Greg: At what age did you see yourself
as an entertainer?
Joe: Probably not serious till I was 17 I dont
know what the difference is between an actor or
an entertainer seen as an actor at 17.
Greg:
Did you take note of your brother Martin Sheen
acting in films and said to yourself you wanted
to do the same?
Joe:
When my brother became an actor primarily doing
stage work I was very proud of it. I think I
wanted to be like him in the character and spirit
but not necessarily as an actor. In the early
days I wanted to be a singer but I think I wanted
instead to do a highschool play. This was for me.
Regardless, as an actor it was much harder for me
to be an actor with him as a brother than if you
have no relations. I love my brother dearly but
this has not helped me and it's hindered me.
Greg:
Did you see yourself acting in horror
flicks?
Joe:
I saw myself acting in films. Horror
films? Thats fine. I do all kinds of films
except X rated films. Horror movies are just a
part of what I do. They're just movies just like
comedies or dramas. I enjoy them all.
Greg:
What was your first acting gig?
Joe:
The first acting I played the evil innkeeper who
threw Mary and Joseph out of the Inn on Xmas Eve;
it was a Christmas play. My professional acting
gig was a TV movie called The Story of
Pretty Boy Floyd in 1974. I got the
audition through the director. Clyde Ware had the
part that was offered to my brother and Clyde
asked me to auditon. Thats the last
influence my brother had on my career. I worked
with Corman a number of times and during the set
of Dillinger & Capone
because I looked like Martin, I was cast due to a
resemblance because that is what the part was
called for. My character got killed and the
killers were looking for my brothers character
and because of the resemblance, killed me by
accident.
Greg:
Do you two keep in touch?
Joe:
We love each other and see each other once a year
at Christmas time. I have not gotten any parts
related to my brother. In fact, it has hurt my
career.
Greg:
You played a killer in the Zero Boys.
I haven't seen it yet but was that a horror film?
Joe:
Yes absolutely. It was my first horror film. I
was happy for the work and it was the first
independent movie I did.
Greg:
What was your character all about?
Joe:
He was just a total killing machine. His
presence was a take off on a famous film. The
story was about just 4 kids in the house and the
bridge is gone and they cant get out of the
house. I was the terrorist it was fun I enjoyed
it. Lots of physical stuff. I saw the film not
too long ago and it did pretty well.
Greg:
What kind of a release did it get?
Joe:
It got a theatrical release in the middle states
so it never played NY or Los Angeles. It was a
limited release. When a film gets a limited
release it perks up for a world wide release. The
producer/director was Nico Mastorakis and Omega
Entertainment is his company. I did two films for
him. It went to theatre's through all of the
European countries. Greece, Italy, France,
Louisianne, Southern states, Idaho and New
Mexico.
Greg:
One of your memorable roles was Fatal
Pulse which was apparently a crime
horror. What kinds of feedback did you get?
Joe: "Dont do those roles again", that
was the feedback. Fatal Pulse
was ok. It was a horror film. My days of peeking
through keyholes are over.
Greg:
What was your character Ernie all about through
the film?
Joe:
Ernie was a Vietnam veteran who was suffering
through Combat shock and he was the caretaker of
the sorority house and Ernie the poor guy was the
hero killing the killer.
Greg:
Did the film get reviewed in magazines like
Fangoria that you know of?
Joe: I would assume it did. Frankly I dont know.
Greg:
I rented your flick Murder in Law
where you played the role of a father named Bill
which supposedly was a made for TV movie. Was it
actually aired on TV or cable? I ask because the
contents on there would be too much for a regular
channel like ABC TV.
Joe: I thought that this movies unlike most other
horror movies had a plot and it had no gore. The
acting is marvelous and shot terrifically. I
thought it was freaking brilliant. It was the
most subtle performance Ive ever done.
Ive gotten 10 percent of the films
Ive ever done. The director was offered
10,000 dollars and turned it down so never got
another offer. Once it was finished and the money
was offered, Tony Jiti Gill turned it down.
Greg:
What was Marilyn Adams who played your Mom like
to work with?
Joe:
She was a sweetheart great very easy very giving
very opposite of a primadonna.
Greg:
Did you act fatherly offscreen to the cast who
played your son and daughter as you seemed
believeable as a parent to them on screen?
Joe: No were all actors here. But Daryl Gablow
keeps in touch me. Hes an ordained
minister.
Greg:
A film I loved you in was Soultaker
which was another flick fans remembered
you in. What was required for you to audition for
the role of the evil spirit known as the Man?
