I am John Dunsworth. You might recognize me because I play Jim Lahey on "Trailer Park Boys." AMA!

My username has been waiting for this moment. I feel like I should be drunk.

What's the funniest thing someone has shouted at you in public after recognizing you?

One time, at the toll bridge, I cut off a guy in an old Camaro.

With dual exhaust. And a Hurst floor shift. He was gunning it, and yelling at me, because I cut him off.

Then his face brightened up, and he yelled "HEY LAHEY! IT'S ALL GOOD MAN!"

That's it.

Was there ever a time when you were too convincing while faking drunk that people actually thought you were just some drunk guy? There should really be some kind of award for pretending to be that drunk that well.

On a side note: John! I love you - SO much! Jim Lahey is honestly my favorite character ever. Meeting you and getting called a shit(something) is on my bucket list.

I did it for a couple of fans on tour with Randy once, in a McDonald's, and got kicked oot of the McDonald's.

I could not convince the guy that I was just pretending.

Hehehehehe! Hehehe. Yeah, where do you live?

Indiana. Feel free to drop on by sometime! Liquors on me!

Wonderful.

Hi John. Whenever I hit the liquor hard, it feels like my head has been through a shit tsunami the next day. I believe it's because I've been drinking against the grain of the liquor.

How do you recommend drinking with the grain of the liquor?

By the way, I saw your live show with Randy and the Boys late last year in Winnipeg and I couldn't stop laughing. The whole cast did a fantastic job!

Drinking with the grain of the liquor... takes a LOT of experience.

You have to have an inner magnetic compass.

And face the way - face the direction in which the liquor was bottled.

I don't know, I'm just making this up, haha!

Every time someone asks me that question on my fanpage, I give a different answer.

I just made that up on the spot just now, so that's how deep it goes.

Mr. Lahey, what is the secret to your liquorball sandwiches?

You need fresh, white bread...

breaks out laughing

...for a slow high.

Multi-grain bread holds too much liquor. Then you have a tendency to get to 8 out of 10 before you're ready.

Mr. Dunsworth, thanks a lot for doing this AMA! Jim Lahey is my favorite character on Trailer Park Boys, and a large part of why TPB is one of my favorite shows.

1. One of my favorite Lahey shitisms is “He's about to enter the shit tornado to Oz.” That came early, in one of the episodes in season 2, and it was just so spontaneous and nonsensical that I knew I had to keep watching TPB. I wasn't disappointed: you’ve had some other brilliant shitisms like “shit rope” and “hair-triggered, double-barreled shit machine gun.” Where do you come up with these shitisms? Are they ad-lib?

2. Is there any chance of Treena Lahey making a return to TPB? (This one was left unanswered in the last TPB AMA, unfortunately.)

3. Do you have a favorite shitism? If so, what is it?

4. Outside of TPB, I watched your video on rocks and cement, and I must say, you have a pretty damn cool hobby. You mentioned that you built your house yourself, and I was wondering how long it took you to build it? Because that's one hell of an accomplishment.

Thanks again, and remember to keep your shit-guard up.

1.) I'm a little bit embarrassed to say that I used to teach at University, back in the 80's. And I taught my students never to be involved in bathroom humor. And so... I did not write most of the shitticisms. Or shitisms. However you want to call them. When I ask who writes them, usually the answer is "J.P." or "Julian writes most of the shit stuff." Because as you know, I am an actor, and do not write most of the scripts.

2.) Treena is Ellen Page. Who is hopping back and forth between LA, and Halifax, as far as I know. She's a very busy actress. And I'm sure if we could get her, we would!

3.) Oooh. I like some that are not even in the show, like "Ask not for whom the shit bell Tolls --- It tolls for thee." A lot of the shitticisms - like "Tempus Fuggit" - a lot of them come from classical mythology or from Latin.

4.) I... take my time building things. Especially my house. Because it was expensive. And I didn't want to go deeply in debt. So it took me a period of probably... 5 years to go from the basement to the top. We lived on the third floor for a year, while we finished the bottom floors. It's more sensible that way, because you're not tracking drywall dust and construction detritus through your living area.

And thank YOU for watching "Get a Hobby!" on my YouTube channel!

Hi John, I'm a huge fan. You seem so perfect for the part of Jim Lahey. Did you audition for the role, or were you asked to be on the show?

Back in the nine-teen-nineties....we did a show called "One Last Shot."

Mike Clattenberg directed.

Ricky and Julian were also in that movie.

It was never released.

Although we won prizes for acting and directing.

Clattenberg liked my character, so he asked me to reprise it in "Trailer Park Boys."

And the rest is history!

What is your favorite improvised line/moment from Trailer Park Boys? Also - I love you. Sincerely. Please be my friend.

My favorite line... let me think... "i tod a so."

Which was improvised by Ricky, during a rehearsal.

Look I'm mowing the air, bud! But seriously Is there anyone on the show that has a personality similar to their character?

Cyrus.

He's the real dick. Losco is a real caveman. And Julian is really sexy.

