Dendrie Taylor [Interview]

Hello Folks! We have another incredible interview for you all today. I have to admit, this is a big one for me! And honestly, it is insane how relevant Dendrie Taylor is what we have already created here at Trainwreck’d Society. Most recently, Dendrie appeared in the wonderful indie film 1/1 that we covered earlier this year, and is still one of the finest films of the year. And then of course she was a pivotal role on our beloved Sons of Anarchy! She is our fourth SOA regular to appear on the site, and we are so honored that she wanted to talk to us a bit about the series, and so much more.

And I have to give another quick plug to the film 1/1. Dendrie is amazing in it, and so is everyone else! I can pretty much promise you that you will hear about this film again in the coming months. We do have to do a best of the year list after all, and there will have to be a LOT of wonderful films coming out in the next 3 months to push this beautiful film out of the running!

So Folks, please enjoy some amazing words from the brilliant Dendrie Taylor!

What drew you to the world of performance? When did you first decide that this was the world in which you wanted to make a living in?

There was a show on when I was a kid called, Million Dollar Movie – every Sunday they would show a Shirley Temple movie, then a classic movie musical. I fell in love with Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Syd Charisse, and the great “Old Hollywood” Stars. I was a gymnast, but I spent an awful lot of time creating musical numbers for my teammates and myself to perform. I choreographed my gymnastic floor routine to An American in Paris. I knew by age ten that I wanted to be an actress. I love the magic and joy that all those films created for me and wanted to be a part of that world and a part of creating joy, laughter and light. Even though the world, and the world of entertainment has changed drastically,  I really have not changed – 40 years later – love of theater magic and joy compels me to keep adapting and trying.

What was your very first on screen performance that you can remember watching? Can you recall what exactly you were doing at the time?

My father was a television news director, but his first love was theater. He was a tremendously talented artist and creative person. My mother was a dancer and my life was filled with not only my parents influence, but that of all of their creative friends, dancers, writers, actors, musicians. It was a very eclectic upbringing. Two early performances come to mind as being influential.

The first was on stage when I was very young, maybe 4, I was a part of a dance my mother choreographed and performed – I remember that she was absolutely beautiful and weightless, but then, afterward when she picked me up to hug me, how sweat she was!

The second, and seminal film influence, was when may father took me to the Grauman’s Chinese Theater to see Singing In The Rain. I was about 5 years old – and again I fell in love. Both memories have to do with my parents, so I’m sure they were my greatest influence.

I was recently blown away by your performance in the film 1/1, which is one of my favorites of 2018 thus far. You had a very conflicting role that I believe you pulled off magnificently. So, what drew you to this project? What was it about Joan made you want to take on this role?

Thank you for your kind words. I was very happy to have the chance to work with Judd, and loved the complexity of Joan. The script was so interesting, deep, dark and lovely. Really a visual poem. I am always drawn to Art – and Joan was a type character that I had not played before. I really enjoyed her lack of sentimentality, but great love for her daughter at the same time. I think it’s a beautiful film.

In the past few years we have been fortunate enough to speak a few of your fellow Sons of Anarchy alum (McNally Sagal, Michael Ornstein, & Christopher Douglas Reed) about this absolutely legendary series. And the character that you brought to life, Luann Delaney, was an absolutely crucial and pivotal role that I felt so heart broken to watch being taken away. So, what was it like to portray a character like Luann in the SAMCRO universe? What did you enjoy the most about working on a show like this?

I was lucky to be a part of the show from the pilot forward and, of course, was sad about Luann’s untimely death. I loved the cast, Charlie is a true gentleman as well as wonderful actor. My take on Luann was that she had to be a very intelligent, crafty and tough women to have survived in the world she lived in – pornography and the gang. I also felt it was true love between Luann and Otto. I really loved playing her.

In more recent years, you had a brilliant role in the truly original and insanely hilarious show American Vandal on Netflix. A show like this was quite the departure from a lot of the other work I have watched you in. But in the same vein as SoA, I am curious to know what it was like to work on a project like this? What was set life like working closely with a guy like Larry Joe Campbell around?

OMG – I loved working on that show – it was like a breath of sunshine. Everyone was so incredibly talented on both sides of the camera – so detailed and committed to the show. It was a completely wonderful experience and I love so much the finished series. Proud to be in it.

What does the future hold for you? Anything you would like to plug to our readers?

I did a show for HBO called Room 104 – episode 6, “Voyeurs” – that I am really honored to have done. Produced by the Duplass brothers, who are absolutely incredible to work with/ for. I did a supporting part in an Indie with them called, Paddleton.  I believe it will be out next year.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

My daughter.