By: Michael A. Knipp*
TRT Special
Marco Dapper makes you quiver. We all know that.
But much like Optimus Prime and his Autobots, there’s more to this brut beauty than meets the eye.
Notwithstanding his full frontal turn as Troy, the sexually confused country bumpkin in Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds, Dapper is as spruce as his last name suggests—and then some. In fact, he’s got everything you pine for: a high-voltage smile; electrifying features; a rough, raw sense of style; and a body built like a brick you-know-what.
Nevertheless, you’ll never be lucky enough to land him. Nope, not even close.
That’s because Dapper is a straight as they come. Or so he says.
In a recent interview, the irresistible Dapper discusses where he was before playing gay, the authenticity of his now-famous nude scene, how his family reacted, why ‘faggot’ is no longer part of his lexicon, and Marky-Mark as his muse.
First, though, lock the bathroom door. You’ll thank us later.
Michael A. Knipp: You’re relatively new to Hollywood, having starred in only one film so far. What were you doing before you landed the role of Troy in Eating Out 2?
Marco Dapper: I’ve been here four years now. Before I moved to L.A., I was working random day jobs. [I] worked at UPS. [I] didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I always wanted to be an actor. But I didn’t think it was a common or realistic job— just a dream. The first few years were really tough, but everything has been good.
MK: When you auditioned for the role, were you aware that you’d be showing full frontal nudity?
MD: I had an idea, but I wasn’t totally aware of it. They asked me if I was comfortable with it. I told them as long as [real sex] wasn’t involved I was comfortable. If it was hard-on shot I would have told them to go to hell.
MK: I’ve seen the film and I’m quite impressed with your, [let’s say how well endowed you are]. But I’ve gotta ask … is everything there real, or were prosthetics used?
MD: The only thing that was fake was the hair addition; at the time I was shaved. The pubic hair was glued on. The makeup artist had a fun time putting it on.
MK: I’m sure she did!
MD: No really. We were laughing about it. I was having fun doing it.
MK: Has your family seen the film? That scene must have created some awkward moments for them.
MD: Everyone’s seen it. Well, my grandparents haven‘t [seen it]. They’re still refusing. But, I understand. My sister saw it, she was freaking out. She screamed and said, “I can’t believe I just saw my brother’s @#$%.” Mom saw it originally with her sister in Portland; she was telling me that she had a couple nightmares seeing her baby boy naked.
MK: How uncomfortable was shooting that scene in front of so many people?
MD: It was pretty comfortable. I don’t have a problem being naked in front of people, especially when it came to girls when I was a kid. After I had sex for the first time, all my inhibitions went away. We’ve all got one. It’s like, grow up, ya know.
MK: Yes, I know. But do you think showing so much of yourself so early on in your career will affect the kind of roles you’re offered down the road?
MD: I don’t think it’ll affect my career. People are afraid of me being stereotyped and typecast. Once you are, and people see that, that’s where you get stuck. I played a hot guy, hunky dude— next role, I’ll play something else. I don’t waste my time with what other people think about me. I could really give a rat’s ass what they think.
MK: In addition to that pause-worthy scene, your character, Troy, is essentially bisexual. How did you prepare to play him?
MD: It was tough. I was originally scared. I rejected the role in the beginning. I didn’t want to do it. But then I said to myself, “Look, if I want to be an actor and I have passion for this art, do I run away or do I take it head on? I decided I’m gonna stretch myself.” It was hard, because, ya know, I’m sitting next to a guy. I was trying to put my ex-girlfriend on the other character the best I could. Almost pretend that she was there. After it was all said and done, though, it was no big deal. You just have to get through it.
MK: How are you dealing with the sudden attention that you’re receiving?
MD: I get a lot of kudos from gay fans. I’ve had people come up to me and say thank you for being a straight actor and doing a gay role. It really helped me open my eyes up to the gay community. It’s a big turning point in my life about a culture that I knew nothing about before. I made fun of it; I said the word ‘faggot,’ which is stupid, but I did. But [gay people] are just like everyone else. Same needs, same everything – just a different sexual preference.
