Archived Q&A with Joe Manganiello

• Q

  

  TrueBloodHBO

  Thanks to Joe Manganiello for joining us. Many questions we’ve received are more like marriage proposals! How does that make you feel?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I'm flattered!

• Q

  

  alyssatcraig

  Do you have some of the same personality traits as Alcide? Or do you find that as the character develops, so do the traits?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  We both growl, eat a lot of meat, and we have both been told that our body temperatures are very hot to the touch. My whole life people have said I remind them of a wolf.

• Q

  

  Tara Frenzel

  It's been said that upon meeting some actors who portray vampires, fans have asked them to bite them. What is the weirdest request a fan has asked of you? And have you indulged that request?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  a fan asked me to lick her because wolf saliva heals wounds... I didn't. I also get a lot of requests for growling...

• Q

  

  Diane Capkovic

  First, I am delighted to see more of you on TB. It's about time. I was wondering what plans you have for your future as an actor?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I am currently in training for David Ayer's new movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington, and Terrence Howard. We start shooting in October. I will also be returning to How I Met Your Mother as Brad for their final season and I'm slated to shoot a dark comedy with Jason Sudekis and Rose Byrne called Tumbledown at some point soon... and there is this other movie too but its too early to talk about it now.

• Q

  

  brokenjules

  Have you read the True Blood books? How do you feel the Alcide of the books compares to the Alcide of the show? Which do you prefer?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I think toward the end of season 5 Alcide toughens up quite a bit more than he does in the books and I couldn't be happier about that. I am also thrilled about working with Robert Patrick. I think our relationship is so much more developed and nuanced that the books and that has been awesome to play

• Q

  

  twizardluver

  What was your audition for True Blood like? Were you nervous? Did you have to do anything special to prepare?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  My first audition was for "Coot" who was the first werewolf to show up in season three episode one. There were about 10 people in the room including Alan Ball and Gregg Feinberg. There were two scenes and one of them was coming out of a transformation. I got in there and just went for it… growling, snarling, practically frothing at the mouth. My take was pretty dark and sinister. When I was done there was silence in the room for a few seconds and then everyone broke out into laughter. I said thanks and left. They called me in again to read for Coot a second time and told me afterward that I wasn't getting that role but there was this other bigger werewolf character that shows up in episode three named "Alcide" that they wanted me to chemistry read for with Anna. I went in the following week to read for Alcide and they told me that day that I got it and the rest is history.

• Q

  

  samfranke_

  What has been your favorite "Alcide moment" or any scene you've been involved in?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I think the stuff with Debbie's parents in the hotel room came out great. Other than that, I like it anytime Alcide kicks someone's ass or gets romantic.

• Q

  

  PeekabooMelanie

  Joe, I see alot of photos out there where you seem upset about the Paparazzi, how are you handling all the fame? was it what your expected?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I love my life and its far exceeded my expectations... this is exactly what I asked for... with that said, paparazzi are not my friends. They are parasites that profit by disrupting other people's personal lives. I understand its their job but I don't like them.

• Q

  

  Jade Lowry

  What does Alcide now plan to do with himself now that he lost the pack master challenge? Where will he go?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  Get ready for the finale baby!!!

• Q

  

  JessC78

  Do you watch the show on Sunday nights w/ the rest of us Truebies?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I do. the show is so huge with so many plot lines... I don't get to see everyone else film so its a real joy to see what they all came up with... I was a huge fan of the show before I was on it too so there's that...

• Q

  

  M_Stephanie_P

  From my point of view, Alcide has always been the good guy since he came to the show. Any chance we are going to see a darker side of him?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  you will next week...

• Q

  

  Sabine_Leo

  What would you wish to get to do as Alcide in the future?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I love it when Alcide gets to kick ass and be romantic...

• Q

  

  gingerann1987

  Do you get to do your own stunts and what is the most difficult part performing the role of Alcide? :)

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I do a lot of my own stunts, especially the fights. Those are definitely rough days, trying to keep your eyes open while driving home the next morning after shooting all night and then washing all of the blood and dirt off of you, to wake up the next day and be sore all over… but if I didn't love it I wouldn't do it.

