"Just The FAQs Ma'am ..."

     1.  How did you get into acting after your tour of Vietnam?


     Well, I had written a novel while in the service.  Spent about nine years in the 
     service.  I had written a novel and the only place I could get it published I
     thought was either in New York or in Los Angeles. Since, I had been in New York 
     and knew that it was cold and I had spent a number of years in cold weather, I
     decided to come to Los Angeles.  I really didn't get the book published, went 
     to a number of publishers and nothing happened. But, by accident I got involved
     in the theater. So, that's pretty much how my acting career started. By the way, 
     I do still have the novel.  It's on the shelf.

     2.  Do you think that Dr. Quinn reasonably portrays the struggles of Blacks in the 
     1800's?  If yes or no where do you think its strength's are and its weaknesses in 
     portraying the Black struggle during this time period?


     What happen was there was a show.  I can't remember the name of the show where 
     Loren was reading an article about a black politician in some part of the country 
     and he threw out a name.  I thought it was a name that they had made up.  Several 
     days later after the show aired,  I'd gotten a call from a friend of my mother-in-
     law who said that person was her husband's great-grandfather. So, I was impressed 
     with that.  That is obviously some research some people had done.  As far as the 
     accuracy of the portrayal of Robert E. and Grace and the stories that they are 
     involved in, I think they are hitting it pretty close.  From the books and the 
     articles that I've read, we are touching on a lot of reality. And, there is a lot 
     more than people my age had learned about in school.

     3.  What, if anything, would you like to change about Robert E.?  Grace?


     Well, I'm sure there are a lot of things that we think about changing. But, as it 
     stands now they are starting to write some pretty interesting things.  So, I'm 
     starting to find out a lot about Robert E. as we go along as everybody else is.  
     There is obviously some other things we would like to touch on.  But, you know, we
     will see if that happens.

     4.  Are there any particular stories that have involved Grace and Robert E. which 
     you wish had been developed further?  If so which stories?


     [Laughs] As I tell everybody it's called the Dr. Quinn Show not the Robert E. 
     and Grace Show.

     5.  Have there been an episode where you did not particularly like aspects of your 
     story?   If so why?


     I can't think of any show, but just small things.  But, then we go to the writer 
     and we say:  'Can I change that because that doesn't feel right.'  But, everything 
     tends to go pretty well, as far as, the stories go.  I mean in an hour -- you can 
     only do so much.

     6.  Are there any specific stories which you would particularly like to see told 
     which have not been touched on in the series so far?  If so which stories?


     One of things, I would like to see and one of the things when I'd gotten the role 
     and started reading about people of color in the West -- was the Seminole Indians.
     How the Indians and blacks were together.  How later on in years mentioned by 
     Jim Beckworth.  But, how because of their background and coming from Africa and
     being trained and learning how to survive in the wilderness.  It was a kind of a 
     natural thing for them to hook up with the Indians during that time.  And, I guess 
     that's why they banded Indians and blacks from ever getting together.  But, they 
     did anyway.  I would like to see stories like that told.  About how Indians and 
     blacks worked together and were able to accomplish things.

     7.  What character to date have you portrayed that has had the most impact on 
     your life?


    I did a play called, "The Meeting." A meeting that never took place between Malcolm X 
    and Martin Luther King.  I played Martin Luther King.  One of the things that in my 
    research and preparation of trying to understand his commitment to what he was doing 
    and his drive -- And, in order to do that, I had to find out what my commitment and my 
    drive was -- What I really wanted above all else and how far was I willing to go for  
    what I wanted.  It made me see a lot of things; helped me to understand a lot more  
    about myself.  So, it was good.

     8.  How much and in which ways does your character resemble yourself?


     [Laughs] Well, he looks like me.  He talks like me.  He has my same emotions.  The 
     difference is I patterned him after a play uncle that I had who was very methodical.  
     I'm a lot more impulsive.  But, Robert E. is methodical.  He is tossed in situations 
     and he is able to handle those.  Just minor differences; and not making him as crazy 
     as I am [laughs].

     9.  Could any storylines involving Robert E.'s past journeys across the country 
     involve closer threads with Natives?


     I'm thinking of a black man named Jim Beckworth who was a mountain man, cowboy, 
     and war chief.  I don't know, that is up to the powers that be.  I've mentioned to 
     them about, you know, Africans coming to town.  About Indians.  We'll just see where 
     that goes.  There are rumors that they may be expanding Shanty Town.  And, just kind 
     of opening it up.  We may get some stories coming out of Shanty Town.  So, that'll 
     be good.

     10.  Will there be any storylines concerning black settlers from American history 
     that will be portrayed on Dr. Quinn?


     As I said, they're talking about opening up Shanty Town. So, if they are doing that, 
     then I'm sure there are going to be some stories coming out of there.