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Scream Queens these days seem to be an established business at conventions and on the Net, but out of the many, Debbie Rochon makes you stand up and notice. With 35-plus films, magazine covers, TV shows, a model kit and much more under her belt, Debbie is one the most prolific and recognizable actresses in B movies today. We talked with Debbie during a recent Joe Casey shoot of We're Coming to Help. The actress is every bit as funny and beautiful, and as pleasant to talk with, as she seems. Here is a more recent interview we conducted with her via email. Enjoy!
The Bog People : One of Debbie's New Films TooSquare: While talking about the WTC disaster on your Web site, you mention we don't know what it's like to have an oppressive government. While people in most other countries certainly have it harder than us, do you truly believe the American government is not oppressive? Debbie Rochon: Yes, I think our government is NOT oppressive, whatsoever. We are very judgmental here in the USA, but not oppressive. Regardless of what may still be unfair; there are still more rights granted to criminals than victims, for instance. I think our laws are extremely outdated and need to be rewritten also, but even still this ain't a third world country in any way shape or form. TS: In the WTC disaster letter, the background features a photo of you draped in the American Flag. Did you know that's illegal? DR: It could be illegal if it were a real flag. TS: Did you lose any friends or loved ones to the attack? DR: Yes I did. TS: Many people believe the government, after years of systematic abuse to other countries and past support to bin Laden, has brought this fate down upon American citizens. Do you think our government should be held accountable or was this scenario unavoidable? A: No, the people who died are not accountable. Our government is not TS: You've been interviewed or quoted in a lot of publications. Has
any DR: Sure. Depends on what their slant is. Unprofessional writers will twist their subjects' words to fit THEIR cause, but that's just bad journalism. TS: How do you handle bad press? Ever respond to a writer or reviewer's DR: No, because people certainly can exercise their freedom of speech. But more often than not if they have something negative to say it's for other reasons. You find the professional writers will handle themselves in a certain respectable way (i.e. if they don't like a certain movie, they word it in such a way that's not a personal attack because it's just a movie) and the wanna-bes will act very child-like in their writings (i.e. will make a personal issue out of a movie review where it just has no bearing on the movie and ultimately makes them look rather ridiculous). image of debbie copyright Image Group TS: You're a Scorpio, right? Do you believe in astrology? DR: Ummm ... Astrology is fun. Like darts are fun. I am not aware of Scorpio traits, really. Is that elusive enough? ;) TS: Do B movies have to adhere to all SAG rules and regulations? DR: If they are union yes, if they are not, then no. TS: What's the industry minimum for SAG actors these days? DR: Depends, there are so many different ways a SAG actor can work
on a TS: In your personal gallery there's a photo of you wearing a Big Bob Briggs T-shirt. He's the funniest thing since the Pet Rock! Any plans to work with him on anything anytime soon? DR: If he starts up another zine I would hope to be involved again. He's a wonderful human being. We're still close friends after all this time. TS: You were on the Phil Donahue Show in 1970. If my math's up to speed, you would have been about 2 years old. How did you end up on the show? DR: You read it wrong. On the IMdB.com site the first year a TV show airs that's what appears beside the show's name regardless of when it was taped. I was on with Rae Dawn Chong in a big anti-AIDS awareness show in 1987. TS: Do you have any siblings? If yes, are they older or younger, and what do they think of your work? DR: They are older and I do not know what they think of my work as I grew up in foster homes and I never grew up "with" them. TS: What were your adolescent and teen years like? Did you hang with
a DR: I never went to high school. I was a child of the streets of Vancouver, Canada. No cliques, just survival. TS: Have any pets while you were growing up? DR: When I was 8-10 years old I raised rabbits. That was a lot of fun for me. I lived in the farmlands then. I love animals. TS: Did you attend college? DR: No. TS: Had you not decided to go into acting, what would your next career choice have been? DR: I really don't know. It wasn't a choice for me. I just had to do it. There was never a safety back-up plan. TS: I noticed you don't have a biography on your Web site. You know:
"I DR: It doesn't interest me. I've been to various sites that have that information and I really find it boring for the most part. I like the creative side of people, not the logistical stuff. TS: Have you ever posed for any adult magazines, Playboy, Penthouse, etc.? DR: I have done some fetish stuff. Leg magazine work. I have been in
many men's TS: What's your favorite junk food? DR: Potato Chips. Salt and Vinegar. TS: You're in great shape! Do you have to work out to maintain your weight and figure? DR: I walk a lot but since I was hit by a taxi I cannot run anymore. I love going on long walks in Central Park, though! Or working out on a treadmill is good too. TS: Your book looks hilarious, and you've had some great articles in various magazines. Have you always had an interest in writing? Any particular authors inspire you? DR: I have always enjoyed writing. I used to keep a journal when I was a teenager and that inspired me to write. I have a lot of fave writers. But knowing so many professional journalists in NYC I have really come to appreciate what they do. They are under such amazing deadlines all the time and yet still are able to write very entertaining articles. I grew up watching reruns of The Night Stalker and he was a journalist who covered (or tried to) the paranormal and I always wanted to be like him. TS: Living in New York, have you ever done theater? DR: I have done tons of theater in NYC. I have belonged to about a half dozen acting companies over the years. I just don't have time to do theater anymore, plus it pays so little it's very difficult to do that for a living. TS: What's you favorite Broadway play? DR: The Producers. It's brilliant. TS: How many hours do you spend online per day? DR: Depends on the day. I probably spend about 2 hours a day returning e-mails. TS: You worked on Tromeo and Juliet with Hollywood-hating pioneer Lloyd Kaufman. What was it like on that set? DR: I love working with Lloyd. I have made three movies with him and have known him for 10 years now. He is great. He's insane, crazy and very talented. An average day on the set has as many costume changes as it does emotional ups and downs. It's exhausting, but always great because you walk away feeling like you have really used a part of yourself creatively. TS: Any plans to try out for big-budget, Hollywood-type movies, or
are DR: I might try and get some bigger projects going this year, yes.
