October 30, 1995

As part of their breakout performances of the month Premiere Magazine hosted an on-line conference with Billy McNamara. The transcript is reproduced below with the permission of Premiere Magazine.

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere) First, I like to welcome Billy to our conference we are really pleased that he was able to make it here tonight. Billy is currently appearing in the film "Copycat" with Holly Hunter, Sigourney Weaver, and Harry Connick Jr. Billy--welcome to the forum! First, can you tell us a little bit about your film?

Billy Mac: Thanks glad to be here. Well, the film is about serial killers. It's a suspense thriller with two very talented actresses, with a lot of twists and turns.

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere) Has everyone seen the film, so we don't inadvertently give away plot?

Dylan & Jason: Yes

Billy Mac: I have

Greg Keefe: Yes

John McDonald: Not yet

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere): OK then we'll keep the surprises quiet....

Dylan & Jason: OK. How about an obvious question.... Are you currently working on anything else right now?

Billy Mac: I'm gonna start a film in Canada, called "Natural Enemy", with Donald Sutherland and Tia Carrere.

Dylan & Jason: Is it a starring role? What is the film about and when can we expect it in theaters?

Billy Mac: Yes it's a starring role, it's about an adopted kid who comes back and wreaks havoc on his natural parents.

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere) Does Tia play your mother?!?

Billy Mac: Let's just say yes....

John McDonald: You did some plays in Williamstown, MA, have you ever filmed in Massachusetts and have you ever vacationed there, if so where?

Billy Mac: I went to boarding school in Mass.

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere) Near Williamstown or further east?

Billy Mac: Near Williamstown, yes

Andrew: Hi Bill, enjoyed your work in "Aspen Extreme". How was it researching with Dr. Dietz for "Copycat"?

Billy Mac: Incredibly interesting and at the same time incredibly scary.

Andrew: What was the doctor like?

Billy Mac: He is the hardest working person I've ever run across. Also extremely professional and committed.

Dylan & Jason: How old are you, and when is your birthday?

Billy Mac: 30 Birthday is March 31.

Keith A. Lynn: Would you ever consider doing another horror movie after what Dario Argento butchered you in "Opera"?

Billy Mac: No probably not, Keith. One horror movie is enough.

Greg Keefe: What steps do you go through when preparing for your roles?

Billy Mac: Usually I read the script about eight times from there I figure out if I need to do any research.

Dylan & Jason: Did you go to college? if so, Where? Did you graduate?

Billy Mac: Yes I went to Columbia, never graduated.

Dylan & Jason: Major?

Billy Mac: German Lit

Dylan & Jason: Why?? :)

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere): Sicher?

Billy Mac: Don't know just interested in German Lit particularly Herman Hesse.

John McDonald: I have questions to ask for other people around the world who could not be here tonight. Annette wants to know if you get a sense that "Copycat" will be a turning point in your career?

Billy Mac: I would hope so. I would hope it would put me in competition for roles that I was not thought of for before.

Andrew: Some have said, (not me though), that "Copycat" is a copycat of "Silence of the Lambs". How would you respond to that?

Billy Mac: I think "Copycat" is more of a relationship film, different in that two women are the heroes of the film and that's sort of unusual in Hollywood.

Andrew: Is that what attracted you to the role?

Billy Mac: Basically a chance to do something very different and work with great people.

Greg Keefe: Nicole from the Internet, would like to know if you are still interested in pursuing a career in production as well as acting?

Billy Mac: Yes absolutely, Greg.

John McDonald: Milco Petrusevski from Skopje, Macedonia wants to know if you have ever made a movie in Europe and his sister Jasmin wants to know if you are still going with Erika Eleniak.

Billy Mac: I made three movies in Europe, just finished a film in England and I still go out with Erika Eleniak.

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere) Sorry Jasmin! <g>

Dylan & Jason: Was "Radio Inside" ever released in the theater? We really enjoyed the film....

Billy Mac: No it wasn't, unfortunately.

Dylan & Jason: Why?

Billy Mac: MGM made the decision it wasn't worth prints and advertising.

Greg Keefe: Besides "Copycat" you also have a new movie out on video called "Girl in the Cadillac". Tell us about that film.

Billy Mac: Small film I did with my girlfriend, character driven. A great script and a chance for us to work together again.

