Daniel Zampogna, PennLive

From Hollywood to Harrisburg with actor William Sanderson

Actor William Sanderson is best known as a character actor, frequently playing men who are somewhat out of their depth: conniving hotel operator E.B. Farnum in "Deadwood"; Bud Dearborne, a small town sheriff faced with vampires and serial killers on "True Blood"; or Larry, the quirky handyman with two mute brothers named Darryl on "Newhart."

And when asked about his role in the sci-fi classic "Blade Runner" -- the sequel to which comes out this week -- Sanderson still refuses to put on airs. Instead, he said, he merely tries to "practice the art of self-delusion."

"There's that quote about, 'I’m a bird, not an ornithologist,'" said William Sanderson. "There’s a reason I’m a journeyman character actor. I do have a law degree, but no one believes it."

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What was it like working on a sci-fi classic like "Blade Runner"?

"[Sci-fi] is our excuse for westerns. I used to get to do westerns, but I came to LA too late. Sci-fi will hire off-beat people and I was lucky to get some.

"Ridley Scott gave me some great advice on how to play my character. He told me that this man was completely innocent. I didn't really work with Harrison Ford, but I loved working with the actors in my scenes, Rutger Hauer and Daryl Hannah especially. I remember Ridley having some conflict with the crew, because they were American and he was used to working with Brits. He kept saying, 'It's simple, chaps!' But I didn't get involved in any of that.

"I only come in a third of the way [through the movie]. I shouldn’t make myself sound more important than I am.

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The movie was a modest success early on. Why do you think "Blade Runner" went on to become such a cult hit?

"I don’t know. As 30 years go by, I can’t talk intelligibly about it. I can’t articulate it. I do know it tapped into something. Overcrowding, and the freeways. The skyline looking more like New York. They had the riots there in the late '80s and early '90. But I can’t explain it. I might could've ten years ago."

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There are several different cuts of the movie. Do you have an opinion on which version of "Blade Runner" is the best, or your favorite version?

"No I really don’t. Early on when they started re-cutting, I went to a theater in Westwood near UCLA, just to see if I was still in it. I was relieve that I was. I have to confess I don’t know which one’s better. It’s probably better without the voiceover, which Harrison Ford didn’t like originally. If I had to guess, the one without the voiceover is better."

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Ridley Scott believed that the character Deckard, played by Harrison Ford, was a replicant; Ford believed he was a human. Do you have an opinion?

"I don’t, and I didn’t hear anything about that until years later. But I really don’t. Why keep it a secret from the actor? I don’t know. Harrison is a very bright man, and so is Ridley. Ridley was very tight with the writer, so perhaps he had more insight? But then why didn’t he discuss it?"

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Who has been your favorite character to play so far?

"[E.B. Farnum on] 'Deadwood' had to have been my favorite, because of the writing. And I got to work with an Academy Award winning writer, Alan Ball, on 'True Blood.' But I would say 'Deadwood.' He was based on a real character. ['Deadwood' creator and writer] David Milch probably turned him into a buffoon. But yeah, that probably was.

"I also got to work with Faye Dunaway on a movie where I was the lead. That was pretty great. It was called 'Stanley's Gig.' It’s probably hard to find, but people called and said I did a good job.It was based on a true story about an ex-alcoholic who dreams of going on a cruise ship and playing the ukulele. But he ends up working in a nursing home and finds his salvation. The real guy came and saw the movie and said, 'now I can die [happy].' So that was something."

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"Blade Runner" was a very serious film; "Deadwood" and "True Blood" had lots of moments of comedy, particularly involving your characters. "Newhart" was obviously very comedic. Do you have a preference as an actor?

"That’s a good question. Not really: I like to keep changing. I like to do things that are different. It was nice to put a coat and tie on in 'The Client,' the John Grisham movie with Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones. And I got to shoot that in my home town. But it’s changing -– I’m always pretending to be something I’m not. But I don't have a preference for either one."

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Do you get recognized often? And for which role?