MK: So you’re saying that your role in Eating Out 2 changed your opinion of homosexuality?
MD: Do I agree with homosexuality? I can’t say. I would much rather that a man be openly gay than in the closet. Married, with kids, lying – that’s %$#&*$ up. Say I’m gay, sorry, that’s life, move on. No one’s hiding or lying; it’s just the truth.
MK: Let’s be honest, you’re super hot and you know it. But how do you feel when you’re labeled as such? You were in an episode of the now-canceled Veronica Mars and you’re credited as “Super Hot Guy.” Do you love it or loath it?
MD: I just laugh at it. Call a spade a spade. If you’re good looking, you’re the good-looking guy. I don’t want to be known as Marco, the good looking guy though. Looks fade. What will I be then? Out of work.
MK: How do you stay in shape? You must work out constantly.
MD: I work out rigorously. I’m a healthy eater. I’ve been doing that since I was 18. I saw Marky Mark on an E! True Hollywood Story. I decided then that I wanted a body like his.
MK: I’ve been to your MySpace page and you have a ton of pictures of people who seem to be good friends of yours. How do you stay grounded in a town like Los Angeles?
MD: I have a handful of friends, five guys who are my buddies who I could call if I need help. But I don’t put myself into that scene. I don’t go clubbing a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I like clubbing, but I stick to my main five. That’s how I stay grounded. I don’t want to get wrapped up in that scene. It’s like high school all over again.
MK: You’ve just turned 24. What sort of hopes do you have for your future?
MD: I’m trying to get this acting gig on the ball here. I audition a lot. Pushing, trying to promote myself as much as I can. It’s so cliché to say I want to be a working actor, but it’s really what I want to do. I like film better than TV – to have the ability to change things up. I like change. I like the idea of having a new character every few months.
*Michael A. Knipp is a 26-year-old Baltimore-based freelancer and the founder of Line/Byline Communications. Visit him at www.myspace.com/roxmikey.
TRT Special
Marco Dapper makes you quiver. We all know that.
But much like Optimus Prime and his Autobots, there’s more to this brut beauty than meets the eye.
Notwithstanding his full frontal turn as Troy, the sexually confused country bumpkin in Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds, Dapper is as spruce as his last name suggests—and then some. In fact, he’s got everything you pine for: a high-voltage smile; electrifying features; a rough, raw sense of style; and a body built like a brick you-know-what.
Nevertheless, you’ll never be lucky enough to land him. Nope, not even close.
That’s because Dapper is a straight as they come. Or so he says.
In a recent interview, the irresistible Dapper discusses where he was before playing gay, the authenticity of his now-famous nude scene, how his family reacted, why ‘faggot’ is no longer part of his lexicon, and Marky-Mark as his muse.
First, though, lock the bathroom door. You’ll thank us later.
Michael A. Knipp: You’re relatively new to Hollywood, having starred in only one film so far. What were you doing before you landed the role of Troy in Eating Out 2?
Marco Dapper: I’ve been here four years now. Before I moved to L.A., I was working random day jobs. [I] worked at UPS. [I] didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I always wanted to be an actor. But I didn’t think it was a common or realistic job— just a dream. The first few years were really tough, but everything has been good.
MK: When you auditioned for the role, were you aware that you’d be showing full frontal nudity?
MD: I had an idea, but I wasn’t totally aware of it. They asked me if I was comfortable with it. I told them as long as [real sex] wasn’t involved I was comfortable. If it was hard-on shot I would have told them to go to hell.
MK: I’ve seen the film and I’m quite impressed with your, [let’s say how well endowed you are]. But I’ve gotta ask … is everything there real, or were prosthetics used?
MD: The only thing that was fake was the hair addition; at the time I was shaved. The pubic hair was glued on. The makeup artist had a fun time putting it on.
MK: I’m sure she did!
MD: No really. We were laughing about it. I was having fun doing it.
MK: Has your family seen the film? That scene must have created some awkward moments for them.
