, because I've been working.

plastik9_1999 asks: I saw you on Married with Children, how was that?
react_julie: That was so long ago! It was great, it was my first job in LA, everyone was really nice. David Faustino became really good friends, to this day.

PIPER_0000 asks: Who is your mentor and why?
react_julie: My manager, he's been with me through everything, he took this little girl from Pittsburgh and made her dreams come true, of working as an actress. I don't think I'd be where I am today if it weren't for him in my life. Vincent Cirrincione is his name. This will be 12 years that he's been my manager.

mdlamod asks: Julie, what town are you from?
react_julie: I grew up in a town called Murrysville, PA. A small suburb outside of Pittsburgh.

Angel_eyes_girl16 asks: Do you have any suggestions for an aspiring actress?
react_julie: Study. Learn as much as you can. Study acting, literature or math, it all keys into it. Learn and constantly grow. Don't let acting become your only world.

plastik9_1999 asks: Do you miss skating?
react_julie: No. LOL! I competed for a very long time, I started when I was about 2 1/2,. It was a very tough childhood. There's nothing worse than going out to a competition and falling in front of everyone.

PIPER_0000 asks: Do you prefer working on movies or tv series?
react_julie: I prefer working on good material, so whether it's TV or film it doesn't really matter. Normally the best material is in film.

hotseygirl14 asks: Is David Boreanez really that hot in real life?
react_julie: Even more so!

aberscoob asks: Julie, Is there a show you want to be on?
react_julie: Yeah, I'd love to be on The West Wing. I'd love to work with Rob Lowe. Wouldn't you?

mbatelaan asks: Is it hard being so beautiful?
react_julie: LOL! I wouldn't know!

fehrwell asks: Do you go online a lot?
react_julie: Yes I do, all the time. I just surf. I window shop, read magazines on line, send email....

druggee asks: What's the name of the character you played in Jawbreaker?
react_julie: Marcy. She was fun to play. The clothes were great.

hollie99_99 asks: Who has been your favorite person to act with?
react_julie: Jack Nicholson, was my ultimate. And then Jason Behr, and David Boreanez.

chasseyblue asks: Do you have a fav. Baseball team?
react_julie: Who? What? The Steelers? LOL

bbsba asks: Do you think Roswell will be on next season?
react_julie: Yes. Don't you?

plastik9_1999 asks: What is your next film about and when can we expect to see it?
react_julie: I have a TV movie on ABC, coming out sometime, starring Shannon Doherty called Satan's School For Girls. I have another movie which I just finished filming called "A Fate Totally Worse Than Death," starring Monica Keena, Christopher Lloyd and Janet Leigh. That should be coming out in the fall.

NealNYaz asks: Hi Julie, u are a great role model for us young people. How do u cope with being such an inspiration to people
react_julie: I'm just thrilled that people look up to me that way, but I don't live my life for that, I live my life through my own standards, and I'm very happy if others view that as a good thing. I'm not curing cancer!

zino_banned asks: Julie, Is your character's personality, similar in any way to the off screen julie? if so in what ways?
react_julie: I think she is the closest one to me personality wise. Because she's very intelligent and caring and she's just the closest to me in my off camera life that I've ever played. Even her energy that she lives with is very close to my daily energy as well. But I can be goofier than her.

fehrwell asks: Do you watch yourself on television?
react_julie: All the time! LOL! I'm very vain! I always want to see if I look fat.

aberscoob asks: Do you like to play good or bad characters?
react_julie: It's a little more fun to play evil characters.

katie178_2000 asks: What is your favorite show to watch on T.V.?
react_julie: Roswell. It's one of the few well written shows on TV.

NealNYaz asks: What is your favorite band(all-time)
react_julie: I'm a huge Sarah MacLaughlan fan. I haven't met her but if I did, I would ask her if she could make the Ice Cream Song longer. It's not long enough.

PIPER_0000 asks: What are your biggest pet peeves?
react_julie: People chewing with their mouth open, eating loud, and also when people lack self esteem. It's really sad to me, those always something to be thankful for in your life.

snowy_squirrel asks: What was your most embaressing moment on the set?
react_julie: In a Fate Totally Worse Than Death I had to wear adult diapers in a scene. That was pretty embarrassing. It was the first day of shooting, that was how I was introduced to the crew. It was tough.

jdarbyshire asks: What's your favorite kind of ice cream?
react_julie: I love Cherry Garcia, from Ben & Jerry's.