"Older people remember 'Newhart.' And the kids sometimes say, 'my dad liked you on that show!' That reminds you how old you are. We were eating on the west shore and a girl, a sophomore in college, started talking to me about 'True Blood', which hasn't been on in years. She was just starting to watch it.

"I try not to think about it. My buddy will say, 'do you know who this is?' I love him to death, but … if I want to do that, I can do that!"

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Do you have a preference between TV and film?

"Movies have more time and TV is rushed. It’s nice to be able to take someone out to eat -– you know where your next check is coming from. And they’re elitists, film makers. Agents have told me, 'I'm hired to get someone who hasn't been on a series.' But having my parents see a sitcom without four-letter words before they passed away -– that was nice."

"Once you finish your film, you’re waiting on the next one. Even [being a] guest star [on a series was] fun. Especially when you’re working with people you like. Like James Garner, Chuck Norris, Tom Sellick. All that crap."

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Your line on "Newhart" -- "This is my brother Darryl, and this is my other brother Darryl," -- must be one of the most memorable on television. Can you talk a bit about it?

"[That line] came from a lady, I believe her name was Catherine Green. It was written for a friend of mine, with him in mind. He auditioned and didn’t get it. He told me a couple of years later. He didn’t want to tell me at first. But it was a lucky break for me. He’s done really well -- Tracey Walter. He lives in Beverly Hills, and he’s not hurting at all. People confuse us sometimes.

"The tone [of a comedy series] comes from the star. [Bob Newhart] set a good example, and it was fun. I was very worried when I came off the series. And it took awhile, but I kept working somehow. Newhart told me I avoided the Newhart Curse. I think what he means is there were some people who came off his shows and didn’t continue to work. But I hope we don’t print that as bragging."

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Any chance of us ever finally seeing a "Deadwood" movie?

"They’re still dangling it. As time goes on, I’ve become a little disenchanted. But I’d love to read the script and see. But I think everybody wants to do it. They called the agent a couple of months ago and asked for a window for six or seven months. That's a good sign. The script is written.

"But the other stars, they have to get them first. I just talked to Ian [McShane] on the phone the other day. Ian, and Timothy Olyphant, and those folks. Several of them are still on other series. Even the agent was excited, but I try not to be.

"And of course, some of the actors have passed away. Powers Boothe, and another actor named Ralph Richeson who was a cook. He was a great guy, and funny."

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You've lived in Harrisburg for 12 years. What are some of your favorite local attractions?

"I like the peace and reality of Harrisburg. It’s quite a change from living in Hollywood and L.A. for 30 years. That’s probably the biggest thing I like. And the people. I like the seasons. I'm learning when I should and shouldn't try to shovel snow. What's not to like?"

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We're closing in on 2019, when "Blade Runner" was set. How optimistic are you for the future? Do you think we'll be in a better world than the one shown in the movie, with a corporate-dominated dystopia? Are we headed in a different direction?

"I don't know. The Tyrell Corporation ran everything in the original 'Blade Runner.' I don't know whether it's Apple, some of these big companies like Amazon, maybe taking over. It's really over my head. But it doesn't look good around the world right now. It looks like some people want a revolution. There's less freedom. I don't know where that comes from. Political correctness? I try not to get political.



"I guess I'm a bit of a cynic. My wife is more of an optimist. I worry about the grandchildren. But I've lived my life, and I'm pretty happy to get this far."

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When do you plan to see "Blade Runner 2049"?

"We’re going out of town [the weekend the film will be released], so it will be a while. But to be honest, it’s a long movie. I'm joking, but ... unless I’m in it, it’s hard to sit two hours and forty-five minutes!

"But I’m looking forward to seeing it, and I really want it to do well. If it makes more money, we’ll get more residuals from the first one. Just on vanity -- keep it alive!"

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Anything you're working on at the moment, or having coming up?

"I’m basically retired now. I still think of doing more. I’m trying this writing now, and it’s full time.

"I’m just a character actor. And I think I’m as lucky as most of them who have ever come along. I don't have to have an Academy Award. I’m happy I’m not going home to an empty house. I have enough money. So, I’m happy."

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