My name is Michael Chiklis and I know things... don't believe me? Ask!

Hi Michael, thank you for doing this !

I am a huge fan of The Shield, must of watched the whole series 4 times so far, def my favourite Cop Show, if not Tv show period.

I just wanted your take on what happens to Vic after the show ends ? Does he turn around in the elevator and think Nah man, 3 years desk job is better than Prison, or does he think Fuck it and go full Punisher ? Edit : or any other scenario of course !

Thanks again !

I wouldn't say because the possibility still remains to do more with Vic.

Michael, now that you are starting to turn into a metahuman on Gotham, when can we expect you to yell ITS CLOBBERIN TIME!?

Not going to happen... but I will have another iconic catch phrase to say and it's so much fun to have helped invent and introduce a new character into the DC pantheon that you will all soon meet! BOOM!

Do you think we'll ever see Vic Mackey again?

The single most asked question I get and the answer is still... I don't know. If it were up to me we would make a great film about Vic but alas it is not. For now it's in the lap of the Gods!

Aren't you that guy on Seinfeld?

Haha! Yes, that's me! Some sweater huh?

Did you do anything after that?

On Seinfeld? Nope, just that guest star turn. Little story about that... It was shot on the day the first Gulf War started! We were all watching SKUD missiles landing in Tel Aviv backstage and if I remember correctly, Jerry's parents were there! So we were all very tense and then suddenly they called "places!" and we were off to shoot the show. I think the stress made for a funnier show actually.

So I want you all to know that I will be appearing on Harry (Harry Connick Jr.'s new show) on Monday 10/24 on Fox! I sing one of the songs from my new album INFLUENCE with his incredible band! Check it out!!!

As a bald man, what is your hat philosophy? I am also a beautiful bald man. I want to protect my dome from the sun, but don't want to look like a douche. What should I do?

Hats are great but you have to find the ones that work on your head. That can be tricky so it's good if your significant other has a good eye that you trust!

Now that it’s been a few years since your portrayal of The Thing, how would you critique your performance as this fan-favorite character?

I'm very proud of the F4 films that we made. It's true they skew a little younger but they are well made and in keeping with the spirit of the F4. I'm particularly happy that I was able to impart the emotions necessary through all that latex rubber! Not easy at all!

What genre would you prefer working in next once Gotham is done?

I think something very naturalistic. A very human story/character.

What were your thoughts the first time you saw Dean Norris in Breaking Bad?

We could put our heads together and make an ass of ourselves. I KID!

Who was your role model growing up?

My mother and father. They are great people and I have tremendous respect for them.

What is the best/funniest practical joke you have seen happen on the set?

On The Shield we were pranksters. The prop guys especially... Anyway, one day I went into my trailer and all my personal clothes were missing. Had to go home in costume. They still haven't given them back.

I think you're confusing theft with pranks.

No... it was a prank. You need to know these guys.

Hey, Michael! I'm a huge fan of your work, especially on The Shield (one of the greatest shows of all time).

How did you manage to convey intensity of Vic Mackey on screen, while simultaneously illustrating the character as a relatable human figure? To me, that is one of the best things about Vic Mackey: he is so morally flawed and does much evil, yet at the same time, I can't help but root for him. How does an actor balance that in a character?

Very long answer required for this question but the short version is this; He believed that what he was doing was for the greater good. That was enough for most to look the other way or except what he was doing.

What's the most pedantic thing you still worry about when acting? Is there anything like what to do with your hands that still bugs you after all your experience?

Well acting is in many ways, a giant trust exercise. You have to do the homework to create a character and then let them live.

Hi Michael, how did you feel about your role in American Horror Story?

Very dark and difficult to live in from day to day.

Love you Mike. Huge Fan. Do you ever keep in touch with Detective Scrotes?

Ha ha... smh

Why don't you ever see baby pigeons?

Ouch... that hurt my head.

What was your favorite project to work on?

Whatever I'm working on at the time. ;)

First off: love you!! Second: what's the big hurdle you had to overcome on your way to success?

Getting out of my own way. Luck is definitely when preparation meets opportunity. I just needed to believe that I was ready when opportunity knocked.

Vegas was one of my favorite shows when it was on. What was working with Dennis Quaid like?

Dennis is a gentleman and a pro as well as a very funny and personable guy. Although I'm bummed Vegas didn't continue, I'm so happy to have become his friend.

Hey Michael. Obviously, you work closely on DC Television. What do you think about the other DC shows like Arrow, Flash and Legends of Tomorrow? What would your thoughts be on a potential crossover with The Flash for example? He can travel to alternate earths and through time, so it could be possible :-)

I love crossovers in comic book universes in general. It's a shame that rights issues so often preclude them from happening.

Thanks for all your questions! Go check out my new solo album INFLUENCE on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon or any streaming and digital download sites!

Did you always want to be a musician? What led you to making music?

I always have been a musician I just didn't pursue it professionally since just after college because between my acting career and my family, music had to take a back seat and the good news was, I could still play at home and with friends. So I never stopped playing. Now I have more time since my kids are all grown up and I'm loving it! In fact, I have my first live show on 11/19 at The Canyon Club in Agora! You can also see me this coming Monday on Harry Connick Jr.'s show playing one of my songs with his incredible band!

How do you feel about the pipeline situation, and the apparent media cover-up?

Not really in the know about this.

Do you know things?

No not really. I was just kidding.

If you had to endure juvenile name calling, would you prefer Michael Chiclets or Michael Dickless? Is there an even better one I'm missing?

No those are the two that I've been hearing since kindergarten.