• Q

  

  JennieBackus

  What is one thing your fans would be surprised to know about you?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I have a very eclectic taste in music which I let loose with my songs of the day on twitter... but I am also big into art as well... I'm always at an art opening or museum... or seeing live music

• Q

  

  MaryAnn_Heywood

  Any plans for incorporating some of your Magic Mike moves into True Blood? :D

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  apparently you haven't watched season five...

• Q

  

  Holly Bergeron

  LOL the scene when Eric glamored Alcide was hysterical and so was the scene when you guys bark like dogs. Did those scene go through a lot of takes? I bet you guys couldn't stop laughing.

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  We generally do a lot of takes of everything and yes we were barking and yelling crazy stuff at each other the whole time. I was amazed that there was one usable take with us not cracking up in the middle. We were laughing the whole time. During the glamouring... we were cracking up between takes too.

• Q

  

  moore2cl

  Ciao Joe! First of all, we share the same birthday and I'm a devoted fan. I currently live in Napoli. What part is your family from?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  Ciao! my fathers family is from Avellino which is outside of Naples and where the Manganiello name comes from. the other half of his family is from Messina Sicily and their name is Bonanno. My mother is of Austrian, German, and Armenian heritage

• Q

  

  orchid_thief

  Have you met the animal that plays you as a wolf? :P And how do you feel playing a supernatural? Is it any tricky to shoot shifting scenes?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  yes, his name is Thunder. he is a full blooded north american timber wolf. I love playing a werewolf... I find the shifting scenes fun but because you're naked there is a lot of prep work to do before hand and on the day of... so its extra work but i enjoy it

• Q

  

  FaAtarGarcia

  Do you have any pets?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  no pets except for my stuffed Eyore from Anna and Stephen

• Q

  

  E.J. Christiano

  have you created bond with the wolf that you act with?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  yes, he likes me and he lets me pet him and take him for walks

• Q

  

  Teri DeGeorge Kruze

  Is there a cast member you haven't had a chance to work with but would like to

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I think I've worked with everyone except Deborah Ann and Mike McMillian... and seeing as how Mike and I attended the same drama school... that has to happen... but Alcide hates vamps so interacting with either would be rough for him

• Q

  

  Jackiewiles

  5 years ago did you think you would be where you are today?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I hoped I would… but I didn't expect this. I couldn't have dreamed up a better role on a better show to launch my career and I certainly couldn't have expected the response from fans and the business at large to have been what its been. True Blood changed my life forever.

• Q

  

  edanarafferty

  What other TV shows do you watch?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I watch NFL Football/ESPN, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, No Reservations, Border Wars... and anything gun related

• Q

  

  Jamie Gammon

  When will season 6 start filming?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  January i hear...

• Q

  

  Kassmysass_

  If there is one thing you could hope for Alcide next season what would it be and why?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  kicking vampire ass, and I'd like to see him find a solid woman... whether one of the existing ones or a new one

• Q

  

  luvedbyeu2

  When it comes to the character in the books you hit the nail on the head. did you read the books for reference at all?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  thank you! I read book three before my audition and I usually read the corresponding book before we start shooting the relevant season each year

• Q

  

  AndieSpandie

  As far as Sookie's romances go, are you Team Bill, Team Eric, or Team Alcide?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I'm Team Sookie

• Q

  

  EdibleDuchess

  Did you have to practice making a low growl?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I observed wolves and dogs and where their growls came from. But I don't sit at home in the mirror growling at myself. I like to think that growling comes naturally to me. Its an unconscious thing. Its not premeditated usually… when a situation calls for growling… the growl just happens.

• Q

  

  LanceMcClurkin

  What is your favorite color?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  Black

• Q

  

  Laura Demers Desena

  Movies or TV? Which medium is your favorite?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I like good material and smart people... as long as I have that I'm happy. I have enjoyed the opportunity to develop Alcide over a number of years now but I had a blast with Magic Mike and I'm having a really intense time preparing for Breacher... and I can't wait to get back to How I Met Your Mother... so I like it all for different reasons

• Q

  

  haveysmom23

  You say you watch NFL football ......whats your favorite team steelers??

