steve braun

«««steve braun»»»

Picture the scene: Fenway Park, 1946. A focussed baseball player stands poised for action. Nicknamed Young Jimmy, he leaps through the sky- making a spectacular catch.

Behind the scenes, actor Steve Braun was making his own catch- his first real acting job; a chance to display his versatile talent as an actor.

That, of course, was some time ago. And since then, Braun's career has flourished. He has gone on to star in Earth:Final Conflict, and an NBC movie of the week.

However, his career really took off when he was offered a principal role in sci-fi/fantasy series- 'The Immortals'. Rather like our very own Sydney Fox, Braun found himself packing the punches and dealing the roundhouses in an action-packed role.

Probably his most controversial role was as the character- 'Tom Ballenger' in The Trip, a gay themed love story set in the 1970's. Whilst the film itself received some ambivalent reviews, Braun's acting was highly praised. As one critic stated:

"This film suffers from some plot contrivances and cartoonish supporting characters, but wins my heart for the amazing acting of Steve Braun, who plays Tommy Ballenger. I've not seen such a performance in many years. This young actor has the looks and charisma to make it big in films (and theatre)"

Currently, Braun is working on 'Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle' and has just finished production on 'The Skulls 3' (Lindy Booth a.k.a Claudia appeared in the 2nd of the horror trilogy).

now looks back at Braun's earlier role on Relic Hunter, and gets up close and personal with the man himself.

Preferring against the formal Mr. Braun, we begin the Q&A sessions- with the conversation ranging from Tia Carrere to a strip club pole washer.

1. How did you come to get the role as Young Jimmy in 'Diamond In The Rough'?

I auditioned for it in Toronto. I remember walking to a sociology class at the University of Toronto and getting a call from my agent. She told me I got it and when I hung up, the sky opened up and it poured rain.

It was my first real acting job and I was overjoyed. I think I skipped the class I was going to.

2. Were you nervous?

I was more excited. All I had to do was play baseball which came naturally to me.

3. How did you go about learning your lines for the script?

I think there were only two or three lines.

4. How did you find the atmosphere on the Relic Hunter set?

Everyone was really cool to me. Every set gets a little hectic but everyone was nice to me.

5. What was the director like? Was he good to work with?

He was great to work with.

6. Did you find anything particularly challenging when working on Relic Hunter?

Sliding into second for 12 hours can get a little exhausting. But it was fun.

7. Any funny moments happen on set?

It was a few years ago. I'm sure I laughed at something but I can't remember.

8. You had quite a central role- being literally surrounded by a crowd? How did you find that experience?

Being adored by the masses? Very difficult!

9. Did you meet any of the principal characters? How were they in real-life?

I didn't actually meet Tia but she was off in the distance working with the stunt choreographer (a man named Phil Chu who would later be the fight choreographer on my series, The Immortal). I did see her up close

at one point. My attraction to her aside, she is a work of art. She's even more beautiful in person.

10. Anything stick in your mind from working on Relic Hunter?

For me it was a big moment. It was my first real role. It was my birthday. I was in heaven.

11. Did you watch the final episode. If so, what did you think?

I haven't seen the episode. I'd love to see it at some point.

12. What are your aspirations for the future? IE. What would your dream job be?

Strip club pole washer.

13. You are famous for making brave career choices, is there anything that you would not undertake as an actor?

I am? Cool. I like exploring the human condition and my own emotional boundaries. The roles I like to take interest me as part of that exploration. If they don't I'm typically not interested...unless I'm being paid some good coin.

14. Are you similar in anyway to the character you played in Relic Hunter?

I do like baseball.

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