Actions

Actor James Marsters talks about ‘lucky’ career spike, passion for music

Posted at 12:13 PM, Sep 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-08 12:19:50-04

RICHMOND, Va. – Actor James Marsters was on the "Virginia This Morning" show Thursday, breaking into song throughout his visit.

His singing followed several morning cups of coffee, because without “it’s like two different people.”

Marsters was actually born out west, but unlike most actors, his trajectory first took him east.

“I ran away from that place,” he said, laughing.

He attended Juilliard, the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and the American Conservatory Theatre.

After the birth of his son, Marsters headed back West, looking for money.

"This little human decided he didn't want to be poor and happy," Marsters said of his return to Los Angeles.

He considered himself a “poor theater actor” for years until meeting Whedon at age 34, who cast him as the popular vampire Spike – so popular in fact that his character was resurrected, so to speak.

"It's like waking up in a dream some days," he said.

"If you hit cherries, that's great, but most people don't," he said, considering himself lucky that he got a break.

James Marsters encourages fans to ask any question. He offered the audience behind the scene perspectives from the shows Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. PHOTO: Alix Bryan

James Marsters encourages fans to ask any question. He offered the audience behind the scene perspectives from the shows Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. PHOTO: Alix Bryan

In 2014, Marsters told the fans gathered at his Wizard World Comic Con panel that Whedon actually hated Spike’s popularity.

For Whedon, the vampires were metaphors for all the things people have to overcome during adolescence, and Buffy was becoming self-actualized in the process of slaying these demons.

The actor also loves music, and played in bars as a young teen – covering James Taylor songs.

His band Ghost of the Robot has been well reviewed, and they have several albums out:  Mad Brilliant, (B) Sider, Murphy’s Law and Bourgeois Faux Pas.

Marsters talked a bit about the initial perception of a band by a famous actor.

“Hello, Mr. Television,” may be the soundperson’s first reaction, but after soundcheck, that usually changes, Marsters said.

“Wow, you guys are really good,” Marsters joked.

Music allows Marsters more ownership and emotional investment – the lines are all his -- something that he considers “scary.”

James Marsters signs autographs for fans. PHOTO: Alix Bryan

James Marsters signs autographs for fans. PHOTO: Alix Bryan

Marsters’ panel is on Sunday, on the show stage, from 2 to 2:45 p.m.

On all three days, he will be greeting fans who pay for photo-ops, which are $65 in addition to entry into the convention. Get there early to queue if interested.

Some of the celebrity guests this year, many who offer paid autograph and photo ops in addition to their panels, are Gene Simmons, Dean Ambrose (WWE), Ryan Lochte, AJ Styles (WWE), Jewel Staite (Firefly), Nichelle Nichols (Star Trek), Ryan Hurst (Sons of Anarchy), Tommy Flanagan (Sons of Anarchy), AJ McLean, John Schneider and Catherine Bach (Dukes of Hazzard, Jason David Frank (Power Ranger) and Jonathan Pendragon (Masters of Illusion). The full list is here.

We gave Marsters a list of “Very Richmond” places to visit before the convention kicks off Friday at 3 p.m., running through 4 p.m. on Sunday.

So if you spot him at Hollywood Cemetery, don’t rub your eyes, that’s really Spike the Vampire scoping out a better mausoleum.

Wizard World Comic Con

Where: Greater Richmond Convention Center at 403 N Third St., Richmond. Parking availability can be found around area.

When:  Friday, Sept. 9 from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. –4p.m

How much: Three-day passes for sale in advance $50/$60 on site, or one-day admission tickets sold individually: Friday/$20 in adv./$30 on site, Sat./$35 in adv./$45 on site, Sunday $30 in adv./ $40 on site.

Up to two children ages 10 and under get in free when accompanied by a paid adult.

Wizard World website.

CBS6-News-at-4pm-and-Jennifer-Hudson-480x360.jpg

Entertainment

Watch 'The Jennifer Hudson Show' weekdays at 3 p.m. on CBS 6!

📱 Download CBS 6 News App
The app features breaking news alerts, live video, weather radar, traffic incidents, closings and delays and more.