Nicholas Brendon at nickbrendon.com: The official Web site

Interview at Scholastic.com
May 2001

Like many of the characters on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Nicholas Brendon hasn’t had the easiest time in school. When Nicholas was growing up, he had to overcome a stutter that sometimes made it difficult for him to talk to others. Nicholas is one of the best examples of someone who overcame a problem with a lot of work and determination. Now Nicholas entertains millions of Buffy fans as Xander, and has some advice on how to conquer your fears.

Q&A

Q: You had a stutter until you were in high school. When did you get rid of it and how did you do it?
A: Stuttering is something I still have to work through daily. Studying the craft [of acting] has helped me to overcome my stutter. Some of the most helpful exercises came from acting classes, [like] vocal warmups and tongue-twisters.

Q: Was it difficult growing up and having the stutter?
A: I was very shy and insecure. It wasn’t until my early twenties that I truly felt comfortable speaking in public.

Q: Did people make fun of you?
A: No. Everybody was very kind and patient, teachers and students alike.

Q: What advice would you give to someone else who is dealing with a stutter?
A: [You have to have] courage and patience and don’t be too hard on yourself.

Q: Are you worried that you might stutter when you’re filming the show?
A: I still worry about stuttering when I’m performing. [I] try to slow down and always remember it’s just a word–nobody’s gonna die [if I make a mistake]. But I’m much less intimidated one on one.

Q: If you hadn’t gone into acting, what do you think you would have done?
A: I can’t honestly say. I had [thought about going] into medicine to help people, but I couldn’t do it. I worked at a vet [office] once, and I passed out. With acting, I’m able to entertain people, and I think I’m doing just as good. I want to inspire people.

Q: Have you ever thought about getting involved with other forms of entertainment?
A: I enjoy singing. I sing for my family. I sing in the shower or in the car. I’ll sing to a song and sing well. Maybe if I weren’t acting, I would try to put a band together and have fun. Thank God for the public that I’m acting!

Interview by: Marie Morreale.
Compiled by: Paul Coco

Stuttering Foundation of America Newsletter
Summer 2001

Actor Nicholas Brendon Chairs National Stuttering Awareness Week, May 14-20

Nicholas Brendon has won fans of all ages portraying Xander in the popular TV series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

But what most of his admirers don’t know is that Nick has successfully dealt with a challenge that could have derailed his career.

Most actors must learn to overcome stage fright or face the possibility of never performing before an audience again. However, stage fright was not the challenge that confronted Nick–stuttering was.

Because he is such an admirable role model for young people who stutter, the nonprofit Stuttering Foundation of America is pleased to announce that Nicholas Brendon has agreed to be the 2001 Honorary Chair for National Stuttering Awareness Week, May 14-20.

Nick remembers that his stuttering developed when he was about seven years old. When his struggles to communicate persisted, Nick’s parents sought help from a speech-language pathologist. The therapist taught Nick helpful strategies. “Every day, I have to remind myself to slow down and concentrate,” Nick explained. He also learned special exercises, which he practices to this day. Over time, he has discovered that his best strategy is “patience, patience, patience.” Pursuing an acting career “has been instrumental in overcoming my stutter,” Brendon noted.

While he still has concerns about stuttering when he performs, Nick’s perseverance and determination have helped him make his mark in Hollywood. Buffy the Vampire Slayer is now in its fifth season, and Nick’s increasing popularity has allowed him to branch out into feature films and stage work. He has also made guest appearances at science fiction conventions all over the country.

“Congress authorized National Stuttering Awareness Week because stuttering has a tremendous impact on a wide cross-section of Americans,” said Jane Fraser, president of the Stuttering Foundation. “Most people don’t realize that stuttering affects three million people nationwide, without any regard for race, ethnicity or economic status.

“We want to make them aware of the fact that speech therapy can help them make progress at any age, as it did for Nick,” Fraser added.

“As I worked on my speech, I realized that no one was going to die because I was stuttering,” Nick said. “I want people who stutter to know that if they work hard, as I still do, they too can improve their speech.” He now speaks in public without debilitating fear or embarrassment.

For a copy of the National Stuttering Awareness Week brochure that features 15 famous people who stutter, including Nick Brendon, call the Stuttering Foundation toll-free at (800) 992-9392, or visit us at www.stutteringhelp.org

E!Online Interview

Nicholas Brendon describes his character as “the normal one,” but if you’ve seen his portrayal of Xander, you know he’s anything but. He’s goofy; he’s lovable–he’s in love with a humanized demon. And from what we hear, his offscreen life is even more exciting these days.

Congratulations. We heard you just got engaged. How did you propose?
Thank you. I bought a ring, and I took her to Sausalito, in Northern California, and we got a hotel room that overlooked the water. I sang a song we like–it’s called “And We Danced,” by Mark Paisley. And we kind of act out things sometimes, so we did. In the song, he takes a diamond ring out of his pocket, and I did, and she cried, and we were engaged.

