Battlestar Galactica

1) Tell us something about yourself. Where did you grow up and how did you get to acting?
I moved to Canada from Taiwan in 1979 and grew up in Burnaby (city next to Vancouver). I got into acting by accident as I accompanied a coworker to pick up a cheque from his agent, I was convinced to sign on for extra work, but I turned down all extra stuff for my regular career. I didn't really start getting serious about the entertainment biz until the last couple of years, BSG in 2003 was the first show I was excited to work on. In the summer of 2005 I resigned my full-time position as a senior loss prevention officer, and my intentions of becoming a police officer, to pursue my acting career full-time. I also joined a new agency called Def Con 5 Talent that specializes in military and law enforcement roles. Just got tired of chasing down and fighting bad guys for a justice system that protects them more than me. I'm also not getting any younger, so it was time to find a less dangerous and physically demanding job.

2) I saw your sword collection, it's quite impressive. How many of them do you actually have?
You know, I never counted. I have quite a lot packed into my little one-bedroom condo, I would have more if I had the space. Love all bladed hand weapons though, so I will add to the collection as my space and money permits.

3) Have you ever been to Europe or Czech Republic particularly? (I suppose you haven't but I had to ask :o)
No I haven't, but it is something I definitely look forward to. Rumor is that the movie "Hitman" (starring Vin Diesel) will be filming in the Czech Republic, would love to work on that film as I'm a fan of the Hitman video games too.

4) How do the things with your Exit Gear collection go?
Sadly neglected are the two words I would associate with Exit Gear. When I have more time and money I will pursue the clothing line again, but it is currently on hold while I focus on my film career. When I'm not working I'm trying to build up my blog site: www.leochiang.com, it will have regular updates of my on-set experiences (ones that aren't secret anyways).

5) Which TV shows do you watch? And what's your favorite movie?
Currently "Heroes" is my favorite tv show to watch. Both my GF and I follow the show religiously. BSG is, of course, also a favorite show. As for movies, there are so many, "The Last Samurai" definitely holds an eternal top spot as one of my faves.

6) What's your favorite food on the set, Wednesday's hamburgers? :o)
Lol, everybody who knows me bugs me about how much I eat and love food. I love and eat anything except for lamb and insects. I have one of those strange genetics where I seemingly eat continuously without gaining weight. All women hate me for it.

7) How did you get to work on Battlestar Galactica?
My agent asked if I would like to work on the pilot film for BSG and I jumped at the chance, I only worked one day though. I just played a generic crew member.

8) Does The Powers That Be know about your popularity among the fan base?
I'm sure they do since it seems like most of the crew already know about it. I don't think anyone, including myself, would have ever thought a background performer would get such an online support base. I have never spoken to any of the producers about it though, so I'm not sure if they like it or hate it. I hope they like it.

9) Who would win a real life poker game, you or Katee Sackhoff?
I don't have much patience for games, so I usually just wanna quite early by betting "all in". I would have to say I would most likely lose, unless I pull a great bluff. Come to think of it, I'm not even sure if Katee knows how to play poker. I like the occasional game of Texas Hold'em.

10) What do you enjoy most about Battlestar Galactica and is there something you'd change?
I like the way the show is, despite being REALLY depressing in season 3, as I think the big bosses have an overall agenda for the show. Kinda have to look at the big picture and how the show will develop, season 3 is really focusing on character development. The only thing I would change is to add myself as a regular cast member ;)

11) Have you befriended any of the other actors, and if so who?
I'm on the show so often that they all know me and we have the occasional chat. But I am still just a background performer and we have our own separate holding areas anyways (in the film food chain, I am plankton), so my opportunities to interact with the cast members are limited. I also have to think about professionalism too, as I am there to work and I have my own responsibilities. I would have to say I chat the most with Grace Park and Leah Cairns, great girls! And not just because they're hot, lol (not to mention both very married). Grace I had met before on another pilot tv series that did not get picked up and Leah has been great by giving me inside info on other shows I'd be good for, she also asked me to autograph an item to be auctioned for charity (which I felt very honored).

12) Is anybody on the set a practical joker and if so who?
From what I could see on set, it seems like Michael Hogan really enjoys to ad lib his lines and we all get a good chuckle from it.

13) Do you have any funny stories from the set? I know we haven't seen all in gag reels.
Apart from Michael Hogans ad libbing? Unfortunately, I think most of the hijinks occur amongst the main cast members, so I have to wait for the gag reels too.

14) Many fans would like to see gay character in the show. Could you imagine your character like Gaeta's replacement for Baltar? (Bizarre picture I know... :o)
Hmmm, I can do gay for BSG. Although I won't have as much fun filming love scenes.

15) Will you have a more expanded role later in the third season or next?
Nope, we can cross our fingers for season 4 though.

16) Fans have given you names "Dragon" and "Salty". Which one you like more? Or how do you call your character?
Originally, I only knew about Dragon, so it kinda stuck on set. Salty is a more recent discovery. Honestly? I really like them all because the BSG fans took the time to come up with it. If the writers ever decide to make me a regular cast member, it would be fun if they had an online poll, with the winning result to be my permanent call sign.

17) Will you get to speak at all?
I shout out "Chromedome" in Episode 6 (Torn) Season 3. Then "Kat" pats my head.

18) Are you a raptor pilot or viper pilot in the show?
I've actually been both many times. They just swap out the patches to match the bird I fly appropriately. Since I'm one of the surviving few, noticeable pilots from episode 1, season 1 (33), it makes sense that I would be a Raptor-certified Viper pilot (just like Apollo and Starbuck).

19) Do you have a list of all the episodes you've been in?
Oooh, I don't even know. I'm on set for almost every episode really, it's just that I don't always get used or seen. The Battlestar Wiki site seems to have gathered a good list.

20) You're mostly seen at the table playing Triad, does this game has any rules, or you just pretend to play?
If the game does have rules, I don't know them, lol. We pretty much just wing it.

21) If your character should have sex scene with someone, who would it be?
Why stop at one? We should have me philander around with all the female cast. Wouldn't it be funny to just start every seen with me getting out of a woman's bunk and walking away? Or we could have a special guest to commemorate the occasion, like Paris Hilton. She's used to having sex on camera and, like me, she's famous for nothing but being caught on camera a lot.

22) Do you get scripts for the episodes you are shooting, or at least do you know what is the episode about? Or do you have to wait with the rest of us 'till episodes air?
Only the big shots get the scripts. When I'm on set I read over the "sides", those are an excerpt from the script that details the scenes that will be shot for the day. So I get a sneak peek as to what is happening but I have to wait for the episode to air to get the whole picture.

23) You are a big sci-fi fan, so I suppose you saw Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and you know Morn, he was almost in every episode and never said a word. Ron Moore was script writer on Deep Space Nine, so do you think, that your character is something like Galactica's Morn?
Hehe, good comparison! But at least Morn has a name!

24) Will you be making anymore appearances on Battlestar Galactica this season?
Yeah, I think I make appearances up till the last two episodes.

25) And the last question: Who the Final Five Cylons are? No, just joking, I know you can't tell, but do YOU know who they are?
I have no clue, I think most of the cast don't even know. It's a pretty hush, hush thing. I'm sure everyone in-the-know had to sign non-disclosure statements too.

Thank you very much. I and all Czech fans really appreciate you took time to answer our questions. We just heard that Battlestar Galactica was green lighted for season 4, so we're looking forward to seeing you more on the screen. And we hope you finally got name!
Thank you so much for inviting me for this interview, my greatest gratitude to all BSG fans for supporting the show and all the continued encouragement!

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