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We recently had the chance to chat with Brent Pope about getting his start in the entertainment industry, working on “Roseanne”, upcoming projects, and more!

1. How did you get your start in the entertainment industry?

When I first moved to Los Angeles from Nebraska, a group of my friends (also Nebraska transplants) and I wrote and produced a live theater show called The Decepticons Present: Their Farewell Show. Doing that show is still one of my favorite times on stage that I can remember. It was so well-received and I had so much fun that it gave me the motivation and confidence to try other types of entertainment in Hollywood. And I haven’t stopped since.

2. What was your first project?

My first paid acting gig was a Time Warner Roadrunner commercial where I played a bowler named Ten Pin Jim. I still have never seen that commercial. Strangely enough, that commercial also featured 2 notable people: Dave Giuntoli, who went on to star in the TV show Grimm,  and Chicken George Boswell, from season 1 of Big Brother.

3. How did you land your role on “Roseanne”?

I went in to audition for Susie Farris, who had previously cast me in the TV show Speechless. Thankfully, Susie seems to like what I do in auditions, and she cast me again in Roseanne. Plus, I’m always getting mistaken for a grocery store employee anyway, so I might as well get paid to do it.

4. Which character do you play?

I play Valente, the manager of the grocery store in Lanford. Valente hates it when people smash the cakes in the bakery section. I saw someone online talking about how Valente seems lonely, so maybe he could ask out Darlene or Becky. Or Aunt Jackie. #TeamValente

5. Did you watch the original show?

I was a huge fan of the original show. I grew up in the Midwest, so many of the issues the Conner family dealt with were very familiar to me. I remember always being particularly excited every season when they would do their Halloween episode, it was always an epic prank-fest! The original Roseanne struck that balance of shedding light on real, relevant issues, while still being very funny, which is so difficult to do.

6. What is a typical day like on-set for you?

I like to get to work early so that I can get acclimated in my trailer without feeling rushed. For breakfast, I usually get a veggie omelet with a side of bacon. I’m aware that those two items don’t usually go together, but it works for me! After I get in costume and go through hair and makeup, I love to go to set and watch the other actors perform and watch the director direct. I feel like that’s a better use of my time than just hanging out in my trailer.

7. How do you think this new version of the show is different from the original?

I think the main thing that is different about the show now is the fact that 20 years have gone by, so many roles in the Conner family have changed. Roseanne is still Roseanne, but now she’s a grandma and dealing with some health issues. Darlene, Becky, and DJ are all adults now with kids or other adult problems. Other than those natural progressions that happen just as a part of life, I think that the heart of the show Roseanne remains very close to the original.

8. Are you working an any projects at the moment that you can share with us?

I’m currently working on shooting more episodes of my award-winning web-series, Table for Two. I’m also getting ready to pitch my animated comedy pilot that I co-wrote entitled Beef Meat the Musical: The Totally Bitchin’ Adventures of an Immortal Rock God.

9. What are your social media accounts?

Instagram & Twitter: @scoopspope

Facebook: facebook.com/brentpope.actor/

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