With the success of American Nightmare, which just came out, I have
just started getting some very cool offers in. So I think the next couple
of years should prove to be very interesting for me. American Nightmare
has been so well received it's been great! I play a crazed psycho killer
in it, and it was by far my fave role to date because I really got a
chance to get into the character. I just filmed We Are Coming to Help,
in Tampa Fla., directed by Joe Casey and co-starring Brinke Stevens,
and it was so much FUN!! We were under a tremendously short TS: Croutons or Bacon Bits? DR: Croutons. TS: If you could be any piece of lawn equipment, what would it be and why? DR: A garden hoe, so I could rake it in. TS: What are your thoughts on the porn industry? Is it exploiting women or are women taking full advantage? DR: No thoughts. I think they have the right to make any kind of movie they want and all the power to them! I just doubt it can be done without damaging one's soul. NOT because I think it's wrong, but because of the people in the business who probably screw with each other's heads till you are an empty shell with no self-esteem. I think the BUSINESS of it is probably deadly. The act itself is weird to me, but I have no problem with those who find enjoyment in it. TS: Involved in any charitable organizations? DR: Animal rescue centers. I donate each month to one. TS: Any plans to do the marriage, kids, white-picket-fence thing? DR: No to the kids and white picket fence. I would consider marriage if the right person came along, but I wouldn't mind if I never got married either. Whatever seems right. Not what seems expected. TS: Were you a Kids In the Hall fan? Which was your favorite kid? I always rooted for Bruce McCullough. DR: Honestly, I really love all of them. I love that show. Monty Python, Kids in the Hall; they're my faves. I have no idea why I rarely see the actors anywhere. TS: Do you still have family in Canada? DR: Yes, but I am not in contact with them. They mostly live in Montreal but some are scattered all over the country. TS: Any place you've ever wanted to visit or anything you've ever wanted to try but haven't gotten around to yet? DR: I hope to go back to England again soon. I used to live there for a short time when I was 17. I loved Australia too. I would dig seeing more of France. I have been to Cannes during the film festival but didn't see much of it beyond the festival. TS: Your first film was Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains, right? What part did you play? Any lasting memories of any of the "big" names in the film (Laura Dern, Diane Lane, Christine Lahti, etc.)? DR: I played a featured groupie to their "punk" band. I remember Diane Lane wanting more freedom from her mom during the shoot. It was an amazing experience. The director partied a lot with the rock and roll guys in the movie. There were members of The Clash and the Sex Pistols in the movie too. I think there was a whole lotta parting going on. Hahaha! I tried drugs for the first time on that set. TS: Do you do use a pen or pencil on crossword puzzles? DR: Pen. TS: If you could have a 15-minute conversation with any person, alive or dead, who would it be and what would you talk about? DR: My mother or father, and (I'd) ask them what it was like to die and if they can now see clearly what happened in their lives. TS: Any obsessed fans out there? DR: Hope not. I have a lot of wonderful and supportive fans though, and I am appreciative of that! TS: What was the last CD you bought? DR: Prince. TS: I saw the fan paintings of you in your photo gallery. Do you get a lot of gifts from fans? What is the most unusual so far? DR: I get a lot of stuff sent to me. The weirdest was a request from a convicted murderer on death row wanting a personalized photo. I didn't respond because he was convicted of killing a number of women and I felt any dealings with this person was just bad karma. Besides, I don't do the personalized photo or video thing, anyway. TS: Brinke Stevens talked with us recently, and she manages to attend lots of conventions. Have you done any of the convention circuits? DR: I love going to cons and do so if I have the time. It's all a matter of scheduling, but yes, I really enjoy going and meeting people. They can really be a fun time and an entertaining social engagement of sorts! I've had some of my best times hanging out with folks after the shows. I would like to get to more in the future so we'll have to see how it goes! TS: The world's gonna end at noon tomorrow. What are you going to do today? DR: Take my dog to the park. Call my friends on the phone. Tell them
I love them and thanks for being in my life.
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