John McDonald: Christoph Schmitt of Fulda, Germany says he knows you are very busy and probably don't have much free time, but if you did have free time, what kinds of things do you like to do and where would you like to go that you have not been to?

Billy Mac: Free time I spend on the beach with my dogs, float in my float tank, and I want to go to China, and Africa.

Dylan & Jason: I assume you live in Southern California, yes?

Billy Mac: Yes

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere) Greg...btw, can you tell us where your "Internet" questions are coming from?

Greg Keefe: They are coming from The William McNamara Fan Club Home Page on the Internet. The address is http://www.servtech.com/public/mcnamara/

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere) Great! A man with a page....that's arriving!

Billy Mac: Go ahead, Greg

Greg Keefe: Many times actors say that they will always remember their first big break. What so you consider your first big break?

Billy Mac: Well my first break was probably the "Beat", a small indie film shot in NY with Julia "Taxi Driver" Phillips, then my big break was probably "Stealing Home" with Jodie Foster.

Greg Keefe: What will you remember about them?

Billy Mac: "The Beat" was my first movie, so that in itself was very exciting and "Stealing Home", working with Jodie Foster.

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere): What's Jodie like?

Billy Mac: She's incredibly professional and inspiring, no attitude, all about the work.

John McDonald: Tim Heile of Quito Ecuador wants to know what actors have most influenced your acting style?

Billy Mac: Well, everybody from Don Knotts to Mongomery Clift.

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere): Didn't you play Clift?

Billy Mac: Yes, for the TV Miniseries "Liz Taylor Story".

Dylan & Jason: Will you ever consider doing another made for TV movie, like "Doing Time on Maple Drive"? Which, by the way, was an outstanding movie.

Billy Mac: Yes, I would. In fact, I am in the process of putting together a TV series with Erika on FOX.

John McDonald: Carrie, from the Internet says she thinks you resemble Rick Nelson. Have people said that to you and would you ever consider portraying him in a movie of his life?

Billy Mac: Yes people say that to me all the time, all my life and I would consider portraying him, if we got into his dark side.

Andrew: It seems you have many female fans, and you have the opportunity to meet many attractive actresses, what was it about Erika that attracted you to her?

Billy Mac: She's obviously incredibly sexy and at the same time very down to earth, not your typical actress. She's not overly ambitious.

Jason: I too have to get going, but we both just wanted to say we enjoy everything you and Erika do, and we look forward to seeing the both of you again real soon. Good luck on the series for FOX.

Billy Mac: Thank you.

John McDonald: You did "Doing Time on Maple Drive" with Jim Carey. Was he as crazy then as he is now or has he become a real cut up in recent years?

Billy Mac: No he was pretty crazy back then.

John B. Wimbs: Are you planning to do any stage work?

Billy Mac: I did stage at Williamstown, Summerstock, and I'm thinking about a doing a play called the "Agency" here in LA.

John B. Wimbs: Soon?

Billy Mac: February

Greg Keefe: Did you find the research you did for "Copycat" somewhat gruesome?

Billy Mac: Yes, very gruesome, saw some pretty horrific pictures and heard some pretty nasty audio.

Andrew: What kind of audio was that?

Billy Mac: Tape recordings of serial killers committing their tortuous crimes.

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere) How awful! Must have been hard to shake that off ?

Billy Mac: Yes it was Sandy.

John McDonald: I have seen most of your movies. I was on the edge of my seat in parts of "Honor Thy Mother". Where did you find all the emotion you put into that character. You never cease to amaze me with the variety in your roles. You are most versatile.

Billy Mac: The research I did. I met the real guy and found him to be very inspiring.

John B. Wimbs What CD's are you into these days?

Billy Mac: All of Roger Watters solo albums.

Sandy Donnelly (Premiere) And with that, I'd like to thank Billy for being with us here tonight... best of luck with everything... And thank you to everyone who joined us tonight..

Andrew: Thanks Billy.

John B. Wimbs: Thanks. We can't wait till you get more recognition.

Billy Mac: Thanks everybody for coming.

E-Mail Billy or the Fan Club

Ever want to write a message to a star and be sure he really gets it. Well, now you have your chance. All email sent to this email address which begins "Dear William", "Dear Billy" or something similar is forwarded directly to William McNamara© on a regular basis. All other mail will be handled by the fan club. Send a message to William McNamara© or the club at comments@williammcnamara.com