Sounds romantic. Now let’s talk Buffy a bit. When you first started the show, did you think you’d make it this far?
I didn’t think about anything except for the fact that I’d gotten a job. I had only been acting for about three months, so I was just beside myself when I got the male lead. It was like, Criminy! Can I do it? I freaked out a lot. And then once we started going, we got in our groove, and you do kind of forget that it’s a big deal–that today’s a milestone.

“The Body,” the episode in which Buffy’s mother dies, is phenomenal. What was it like shooting it?
It was actually great, because Joss did such a great job writing it. I thought it was going to be much more somber, but it really opened people up. I’ve never lost anyone yet, like that, but it did really affect people, and it was a lot warmer on the set than I’d anticipated. People were kind of reminiscing and going through that. It was a blessing.

Any hints on what’s coming up for Xander?
Hang on a sec. Hey, Joss! Can I tell them what’s coming up? Yes? Okay, Joss is drunk. He’s drunk on love.

No, but Xander, he’s growing up. I think things are being set up; there’s some stuff coming up that’s shocking. And that’s all I can say because, um, Joss is right behind me. Otherwise I’d tell you everything. [Laughs.]

You Asked, They Answered…From Maria in London: How do you feel about fans coming up to you?
As long as they don’t have any sort of weapon, I’m good with it. My twin brother gets a lot of that, because I’m working a lot, and he goes out a lot more. So, we’ve kind of gone through how to sign my name, so if there’s, like, a kid who has really mustered up the courage to ask, he’ll do it for me.

From Adam Lee in Ontario, California: Have we seen the end of any Buffy/Xander romantic storyline?
Never say never. Hey, man, I’m just stoked to be having a girl right now. I mean, I’m talking having–like biblically having–a girl right now. So, I’m not complaining. I’m not going to be giving any suggestions to Joss, or I might be out on the streets again: “Will act for food.”

From Josie in Palo Alto, California: What do want to happen to your character next season?
I want him to be a sculptor. I can make bowls–you know, do the wheely thing. And wear a lot of sexy white T-shirts. I would like for him to not talk for a while and just do sign language, but he’s signing with, say, a Scottish accent. People think that might be easy, but signing in a Scottish accent while molding clay–that’s pretty tough.

Dreamwatch

Emma Caulfield, Nick Brendon and Marc Blucas spar with each other on the set of Buffy the Vampire Slayers in the company of Dreamwatch’s Jenny Carrillo

It is early October and I am sitting on the college cafeteria set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In a dark corner of a Santa Monica sound stage they call home, three key cast members of the series’ fifth season prove that life in the potentially dark world of Buffy is really full of laughs: Nicholas Brendon, who portrays the sardonic Xander and is one of the original stars of the show; Emma Caulfield, who first guest-starred as the demon Anyanka — until the character lost her powers and she became a series regular as Anya, a 1,120-year-old mortal teenager; and Marc Blucas, who plays Buffy’s newest beau, Riley Finn.

NB.com note: The following are excerpts from the article that include Nicholas:

Dreamwatch: Marc, how have the fans accepted the new man in Buffy’s life?

Marc Blucas (MB): Weird. Early on it was very difficult. The show has a protective audience, rightfully so, and my character’s relationship with Buffy is very passionate. The fans pay really close attention to our relationship. Many are so emotionally invested in the show that it is hard for them to have one guy leave and a new guy join the show, so it’s been an uphill battle.

Nick Brendon (NB): We are using the term ‘guy’ loosely.

MB: Thanks! But my gradual acceptance is really a credit to three things. First and foremost is the writing of the show. I was put into some intense situations: I saved Buffy from death; I punched out the guy she was sleeping with… I was put into these positions by the writers, but Sarah [Michelle Gellar] has been great in helping make the transition, too. The whole group has been really open in allowing Riley to kind of join the group. Again, this is all a function of the writing, but the acceptance of the character by the others has allowed the audience to accept me, too.

Did you have people come up to you on the street and tell you that Angel should be with her instead of you?

MB: Not on the street, really, but the Internet was different. I never really got warned not to go online, and I did at first. Before my first show even aired there was a picture of me on a site with the comment, ‘Who is this guy, he’s an ape — if she’s not going to be with Angel she shouldn’t be with anyone’ next to it. I don’t know where they get these things. And while I certainly don’t deny the primate comparison, I was a little shocked! But I saw another one — I think of Nick Brendon in a gay bathhouse — too.

NB: No, that wasn’t me — that was another Nick Brendon!

Are you guys on the Internet often?

MB: I was early on. I have since learned not to. But in the beginning I went to the posting boards where people discuss plots and characters. Our show is very Internet-friendly so it’s a good place to get a sense of how you are being received. In some sense it is comparable to an accident on the road: you have to look at it, even if you know you may not like what you see.

NB: I never go on. I do not like it at all. I’ve got my God to answer to, that’s it. To be honest I don’t even know how to turn on a computer!

