Back to Back with Kerr

How did you get the role on Dawson’s Creek?

I moved to Los Angeles on June 1, 1998, and I was in L.A. for six or seven weeks. I auditioned for Dawson’s Creek half a dozen times. I met studio and network people and ended up getting it. So, then I moved to North Carolina.

What do you think about your sudden rise in popularity?

Actually, I wasn’t aware of any sudden rise in popularity, but it’s nice to know. We’re so busy down here, we don’t have time to turn on the TV and see what’s happening, so I really don’t know in terms of what’s going on with the popularity of Jack.

Who will Jack end up with — Joey or Jen?

Well, for the time being it’s going to be Joey. But Jen is also a definite possibility. You’ll have to watch!

Do you think any of your real personality shows up in Jack? I like him, except for him kissing Joey.

Very little of myself is in Jack. There’s a small part of me that’s the loner, that likes to go to movies and dinner by myself. That’s the Jack in me. But for the most part, I’m the opposite of Jack. I can be loud and obnoxious.

Why did you leave As the World Turns?

Well, they didn’t know what to do with my character, so the exec producer and I thought it was a good idea to end it after a year. It worked out great for me, because I don’t think it’s a good idea to stay on a soap for more than a year.

As one of Jack’s few fans, I was wondering how it felt to play the character no one really likes.

So far, there’s been a really good response. I was afraid fans would be mad at Jack. But he’s such a likable character fans really do want to see more of him.

So, if you had to pick one person on the set as being the funniest, who would it be? I think Josh looks funny!

Yeah, Josh and I are good friends. We’re a lot alike. He’s definitely the clown on the set, and anytime he doesn’t feel like being the clown, I gladly step in.

Has Josh ever played any jokes on you? I heard he’s known to do that.

On me? No. But Josh and I have played many jokes on the cast and crew. We’re both known to moon them when things get a little edgy or the days get long. Our average day is about 12 hours.

Did you watch DC before you were on it?

I had seen a few episodes last year, but I don’t watch much TV. I thought the show was really well done. It was a little hard for me to get past the teens talking like 30-year-olds, but it grows on you, and I watch it every week now.

Can you tell us anything about your character we don’t know yet?

I can say that Jack’s storyline this season will involve some things you’d never expect — but I can’t give you any details.

Kerr, I saw you on an episode of Baywatch a few weeks ago. How was it working on the show?

No, I didn’t do Baywatch. Okay, okay, it was me. I admit it. I got that job about two weeks after I moved to Los Angeles. I played a drunk fraternity guy. Please, no more comments about that. The whole time I was doing the role, standing on the beach next to David Hasselhoff, I was thinking I can’t believe I’m standing next to David Hasselhoff, one of the biggest stars in the world.

How long will you be on the show?

I’m contracted for a few years.

Do you have a girlfriend in real life?

Yes, I do. We met in New York City, moved to L.A. together, and now she lives in Venice, California, and I’m here in North Carolina. But she’s actually from Charlotte. She’s an actress, too.

What’s your favorite movie?

Braveheart, The Shawshank Redemption and Hot Dog, the Movie. We used to watch that before each ski season to get psyched.

Is it odd to be the idol of so many swooning teenage girls?

Whew! To be honest with you, I don’t know. When you become a teen idol — if that’s what you want to call it — you don’t know it. I don’t do anything other than work. I never get out, so I don’t run into swooning people.

Do you miss Pennsylvania?

Yes. I get home about twice a year. I do miss it — my parents, my grandparents. I’m going to get home for Christmas — hopefully.

What other acting jobs have you done, and are you planning to be in any upcoming movies?

I did a few movies last year: Hit and Runway, Kiss and Tell. I did plenty of commercial and voice-over work. I’ve got a Gateway Computer and Carl’s Junior commercials running right now.

Kerr, what is your typical day like?

Get up at 5:30, take my dog out, feed the dog, take a shower, go to work, work 12 hours, come home. Between the dog, working and my girlfriend, that’s my life.

If we looked in your refrigerator, what would we see?

You would find some sushi, chicken and water. That’s about it. I don’t really eat much at home.

Do you like to cook? If so, what kind of stuff do you make?

I love to cook. My specialty this evening is tuna steak. I love to cook fish, steak and chicken. And I love breakfast — eggs, pancakes, bacon, the works!

What do you do to relax when you’re not on the set?

To relax, I go to the gym. I just took up golf. Other than that, I go to a lot of movies or rent some.

Are you good at golf?

Horrible. So bad I can’t even explain to you how bad. I’m ashamed to even tell you what I normally shoot. In fact, I won’t — but I’m learning.

What’s your favorite line Jack has said so far?

The funniest line was in episode four at the art museum, and I said, “Joey, you ain’t seen nuthin’ yet.”

Who are your favorite bands?

Dave Matthews and Bob Marley. I love reggae. James, Meredith Monroe and I went to Raleigh to see Dave Matthews about six weeks ago. It was a blast. We stole Katie’s tickets because she couldn’t go.

Do you ever chat on the Internet?

I love computers. I’m on the Internet all the time. Unfortunately, my computer is in L.A. I’m waiting for my laptop. I can’t wait to get it!

I know you lived in Exton, but there is an ugly rumor (well, not really ugly) going around my town that you graduated from Henderson High School. Is that true? If so, I go to East (the rival school) and just wanted to know if you’re coming for the Turkey Bowl?

Yes, I did go to Henderson. I’m coming home for Christmas and plan on stopping by school. And I’ve got one thing to say to you: Go Warriors.

