Joseph Mascolo (Stefano) Chat
Joseph Mascolo Chat with Talk City on March 31, 1998
Joseph Mascolo: Welcome. This is fascinating, all this high tech business. You're all out there and this is so exciting.
bezanne asks: Do you think Stefano will get a real romantic interest anytime soon? That is, where the feelings are mutual?
Joseph Mascolo: That's a wonderful question, keep bugging Days about that. I think one of the things is to have a relationship with a woman that is mutual and will be with him what ever he goes through. They were trying at one point with Kate, but I agree with that, very much.
talkwillya asks: What's it like working with Lauren Koslow?
Joseph Mascolo: Oh, it's fun. I think we have a mutual admiration society with each other.
krisyhope asks: Hi Joe. Would you like to see Stefano renew his obsession with Marlena?
Joseph Mascolo: No, I think it's wise to keep them at each other instead of with each other. One thing I don't want to do is kidnap her again. I mean how many times can you get rejected.
Jennylee38 asks: Do you ever get tired of being Stefano
Joseph Mascolo: No. Not with Stefano. He's such a unique character. There's no one else like him. I enjoy playing him. It's a wonderful character. And there are so many exciting levels.
cantuono asks: What other talents do you have, do you sing or dance?
Joseph Mascolo: I love to dance. I'll sing if they pay me. I used to play the clarinet. I was a classical clarinetist and conducted. I Ride horses. Lots of things.
bonquisha220z asks: As your character on Days what would be the most memorable moment on Days?
Joseph Mascolo: That's a difficult question to answer. I look forward to the next great moment. I just had some scenes that were outstanding. In the turret with Hope. He's on his death bed. They bring in Phoenix, his code name is... In the hospital, he's so sick, he's about to give it up for his daughter, he has an out of body experience. Things like that I find fascinating to play.
Joseph Mascolo: Another reason I enjoy playing Stefano is because of the audience. They've kept him going.
chase20_us asks: I loved the idea of Hope & Stefano bonding during their time at the castle...don't you think she will have a difficult time trying to remember how bad it was before they kind of became friends?
Joseph Mascolo: Well, see that's the interesting corner that they have to turn. That's what's so brilliant about having them together. Suddenly they see each other in a different light if it's written well. Stefano has saved her life several times. He also bonded with her because he saw her strengths. When he realized she was going to be a mother again, his fatherly instincts came into play.
nermibaer asks: Joe: What, in your opinion, is the most devious stunt Stefano has ever pulled?
Joseph Mascolo: Well, he's been pretty devious throughout the years. Anytime that he has taken anyone's children away from them, although I don't think he'd harm the children. But just taking them, for revenge. He took the twins when they were little. I think that was the worst. That's evil. But evil not withstanding, look how many people are reading Hannibal right now.
scarlett_kitty asks: Why did you choose to stick with the soap opera business?
Joseph Mascolo: Boy, am I asked that a lot.
Joseph Mascolo: Even my friends who are making big movies say the same thing.
Joseph Mascolo: First of all, I enjoy playing the character, and they treat me very well, so it has enabled me to enjoy life in a way that I don't have worry about paying bills. Also, the bottom line is that the audience wanted it. I've left to do plays on Broadway, and the audience has screamed, "I want him back"!
dmustang_99 asks: Joe how many times has your character suppose to have died?
Joseph Mascolo: He's never died, but made it seem close to 8 times. It's really amazing.
arby622 asks: In the future, will your character become the problem in Abe & Lexi's marriage, rather than Brandon?
Joseph Mascolo: Well, interesting. I always thought that was a brilliant stroke, making Lexie his daughter. Because of Celeste. And her husband the police chief, very convenient. Because of Abe and Stefano, it's a big problem for them. She wants to get pregnant. She's his love child. She's his blood. He'll do whatever it takes to protect her or whatever. She doesn't realize at the moment the power that is behind her with her father.
gemini_lefty asks: I caught you in an episode of All In The Family just last night. What was it like working with Carroll O'Conner (He's one of my favorites).
Joseph Mascolo: Yes. It was wonderful. We became friends after that. It was lovely to do the show because it won an award. It was about a retarded boy, well done.
jenncw65 asks: Do you think they'll ever bring little Elvis Back?
Joseph Mascolo: Yeah, little Elvis. I mentioned him the other day. I can just see him coming in with a little white suit.
cantuono asks: What is your favorite movie of all time.
Joseph Mascolo: I'll start with what got me as a kid, Robin Hood with Errol Flynn. I love all the old movies. What they do today is very exciting...but a lot of it is junk. But the old ones. The characters were so believable. Gone With The Wind. On the Waterfront. All of Fellini's work.
cutes36 asks: Joe, what is it like working with Drake?
