Full name: Joel Bryan Tobeck
Birthdate: June 2, 1971
Birthplace: National Women's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
Height: 6'1"
Real hair colour: Dark blonde
Marital Status: Single
What musical instruments can you play? Guitar
Can you sing? Yes
Last book read: Keith Richards Autobiography
Last movie seen: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
Favourite recording artist/group:
Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Rolling Stones, Soundgarden, Darcy Clay
Favourite TV show: Faulty Towers, Black Adder
Favourite meal: Sushi
Most hated food: Porridge
Something that really pisses you off: When my car gets really hot in summer and my pants stick to my ass!!!
What is your best/worse character trait? My sense of humor / boredom
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I wish I had more confidence.
Defining moment when you decided to become an actor: Seeing my mother on stage at the Mercury Theatre.
It seems like Australian and New Zealand actors spend as much time working in theatre as they do working on TV or in movies. This is different than US actors, who usually stick to one genre or another. Why the difference? And have you done theatre?? I did a lot of theatre when I first started out. In our country, actors have to take any job you can get.
Have you ever considered moving to the US to further your acting career? Yes, but it (Hollywood) is a very hard town. Scary!!!!
You just made your first Herc/Xena convention appearance in Santa Monica. What was it like? It was so much fun!!! We were all so flattered--it's so nice to be appreciated--Thank you!!!
You worked on Hercules with Kevin Smith. What was he like to work with? Kevin Smith rocks!!! We have a lot of fun together. He's a very generous and funny man.
Your "Strife" outfit looked like it was painted on. Did it get uncomfortable as the shooting day lingered on? In summer, it gets very, very sweaty!!!
Are you aware that your portrayal of Strife has led to many websites in your/Strife's honour? (And scads of fan fiction, I might add.) (NOTE: "A little Strife can lead to a major catastrophe!") Yes--and I am very honoured!!
What was Danielle Cormack like to work with in Topless Women? You both received awards for your portrayals. Were you surprised? Danielle and I started out together. She is a great talent--we were very happy to have won!
Oh Shortland Street, you played (by all accounts) a "druggie in a wheelchair". That sounds like an awesome role! Was it fun? Yes. I played a bad guy. That's always fun.
What is the funniest or most embarrassing moment you've experienced to date? Being turned down after asking a woman out is always embarassing.
If you had one role left to play, and only one role, to play, what would it be? Mick Jagger in "Mick Jagger's Life Story"
What jobs, outside the entertainment industry, have you had? Waiter/Usher. I worked in a wine factory bottling champagne. Telemarketing.
What is the funniest/most embarrassing job you've had?? I played a clown at a big rugby game once.
I heard you play in a group called The Applicators...and I've also heard you are now with The Wide Lapels.... Which is it? I had a rock band called The Applicators (1994-1998). We recorded a lot of songs at 95b FM and released a video which played on MAX TV. We supported American bands including Spitboy and The Jesus Lizard. I also played in Darcy Clay's band in 1997, in which we supported English band Blur. I joined the Wide Lapels in August 1998 (with Kevin Smith). We play 70's and 80's songs at corporate events. In 1994, I released a song called "Chocolate E. Clair" under the name of J Boy T.