MB: The button says on and off.

NB: But I cannot read, I act phonetically. [laughs] Seriously, I do not go online. Ever.

Emma Caulfield (EC): I go on sometimes. I tend not to anymore, though, because the reactions you get are so extreme. I don’t think it’s a fair assessment of what the average person thinks of you or the show. I get either, ‘I love you’ or ‘I hope she dies.’

NB: I don’t get that. What’s your problem?

Are we talking character or real person here?

EC: The character. Actually I don’t get the ‘I hope she dies’ thing very often, but when my character started she was a villain, so I understand where some of that came from.

How tough is a show like this on your personal lives?

NB: Oh, it’s tough. The days you work, you work long hours. Now on the show we have a lot of cast members so we get some days off so we can check in with our families and our loved ones, which is really nice. The first season was hellacious. We worked every day for fourteen hours straight. There was the group of four, then David came in. It was a little more regular after season one. For me it was good seeing as this was my first experience on television, I needed the long hours to learn what I needed to. Before I started I didn’t know what a mark was, what lights were, where to stand or when to jump lines and go off camera. I learned fast because I had to, but now that I have it down it’s nice when I get time off and can relax.

Do you get feedback from fans in other countries?

NB: Not much at all. I mean, I get some fan letters. I think it would be different if I were online more. Last year I went with my girlfriend to a place in Palm Springs in August, which I do not recommend doing…

MB: It’s freezing there!

NB: I had to wear my parka! Anyway, we were swimming in the pool and there were a bunch of people from Morocco and France — there must have been at least twenty of them — and they were looking at me and then these two girls came up and said, ‘Alexander, Alexander?’ So they all knew who I was and I signed a bunch of autographs.

If you were not acting, what would you be doing?

NB: I cook, I would be a chef.

What is your favorite food?

NB: That’s a tough question. I want to open up a Japanese theme restaurant — fish, tempura, eclectic food. I love to cook for my friends and family. I have all sorts of recipes. I have a great dressing, which is dill and some yogurt. It’s awesome.

MB: I make a sensational bread pudding.

NB: Do you really?

MB: No, but it sounds good!

Nick, didn’t you want to play professional baseball?

NB: Yeah, but the last year I played I was doing a lot of soul-searching and realized that I just wasn’t good enough when it came down to it and I got hurt a lot, and then I was just kind of a lonely kid looking for something to do. I played periodically with the California Angels.

And is it true that you have an identical twin brother?

NB: Yeah, his name is Kelly. He actually starred in the third episode of [the fifth] season with me.

Did he play you?

NB: No, my character kind of played more than one character, without giving too much away.

How tough is it for him to pursue an acting career with your face already established in the industry?

NB: I kind of got stressed out about that for a while, and about a week ago I just realized that I can’t stress out about it. Whatever happens is supposed to happen and I wish him the best. He just went through a breakup and he’s staying with me for about a month, so I love the bastard!

Do each of you know much about your ancestors and your family background?

NB: I have a bunch of lines in me. Mary Queen of Scots is one of my great-great-great aunts. Thomas Jefferson is in my lineage, too, on my mother’s side. My father had a Native American in his ancestry, so I am German, Irish, Scottish, American Indian and then a bunch of mutt!

Are there downsides to being on a regular series?

NB: Nine months of the year we are working on the show. I am in a contract for seven years. They [Blucas and Caulfield] came on later so I think it was different. For me it’s awesome — it’s a blessing to be on this show, especially, which is written so well. At the same time I am out of commission for nine months and I work really hard, then I have three months off where I can do another project, refuel my tank so to speak. I think it has provided me with some great training and tools.

I don’t really see a downside. I mean, I don’t consider myself a celebrity by any stretch of the imagination. However, it can be difficult to go out in public or have a private life. I am kind of at the fun point where some people recognize me and they come up and make my day. Then there are some that can be a little much, but you learn to deal with that as a part of the job. I do not look at the negative, so where I am in my career is where I want to be and I feel lucky, like Emma said, to be where I am and doing what I love.

TheWB.com

Oh, behave: “It’s great playing the far-out funny guy on Buffy, but I also like that Xander is changing a lot. He seems to be getting more mature, which helps because I’m so not.”

The dating game: “I did that single thing for a short while, and it’s just really not fun. It’s really lonely and very shallow, and this is probably going to sound funny, but I’m a bit deeper than shallow.”

Twin peaks and valleys: “Sometimes it’s tough having a twin. The love is so intense but so is the hate.”

Home improvement: “My girlfriend, Tressa, and I are remodeling our new house. It’s very humbling. I love Tim Allen, but I can barely manage hanging a picture without leaving eight holes in the wall.”

Nurse, hand me the spatula: “My latest obsession is cooking. I buy a new cookbook every week. I’m into making everything. Cookies, pies and I just did my first duck. If you’re having people over, the secret to it is butter, butter, butter. It works every time. Just don’t tell any of the guests.”