Joe: Well you know, its funny. He called me and
he wanted to know if I could played the Mayor who
was the father of the female lead and I said that
I wanted to play the Soultaker who is the movie.
That character was originally going to be a
nameless monster. I really enjoyed it. Soultaker
was good to me and put me on the map. I have
literally not stopped working since
Soultaker.
Greg:
What was Michael Rissi like to work with?
Joe: He rewrote the end of the script as it was
painted into a corner and he found a writing
solution that gave it the perfect ending. Michael
Rissi is an excellent director Im surprised
he isnt doing more.
Greg:
I understand that your co-star Robert
ZDar can be real difficult to work with.
What chemistry did you have with him?
Joe: I tell you that was the first time I worked with
Bobby and it was terrific. Bobby may at times
have been difficult in the past but now Bobby is
super to be around, he is easy to work with,
patient, sober and I personally believe
Bobs best work is ahead of it. Hes a
great actor and I am proud to be his friend.
Greg:
Who did you enjoy working with the most?
Joe:
Bobby yeah.
Greg:
What memorable scene did you have doing
the film?
Joe:
A flashback to a previous life and I was a
confederate officer. That that scene seemed to
stay in my mind when I think of Soultaker.
Greg:
Now it got a theatrical release. Was it shown
nationwide?
Joe:
Soultaker? I dont know, I really
dont. They invited me to the premiere and
it was terrific.
Greg:
I heard a sequel is to follow and you will
reprise your role in it. Will this ever happen?
Joe: There was a lot of talk and I think politics was
the big reason why there was never a sequel.
There was one segment who wanted me to star in a
sequel and then then there was another segment
who wanted William Schatner and just for whatever
reasons it didnt happen just because of
infighting and policital reasons.
Greg: Now
Dark Universe was another well
known flick. How did you feel about the film in
general as your role as Ron Kendrick?
Joe: I never saw it. I dont know. The director
asked me to come in for a day or two. It was a
cameo.
Greg:
You were in a David Decoteau's vampire flick
titled Blonde Heaven. The film
starred Julie Strain and former scream queen
Michelle Bauer. Was this your first time acting
with them?
Joe: I don't remember my role in it. I worked with
Julie Strain a number of times shes a
sweetheart and a good actress. Michelle Bauer is
fun and good to be around.
Greg:
I saw half of Werewolf and it
looked really hot where you were. Was this in a
desert and did most of you complain about the
heat as you all wore clothes that wouldnt
suit the kind of weather you was having.
Joe: I just think "God I got killed early in the
movie", but I think it did very well due to
its box cover cause it sold very well.
Greg:
You seemed to be cast in other werewolf flicks
like Blood Slaves of Vampire Wolf.
Was this due to your role in Werewolf?
Joe:
Probably not.
Greg: In the mid 90s your nephew Charlie Sheen
was dating Ginger Lynn Allen while she was moving
on from porn to low budget horror films. Were you
and her ever billed to be in a horror film
together?
Joe:
Not that I know of.
Greg:
I enjoyed your role as the hotel Desk Clerk in Scary
Tales: The Return of Mr. Longfellow. Did
you have a lot of fun in that film?
Joe:
I did. I enjoyed it. Most of the roles that I do
the directors let me do what I wanna do and Mike
just let me go on that. It was fun. Some
reviewers said it was the most subtle over the
top performance they have ever seen.
Greg:
I noticed that the room was dark. Where was this
shot at?
Joe:
It was shot in some lobby at some strip mall at
1:00 in the morning. What you saw is what is was.
It was very small and Michael was very inventive
with that set.
Greg:
What kind of feeling did you get playing
the Desk Clerk?
Joe: Every role that I play comes from my heart. I
read it and instinctively thats what I
wanted to do.
Greg: Now heres some fun stuff: What are your
favourite horror films?
Joe:
Favourite horror films. Of course Soultaker,
House on the Haunted Hill and Invasion
of the Body Snatchers. A great film.
Greg: If you have a film youd like to change.
What would it be?
Joe:
Beach Babes from Beyond. Me being in it.
I went down on that with a lot of good actors.
Greg:
What is the film you acted in that you cherish
the most?
Joe:
Gotta be Jumping for Joy. A
family movie and I dont know if its
released yet. I worked with the same company
again in a film called Slow Mo.
Greg:
If you were a top scream king for one day whether
this actor was alive or dead who would he be?
Joe:
Humphrey Bogart
Greg:
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Joe:
I think is finding and fully realising God in
myself.
Greg:
What are your ambitions in life?
Joe:
To be a better person. To fear nothing. To love
my children and wife more fully. |