John LaZar: Disciplined and Wild

All photos: Alan Mercer

John LaZar was born and raised in San Francisco, California. He trained at the American Conservatory Theatre. LaZar was portraying a role in a University of Hawaii stage production of "Caligula" when he was approached by 20th Century Fox studio to audition for the part of deranged and debauched rock n' roll music producer Ronnie 'Z-Man' Barzell in Russ Meyer's delightfully outrageous camp cult classic 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.' John's wonderfully wild and eccentric performance as 'Z-Man' should have led to bigger and better things, but alas did not.

A majority of LaZar's subsequent roles have been decidedly minor: funny as sleazy pimp Carl McKinney in Meyer's typically off-the-wall 'Supervixens,' a Palestine general in the "David & Goliath" episode of 'Greatest Heroes of the Bible,' a limousine driver in 'Eddie Presley,' a warlock in 'Night of the Scarecrow,' and a strip club patron in 'Stripteaser.'

However, on occasion John has landed a more substantial part; he's especially memorable as evil sorcerer Jarek in the enjoyably silly tongue-in-cheek sword and sorcery fantasy hoot 'Deathstalker II.' La Zar had a recurring role as scientist Dr. Fez on the cable TV series 'Click.' In addition to his regrettably sparse film and TV credits, John has acted in stage productions of such plays as 'The Crucible,' and 'Macbeth.' " Outside of acting, LaZar is also a ballet dancer, master swordsman, and expert martial artist.

Once again it was my buddy in England, Brett Ashworth, who set up this meeting. John LaZar is one of the funniest guys around with a wonderfully 'dry' sense of humor and a good nature. Please keep this in mind when reading our conversation. I had a fantastic time working with John and hanging out with his wife Margaret and him. They brought a copy of John's new short film 'Alice Jacobs Is Dead' and while John walked around outside Margaret and I watched the movie.

AM: John, I love your new short film 'Alice Jacobs is Dead.'

JL: Thanks, the film just won Best Short at Fright Night Film Fest in Louisville, Kentucky. It also won the Best Horror/Suspense Film award at last year’s San Diego Comic-Con.

AM: That is awesome. I loved watching the movie.

JL: Also I was just contacted by the Egyptian Theater about making an appearance at a screening of Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls on September first.

AM: Wonderful! How great to see it on the big screen again! That is a natural beginning since it is the role you are most famous for. You have given many interviews about this and that information is everywhere so we may not even talk about it.

JL: Did you see the recent DVD release with the commentaries?

AM: Yes I did. I know you did a tour.

JL: We did a mini-tour in Austin, Phoenix and San Francisco, which is my hometown. Am I scintillating yet?

AM: It's a double edged sword for you with this movie isn't it?

JL: Beyond the valley of my career....I mean Dolls? (we are all laughing)

AM: Because you are so deeply associated with this roll.

JL: Not so much anymore. In the 90's I worked in different genres like 'Death Stalker 2.' By the way 'BTVOTD,' 'Death Stalker 2' and 'Alice Jacobs Is Dead' all have fan pages on Facebook. I have nothing to do with any of those pages. I have my own personal page that is mine. Am I scintillating yet?

AM: You are a very fascinating person. I think the world would like to know more about you. You are a funny guy with sharp wit! (we are all laughing)

JL: Thank you.

AM: So you 'are' comfortable about being closely associated with this film and director?

JL: Oh I love it!!! Everyone knows the movie wasn't promoted properly because of the Charles Manson murders at the time. That film gave me some rocky years. I had the big build up like I was going to be the next big stud, then nothing. The movie was financially successful from the beginning. Russ Meyer told me it made money all along.

AM: You have been a ballet dancer!?!

JL: I was at one time.

AM: You look like you could still dance.

JL: I try to stay in shape. I work out pretty hard. I'm also a Martial Artist.

AM: That's what I read.

JL: I'd probably get myself killed in any bar room brawl, but I look good! I studied ballet in San Francisco at the American Conservatory Theater. I was the youngest company member.

AM: Were you raised in an artistic environment growing up?

JL: Yes I was. How do I put this? I won't name it as to not embarrass the good Nuns, but I went to a very posh grammar school in San Francisco.

AM: What did your father do?

JL: My father was in the business at one time. He was an Udagu dancer. The one theater we both played was the Pantages. He had a very interesting life. He got out of the business around World War II and got into the gambling business in San Francisco. So I went to school on Knob Hill. I was raised in a very eclectic way.

AM: That includes fencing as well!

JL: I studied it in my younger days and I've used it in my films. At one time I considered trying out for the Olympics for foil fencing.

AM: When you get down to it you are essentially an actor right?

JL: Yes, most certainly.

AM: You have filled your life with other things, but acting is a passion I assume?

JL: I have had other things in my life but my passion is acting and performing.

AM: You have quite a following!

JL: I'll tell you especially since the internet started. I'm so happy to have a world-wide fan base. I'm especially proud that it's three quarters young people. I've never gone away.

AM: Have you been living in Los Angeles?

JL: Off and on. Sometimes I've lived in San Francisco, but I've been here for years. But as I was saying before I went to a parochial school, my father was in an interesting line of work, and I lived with an extended family of artistic people. I was a straight kid partly raised by gay people.

AM: So you've always been comfortable around gay people.

JL: Oh TOTALLY! How could I have played in Dolls? I'm bringing this up now because of Prop 8. I'm a man of the Theater for God's sake.

AM: You probably have a gay following as well.

JL: You think? I suppose...a little, but I'm not Mae West!

AM: You certainly have your place in film history.

JL: Yes I do. Would I have loved to do more? I still want to do more. Call me romantic or whatever but I think my best work is yet to come. As long as I'm semi-conscious and not in county jail....

AM: You look amazing. That's a big part of it. When I saw the on-line preview for 'Alice' I thought you were going to be grey and have a white beard. Now I see you and you look so young!

JL: We take better care of ourselves now.

AM: Were you a party animal?

JL: I've always been disciplined and wild at the same time. Because of the way I approach my art I have to be in good physical shape to some extent. I certainly enjoyed myself. Remember I was there during the summer of love in San Francisco.

AM: Have you ever considered writing a book?

JL: People ask me that but I have to get more experience in my life I think. I probably have to wait until a few more people pass away. (silence...long pause) I'm kidding! That was a joke.
I'll tell you who I do admire as a writer and that's the late David Niven. He had a great way of writing his memoirs. I might do something like that.

AM: You have known a lot of interesting people.

JL: Some of them have been interesting and some of them still are.

AM: What was it like making 'Alice?"

JL: We shot it in four days in Berkley. I had never met Adrienne Barbeau before so we met at a rehearsal space in North Hollywood on a Sunday for rehearsal. We just hit it off.

AM: You have good chemistry!

JL: We really do. We just got into it.

AM: Do young actors ask you for advice?

JL: I try to stay away from people who ask me those kinds of questions! (we are laughing) I think Victor Mature said this once. He was at a posh golf and country club and he told the manager he loved the club and would like to join. The manager told him he was sorry but they don't let actors join. Without missing a beat Victor said, "Hell I'm no actor!" (Much laughter) Maybe that's my advice.
On the serious side I tell people you have to have a fire in your belly. You have to really want it. I love creating the human condition.