Joseph Mascolo: Oh it's fun.. Drake and I are good friends. We enjoy working with each other. Tease each other a lot. As long as I don't tease him about baseball. Drake and I have a good time with each other.
margo6011 asks: Does Stefano have ANY redeeming qualities?
Joseph Mascolo: Well, yes. I'm sitting here talking to you now and offering everyone out there a martini. Let's face it, Stefano doesn't get up in the morning and say "what evil can I do today?"
Joseph Mascolo: He's a good guy who does bad things. He has the power to do whatever he sets out to do. His redeeming features is in his understanding of human beings. That's why he plays chess.
Joseph Mascolo: He's over protective of his family. But I don't think that's bad in some cases.
bmarie47 asks: Are Stefano's tastes in art, music, style...anything like your own?
Joseph Mascolo: Actually that's more or less the reason that's there. When I first did the part, the woman who invented him, Pat Falcon Smith, and I talked. Usually on these things, the good people are boring, the bad you want to spit on. Let's make him complex enough so we don't know what he's going to do.
Joseph Mascolo: So I picked out the music and Art. Stefano came from an educated, wealthy family. It brings in more colors. More interesting than twirling the mustache.
daman611 asks: Are you the father of Hope's baby?
Joseph Mascolo: No, we don't know. I think a lot of people assume it's John's because of the nature of things. But if it is, it can hurt a lot of people. If it's Stefano's it's a Greek tragedy. We'll see what happens.
metopsop asks: Your accent is impeccable! Are you fluent in italiano?
Joseph Mascolo: I can speak it, yes. When I'm in Italy it doesn't feel as fluent as I'd like it to be.
bmarie47 asks: I am very intrigued by this newly discovered history that is between the DiMera's, and the Brady's, that dates back to Ireland. Will the show be exploring this in length? Will we learn about Steffy's deeper past?
Joseph Mascolo: Yes. I think this is something Tom Langan, our producer is working on. We've already dropped some hints. The families somehow cross paths. Something happened for him to hold these vengeful feelings for all this time.
snofox1_99 asks: Joseph, what does your wife think of your role of Stefano?
Joseph Mascolo: Well that's difficult, because my wife passed away 12 years ago. She was there when I started it and she thought it was fun, to say the least.
funkys99 asks: Is it weird to be harsh on TV and be looked upon as a villain???
Joseph Mascolo: No. It doesn't bother me. I've never had to go to a psychiatrist. I just let it all out there, and it's wonderful.
Joseph Mascolo: It's amazing to me that all my mail is very positive. Even if they hate me, the character, they still enjoy the energy. Last year in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, people were pleasant from all over the world.
Joseph Mascolo: I was racing to pay for my groceries, and a lady came up and said you go first, I don't want to fight with you. That's the worst it's ever gotten.
happy_marriage asks: Do you miss Louise Sorel?
Joseph Mascolo: Oh, yes sure. She's a wonderful actress, one of the best, of day and night time. It's a shame it worked out the way it did. It's just the nature of things. They didn't think they had enough storyline to keep a person, so they stopped it.
stefano_son asks: Good evening, Joe this is a honor. I have 2 questions. When will it come out why Stefano hates the Brady's and who or what was in the freezer in the townhouse in 1997?
Joseph Mascolo: See, this is the reason why I tell everybody, pay attention to the audience. The audience is much more intelligent then given credit for.
Joseph Mascolo: In a year we should know what that's about.
Joseph Mascolo: We don't know. Whatever's in there, I don't know.
Joseph Mascolo: At the time, because of the Kristian thing I thought it was the cloning thing. Then NBC got a little nervous. The freezer's there and we won't have it for Thanksgiving. It's overdone.
boltonfan5 asks: I've always thought a clash between Stefano and Victor would be great...any chance of that now that Victor is a villain again?
Joseph Mascolo: I suppose there is. I think that Victor and Stefano...that's a hard one for me because Stefano always thought of Kiriakis as business, and was on a different level. Now that he's back, it would be interesting to see them cross paths.
jac122649 asks: I love the beard, did you grow it for another role?
Joseph Mascolo: No, that's very interesting. We have two weeks off a year at Christmas. Just before that Stefano was burned badly with the painting. I teased the producers, that when I come back, I'm going to look like Sean Connery. I have used the beard in plays around the country. When you shave everyday, you don't know what's going to come out. So the chin comes out, and you see all the white on the chin. Everybody likes it so I'm going to keep it for a while.
talkwillya asks: Do you ever want to have more scenes with Alison Sweeney? What's she like to work with?
