94 www.timeoutjakarta.com May 2010

The Hot SeatSmall talk with big peopleChris O’Donnell has made the jump to television with his hit series ‘NCIS:Los Angeles’, which airs locally on AXN. TOJ’s Tyara Putri had a nice chat with this proud pappa of five.

So what’s been keeping you busy lately? I have been busy shooting for 'NCIS: Los Angeles'. We have been on the set for more than eight months. Which is the longest time I have ever spent on a character. This is unchartered territory and it’s interesting to play the same character this long. I enjoy playing on a show that people are actually watching. I mean, I couldn’t be happier and I feel in these economic times and the business, it’s shrunk a little bit. And I think every one of us just feels fortunate to be working on a hit show. How did you come to be involved with this series? I was contacted by Shane Brennan, creator and executive producer of the original 'NCIS' and now 'NCIS: Los Angeles'. I spent time with Shane and heard his take on the character of Callen and what he was looking to do with it in the show and I was just excited to work with him. What’s the key factor to play-ing your role on ‘NCIS:LA’? I play Special Agent ‘G’ Callen, a lead agent whose natural talent for undercover work is legendary. Like a chameleon I can transform myself into whoever I need to be to infiltrate the criminal underworld. So my character and LL Cool J’s work for a division of NCIS that is charged with apprehending dangerous and elusive criminals that pose a threat to the nation's security by assuming false identities and utilizing the most advanced technology.

Todd (LL Cool J’s real name) and I had to undergo lots of training, like weapon familiarisation, shooting, interrogation, even how to act like real intelligence agents. Even Todd, as his character is fluent in Arabic and an expert

in Middle Eastern culture, had to learn Arabic and the culture from our technical advisor. We have a technical advisor as well for weapons and shooting, so everything looks as real as possible.

Growing up, did you ever wanted to be a special agent? Yeah! (Laughs) No! I mean, before I got in this business, I used to love pretending I was other people and goofing on people, and just making

up stories and pretending I’m somebody I’m not. But once I kind of got in the public eye, it was a little tougher to pull that off.

What kinds of characters do you enjoy playing? Nothing specific, but I like playing a character that people will always remember me for because they’ll start running this thing forever. It'll be on in reruns and you'll just see it again and again and again and it’ll be another kind of chapter in my career. Such as my character in 'Scent of a Woman', or my character on 'Grey’s Anatomy'. I only did 10 or 12 episodes of 'Grey’s' and a lot of people still remember me from that. So, how does it feel to work alongside LL Cool J? It was just fun to meet him. I mean, I’d seen him in music videos since I was a kid. We’re not that far apart in age, but he started when he was really young obviously, and I just got a kick out of meeting him. I wasn’t sure what to call him exactly the first time I met him. I didn’t know whether to call him ‘Mr. Cool J’ or ‘LL’ (laughs) but Todd, as I call him, is a terrific guy and a lot of fun, real positive energy to be around. And fortunately, we have had great chemistry thus far on a personal level and I’m hoping that’s rubbing off onscreen. Any upcoming movies this year? Yeah, 'Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore', that’s coming out in July. And apparently it’s supposed to be really good. It’s a kids’ movie that I have a small part in. I play a human being but there are also these animatronic or digital cat and dog characters. I’ve done a few kids’ films in the last few years, which has been great for me because to take my kids to see them has just been a home run. My kids get so excited. Tell us one random thing you think we don’t know about you! I get emotional when talking about my kids. I’d even throw myself in front of a train for them.

‘I used to love pretending I was other people and goofing on people and just making up stories and pretending I’m somebody I’m not’.

Chris O’Donnell

Hot Seat May'10.indd 94 4/23/10 8:15:33 PM