L:
What are your hopes for the future?G: Directing films would be great. I think actors can make good directors. And, I certainly want to keep working my craft, working my art, because I love what I do. But, to me, the most important thing is being a good father and friend to my children. Hopefully, I'm setting an example to other Latino men as a father and as an actor. I can step into the world of being an artist and I can step out of that world and be Papi. I love that.
L: Do you have a favorite actor?
G: My all time favorite actor is Marlon Brando. I admired how effortless and how real he was in his performance in "On the Waterfront." To me, he wasn't acting. He was living the role. And thatŐs what I admire about good acting. It's real.
L: More on the dream role...
G: I want to be the most extraordinary Papi Chulo that has ever hit the universe. A dream role? I don't know what a dream role is... I think that finding out the future of Maurice "Titi" Rodriguez would be a dream. You know what I'm saying? That guy was the life of the party. He was The Papi Swing. That's what they used to call me on the set. "Hey, Papi Swing!" And, I'd say "Let's go, Yo."
L: But, even Maurice was somewhat of a stereotype. Now, like in the "Limey," you play a regular guy. How does it feel?
G: I like to play nice guys with an edge. Even the bad guys, I try to bring a comedic edge to them. Let me put it to you this way: When I do movies, I don't want you to like me. I either want you to love me or hate me. Liking me is not enough, you know. Because when you really hate someone in a role you remember that. You love someone in a role, you remember that.
L: How about "Table One," the movie you're filming now?
G: I play a flamboyant maitre d' at this club. He chooses people to come in according to how they're dressed. He wants to become a fashion designer. So, if you're not dressed right, he sends you home. I get into looking at people's labels to see what they're wearing. We have a scene where I see this girl and she is NOT wearing the right thing. And I go into this whole daydreaming of undressing her and redressing her.
L: In some of your other recent roles, like Eddie in "The Limey," you play a character that didn't necessarily have to be Latino.
G: The whole issue of Hollywood and (representing) diversity has come to the forefront. You can't deny it.