Ron Harris Interview
Our full interview with Ron Harris, who served as Vincent D'Onofrio's stand-in on Law & Order: Criminal Intent for four years.
We expected to post this interview earlier in the year when it could be placed in an updated webpage, but that has not been completed. Site updates and maintenance will be reduced in 2009, so we wanted to present this fun and informative article now so everyone will have a chance to read it. We hope you enjoy it!
Our thanks again to Ron Harris for his time and sharing his memories with us.
*Per Mr. Harris' request, please do not republish in any form or format. Thank you!
posted by thereel @ 10:12 AM
14 Comments:
WOW!!!!!
Thank you!!!!
I'd pay good money to see Vincent swearing and yelling to get a good performance from another actor - and I can assure Mr Harris that there are some of us who can spot 'Vincent-stand-in-hands' at 50 paces ;0) However, I may never sleep again knowing some sick pathetic people have made death threats against him...
Harris obviously LOVES to entertain ... I could NOT stop reading! His style is eloquent, yet down-to-earth. So many interesting details, particularly his take on New York City, or more specifically, 9/11, and his obvious respect and affection for Kate Erbe.
A great interview! Boy, they sure know how to eat. No wonder VDO has a hard time losing weight. I would too.
Funny about the middle aged woman who waited around all day to see Vincent and forced him to hide out in Ron's trailer! I wonder if that's someone who posts?
Confess, whoever you are, LOL!
Just dropped by to wish everyone a Happy New Year but had to read this while I was here. It does sound like LOCI has some of the best catering in New York, but I do wish Ron had elaborated on the day he was 'hurt' by Vincent. 'Hurt' how I wonder. Maybe something was happening in Vincent's private life at the time or maybe he was just having a 'bad' day - as Ron said, we ALL have them, whoever we are - and if Vincent on occasion 'takes no prisoners', I'm sure there are reasons for that too. Not a one of us can claim to be 'perfect' -although Vincent comes pretty close in my eyes ;0)
Hope everyone has a great 2009!
Best wishes
Lizzie
Thanks so much for posting that interview - I really had no idea the amount of work that goes into producing an episode, and I found all of this fascinating.
Thank you SO much for sharing. I too, had no idea what it takes to film an hour long show. WOW!
Thanks for posting this fascinating interview. I had to drive a family member to the airport at 4:30 this morning and had every intention of catching the rest of my sleep when I returned home. Unfortunately I started to read this interview and couldn't stop. It boggles the mind how much work is involved in a one hour episode. I certainly have a new respect for the crew of LOCI.
The behind the scenes look at Vincent and Kathryn was incredible. Starring in a TV show is certainly not all glamor. Kathryn sounds like a real sweetheart and Vincent comes across as very hardworking and intense (at least back then). Ron Harris worked on Seasons 1 - 4 and Kathryn did say in an interview that after his collapse from exhaustion in Season 4, Vincent learned to be less demanding of himself and others. She said he had to learn to reserve his perfectionist tendencies for the important scenes and accept when lesser scenes were good enough. Other interviews I have read from people who worked on movies with Vincent, and certainly his co-workers on "The Narrows" whom I spoke with personally, described Vincent as talented, hardworking, helpful, very shy and "a great guy with a big heart". Unfortunately, any kind-heartedness on Vincent's part isn't apparent in this interview. Indications are Vincent has mellowed out some on the LOCI set since his grueling schedule was relaxed by the alternate week arrangement that started in Season 5. Both Vincent and Bobby are indeed complex and fascinating men and I adore them both.
Harris seems to admire Vincent's dedication, but I'd say he didn't much like him. He's probably very demanding, and at times difficult. And wouldn't we all LOVE a chance to experience that in him!
Wow -- what a great news year's gift! This was very insightful. Though I am not able to visit often, I am always delighted to see what you have done on this very cool site. Thanks!
Well said NLFan, Mr Harris' opinion of Vincent doesn't seem very high, other than with regard to his way with the ladies and his work ethic, and certainly doesn't seem to tally with that of others who have worked with him. Still, he stuck around for 4 years, so Vincent can't have been THAT bad :0) I'd like to hear now what Vincent thinks of Mr Harris, but I can't imagine him EVER saying anything. As for the reference to the Andrew McCarthy incident, Mr Harris makes it sound like Saint Francis of Assisi was assaulted, when everything else I've read about it said the cast and crew thought McCarthy was being a total prima donna. Oh well, I guess we have to remember Mr Harris has a book to sell.
I really thought stand-ins were more buddies with the actors-I was surprised by this but fascinated by the interview-and yes we all know how much Vincent appreciate beautiful women-indeed though he is intense about both his work and personal life-
Regi.
Hmmm....
As one of my New Year's resolutions, I'd decided not to comment on this interview, out of respect for our dear TheReel friends, and all their precious efforts.
Obviously, couldn't refrain long enough -out of respect for Vincent, one of the nicest people I've been blessed to know.
Many thanks to NLfan, Diane, Regi, and everyone who spoke their minds, on this interviewish narrative.
Mr. Harris;
Despite my enormous love and respect for Mr. D'Onofrio, I'll try to be as objective as possible.
With all due respect, provided that -hypothetically- everything you've mentoned -or implied- about Vincent is plain, none exagerrated truth, still, we all know that there are certain ways of "wording" the truth -such as leaving specific details out...
Work is no joke to Vincent -obviously- and he may even be difficult to deal with, during tough times (aren't we all, one way or another?) but he bothered to get you a "farewell gift" -which has been blissful for you- so I'd dare say, that he thinks higher of you, than the other way around.
I couldn't help, but thinking that every work hazard and hardship that you might've experienced during your 4 years of work on CI, was exactly the same stuff that Vincent had to -and still has to- put up with -that is, from the very first time each and every scene is rehearsed, till the very last take...!!
And -with all due respect- do you seriously believe, that you had to "sit across a beauty", rather playing the "firt team", waiting for Vincent -so he could pick up ladies on set...???
Wow...
You must've been a bomb back then, to be able to make way for "the bomb" -with all due respect.
Maybe the sole reason for such obvious displease, is Vincent's perfectionism tendencies...??
Perfectoinists can be pleasing or difficult -depending on which side of the line you're standing.
It's not easy to have them on your team -believe me, I know- but at the the end of the day, their teammates can rest assured, knowing they'll walk through fire and water, to bring the best, most successful results possible, for "the team".
However, judging from this interview, your book must be quite interesting and entertaining -with so many professional tidbits and inside stories, that'll fascinate ordinary, not-in-the-business, people.
The bottomline is keeping an open mind, as well as an open heart; both of which, are undoubtedly, whithin your countless capabilities.
Best wishes;
Saghy
Vincent has been my favorite actor from some time but I never had the delusion that he was Sister Teresa, and stories of him being difficult to work with and standoffish are not new. Of course, anyone who is still employed with the show isn't going to say anything.
IMO, Harris does not go out of his way to denigrate D'Onofrio and does not seem to have an ax to grind. The focus is on the making of the show, which I really enjoyed reading btw.
Post a Comment
<< Home