A classic fairy tale set in modern day Manhattan would seem an unlikely candidate for prime-time television. Yet, from the night of its first season premiere, viewers have embraced Beauty and the Beast for its celebration of romance, its powerfully drawn characters and its vision of a more compassionate world. We talk to the noble man/beast himself, Ron Perlman.
At the end of its third season, Beauty and the Beast was cancelled on January 4th by Jeff Sagansky of CBS TV. A cry worthy of Vincent himself issued forth from outraged fans across America, then across the world. It’s estimated that some 17 million fans tuned in to the show every week.
Poetry and Music An album of poetry and music from the series has almost reached ‘gold’. Entitled Of Love and Hope, it features Vincent’s soft but powerful voice reciting poetry, with musical backing. When he spoke to Starburst he began talking about poetry and music in the series.
Ron Perlman: In the very, very first episode Catherine reads a passage from Great Expectations and in the second episode Vincent does a voice-over of Shakespeare's 29th sonnet, and because of those two moments in the show, mail came pouring in saying how refreshing it was to see literature performed on network television. People wanted to know who was responsible for the works and the curiosity, the reaction, was quite amazing. The more we did it, the more mail rolled in, and finally someone on the staff had the idea of putting a record together. Capitol Records thought it a good idea and put together the works of Robert Frost, William Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Byron and Shelley. It's a really beautiful collection.
Starburst: Who chose what went on the LP?
Ron Perlman: Ron Koslow, the creator of the show, chose them. He knew the character and what would represent the character best.
Starburst: Did you work hard on the recording?
Ron Perlman: Many, many hours. The thing about a recording is that you listen to it and think, 'I can do it better than that' and you keep trying. On TV you do it, shoot it and that's that!
Starburst: Where was it produced?
Ron Perlman: It was done here in Los Angeles and it was produced by legendary Rock and Roll and record producer Artie Ripp, and he has a record production company in LA. It was the first thing [like this] he had done, and he did it well.
Starburst: Are there plans to do another one?
Ron Perlman: No, not yet. If this sells well then maybe.
Starburst: Were you asked to do it in any other language?
Ron Perlman: No. In order to do poetry you’d have to have a good command of the language. I only have that in English. None other. I couldn't pull that off.
Starburst: Are there any other spin-offs from the show?
Ron Perlman: I didn't want to put my name on too much. I was approached by an electric guitar company. There are sweatshirts and nightshirts.
Make-up Starburst: Is it true you have to be in the make-up, as Vincent, to perform the voice?
Ron Perlman: No, not really. I don't have to be in total make-up to produce the voice, but I would never produce the voice in public outside of make-up, because it would be unfair to cross over.
Starburst: What do you do for the three hours every day during make-up?
Ron Perlman: I study the script. I go to the set prepared. It's a useful time. After putting in a 19 hour day I go home and sleep. So I use those hours to prepare myself and collect my thoughts together.
Starburst: What kind of facial aides do you use after removing the make-up?
Ron Perlman: I have a facial every week and the same lady who does the facial has created a whole range of natural products. Also created was a whole series of glues, because I cannot stand spirit gum on my face. The only thing is my sheets and pillow cases are a mess.
Character Starburst: Do you like the part of Vincent yourself?
Ron Perlman: I love it. The more I worked on the part I realised that the part was right for me.
Starburst: How does Vincent's character change between the second and third season?
Ron Perlman: The character is the same right from the start to the finish. It's the situations that change. In 44 shows we had to explore the two main characters from many different view points in order to keep it vibrant, fresh and alive. The characters are who they are. New things are revealed each week about Vincent but I'm essentially the same character as always.
Starburst: What does your 4 year old daughter think of the show?
Ron Perlman: She gets very excited when I start to roar. She sometimes leaves the room. She does however see the show as an older person. She does, however, seem to have a job bridging the gap between Vincent and Daddy.
Starburst: Did you get any ideas from the original Beauty and the Beast by John Moray?
Ron Perlman: Oh, of course. I didn't steal anything from him, but I did note characteristics. There was a regality and elegance from him. That coupled with the sketches made by Rick Baker was the way I put Vincent together.
Starburst: How would you describe Vincent himself?
Ron Perlman: Because of what he has had to endure he is more sensitive and has a wisdom about him. A feeling of compassion for anyone who has a feeling of inferiority, who is a victim. He knows what it is like because he is a character whose love for the world is unequalled and yet it is a world he cannot be a part of. Although he lives underground in his world he lives a tragic life, but with great humour and positivity. His function is to be a guardian angel for his community that has nurtured him from his childhood. Although he has his drawbacks, he does possess the strength of ten men and he is kind of superhuman. He is quite unique and very regal.
Vincent's Custodian Starburst: Is this the hardest thing you have ever undertaken?
Ron Perlman: Yes. I did do The Name of the Rose, which was hard but this is hard. The episodes take seven days to shoot. On Tuesday you finish an episode at one o'clock in the morning and on Wednesday you're back in the make-up chair at 6 o'clock in the morning with a brand new script and there is no chance to get it out of your system. To do 22 hours of shooting for a TV series is difficult and demanding. Vincent's character isn't too demanding, but its hard enough. And having a master's degree in theatre helps me to understand the roles better. I think in all the work I've done, my strongest statement has been, "The beauty in a person lies beneath the surface." Vincent was the most perfect invention in making that statement. I realise that I am the custodian of Vincent for thousands of people. It gives me pleasure to do it.
Starburst: What was your response to the mail for the show?
Ron Perlman: I couldn't believe the response. The letters were so sensible and inspiring, the depth of the letters was fantastic. These letters aren't written in crayon and don't ask for 8" by 10" photos. The people out there watching associate themselves in some way with character.
Shapes Starburst: How do you keep in shape?
Ron Perlman: I work out a lot. Since doing the series I've had to. I run every day for a mile and a half. I swim and lift weights. I also do sit-ups, boxing and learning martial arts. I'm in as good a shape as possible. The days are long and I do try to do most of the action stuff myself without the cameraman having to shoot over the back of a stuntman. So you have to be in good shape, just to get through the day. The only [bad] thing I do is eat junk food.
Starburst: Has the show changed shape at all?
Ron Perlman: Yes. In the first two seasons it's episodic, but the third season is all following on. The storyline flows through it. With the story of the death Catherine and the baby. Linda Hamilton was super. She's a fine actress and she kept me doing better work. She's very bright and beautiful and what can I say? I'm a married man. We have a social life out of the show. Linda was automatically cast as Catherine and I auditioned to appear in the show.
Personal Starburst: Tell us a little of your personal side.
Ron Perlman: I like rhythm and blues music and The Beatles. My brother, who died, was a guitarist. I was at university. I'm married with a 4 1/2 year old daughter, Blake. I have a wicked temper and when I get angry I go into my Shakespearean accent. That's it! Oh, except to say I love travelling. One of my favourite places was Scotland, where I shot "Quest for Fire." I really enjoyed that.
Starburst: Do you write, especially any scripts?
Ron Perlman: Yes. In the first season I wrote one of the scripts called "Nor Iron Bars a Cage," and in the third season I have a hand in the trilogy. I also direct one episode, "The Chimes at Midnight." I may find that difficult masked as well. But I enjoy the show tremendously. Long may Vincent rule! *
STARBURST 33. (1989)
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