MD: Everyone’s seen it. Well, my grandparents haven‘t [seen it]. They’re still refusing. But, I understand. My sister saw it, she was freaking out. She screamed and said, “I can’t believe I just saw my brother’s @#$%.” Mom saw it originally with her sister in Portland; she was telling me that she had a couple nightmares seeing her baby boy naked.
MK: How uncomfortable was shooting that scene in front of so many people?
MD: It was pretty comfortable. I don’t have a problem being naked in front of people, especially when it came to girls when I was a kid. After I had sex for the first time, all my inhibitions went away. We’ve all got one. It’s like, grow up, ya know.
MK: Yes, I know. But do you think showing so much of yourself so early on in your career will affect the kind of roles you’re offered down the road?
MD: I don’t think it’ll affect my career. People are afraid of me being stereotyped and typecast. Once you are, and people see that, that’s where you get stuck. I played a hot guy, hunky dude— next role, I’ll play something else. I don’t waste my time with what other people think about me. I could really give a rat’s ass what they think.
MK: In addition to that pause-worthy scene, your character, Troy, is essentially bisexual. How did you prepare to play him?
MD: It was tough. I was originally scared. I rejected the role in the beginning. I didn’t want to do it. But then I said to myself, “Look, if I want to be an actor and I have passion for this art, do I run away or do I take it head on? I decided I’m gonna stretch myself.” It was hard, because, ya know, I’m sitting next to a guy. I was trying to put my ex-girlfriend on the other character the best I could. Almost pretend that she was there. After it was all said and done, though, it was no big deal. You just have to get through it.
MK: How are you dealing with the sudden attention that you’re receiving?
MD: I get a lot of kudos from gay fans. I’ve had people come up to me and say thank you for being a straight actor and doing a gay role. It really helped me open my eyes up to the gay community. It’s a big turning point in my life about a culture that I knew nothing about before. I made fun of it; I said the word ‘faggot,’ which is stupid, but I did. But [gay people] are just like everyone else. Same needs, same everything – just a different sexual preference.
MK: So you’re saying that your role in Eating Out 2 changed your opinion of homosexuality?
MD: Do I agree with homosexuality? I can’t say. I would much rather that a man be openly gay than in the closet. Married, with kids, lying – that’s %$#&*$ up. Say I’m gay, sorry, that’s life, move on. No one’s hiding or lying; it’s just the truth.
MK: Let’s be honest, you’re super hot and you know it. But how do you feel when you’re labeled as such? You were in an episode of the now-canceled Veronica Mars and you’re credited as “Super Hot Guy.” Do you love it or loath it?
MD: I just laugh at it. Call a spade a spade. If you’re good looking, you’re the good-looking guy. I don’t want to be known as Marco, the good looking guy though. Looks fade. What will I be then? Out of work.
MK: How do you stay in shape? You must work out constantly.
MD: I work out rigorously. I’m a healthy eater. I’ve been doing that since I was 18. I saw Marky Mark on an E! True Hollywood Story. I decided then that I wanted a body like his.
MK: I’ve been to your MySpace page and you have a ton of pictures of people who seem to be good friends of yours. How do you stay grounded in a town like Los Angeles?
MD: I have a handful of friends, five guys who are my buddies who I could call if I need help. But I don’t put myself into that scene. I don’t go clubbing a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I like clubbing, but I stick to my main five. That’s how I stay grounded. I don’t want to get wrapped up in that scene. It’s like high school all over again.
MK: You’ve just turned 24. What sort of hopes do you have for your future?
MD: I’m trying to get this acting gig on the ball here. I audition a lot. Pushing, trying to promote myself as much as I can. It’s so cliché to say I want to be a working actor, but it’s really what I want to do. I like film better than TV – to have the ability to change things up. I like change. I like the idea of having a new character every few months.
*Michael A. Knipp is a 26-year-old Baltimore-based freelancer and the founder of Line/Byline Communications. Visit him at www.myspace.com/roxmikey.
Marco Dapper: The hottest guy you’ll never be with
