This is the first interview with a three generation family of Screen Actors Guild members who love their craft. My interview with Mom, Actress and Producer Suzanne Prunty. Via email,Suzanne Prunty answered several questions via email from my home in Maine. Here’s her story.
By NeHollywood.com Craig W.Goedecke
1. What or who put the acting spark in you and how long have you been acting? My mom, Donna Glee Reim, was the pioneer in our family. She would come home with great stories and when she suggested my daughter try some acting, I thought it was a great idea and ended up sort of falling into it. Meredith did some theater and took classes at Boston Casting and loved it so much she begged me to let her pursue her dream. Because of this, I spent a lot of time on the production sets of independent films and student films. Invariably I would be asked to be “background” to support the project. I was asked to be a “Teacher” on Sexting in Suburbia for example. One day, my mother was cast in a bar scene in “Missing William” and she asked me to come along. I ended up on the set too in the same scene. That was a fun day and I realized that being on the sets was a great way to spend time with both Mom and Meredith since there is a lot of “holding” or “down” time between takes. I also learned to love the vibrant New England actors. They are so interesting and such a wonderful group of talented people.
6. You worked on Body of Proof, Did you get to work along with Dana Delaney? And what was your role along with your Mom? Body of Proof was the only production that I went solo on. Neither Mom or Meredith were involved although they both submitted. I played a “society type” on 2 episodes and yes, I got to work along side Ms. Delany. She is “Stunningly Beautiful” in person and a consummate professional. All the members of the cast were very friendly. One of the best sets ever to work on. Wish they were still filming in Rhode Island but they ended up moving back to Los Angeles after season 1.
7. Other then acting and producing SAG productions, What is your favorite past time, Cooking,Gardening ,Traveling? I am a bit of a homebody and really enjoy my family time when I am not working. We have a great garden in the back and during the summer I spend a lot of time harvesting produce and then cooking it up. I enjoy long walks and eating healthy.
9.What actor or actress do you admire? . I actually admire most of the actors I have worked with. They make it look easy but it really takes a lot of talent and dedication to deliver results. I will say, however, Kate Winslet is amazing. When I was on the set of “Labor Day” she was such a professional. She stayed in character the entire time and was willing to do as many times as was required to get the perfect footage. It was very hot the day we filmed and she never complained or asked for unnecessary breaks.
10. What types of movies do you like being casted in if you had a choice? I am a bit partial to to the productions that are smaller because there is more camera time. Sometimes on the huge sets, you are lost in the shuffle. For example. both Mom and I were “upscale shoppers” on “In your Eyes” with just a few other Background Actors and we ended up in a critical scene.
11. How long does the acting go back in the Prunty Family? Mom started it – if we have actors before that – I am not aware of it. So for now – it is just the three generations.
12. Do you like watching reality TV? I like Dancing with the Stars. I love Tom Bergeron and his jokes and the dancers are so amazing. I have been working with my high school friend Olympic Diver Greg Louganis to try and get him on the show for the past 4 years. We created a Facebook group and have been campaigning for him. Greg would be phenomenal so keeping my fingers crossed. In addition to DWTS, I am going to be watching an episode of “MTV Made” as Meredith ended up being a guest on one of the shows. She was a guest celebrity at The East Coast National Beauty Pageant and there was a young lady who wanted to be made into a contestant and since her platform was domestic violence – she ended up speaking to Meredith about Meredith’s anti-bullying efforts. I am not sure when it is going to air but I am keeping my eye out for it.
13. What do you think about the growing film industry in Massachusetts? The growing industry is great for our economy. I am fully supportive of the movement and the tax breaks Massachusetts offer. I feel that as a producer, I can help develop talent by creating opportunities for a lot of local actors to gain experience. Los Angeles has a huge pool of actors to draw upon, if we are going to meet the needs of the movies that come to town we need to continue to grow our talent and resources.
Suzanne Prunty’s IMDB site,click here
NeHollywood.Com 