Joseph Mascolo: She's fine. I love it when Stefano puts his thumb on her and says sit down and shut up and have your wheatina. They did have it out one time when her character was giving Kate a hard time and Stefano brought her down a notch or two. She's a lovely girl.
kare_bear_01013 asks: I think you are a great actor. You would be great in a show like The Sopranos. Have you ever been in a mafia type movie or show?
Joseph Mascolo: Yes. The reason I'm playing Stefano is because of the writer who saw me do "Gangster Chronicles". I was the guy who was the head of everything. Before Luciano. It was very well done. She saw that and said, That's Stefano... Also I did a play on Broadway called "Breaking Legs" which was a comedy take on the Mafia. And Soprano's is the most brilliant thing on TV at the moment.
rmwillitzer asks: What's your favorite thing about acting?
Joseph Mascolo: I guess the essence of it is that I go to the set tomorrow and I become Stefano DiMera and that's a wonderful fantasy. Crawling into someone else's shoes.
Joseph Mascolo: When you're with other actors who are so good. It's great. It's the business side that I find unattractive.
mercas99 asks: Would there ever be a chance that somehow Stefano is related to the Brady's?
Joseph Mascolo: Gee, I don't think so. But I do think that somewhere the family's crossed in Europe. Maybe it had something to do with property. It's in the works.
jenncw65 asks: Any chance that Tony will be alive out there somehow and return to Salem??
Joseph Mascolo: Well, sure. As a matter of fact, there was a time Tony had a cousin Andre. Sure that's possible. And I would love it cuz I love Theo Penglish and he's a good actor. He'd love it too, I'm sure. Nothing planned now.
msc5012_515 asks: How do you and the cast feel about not being nominated for any awards, being shut out of sorts? I think it is terrible.
Joseph Mascolo: I agree with you. This is not from ego. I know the difference between good work and lousy work... So, I don't understand it. I sometimes feel a little depressed when people at the studio come up and ask me why I haven't been nominated.
Joseph Mascolo: Stefano is supposedly the villain. The people forget that I'm an actor. Every time there's an award that the people vote on, we win.
Joseph Mascolo: This show is very big in Australia i.e. The Boomerangs. When the people voted with Soap Opera Digest, I won 3 or 4 times.
Joseph Mascolo: That should come from me, not to be considered again, not from the editors.
Joseph Mascolo: How can you vote for Michael Caine and the child from the Sixth Sense. It's so political. People look down their nose and they shouldn't.
Joseph Mascolo: The affirmation comes in the work. But what I get from my mail...that gives me a clue about what I'm doing. They know when it's real.
Chewbacca_24 asks: Is Dr. Rolf going to try and break away from Stefano one day?
Joseph Mascolo: He'd be an idiot if he did. He certainly doesn't want to. The actor doesn't want to.
Joseph Mascolo: My only concern is that they make him a little baffoonish sometimes. He's brilliant enough to put these objects in your brain or teeth, but he can't pick up a glass. It's silly. I'm glad to see him and Bart around Stefano. You have to see that Stefano doesn't do all the work himself.
grneyz08 asks: Do you have any advice to an aspiring actor that wants to get into daytime?
Joseph Mascolo: Same advice I would give anybody. Get an education and train as an actor as hard as you again. Nobody can give you a definite answer, you have to slug it out. And believe in yourself that you have something to offer. You have to drop pictures and really hustle...it's not easy work.
Joseph Mascolo: I hope people don't mind my being honest.
Joseph Mascolo: I've spoken to college and high school students. Let's say you've got a million actors in Hollywood, and 999,000 don't work. If you can understand that, then you might have a chance. For women it's even worse. You walk in a room, and your judged on your physicality. As far as you're concerned, there can be nothing else you want to do.
talkwillya asks: Susan should come back and get with Stefano, you think? LOL Comedy relief?
Joseph Mascolo: Absolutely. You can only be that beautiful and then play Susan.
Joseph Mascolo: She's secure about herself to do that. She's a serious, wonderful actress.
na_nicola asks: Who put the tattoo of the phoenix on John's back?
Joseph Mascolo: I didn't do it personally, but I think I had it done.
evets_43223 asks: Will Stefano retain a softer edge now?
Joseph Mascolo: I don't know. I think the important thing is, they know that part of him is there. But I hope he never loses his edge. That's what makes it interesting.
Stockholm86 asks: What is your honest opinion of the Princess Gina storyline? I believe it to have been the worst ever in the soap genre.
Joseph Mascolo: When it first started, it was interesting. But it went on too long. They were caught in a bind, they didn't know where to go with it. The whole European thing. Sometimes they run down the field, and drop the ball.
tigerlilly_99_00 asks: Who are your acting idols Joseph??