NealNYaz asks: Do u have a fan club that i could or any fan write to
react_julie: No. I will be starting a website soon, I'm working with a web designer now on that.

zino_banned asks: Are you a perfectionist? if so how do you deal with your own shortcomings as you see them?
react_julie: Yes and no. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to my work, but when it comes to my house or anything else, I'm not.

pompell21 asks: What is Katherine Heigl like is she nice
react_julie: Very sweet. I didn't get to work with her much, but when I did she was wonderful. She's really tall, and beautiful, and really funny. They put her in platform shoes she was even taller.

katie178_2000 asks: Do you have any pets?
react_julie: Yes, I have two dogs. Both border collies, Elvis & Gracie. And I used to have two horses but we recently sold them.

zino_banned asks: Are the majority of your friends in the Hollywood scene? if so does that get old having only famous friends?
react_julie: LOL! I don't have any famous friends! Most of my friends are from high school and college, I don't really have Hollywood friends. I like to remove myself from the Hollywood scene.

chantelle35 asks: Do you ever get nervous before performing?
react_julie: I get more nervous when I perform in front of a live audience, when I do a sitcom or a play, than I do in a film or an hour long TV show. I always think I'm going to forget my lines.

pam_18_2000 asks: Why did u leave the show?
react_julie: On Roswell I was originally hired just to do two episodes, and they kept expanding the character after that. They've been talking about me coming back. I got this movie and I had to go do the movie. We'll see. I hope!

fehrwell asks: Who's your favorite actor/actress?
react_julie: I've got a few. I love Goldie Hawn and Julia Louis Dreyfus, and Meg Ryan. And actors I love Jack Nicholson, Joseph Fiennes, Geoffrey Rush.

NealNYaz asks: Do go to the movies a lot, what was the last movie u saw
react_julie: Dogma. I loved it. I would love to work with Kevin Smith.

jdarbyshire asks: What is Sarah Michelle Gellar like? Is she nice?
react_julie: I've known Sarah for quite a few years, she's great, the ultimate professional, extremely talented, and a lot of fun to be around. A lot of fun on the set, and very caring too. She can tell you the best places to go shopping, the best places to get whatever you need.

Fizzie11 asks: What movie did you play in where you tried to get people to try makeovers?
react_julie: Jawbreaker.

Blade2112 asks: So, do u know who is the 4th alien in Roswell?
react_julie: I had a theory that it was me, but I don't think it is! LOL! But I did think for a while that I was an alien - I wanted to be so bad! But no, I don't think it's me. There definitely is a fourth alien. I don't think it's in the current cast, but I really don't know. And I would just love it if it was me. Love it!

LitAgt asks: What is your favorite activity to do when you are at home?
react_julie: I love playing with my dogs. I can sit for hours and play with them and not get anything done.

chasseyblue asks: Has your voice ever been in a cartoon before?
react_julie: No. Not mine, no. It totally should, I know. My husband does a lot of cartoon voices.

jewels_daisy asks: What is Brendan Fehr like?
react_julie: Brendan is a sweetheart and he has the sweetest little dog in the world. It's rottweiler and she barks and scares herself! Adorable. He spends a lot of time doing his hair.

mercutio2099 asks: where do you like to shop at?
react_julie: Everywhere! The Beverly Center!
react_julie: Thanks for chatting! Tune in and watch, and write letters so I can come back to Roswell. And I'll be on Angel again in a couple of weeks, too!









Julie Benz Chat
Date: March 10, 2000

"Roswell" star Julie Benz stopped by AOL Live to chat about her latest project, "Satan's School for Girls," on March 10, 2000. See what she had to say below!

TV Guide Online: Tonight we are chatting with Julie Benz about the new TV movie "Satan's School for Girls." Welcome, Julie! Thank you very much for coming tonight.

Julie Benz: Hi everyone.

Question: You've done a few shows that revolve around the supernatural or unexplainable, do you believe in any of those things?
Julie Benz: I try not to. I think if I did, I would be very scared. I just try not to think of that stuff.

Question: Hello, Julie. I've been a big fan of yours for many years now. Was "Hi Honey, I'm Home!" your first TV appearance, and what was that like?
Julie Benz: Yes, it was my first TV appearance. It was a lot of fun and I really wasn't prepared for the working atmosphere. I was always late, and I was happy when the show got cancelled. I've got a better work ethic.

