BY KELLY KURTIN
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Any self-respecting improv lover will immediately recognize the mug of Colin Mochrie, a Canadian-bred actor best known for causing massive chuckles on ABC’s "Whose Line is it Anyway?" Mochrie has honed his talents by appearing on the quick-hit, game-focused improvisation program since its British incarnation in 1988. Subsequently, he’s played a secret agent on the hunt for a babushka, a movie director with a short fuse, scores of shrill-voiced females and much more.
It’s a varied body of work, to be sure. And Mochrie has come a long way since his first movie role in Space Hunter: Adventures of the Forbidden Zone, in which he ensnares Molly Ringwald and delivers the powerful line, "You can ask the chemist." Over the years, he’s appeared in numerous films, including The Real Blonde and January Man. (His official Web page also humorously alludes to a part in Man on the Moon that was cut out; he was supposed to be the person who kicks Andy Kaufman out of the hospital.)
These days, Mochrie is keeping pretty busy. He films "Whose Line" during the summer months and also works on another show, "Improv Heaven and Hell." Then there are the many guest appearances he makes on TV sitcoms, the most recognizable being playing "Eugene" on "The Drew Carey Show." And, if you’ve done a little channel surfing lately, he just might have popped up as the sullen-faced guy sporting the "Retirement" T-shirt in a commercial for SunAmerica.
An e-mail interview with Mochrie given before his recent appearance at the Chicago Improv Festival turned up even more facts on the funny star. He’s quick to chat about his history of mustering "haha"s–and he proves just as fast to drop a few jokes, in the process.
You have some roots with Second City, Toronto, right? Any Chicago links or impressions of its improv scene?
When I was living in LA–during what I like to call the "Dark Period"–the only thing that kept me sane was being able to improvise at a club started by Jane Morris and Jeff Michelski, two Chicago Second City alumni. Through them I had the good fortune to work with many Chicago alumni. The thing I loved about Chicago improv was that it was more political and angry than what we were doing in Toronto. However, we have more donut shops.
What was your first improv or acting gig?
My first acting gig was in a co-op theatre production of Mother Courage in which I played many soldiers, none of whom had a name. My first improv gig was at the Vancouver Theatresports.
What do you do as a warm-up before improvising?
I drink a lot of coffee and try not to think about the fact I have no idea of what I am going to do in front of a paying audience.
Who are your major influences?
I loved Laurel and Hardy, the Marx Brothers, early Bob Hope movies, the Dick van Dyke show, the Andy Griffith show, and I have managed to steal from all of them. But the guy I steal from the most is John Cleese.
What’s the most off-the-wall scene you’ve ever found yourself in?
I once played an olive inside a belly dancer’s navel. I can’t even begin to describe the silence from the audience.
You seem to play a lot of sassy women on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" What gives? Is this a passion?
I am very proud of my female impersonations. I am disappointed that I have not received an award from some group for my positive portrayals of women. One day perhaps.
What are the most important rules of improvisation, or what has really worked for you?
For me listening is the most important and close behind is being able to leave pre-conceived ideas behind and just go with the flow.
Do you have any advice for the budding improviser?
Do it wherever and whenever you can because it truly is like a muscle that has to be constantly exercised. Or never do it at all. I don’t need the competition.
Taking you out of the improv world, if you were to be put in an engaging historical epic film, what would be your dream role?
I would love to be in a big, sprawling western. I look really good on a horse.
What upcoming projects are you working on right now?
Nothing. If you hear anything let me know.
What’s the allure of those fabulous Hawaiian shirts you seem to sport so frequently?
The show likes me to wear bright clothes. I can’t say no because they pay me.
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