Joseph Mascolo: Certain Brando, Mastroanni, George C. Scott, Gable, Flynn, Robinson, Spencer Tracey. Some good folks.
poozie78 asks: What is it like to work with Peter Reckell?
Joseph Mascolo: It's fine. I punch him in the throat and we're happy. I've never had problems working with anybody on the show. Maybe because I can beat them all up. I hope they all feel the same. I've never had any complaints.
angelbear_70 asks: How many children on the show do you think are Stefano's?
Joseph Mascolo: I think half of Salem is. One or two more, and it will be like some southern town where everybody's a cousin.
Joseph Mascolo: About 7 or 8 children, yeah.
Joseph Mascolo: His sperm is out far and wide.
Joseph Mascolo: People write and say where is Benjie? This child was truly deaf in life. He went into the Sunset. He could come back as a teenager. That would be interesting.
Joseph Mascolo: Be careful when you go upstairs, when you come down you're old. He used to laugh at me for getting lines wrong.
days2419 asks: Are you planning on coming to the East coast anytime soon? I love you and the show but I want to meet you guys. Please come out east!
Joseph Mascolo: Well, it's up to the folks to get me there, that's all I can say. I love going back east because my parents are there. My parents are from Connecticut.
salerno648 asks: What do you think about being an Italian American? Are you still in touch with your roots?
Joseph Mascolo: Yeah, where I grew up it didn't make any difference which was wonderful for me. I've become more aware of it as an adult. Once I went to West Point college, and NYC. I'm very prideful of my background. Meeting people. Going to Italy. Learning about my family. I'm an American. I'm proud of being American and Italian.
Stockholm86 asks: Thank you for respecting the intelligence of the audience! Do you believe that the powers that be at Days/NBC care at all about long time viewers?
Joseph Mascolo: I certainly hope so. I know there are people like me who ask them to be aware. Stefano went through summer months where all of the stories were about young people. But in the fall, the older people, over 18, our hard core audience, stories come back in the fall.
Joseph Mascolo: I respect the intelligence very much of the audience. That's how I gage what I do by my mail.
marilyn4wd asks: Joseph, what is your favorite color of rose. I will plant a rose of that color in my rose garden in your honor! Stefano is wonderfully evil!
Joseph Mascolo: That's wonderful. I just did one that was absolutely gorgeous. Yellow with reddish edging. A Jack Kennedy rose, wonderful odor. Red Roses. I grow them...the Purple Roses I haven't been able to keep going.
hot_guy_green asks: How long have you been on Days Of Our Lives?
Joseph Mascolo: Close to 18 years. I think I started, off-and-on in 82. I would leave to do other work. This is why I talk about the audience. They keep asking me back. 18 years.
metopsop asks: As a professional opera singer and major Tebaldi fan, I'm wondering why Stefano prefers Maria Callas!! And do you share his preference?
Joseph Mascolo: We're back to the insight. I made them change the script, and they picked it up. They had in the script, you can't go a day with Callas. I'm the one who came up with Tibaldi. I think Callas was wonderful. What a range. I love her work. I've seen it. I was at the MET. But I like Tibaldi's voice more.
poozie78 asks: What has your favorite storyline been on Days?
Joseph Mascolo: I've enjoyed this past bit in the Turret. Two people in a forced environment. Stefano's always had interesting storylines. I just take them as they come and make them as interesting a possible. With Tony, Susan, New Orleans, first time you saw Celeste...
talkwillya asks: Do you think Stefano will ever turn out to be John's Father or brother?
Joseph Mascolo: Well, if Stefano were John's dad, he did it when he was 7. I don't think that could happen. But brothers would be interesting. Anything is possible, I haven't heard anything like that. John and Stefano have a special love/hate relationship. They've trained each other in many ways. Like if you play tennis, if you play a good opponent its more fun than a lesser one.
coko2000_21215 asks: How long do you plan on staying on Days of Our Lives
Joseph Mascolo: Very simple. As long as the audience wants me, I'll do it.
Joseph Mascolo: First of all, I want to thank everyone's who's asked questions. I enjoy it and love the audience, and I judge what I do by what the audience writes to me about. So let me hear from you.
Joseph Mascolo: We have a weekend in June, a Days get together, a luncheon of all the fan clubs. I've been asked to do something for 3-4 years. Let me do something different people will enjoy. Friday June 2, 8 PM, Sportsman Lodge in Studio City I'll be doing "Love Letters" with Pat Delaney, who did the Lady in White on Days. It's always well received. You'll laugh and cry. I hope to see everybody there.