Question: Did you see the original "Satan's School for Girls," and how does the new version compare?
Julie Benz: I saw the original and the original is very scary, but watching it today, it's kind of campy. Our version is modernized and I think it's scarier than the old one. It's really creepy. Plus Kate Jackson, who was in the original, was in this one. It's great working with her.

Question: Will you be returning to Roswell High as a guidance counselor again, or will you be doing your FBI job incognito?
Julie Benz: Good question. I have shot one more episode, which will air in a week or two. Kathleen returns, but that's all I can tell you.

Question: Who is your biggest influence, in going into acting?
Julie Benz: It would have to be my manager, Vincent. He basically discovered me in Pittsburgh. Because of his belief in me, that's why I am doing it today. He's still my manager 12 years later.

Question: Was the vampire makeup you wore on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" very uncomfortable?
Julie Benz: Yes. YES! YES! YES!

Question: Hi, Julie. Have you heard about our "Save Roswell" and "Roswell Is Hot" campaigns? If so, what are your thoughts on it?
Julie Benz: I didn't realize "Roswell" needed to be saved. It's great, and people have been tuning it. We're moving to Monday nights. It's a great show and hardcore following.

Question: Is it true that Agent Topolsky dies?
Julie Benz: They never find the body.

Question: Julie, do you like filming timepiece films, such as "Inventing the Abbotts," which takes place in the 1950s?
Julie Benz: They're a lot of fun. Everything from the wardrobe and makeup and the language of the time is an added challenge to the actors to work on those pieces.

Question: Julie, what was it like working with Jack Nicholson?
Julie Benz: It was fun. It was a dream come true. I am such a huge fan of his, and to work with him as a fellow actor, it was the high point of my life. And he was really cool. He didn't hit on me. It was the high point of my career.

Question: What kind of roles can we look forward to seeing you in the future?
Julie Benz: Yeah. "Satan's School for Girls" on Monday on ABC. Also "A Fate Totally Worse than Death." We're cursed and go from 18 to age 99. I'm getting ready to shoot a pilot for NBC. I've been recurring on "Angel" as well, bringing Darla back to life. I'm doing another one after that. I have one in the can I shot that should be on in a week or two. Looks like I'm going to be doing the season finale of "Angel" as well.

Question: What's it like working with Shiri, Majandra, Jason and Brendan? Are any of them your friends off camera? Are they sweeties?
Julie Benz: Oh yeah. I did a movie with Majandra last summer. We became really good friends. I adore Jason and Brendan and Shiri. I went bowling with them the other night. They're just fun people to hang out with.

Question: Which did you like doing better, small or large screen?
Julie Benz: As long as the scripts are good, I like doing them both. I love sitcoms because the hours are less. As long as the scripts are good, that's the priority. "Roswell" is one of the best-written shows on TV. Some of the stuff they've given me to do is amazing, material I'd never see at this point in my career myself.

Question: What was it like working with Rose McGowan on "Jawbreaker"?
Julie Benz: LOL. We had lots of fun. I learned a lot from Rose. She has such great makeup and fashion tips. We spent most of the time hanging out in Rebecca Gayheart's trailer gossiping.

Question: What would you do instead of acting?
Julie Benz: Probably nothing. I can't really do anything else besides act. That's why I act. I love to read, so I'd probably be working in a library or something really boring.

Question: What's your favorite food?
Julie Benz: I like anything that is processed, nothing natural. Sugar, chemicals, licorice. Where does the red come from? Pepperidge Farm crackers. How do they color those? What the heck is hydrogenated? I'll eat that stuff over an apple any day.

Question: What advice would you give to an aspiring actress?
Julie Benz: Study. Study. Not just acting. Study things you love and people. Learn as much as you can about the world. Too many times you become too limited in your way of thinking and what the business wants and not what's right for the part. We're portraying people's lives on camera. Keeping in touch with humanity is important.

Question: Hi, I'm a really big fan of yours! What is your favorite movie and why?
Julie Benz: My all time favorite movie is "Terms of Endearment." Every time I see it, over 20 times, it takes me on the emotional roller coaster of life. Shirley McLaine in that movie is funny and heartbreaking. It's very rare to see that.

