April 1999
Chris Owens interview, pages 38-39, transcribed by alfornos:
Fresh Meet
Chris Owens
by Rosie Todino Irre
Who knew? The X-Files' Engimatic Villain is Actually a Beret-Wearing Canadian (Well, not Exactly)
[photos: small photo of CO w/eyes closed; small photo w/CO having a drink at a bar; large (almost full page) photo of CO at a restaurant table. Photography by John Peng/Magnolia Press]
Who wouldn't want to spend 15-hour days peeling the faces off goo-spewing aliens? That, among other paranormal delights, is just what Chris Owens does on his regular gig as Special Agent Jeffrey Spender on FOX's phenom, The X-Files. The 36-year-old attached Canadian (back off all you female Filers - this special agent has been involved with law student Tara Parker for five years now) has settled into his L.A. digs and, likewise, life in the intricate paranormal web that keeps millions captivated - and confused - every Sunday night.
When he's not busy being in cahoots with the sinister Cigarette Smoking Man, Owens - a guitar playin', James Joyce readin', John Coltraine [sic] fan - is also an avid ice hockey player (just like you'd expect from any self-respecting Canuck). As a matter of fact, he was on his way to hockey practice when I rang him up to chat about his long hours on The X-Files set, holiday dinner with David Duchovny and the mysterious envelope that appeared under his door.
The plot twists on The X-Files are notoriously confusing - is the cast as clueless as the audience is?
The X-Files, true to form, keeps the actors in a mysterious haze. When the scripts arrive four or five days before shooting, that's usually the first I hear of it. For the most part, I'm just slightly ahead of the audience. And when I read the scripts, I have to go over them several times - especially when they're talking about the bees and the black oil.
What's been your weirdest X-Files experience?
I received a call from [series creator] Chris [Carter] the other night. He said, "OK, there's a scene where something will take place for Jeffrey - it's a little extreme, so be prepared." And I thought, "What is he going to do to me?" He said, "Trust me," I said, "Well, Chris, I trust you implicitly." He laughed and said, "Trust no one." I hung up, and two seconds later an envelope containing the script was slipped under the door. I thought, "I'm having an X-Files experience." When I opened the door, no one was there.
Are X-Files fans different than the average television fan?
They're enthusiastic to say the least, which is great. For any show to be successful, you need a good fan base. What I find amusing is that there's something called "The Spender Defender Page" on the Internet.
What's been your funniest moment on the set?
Yesterday, I was peeling an alien's face - you get directions like "more peeling." After we peel his face, goo comes out and then we shift camera angles. Every once in a while there's that moment where we all laugh and say, "What the heck is going on?" Here we are on this huge show and we didn't have enough goo in the shot. There's never enough goo.
Is there a diva vibe working with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson?
No, not at all. When David's on set he likes to have a good time and so do I. And people would be surprised at how much Gillian laughs - you wouldn't know it when she plays Scully, but in between takes she's laughing her head off.
Mulder and Spender are on-screen enemies - what about Duchovny and Owens?
I liked David right away. We'd threatened, you know, a couple times back and forth [to do something socially]. Finally he said, "You're down in L.A. You girlfriend's up in Canada. You're the lonely guy. Gimme your damn number and I'll call you." And he did, for Thanksgiving dinner.
The first time you two hung out was for Thanksgiving dinner?
Yeah, it was my first American Thanksgiving dinner. It was absolutely wonderful. I went out to their lovely house in Malibu and [Duchovny's wife, actress] Tea [Leoni] cooked for ten of us - she made me feel totally at home. It was his family mostly - and Garry Shandling! It was really nice sitting down to dinner and being able to turn to Garry Shandling and say, "Yours is my favorite show on TV."
Wildly shifting to a different subject, describe your personal style.
I'm fairly laid back, but I try to add a little funky touch here and there.
A jaunty beret for example?
[Laughs] A beret, a navel piercing, a splash of color is always nice.
What would you want to accomplish if you found out that the world was coming to an imminent explosive end?
I'd probably write something - The Great Canadian Novel. Other than that, I'd find a really good beach and share a few bottles of wine with my babe.