What's your favorite flavor of cake? Or pie?

Boston Cream Pie!

How badly do you wish Wired was a more straightforward biopic without the angels? I read the book, would love to see the film, very hard to find. What was your opinion of Belushi's living fast when you were young, and has it changed as you have aged and enjoyed a much longer life than he did?

Pretty badly... Of course you can't go back but at the time it was such a huge break for me, even though I could see that the conceit wouldn't work, I had to do my best to try. The biggest problem though was all of the anger leveled against the film. There were so many lawsuits pending against it before it went in to the editing room that vast swaths of it were cut, forcing the director to use skits and songs that we shot as filler, instead of as quick flashbacks sequences as they were initially intended.

Did you keep in touch with Theresa Saldana? She kind of semi-retired after The Commish it looks like, and died far too young. What was she up to the last couple decades?

Theresa and I fell out of touch unfortunately. That's what often happens in the life of an actor. I ran into her about seven years ago and we had a great reconnect conversation but hadn't heard from her since and was so sad to hear of her passing. She was wonderful.

Why didn't Vegas go gangbusters? It was a neat premise, fantastic cast - if it had been cable would it have had a different life?

Yes I think so. We couldn't be what that show demanded it should be on network tv.

Hi Mr. Chiklis! I'm a huge fan of yours! Can I ask; what is the best thing a director can do for you on set? Thanks :~)

The director is our guide if you will. He or she can be extremely helpful in shaping the arc of an actors performance by discussing the choices and emotional state of the character at any given time. There's a lot more to it obviously but the director is the filter through which everything must pass on a film. The number one trait of a great director is to delegate responsibility to great talents, let those talented people do what they do and guide them in the right direction when they stray.

What was it like working with D.J Caruso?

Love DJ! He did a number of Shield eps and then he hired me to do Eagle Eye and I just think he is a top shelf director.

Do you have any directorial advice?

See above answer...

Would you consider yourself a cat or dog or catdog person?

Definitely a dog person!

What is the best thing a director can do to retain set control?

Well, trust, collaboration and mutual respect are wonderful and positive ways to get the best out of a cast and crew.

When you did the English dub for Spirited Away, did you work with Hayao Miyazaki at all? :~)

No but I did get to work with John Lasseter who I think... no... I know is a genius.

What do you look for in a script?

A compelling story, beautifully told with strong three dimensional characters.

What do you think of Vancouver?

Love that city! Many wonderful memories for me there!

What is your favourite Number and why?

3... don't know why.

What is your favorite pizza?

Pepperoni. No question.

Ben and Jerry's or HagenDaas?

All of the above!

What mindset were you in when playing such a complex, abstract character as The Thing?

Well I was playing a person trapped in a body he didn't want to be in and I just happened to be trapped in that suit to do it so the mindset came quite naturally!

Do everyone's parents love "The Commish"?

Haha! He was a very lovable character because he was a good guy and he was very compassionate.

You've had quite a few roles in comic and other superhero settings (No Ordinary Family and such). Is this personally motivated or do they come find you?

A little of both but I'm glad to be in that universe for sure!

How is it being on Gotham? Did you know the role you were auditioning for before you got it?

Yes, I helped to create it. Well, what he's becoming at least!

Your Fantastic Four movies are some of my favorites!! "Uh, don't do drugs, kids." Do you like being a superhero? Did you enjoy playing The Thing, and did you read the comics when you were younger? Thanks!!!

Yes, yes and yes! I'm glad I did those film mainly because they've made a lot of people happy.

Hey Michael!!! from that breath taking season 1 finale of shield, I was hooked right in!! Fav cop show ever and your my fav character.
I'm wondering who was your favorite cast member to work with?? And if you had a favorite season to work on?? Was there any improv on set?? Between you and the crew??
Also a movie would be AMAZING!!
Thanks, me and my best friend, are both Shield/Vic/Michael Chiklis fans for life.

First of all, thank you very much. I don't like to choose favorites and happily with The Shield I was surrounded by monster talents. I will take this opportunity to give some love to Jay Karnes aka Dutch-boy as he was, in my humble estimation, the unsung hero of the show. Just a phenomenal talent and person. Love him. Of course Walton, KJ and I remain very close. Strike Team forever. Again, I loved every season but if I had to choose it would be 5 with Whitaker. Yes there was always some improv.

Alright. Now for my real question. The Shield is one of my all-time favorite shows. Bar none it is some of the best television ever made, in my opinion.

When you spend years developing a character as complex as as dark as Mackie...well...do you find yourself becoming darker, or is it easy to put that away and say "that's not me," at the end of the day?

It can be very challenging but as part of my training as an actor I was taught to make those lines very clear and distinguishable. ACTING IS MAKE BELIEVE.

It can be very challenging but as part of my training as an actor I was taught to make those lines very clear and distinguishable. ACTING IS MAKE BELIEVE.

Well, let me be one of the many thousands out there to say that you play make believe very well. You are one of Those Actors that literally if you are in it, I will watch it.

Many thanks. That's everything to me!

My girlfriend loves Gotham more then I do, and she is pumped because she has it in her head that Jerome will be returning, is there any truth to that?

I can't confirm or deny that.

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Haha! My wife and daughters certainly seem to think so!

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TB is my friend and it's true, we New Englanders love him but it's because he's a class act and he's led us to 6 SB's and 4 championships, not cause he's handsome... although that doesn't hurt. Ha!

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I'm going to keep it positive here today.

Hey Michael, just wanted to ask you if you sit or stand in order to wipe yourself? I have gotten into many debates with my friends on the proper technique and would like some insight

Dude...