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I bleed Black and Gold

• Q

  

  Carey Dulea

  What's your favorite thing to eat?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  Steak for Two at the Benjamin Steakhouse in Manhattan

• Q

  

  VaniaPeterson

  How awkward are the sexual scenes you have filmed in True Blood?! Any funny scenarios that may have taken place during the filming?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  The Debbie sex scene in season four was scripted to be awkward and the Rikki scene in season five wasn't. You'd be surprised at how much actors get into their roles and allow the scenes being filmed to dictate how they feel leading up to filming… if its meant to be awkward… people will sometimes feel awkward and when people are supposed to be into it… people will sometimes be into it. As far as funny moments...? When clothes are being taken off... the last thing you want to have happen is laughter.

• Q

  

  ThePilk95

  Any chance you could get a sweat suit like Pam's?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I wouldn't be caught dead in that thing...

• Q

  

  Sarah Durand

  What life lesson did you learn the hard way?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  "learn how to say no"

• Q

  

  Vickie Walker

  Do you ever get strange gifts from fans?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  some weird guy online kept putting up these paintings he'd made of me with no pants on... like I'm supposed to be excited about that... that's weird man

• Q

  

  Kelly Howard

  On Twitter you post Songs of the Day, who would you say is your favorite musician and would that change for Alcide & Big Dick Richie?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  Favorite musician of all time??? Nine Inch Nails, Tool, The Doors, Massive Attack, Alice In Chains, Pantera… of right now? Polica, Die Antwoord, M83. that would change a bit for Alcide and BDR. Alcide strikes me as a metal or grunge guy with a little AC/DC in there… BDR would probably be into some electronic stuff.

• Q

  

  Tara Kirkpatrick Dunn

  are you a smith&wesson or walther kinda guy?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  Sig Sauer .45

• Q

  

  Joe_Paul_G

  Can I be part of the wolf pack?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  you have to get jumped in by the rest of the pack...

• Q

  

  sara_mire

  What would you like to see happen with your character as the show progress' into the next season?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  We can discuss that more once you see the finale… it leaves Alcide in a pretty interesting position and I'm curious to know where he goes next. I personally want to see him beat the living s**t out of everyone thats ever crossed him or ever looked at him funny and then wind up with a girl who has his back. No more of this "maybe" stuff. A real she wolf… or just a fairy who can hold her liquor...

• Q

  

  DolanAbbie

  Since you went to acting school later, were you in drama in highschool?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I took acting classes for the first time during my senior year. the teacher let me jump a level and go right into daytime theatre company second semester and she urged me to try out for the musical which I was cast in.

• Q

  

  DeannaEllenAli

  JOEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, where did you go to college?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  The Carnegie Mellon School of Drama in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (CMU)

• Q

  

  dboo2u

  Hello Mr. Manganiello, what other acting roles can we expect to see you in? What is a normal day for you outside of true blood?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  I'm currently training for a movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Worthington, and Terrence Howard. I'm going back to How I Met Your Mother and going to try to shoot two indies before going back to TB for season 6. I usually work 6 or 7 days a week between prep work and gym time for other projects so... my days are usually really busy. I love going to the movies and travelling and seeing art and music in my free time

• Q

  

  CullenButler

  Maybe asked alot but what is your favorite book to read and re-read???

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  The Hobbit was my favorite growing up

• Q

  

  Carey Dulea

  You've mentioned the southern accent took effort for this role. Did you visit the south to help perfect the sound?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  It wasn't that it was difficult... its just that I wanted it to sound right for everyone who lives in or is from Mississippi

• Q

  

  TrueBloodHBO

  That’s all the time for today’s Q&A. Thanks for joining us, Joe. Any hints on where this Sunday’s True Blood finale will leave Alcide?

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  Joe Manganiello says:

  THERE WILL BE BLOOD!!!