Question: How did you like working with �Buffy,� and are you going to be back on "Buffy"?
Julie Benz: I'd love to work on "Buffy" again. Unfortunately, I've been killed. I love working with Sarah and the whole cast. They're a great group of people. I just don't know if it makes sense to return to "Buffy." I love Darla.

Question: Do you get freaked out when you get home after playing these creepy parts?
Julie Benz: No. I don't get creeped out by that. Just people in real life. If I were to run into a vampire, I would be pretty scared.

Question: With all these paranormal shows, when are you going to be on "The X-Files"? :)
Julie Benz: I'd love to be on "The X-Files." "The X-Files" is a wonderful show.

Question: Do you get recognized a lot for your TV shows?
Julie Benz: Sometimes, I don't know. People look at me weird. I don't know if it's because they recognize me or if I have food in my teeth. I was in the Prada store in LA and they're all "Buffy" fans. It was nice to have them all fawning over me.

Question: Do you want to play any comedy parts?
Julie Benz: Yes. I love making people laugh. It's so much more fun. Drama can be very draining, having to be emotional and all that. It's very draining personally. I love to make people laugh. "A Fate Totally Worse Than Death" is a comedy, coming in September.

Question: Do you have any pets?
Julie Benz: Yes, I have two border collies, Elvis and Gracie.

Question: What's your favorite TV show? (Besides "Roswell," of course.)
Julie Benz: I love "The Sopranos." Love, love, love "The Sopranos." And I love "Will and Grace." It's one of the best-written shows on TV. Every actor on that show is the most talented.

Question: What would you consider the "big break" in your career?
Julie Benz: Working on "Buffy" and also the movie "As Good As It Gets." They really helped to put me out there.

Question: Do you want to explore any other aspects of films?
Julie Benz: Just acting. Maybe producing projects I believe in one day. I directed a high school play once. I couldn't get people to memorize their lines. I couldn't be mean. I'm a pushover.

Question: Julie, are there any particular young actors out there today you would like to work with, such as Chris Klein or Ben Affleck?
Julie Benz: I love working with David on "Angel," and Jason is wonderful to work with. I'd love to work with Meg Ryan, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, Kevin Spacey.

Question: Do fans ever follow you around? What's your funniest fan experience?
Julie Benz: They never follow me around. I look normal in everyday life. My funniest is one day I was on the Universal lot in the commissary. This actress from "Brother's Keeper," a little girl of 5, she turned and yelled "Oh my God, it's Darla." I'm just like, �How do you recognize me?� She said it was my voice. I ended up introducing her to Sarah. The little girl couldn't talk at all. We all posed for pictures with her and she was shaking.

TV Guide Online: Thank you so much for coming tonight, Julie! We had a great time!

Copyright 2000 TV Guide, Inc.; licensed to America Online, Inc. Portions of this transcript may be edited by AOL to correct spelling, punctuation and/or remove any material that violates AOL's Terms of Service.









Roswell Obit: R.I.P., Ms. Topolsky, TV Guide - Monday, January 08, 2001 � Charlie Mason

Although on Roswell the laying of hands by an outer-space adolescent can heal gunshot wounds, Julie Benz isn't hopeful that there is a resurrection in store for her high school guidance counselor/FBI alien hunter character, Ms. Topolsky.

"I guess I could get that call � a WB exec recently told me they're still working on a way to bring me back," she tells TV Guide Online, then adopts a skeptical tone. "I was like, 'Okay.' I don't see how they could do it." The actress � whose blood-sucking Buffy the Vampire Slayer alter ego Darla, ironically, was given a new lease on life this year by sister show Angel � even refuses to be buoyed by the fact that, after Ms. Topolsky "died" in a fire, her body was never found.

"They're so far removed from that storyline that to get back to it now would be really hard," she theorizes. "So I think at this point Topolsky's really dead."

While Benz may regret that she lost her role because of the sci-fi series' second-season shift in focus � instead of the Feds, these days the underage ETs outwit otherworldly enemies � she's sorrier still that Ms. Topolsky never traded more than information with Roswell's Sheriff Valenti, played by William Sadler.

"I so badly wanted to have a love scene with him!" she confesses. "Everyone's like, 'You didn't want Jason Behr or Brendan Fehr?' I'm like, 'Oh, they're good-looking guys. But Bill Sadler... he's a man!'"






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