- Danny Trejo is known for his roles as “tough guys” in film and television projects. He is also a successful entrepreneur; he owns a restaurant chain in Los Angeles. All this contrasts with the years of imprisonment in the infamous San Quentin prison, where Danny ended up in an armed robbery ...
“I want to clarify: I didn’t get to San Quentin for armed robbery, but for selling one hundred grams of pure sugar to an FBI employee.” Just sugar - no drugs. But the feds were very angry.
- Because you wanted to find something else?
- Well yes.
“And how much do they give for the sugar trade?”
- I served five years. In general, they give from six to ten for this.
- How did it happen? After all, if I am not mistaken, the sale of sugar is completely legal. Is not it so?
- Of course. This was called the "sale of a substance under the guise of a narcotic drug." Probably, today, having hired a good lawyer, one could get away. But at that time ... My lawyer was not bad, but the feds grabbed hold of me. If they want to blame, it will be so. Point.
- We watched footage from the new film "Systemic Madness" by Jason Muse, in which Danny Trejo starred.
“Jason Muse ... That's what I'll tell you: never say yes to him until you know exactly what you are agreeing to.” “Hey Dan, I want you to play one role ...” - “Yes, no problem.”
- And what is this movie about?
- A film about Jason trying to make a film. My hero works according to the "method" - the system of Stanislavsky - and tries to get used to the role of a character like Liberace.
“But you play Danny Trejo?”
- Yes, I play myself, but with a different voice.
- Do you use the "method"?
- Not. I'm just coming to the set. Sometimes I read the script already on the way to the site. This is a normal job. I don’t like it when people call me a movie star and immediately deny me because I don’t like the way they say about celebrities. I'm just an actor, and that’s it. I don’t need more.
“What's wrong with the stars?”
“I know how they behave, and I don't like it.” They cannot give an autograph, respond to a greeting on the street. And I can. Every morning I pray to give as many autographs as possible and take as many photos as possible. This is such a gift: to please someone with a simple painting. Once, on Sunset Boulevard, I saw people crying: “We came from Germany, and you are the first celebrity we met.” I answered "Wow, let's take a picture."
- It turns out that you like it, and you do not mind that you are called for the same type of role - villains.
“Well, for the first five years of my career, I played“ Number One Prisoner. ” I was lucky, I almost immediately got into the Screen Actors Guild. Therefore, when I came to play essentially a convict in extras, the directors, knowing that I was a member of the Guild, asked me: “Dan, tell me something just like in a jail!” And I said: “Soak everyone! "And they immediately:" God, great! "These are the things.
My first interview - I will never forget him - was taken by a girl, most likely only having unlearned a journalist. And then she asks: “Danny, doesn’t it seem to you that you are being turned into a stereotype?” - “What are you talking about?” - “You are always invited to the same roles.” - "What are these?" - "You constantly play the evil Mexican in tattoos." “Darling, I am the evil Mexican in tattoos.”
Finally, someone played this image as it should. It’s not for Ricky Schroder to play the tattooed Mexican bandit. You have to use what you have. The Lord made me so, so be it. Yes, I played a major role in the films about Machete, but even there, in general, I was such a good bad guy.
- Finally, let's talk about the new film by Jason Muse. Have you read the script in advance?
- Not. I’m saying ... To my best friends, I just say: “Yes.” Jason is one of them. He asked: "Danny, will you play?" And I told him: “Of course! Let me know. I’ll try to find the time. ”
“What is this movie about, and what does it mean for Jason?”
- About him. This is his debut as a director. He tries himself in a new role.
- Danny Trejo and Jason Muse
- AFP
- © Rich Polk / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA
- She doesn’t want to constantly play “cocks”.
- Yes. Only he plays like that ... always .. Here she is - real joy.
- Are there any roles that you would really like to play?
“I love westerns.” I really like to act in them. Director Craig Moss, with whom I played in the movie Cool Dudes, is now working on a western for me. You know, a great cowboy comes out of me!
- And what role would you never agree to? Is there such a thing?
- No, this is a movie. I remember once when I said: "A worthless film." And my son replied: "Yes, but about 80 people received money for working on it, were able to enjoy Christmas, arrange insurance." I’m like: “What are you talking about?” And he: “Dad, there are no worthless films.” And he is absolutely right. Someone probably liked this film, but someone supported it financially. This is what we do.
Sometimes we forget that it’s just a job, the same as a painter, carpenter or plumber. I am also an ordinary hard worker, and this is my business. I do not want this to change.
Hollywood is trying to convince you that you are some kind of privileged person. Some really believe that. I see people who, you know, (portray. - RT ) click their fingers to bring a latte to them. I will never be like that. I told my friends: "Just try!".
“ I can't imagine you like that.”
- Yes. People suddenly begin to behave this way, believing that they have a right to it. I can't let Hollywood do this with me. True, I talk with former prisoners and life-long prisoners - it’s better not to chase them for latte.
“They won't run.”
- Never. By the way, I remembered: my son and I were discussing how to talk with women now. You can’t just take it and say: “Damn it, look great!” This is no longer acceptable. I tell him: “How is it so?” And he replies: “Dad, before you say something to the woman, imagine that you entered your cell, closed the door, and then the cellmate tells you something in the spirit:“ Wow you! You look great in these jeans! "You would not want the guy with whom you are locked in the same room to weigh compliments on your shirt."
- What a good method.
- Now, when I want to blurt out something, I pull myself: “Hello! How are you?"
- What do you say to people who believe that actors should not speak out about politics?
- Why?
“Like, it's none of your business.”
- We vote too. We are here by the will of God. He gave us this opportunity. And for me the main thing is justice, equality. We mistreat other human beings, migrants on the border. It does not matter who does not oppose what. We are not fair, we do not care about people. At the same time, we think about Somalia, about Africa and all these other countries. We give millions of dollars. But we say no! To people who just want to work.
- I think that in 20-25 years whites will become a minority in the USA.
- It does not matter.
- We must live together.
- It worries only 25%. But let's think about it: in fact, we are as if looking for good places on the Titanic. We have not much time left on this planet. According to scientists, if we do not change anything, then in twelve years it will be too late.
- Changing of the climate?
- Yes. Changes will be irreversible. And that’s it. All these 25%, whites, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians ... no matter who - all of us will end. So you need to do something right now.
And again. Suddenly, one of those trying to cross the border knows how to solve this problem. By pure chance. “Hey, why not do that?” Only he will say it in Spanish ...
I love Robert Rodriguez. In the movie "Machete," he showed what is really happening. If you have not seen this movie, then I advise you to watch it. Everything is just like that. And again, someone says “war”, and I say “Donald”. This makes no sense. This is all unimportant. Stupid things do not come up.
See the full version of the interview with Danny Trejo on RTD.