David Dayan Fisher Interview

TCC: I think it's amazing how you remembered your dream so vividly.

DDF: Well this is the funny thing. In the middle of the dream I said to myself 'press pause' and in the dream I said I'm going to write this down. But I was so frightened to get out of bed and write it down that I would miss the rest of the story. And I had to know what happens. And I pressed play. When I finished there was a knowing that I would never forget this. I literally had a smile. There was a knowing in my sleep. And here I am. I was actually reading it to my dogs yesterday. I still find it quite incredible.

TCC: I understand that you're involved with animal rescue. What is the organization called, and how did you get involved?

DDF: I am involved with In Defense of Animals. This is an international animal charity. I got involved with them because I went to an event for chimpanzee facilities in Africa, which In Defense of Animals is running or fund[ing] and this helps with chimpanzees (our closest relative) and I basically ever since then have been going to other events of theirs and have them help me to get the word out about my book and will give them 50% of the proceeds.

TCC: While I was watching National Treasure on TV last night, I noticed that you gravitate toward action films. You are also in 24 and NCIS. Is action the genre you prefer?

DDF: I have just finished a short film and I just went to see a premier of it, and it was the first time someone had ever given me the chance to play opposite parts. Normally I'm the villain. Normally I'm the bad guy. Bad guys and villains usually are in action type scenarios. And I did this short film where someone gave me a chance to play a victim. It was also a period piece. It's the most powerful acting I've ever done. I'm very, very proud of it. I think it's going to go to the festival. I think something like that can really change people's impression. But everybody sees me as the bad guy.

TCC: Do you relate to the bad guy characters?

DDF: As an actor you use your imagination to put yourself in the shoes of these people. You create a story as to why you are doing it. You are finding what drives people to do this.

TCC: Is there one character in particular you liked to be?

DDF: Well the most God-like role was the role in 24. [Anton Beresch] was a Russian terrorist. You know I took this whole airport hostage and was killing people on the hour by the hour. And it was very God-like. It was unbelievable the amount of power to have, you know to be in this guy's shoes. It really was God-like. But as well I was very pleased when we finished three weeks of filming to get out of his skin. It was a horrible place to be. You suddenly realize that these people… it's not just bad… it's their mind, to be in to do the things they do. They have an awful mind.

TCC: What would your dream role be?

DDF: To let the cat right out of the bag, let's just say as a kid growing up my hero was James Bond. It was the Connery James Bond. I've always wanted to be James Bond as a kid. Then being an actor of course that was the epic role. It really would be. But I'm naturally more of a villain on the James Bond movie than the actual Bond. But then Trent Kort, the character I play on NCIS, is a secret agent; a rogue CIA agent who is pretty much close to Bond if you follow the character. He gets away with pretty much whatever he wants to. It's the closest I've got so far.

TCC: In five years, do you see yourself still acting and writing?

DDF: Yes. More so. It's only going to get better. Without a doubt. I knew my destiny from a young age. Something happened when I was very young and I didn't know what it meant. And slowly but surely I know this is only getting better. Writing I love. Like I said I have two scripts and nine treatments of other stories. Today I came up with another story for a movie. As long as I can create I'm very happy. I paint as well. I sell art. I write poems. I just love creating. The acting will carry on as long as I can remember lines.