Michael Berryman - Making It Real

by Dr. Abner Mality



The success of Michael Berryman proves that anything is possible. The talented actor with the spooky look has been battling long odds since birth and has come out on top. Born in 1948, Berryman needed major reconstructive skull surgery at age 6. The risky surgery was a success but the young man still had to face the pitfalls of an exotic disease called hydrochotic extodermal dysplasia, which left him unable to grow hair or nails. The disease also causes physical fatigue which puts limitations on his physical activity.

Michael Berryman has surpassed those limitations. He graduated from California State San Luis Obispo with degrees in veterinary medicine and liberal arts. Acting was not in his gameplan but his unique look lead to him being "discovered" by famed director George Pal, who cast him in the movie "Doc Savage". The film was not a roaring success, but Berryman, despite a lack of acting experience, caught the eyes of many in the movie business. His next role was in the Oscar winning "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and from there, he has never lacked for acting jobs. His break-out role...and the one he is still best remembered for...was in Wes Craven's horror masterpiece "The Hills Have Eyes", where he played the creepy cannibal mutant Pluto. This led to him being featured in many horror and science fiction movies, some of which include "Weird Science", "Deadly Blessing", "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" and most recently, Rob Zombie's "The Devil's Rejects". He has also appeared on many TV programs including "The X-Files", "ALF" and "Highway to Heaven".

The irony is that despite the forbidding appearance that has made him a horror favorite, you couldn't meet a nicer guy than Mr. Berryman. I recently had the pleasure of doing just that at the Flashback Weekend 200 convention and I was most impressed with his devotion to fans. He also granted me the following interview, which gives an insight into how this talented man really feels about his life and career...


WORMWOOD CHRONICLES: You've been in the acting business for quite some time now. Do you find it as rewarding and exciting as when you started?

MICHAEL BERRYMAN: I find acting in the "biz" to be as rewarding as it always has been. Look, I've had over 35 different jobs in my life. Acting allows a huge range of emotion, art, design, storytelling, honesty and the ability to someimes even reach the soul of people. Most jobs are more specific in scope. The joy of working with different departments is very enriching. When a film is made, there are about 100 talented craft people who show their rich knowledge. Even in college, the professors would limit a wealth of info with their own personal philosophy. In film, the director "paints" with all the colors of the crew. The focus and theme are fused through the visions of the director. When it comes together, the experience is far beyond the scope of the typical day to day job. However, I do draw from the huge variety of these 35 jobs in my past. They were real but storytelling and film are my passion.

WC: Your most recent film, "The Devil's Rejects", has maybe the most fabulous cast of cult character actors I've seen. What was it like working with a crew that included Sid Haig, William Forsythe, Bill Moseley, etc, etc.?

MB: "Devil's Rejects" allowed me to have time working with my friends of many years. When I worked for Michael Landon on "Highway to Heaven", I saw what it meant to have a crew family that spanned decades! The craft was there, the love was there, the humanity was there, the high levels of professionalism were there. I found the "Rejects" to be like a picnic...a working banquet of talent and friendship.

WC: You've worked with some great directors over the years. Which one stands out as the most visionary? Do you think Rob Zombie has what it takes to be a great director or is he just a novelty in the business?

MB: The most visionary would have to be Chris Carter of "The X-Files". His breadth of storytelling and his honest approach to the story was just a treat. The company was the best. I was given a suite hotel room with a full kitchen (I am a chef), a flower and food basket and a piano! The production was smooth...completely no confusion, just great support and appreciation. The scripts that Chris wrote were very visionary. I believe ART is the opportunity to tell a TRUTHFUL concept.

I was given a role as the "scary guy" who we find out is really a guardian angel, a hero, a selfless soul dedicated to protect and honor truth and goodness.

Thank you, Chris.

Rob? I feel he is honest and I hope he continues in the arena of film. "Have a long run, Rob!"

WC: "The Devil's Rejects" is very raw and brutal horror. Is there a certain line in films you don't want to cross or is everything fair game?

MB: I have my limits, I have walked off one set because the producer and director would not honor their own words. When I arrived in Wisconsin, they wanted me to be their robot. I had a clause in my contract for no nudity or brutality over a specific scene. They tried to pressure me out of the previously agreed approach to a scene. I played our phone conversation back to them and they still wanted what we had agreed NOT to do. I called my agent and my union rep and gave them an alternative way to shoot the scene but they didn't care. I left with a check in hand and my dignity.

WC: Do you have the opinion that the unseen can be more unsettling than the graphic? I'd say movies have mostly lost the quality of subtlety.

MB: Yes, I know that "implied" is far better than "reality"...the better the writing. The less gore, the better. I feel production companies and distributors "over-crunch" the statistics for marketing. Not all ticket-buyers are 14 year old adolescent males.

WC: When you were filming "The Hills Have Eyes", did you have any idea that it would be such an enduring cult classic? And what was Wes Craven like to work with?

MB: Not in the slightest, I just felt that the story was one of many that had been done before dealing with "survival". But I liked the moral theme even better. It was not brutality for the sake of it, the film makes you ask "what would you do in the same situation? How far do you go once you are free?"

Wes is very wise, clever and a good guy! He can tell stories and he really works with his actors.

WC: Is there any particular role you've done or movie that you've been in that you feel has been underappreciated or overlooked?

MB: Not really. The fans are smart and they ask me "the great question". They mention the best scenes that I love...they understand the role of the character. They APPRECIATE! I love my public!

WC: I'd think you'd be very effective in comic roles, but those kind of parts are few and far between. How tough is it being typecast in horror and tough guy roles? I know it wore on Sid Haig so much that he just about quit the business altogether.

MB: Well, I've been blessed with "Weird Science", "Alf", Motley Crue's "Smokin' in the Boys' Room", etc. But Sid knows how limited most studios are when it comes to casting. Look, actors are considered MEAT to most companies. Only the most creative directors and producers like the Douglas family, Rod Serling and Gene Roddenberry get it! I am very grateful for all those who can see past the skin! Sid would be great doing a love story! Go, Sid!

WC: How do you prepare for a role like "Pluto" in "The Hills Have Eyes"? Do you just let yourself go or do you thoroughly research and carefully work out what you'll do?

MB: I learn my lines, hit my mark and make it real! Preparation varies from role to role.

WC: You've had some roles in the Star Trek Universe. What was it like interacting in such a huge fictional scheme?

MB: Again, use your imagination! It is called ACTING! Make it real! BELIEVE in your character.

WC: Is there a particular actor or director that you'd like to work with that you haven't yet?

MB: I would love to work with Val Kilmer and I would like to be directed by Robert Rodriguez or Ridley Scott.

WC: Do you think the concept of the gigantic "must make $100 million" blockbuster has gotten out of control and kept new blood out of the movie business?

MB: Yes, we need more "ma and pop" owned theaters, we need more diversity in story. I suppose cable and DVD have helped. I have a huge library of films myself.

WC: What do you see as the future of horror and SF in film? Many horror films are now aimed strictly at the teenybopper audience.

MB: Well, there are more stories to be made into film...find them, fund them, make them! Dumbing down and product placement is not storytelling!

WC: What do you do to unwind after a tough film project?

MB: Room service!

WC: What advice would you have for people looking to make a career in the film business?

MB: Keep your day job!

WC: Do you recall any dangerous incident during a movie where things got out of hand and you could have been seriously hurt?

MB: Yes, a few. Sometimes danger is necessary for a scene to work but safety must NEVER be compromised. Look what happened to Brandon Lee!