How hard is it to keep a straight face while you're on set with the boys?

That's a big, long story. I've been acting onstage for over 40 years. And it's just something - it's the same thing as you face the camera, and you make sure that you're ready, and you know your lines. It's just one of the things you have to do. And once in a while you break up, but it's television, so that goes in the oot-takes for the closing night party.

do your nips ever get cold out there in Nova Scotia?

You're thinking of Randy.

Mr Dunsworth why do you so rarely travel with the boys during their live shows? The Christmas live special on Netflix is easily my favorite, and its because of you. I think using the white plastic bag in place of a Santa beard is absolutely hilarious.

Um...coordinating five people to tour is harder than coordinating three.

And more expensive.

I am sometimes just not available. Because i do live theater, and tour with Randy, and I am in 2 other television series.

That's why.

Hey Mr. Lahey! What are you going to do about Ricky taking a piss in your ice cube tray and cream?

This is news to me.

I did have Lemon-Gin-flavored ice cubes...

Is that what you're referring to?

That answer made me happy for the rest of my life. Please give me a call if you want to have a cup of joe sometime. Just thought of this but I'll ask on Friday if I'm asking too much. Any word on new full length Trailer Park Boys movies? Your performance in Countdown to Liquor Day was most decent.

I had not heard aboot plans for another movie.

But if the world doesn't get obliterated in the next few years, I wager we're gonna make a great one.

Mr. Lahey, has there ever been a time when you and that big coagulated gravy hot dog bun bastard got into any trouble while in character due to not being recognized?

Also, I quit Mr. Lahey, go fuck yourself!

laughs

Uh, no. I can't remember any time we got in trouble. Together.

On the contrary... we've got noticed. RCMP tickets. Gotten free meals. And been treated splendidly everywhere we go.

It's almost like a passport to happiness!

For the scene where you walk backwards while drinking a mickey, how many takes did it take?

Three, I think.

And you can add: And I still haven't had to pee. Ha ha! I drained 3 26'ers, actually.

I remember we did 3 takes, and I drained 3 bottles.

Mr. Lahey,

Talk about your most memorable night with Bim Jeam. Does it involve Barb, or Randy? Or does it involve both?

Use your imagination.

I am the licker.

But I never lick and tell.

Hi John, I've always been deeply impressed your ability to chug entire liquor bottles of liquid. what's your secret?

I... used to drink great amounts of Coca-Cola when I was young.

When you can guzzle Coke, you can guzzle anything.

John,

Thank you for taking the time to do this AMA.

How is the Emerald Princess treating you?

My beautiful motor-yacht was wrecked in a storm.

I was in Edmonton at the time.

And when I came home, to Nova Scotia, it was on a reef. In Southwest Cove.

I'm looking at her picture right now.

A beautiful boat.

Solid mahogany.

38 feet.

Built in 1958.

Looked better than a Chris Craft.

So sorry to hear that.

Although the memory of the Emerald Princess will always live on, I hope you can find a suitable replacement someday.

I have a sailboat now.

And it's wonderful.

John, what is it like working with your daughter on TPB?

We hardly get to do any scenes together, dammit.

I have 4 children, and they're all involved in the business.

I consider myself to be really lucky, in that regard. Molly and I might be in a movie that might be coming out shortly. She played "Abby" in HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN, with Rutger Hauer, and she's done 10 films since then. Sarah acts in TRAILER PARK, but her chosen profession right now is as costume kid for films. And she and Molly were just working together on RELATIVE HAPPINESS, a great film that screened here last Friday.

If you get a chance to see it, don't miss it. It's great.

Mr. Dunsworth, thank you so much for your time! I became an avid TPB fan several years ago--it's been amazing to see the show grow and morph and take on a life of its own.

I know you have a great deal of stage experience. So what stage role would you still want to play? King Lahey-ear?!

That's brilliant.

And you're absolutely right.

My fiance' and I are getting married on April 1st and we are HUGE fans. What advice do you think Jim Lahey would give us on how to have a happy marriage?

"Don't try and change each other."

Are any of the cast members actually drinking/smoking during filming?

What work of yours are you post proud of outside of TPB?

My girlfriend and I always accuse each other of breaking the law, breaking it, the law, breaking the law. So thank you very much for that, can't wait for the new season!

As far as I know - no.

I love the show that I'm doing right now, "Forgive Me." And on Thursday night, I'm doing a benefit for the Victoria Order of Nurses - the VON. But I love touring with Randy. I think I get the best feeling about what I do... when I'm able to make people happy.

Haha! You'll have to!

And I bet you'll love it!

Who is the most fun on the set of Trailer Park Boys?

I'd have to say Jonathan Torrens.

p.s. Mike Smith is brilliantly funny.

Hey John, you are truly hilarious!!

If Mr. Lahey joined jroc's crew, what would his rap name be?

I don't know, hahah. You tell me!