Will Dawson and Jack ever become close, even though Dawson blames him for the breakup?

Best friends, I don’t know. Better friends, yes.

Kerr, I know all the guys want to know this: How is it kissing Katie Holmes?

Katie and I are such good friends, it’s like kissing my sister. I’m not gonna say it’s bad. It’s fun. Sometimes I just sit back and say to myself, I can’t believe I get paid to do this job.

What episode did you have the most fun shooting?

I had the most fun shooting the 10th episode of the season, which you haven’t seen yet. I lose some clothing. It was a lot of fun. Jack gets VERY naked.

Tell us more about the naked scene.

Well, Joey is painting me naked in a Titanic takeoff, and during our filming of the scene, I asked the wardrobe people to stuff a sock in the thong thing I was wearing, so when the towel fell, there was this big, slinky two-foot sock hanging out and no one knew. Katie just blushed.

What’s the future of your character on the show? Do you get any plotlines that aren’t related to Joey?

Oh, yes. As everybody is beginning to find out, the McPhee family is extremely messed up. Andie, Jack and their mother and father are going to have some serious issues to deal with. Jack is also going to have some serious issues to deal with himself.

What kind of dog do you have? I am a major dog lover.

She’s a 12-week-old boxer named Maxine. I grew up with a black Lab. She and Josh’s dog get along really well.

Were you a geek in high school, or were you popular?

Up until eighth grade, I had a bowl haircut, braces and was thin as a rail. I didn’t really talk to anyone. Then in high school, I played baseball, lacrosse, and I loved skiing. I was president of my class for two years. So I kind of came out of my shell.

What did you think of the hurricane? How did it affect filming?

It stopped production, and all we did was party for four days straight. We all congregated at the director’s house and hung out and watched the hurricane. It was actually a fun experience. It wasn’t as bad as the news led you to believe.

Do you believe in all that full-moon stuff?

Yeah, I guess so. Some strange things happen when the moon is completely out. It does give you a different energy.

Give us a hint on this week’s episode…

I’m not in this episode. It’s the one show I’m not in. So, I don’t know what happens.

Will there be a holiday special for Dawson’s Creek (hint: Christmas or Valentine’s Day)?

You know, I don’t know. We didn’t do one for Halloween.

Will Joey and Jack have sex?

Will anybody ever have sex on Dawson’s Creek? Please. Actually, there’s one episode this season where all three couples deal with having sex. Maybe some people do, and maybe some people don’t.

Do you have any input with the writers if you have an idea for your character?

No. We don’t have much contact with the writers. The character of Jack is different than what they originally intended. We obviously have an effect on the character by how we play it, but what’s actually said is the writers’ domain.

What made you decide to go into acting?

I was doing some marketing with my father right out of college in Exton, and I absolutely hated it. I couldn’t close the deal, I couldn’t make the sale. I hated it, but I liked doing the presentations to clients, hundreds of people at a time. So, I basically sold my truck and, with that money, moved to New York City. At first, my dad thought I’d be tending bar forever, but now my parents are happy.

What don’t you like about Jack?

The only thing I don’t like about Jack is he’s a little too passive for me. He should have hit Dawson back. I would have liked to have hit him back! But he took the punch for Joey because he loves her.

I got to be an extra last Thursday, and I overheard you reciting Kramer’s lines on Moviefone. Are you a big Seinfeld fan?

Huge Seinfeld fan. I remember doing that. My ex-girlfriend is the vice president of Moviefone, so I learned to do the voice thing very well. I do it all the time. Did you see my silly walks, too? I’m the king of silly walks. That was a crazy night. Josh and I did a double moon to the crew that night.

So, if you believe in the full-moon stuff, do you believe in love at first sight, horoscopes,
superstitions, etc.?

No. I don’t believe in horoscopes and the like. I’m not a superstitious person. Life is made up of the choices that you make. They formulate your path.

What is there to do in North Carolina?

Not much. I work, eat and sleep with the occasional game of golf.

Any advice for aspiring actors?

Stay in class. And I’ve always said there are initially three things you must have: talent, persistence and focus–focus being the most important. Go after it 110 percent, and don’t look back. If you do, you might stop. My advice is stick with it.

If you were writing the show, where would you take the character of Jack?

To the top. I’d call it Jack’s Creek. Just kidding! I don’t think I’d be able to write this show, to be honest with you. Half the words I’m saying, I have to look up.

What are your favorite TV shows?

Seinfeld, NewsRadio and Star Trek. I’m a huge Trekkie.

Have you ever taken acting lessons?

Yeah. I didn’t go to college for acting. I was actually an accounting and finance major. I took classes on my own. I switched teachers every six months. That way I could learn all the different styles and methods of acting. I pieced together what was good for me.

Do the residents of North Carolina go crazy, or are they cool with the whole DC thing?

The locals here are so used to film and TV stars they leave us alone. But this year on Dawson’s, a lot of people have been driving 10 and 11 hours just to see us. I actually met seven girls from New Jersey the other day whose dad drove them down for the day. They were a lot of fun.

Who is your favorite actor or actress?

My favorite actor is probably Jack Nicholson. And my favorite actress is Meg Ryan.

Is it true Sarah Michelle Gellar is going to guest on the show?

I’ve heard the rumor, but it’s definitely not confirmed. I’ve actually mentioned to some of the execs
that it would be really cool if some of us went over to Felicity or Buffy.

How much do you and Meredith have in common?

A lot. We’re like brother and sister. We lived in the same building when we first moved down here.
Meredith actually has a boxer that’s a year old. She and I went to get our puppies together. We both
have 12-week-old puppies!