Q. How did you first break into TV acting as a child?
MB: Well I joined the drama club at an early age in my grammar school.
We wrote plays and one play got worldwide attention and press. Since I was the lead I received many offers to become an actor and sign with top agents
Q. Once you landed the role on Salute Your Shorts on Nickelodeon, how did you handle the success? Friendships and school?
MB: To be honest I was just beginning high school at the time and I was always on a set school, which meant no real time at my local high school.
Friendship well I have always been my best friend type of man so in terms of friendships VIDEO GAMES and TV were my best pals.
As far as my success---well what is success its defined differently to everyone --my success will be proven in the future---as for then I feel like a normal kid with an early job.
Q. Did you bond with any cast members of that show and did the friendships last over the years?
MB: Well we all bonded and we did become a family in some sort of the word---but we all had different pursuits in life and had our own hobbies
Q. Did you attend acting school as a child and teen?
MB: Yes, I attended for years at a well known school with my peers--attendees included Leonardo DI Caprio, Tobey Maguire, Barry Watson, Chad Allan, Danica Mckeller, Christian Bale, Kellie Martin.
Wow there were so many talented people in our classes--
Q. After Salute Your Shorts ended, what was your next project?
MB: Well I did my first starring role in a B movie for Roger Corman the master of low budget movies called Captain Nuke & the Bomber Boys.
I will admit some stuff I have done did not come out so well, but I am proud of everything in my life good or bad ---
Q. Did you find it difficult to transition from child star to adult actor?
MB: Well of course, as I am still transitioning --this business is a build you up and break you down business and once your famous they don't see you as anything but the character you used to be --so its up to the actor to have the strength and never give up attitude to continue and basically recreate your self and start all over again from the floor up.
That’s what I'm doing now with myself --starting again.
Q. Do you have a new fan base for Salute your shorts due to the re runs?
MB: There has not been a rerun since 1996--but yes there is a huge following through Internet video sites and sharing file networks --its amazing when 10 year olds recognize me and I say how they say they saw it on line------plus there is no DVD as of yet ----hopefully soon
So yes there is a huge fan base--and I love every one
Q. Can you list the movies you have been in and which one was your favorite?
MB: You can go to my website and see clips from all of my projects - www.michaelraybower.com .
My favorite movie was Evolution because of the talent in it and the director. However, my favorite all time job was when I was on the series Dark Angel with yes the ever so stunning Jessica Alba-- on that show I proved to myself that I can be a great actor and that I deserve to be in this business-- I created the character and after it was shot I received phone calls and accolades regarding my performance and I was almost up for an Emmy award as a guest star ---but didn't make the official cut --but it felt great---ooh the name of the episode was Braniac, in the Dark Angel second season on DVD now.
Q. What are your future acting goals?
MB: To continue to prove myself and continue studying my craft and maybe one day be a headliner like my alter ego Jack Black--I'm the rap version of him---I am also starting a production company soon in hopes of creating entertainment for the real world
Q. You also are into music? Can you elaborate on that briefly?
MB:I grew up in an urban environment so I am very hip-hop influenced. Since I can't really sing, or write my emotions like poetry I decided to rap my emotions--so its rap music but with real feelings and emotions behind the lyrics--not this booty, sex, drug oriented recycled stuff they have now a days--lets take it back- back to the basics of your soul ---I CALL IT EMO RAP.
Q. What have been your most recent projects?
MB:I'm in a movie called Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School--that just hit DVD retail outlets-----it stars John Goodman,Marisa Tomei,Danny Devito,Sean Astin,Donnie Wahlberg,Mary Steamburgon
An all star cast--and a great love story--go get it!
Q. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
MB: ALIVE and helping educate others to learn this rough business- have my first production company movie
And definitely not on true Hollywood Story or Child Star Confidential!
Q. Is it hard to have a normal personal life when a recognizable actor?
MB: What personal life----when I meet someone I never know whether they like me for me or my so called status, so yes I believed it hurts in social affairs--its hard to trust anyone ------listen to my music for these story's
Q. Tell us something about yourself we didn't know!
MB: Ladies I'm Available-----
You can contact Michael via his website or through his Publicist, Karen Ammond, www.kbcmedia.com or kbcmedia@att.net