Hello Mr. Dunsworth. Congratulations on your continued success. I want to take this moment to applaud your commitment to your character. At the time of the last TPB season's release my friends and I had a celebration where some of us chose to portray our favorite characters. I chose yours. It was that night that I learned to appreciate your skills, as falling on purpose is very difficult and painful (See image for source:http://imgur.com/KPJ8Ncl). I commend your ability to cross the shit-line and never look back. Is it ever difficult for you to cross that shit-line during a performance? If so, what shit-line from the show was the hardest for you to mentally cross?

The hardest thing that i have to do on TRAILER PARK BOYS is stand back while stuntmen do easy pratfalls.

I get to do some really great stuff.

But often, the first assistant director tells me "I can't do that."

That's the hardest thing for me.

Holy Guac! John Dunsworth. I Mean Mr. Lahey I've been waiting for this all day to be first in line with my question. And you bet I'll be in line on Friday when the boys show up. I have a two part question.

1. I See you touring with the boys so often, how do those effect you at your age? (if at all) and
2. What is one line of TPB that you couldn't contain yourself from laughing at.

"The only difference between and you, Julian, is a couple of drinks."

As far as being almost 69 years old, I think I'm in as good shape as any of 'em. Except for Julian. He works oot every day.

Hello John! Let me start off by saying you came into the Ayc in halifax and my friend was super ecstatic to meet you, personally I wish I could have been there that day. Anyways, my question is, how has the set changed now that Mike Clattenburg is gone, and how is Cory Bowles as a director?

Cory is wonderful. He's just finished a great project, here in Nova Scotia. He's got a great future. Mike Clattenberg has flown the coop! I think he's in LA right now, making... more great TV. I think one of his latest is called "Black Jesus" or "Jesus of Los Angeles" or something like that, I haven't seen it, but he's doing, they're both doing great.

The set is different, withoot him. And I hope to work with him again someday.

:D what inspired you to be an actor?

I was at University clears throat in Ontario...after flunking out of University in Nova Scotia... and I took an elective course in my second year, and I was hooked! That was in 1968.

And in 1970 - I started my own theater. On the waterfront, in Halifax.

John, thanks so much for doing this AMA. I'm sure lots of people here are as excited for the new season of TPB as I am! What was the best lahey-randy scene that you personally loved doing? You guys are simply one of the best pair's out there in television.

Wait for Jim Lahey in the fur coat, hunting rabbits.

giggles

It's totally ridiculous.

Which of the Trailer Park Boys movies was your favorite? Mine was Don't Legalize It.

I don't have a favorite. I like them all a lot.

Hi, I only know you from the Trailer Park Boys, and I've only been watching the show for a few months, but you're already one of my favourite actors. I have a question, if you'd like to answer it.

What's your favourite breakfast cereal?

I hate to tell ya, but I like Corn Pops.

What is your favorite Shit analogy that you have used in the show? Can we expect a few good ones in season 9?

I don't have a favourite, other than the one i said before.

Oh, I don't know. Woof. "The shit-bell tolls" is the one i used before... but I have no idea! I can't even remember which shitticisms we have in season 9.

But you'll be surprised.

I'll be surprised.

Hi John, huge fan here, and i got two questions for you How has playing an alcoholic affected your opinion on drugs and alcohol? And how is your relationship with randy and the boys outside of set?

He's 40.

And I'm old enough to be his father. So we don't hang oot, besides touring. Where I do all the driving. And he does all the drinking.

We're great friends while we're working.

What's next in your acting career Mr. Dunsworth?

In the next 2 weeks - we're finishing "Forgive Me." And Randy and I have a tour in April. And in May and June, we're shooting season 8. And I have a couple of other movies, small parts, in there. And some charity events.

It's so awesome you are doing this AMA, Mr. Dunsworth :)

1. What character is your favorite on the show (aside from Lim Jahey of course) and why?

2. What or who was the inspiration for character of Mr. Lahey?

Thanks again for doing this AMA!

1.) I was asked that question earlier today, on my Facebook. I said it was a three-way-tossup between Randy, Bobandy, or Randers.

2.) We answered that earlier - it was a character in, I guess you could say, JP Robb and me and Mike Clattenberg, in our first movie.

I guess I got those questions in right as others were too, so my apologies for asking ones that had been answered!

I do have another one though, if you have time. Since you have over 40 years in theater, you've played a lot of roles on stage I'm sure. Do you have a favorite one?

Shylock in the Merchant of Venice.

Mr Lahey! What's your favourite "shiticism"?

Also, do you drink at home?

Oh... And are you the liquor?

I don't drink at home. I seldom have more than half a drink when I'm oot. I don't want to lose my license, because I love to drive. And I don't want to do anything stupid.

And Jim Lahey is the liquor. Not John Dunsworth.

When you were approached with the role of Jim Lahey, did you hesitate at all or jump on it?

I never hesitate. I always jump.

J-Roc is your favorite character, right?

No.

I don't really HAVE a favorite character.

[deleted]

Silly question. Can't answer.

Early on, did you find yourself studying the drunk people you came across in your life to incorporate their drunk actions/sayings into your character?

Not once.