Veteran Actor Peter Scolari On This Year’s “Big Apple Christmas-Con,” Upcoming Projects & More
The Big Apple Comic Convention, New York City’s longest-running premier boutique comic books and popular culture show, is celebrating its move to the New Yorker Hotel with the Big Apple Christmas Con holiday party and convention on December 14, 2019. For those looking to slip away from the holiday hoopla, the Big Apple Christmas Con will offer fans an escape to another universe and enjoy special holiday-themed events on-site on that very-special Saturday.
This special one-day event will include all the fixings of the annual Big Apple Comic Con, as well as free gifts — with a focus on those under the age of 14 — fabulous prize giveaways, an exhibition of Christmas-themed comic books, an original comic artwork auction with all proceeds to going to Covenant House New York (which provides residential services to homeless, runaway and exploited youth), a holiday-themed cosplay contest and an extra special appearance by Santaman.
The New Yorker Hotel, an Art Deco masterpiece built in 1929 and recently-renovated to its suggestively stylized splendor, will play host to future Big Apple Comic Cons, including the group’s annual two-day spring extravaganza. Big Apple Comic Con is a convention with a truly unique New York City feel and a dedicated base of attendees from its 23-year history. The move to the iconic New Yorker Hotel allows the established Big Apple Comic Con community to open its arms to even more attendees in Midtown Manhattan, who will enjoy top exhibitors, artists and celebrity guests alike.
One of the celebrities appearing at the Big Apple Christmas Con event is Peter Scolari. Scolari is an Emmy Award-winning actor who first made his mark on television in the early 1980s via Bosom Buddies, Goodtime Girls and Newhart. He has been part of many other shows, including HBO’s influential Girls and current series Evil, beyond his work in film and on-stage. I had the pleasure of doing Q&A with Scolari via e-mail while he worked on the upcoming season of Evil.
Peter Scolari can be followed on social media via the @PeterScolari Twitter account, while more on the Big Apple Comic Convention can be found online by visiting www.bigapplecc.com.
Do you remember the first comic-con type event you attended?
Peter Scolari: My first convention was recently out in New Jersey at Chiller. What a great time we had.
Have you worked with anyone from the Big Apple Comic Convention before?
Peter Scolari: Never been to Big Apple — nice to show up in my hometown!
Currently you are on-set for the TV show Evil. Any idea when this season will be coming out?
Peter Scolari: I am currently recurring on Evil. First episode just aired — I am in 2 of the last 3 episodes and expect to be a part of the second season, which will begin filming early next year.
Prior to Evil, had you ever portrayed a bishop or clergyman before?
Peter Scolari: I worked on the Father Dowling mystery series years ago with the late Tom Bosley. That was as close as I ever got to playing a priest myself. Now I play a Bishop. And I take it pretty seriously…
Like millions of people, I first discovered you from your work on Bosom Buddies and Newhart. But what was your first job where you landed in and felt like you were going to be a career actor? Or at least that you were going to be fine making a living as an actor?
Peter Scolari: I booked an off-Broadway show when I was 19 years old. They bonded me into Actors’ Equity and I was on a cloud for a year, professional actor! I stayed with that company of actors for 4 and half years, and never got over the impression that this was my life, and that it was going so well.
A lot of people rediscovered you from your work on Girls. While a serious show by nature, a lot of funny people were involved with making the show. Was it a fun set to be on?
Peter Scolari: Girls never really felt like work. The set was such a warm, welcoming place. Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner were such generous show-runners, the cast, Allison Williams, Adam Driver, I mean, come on… Such talented people, with such big hearts. I spent 6 years on the show, and miss it as much as I miss any job I’ve ever had.
Evil aside, what are you currently working on?
Peter Scolari: I am currently involved in 2 other projects: I recently filmed a wonderful episode of Blue Bloods with Donnie Wahlberg — what an incredible guy! And in January I work on a series that stars Julianne Moore and Clive Owen, where I appear in flashback as Julianne‘s father. Very exciting, on Apple TV.
When not busy with your career, where does your free time usually go?
Peter Scolari: I have two children who are making their way in New York City now, working during the day and at the Stella Adler Conservatory at night. I spend as much time as I can with them in between. And I have an incredible marriage, so I’m always chasing down the attention of my wife.
What was the last concert you attended for fun?
Peter Scolari: Wow, I don’t get out to concerts very much, too shy. At the last concert I remember, I went to see a group of cabaret performers at the Town Hall here in Midtown. Saw my brilliant friend Amanda McBroom perform there.
Finally, Peter, any last words for the kids?
Peter Scolari: Stay positive! So remember, what you practice, you are going to get good at. So practice being kind, generous with people, even when you don’t feel like it — peace.
About the Author
Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."
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