Robert Mammana: Covered in Blood and Getting Pulled Over By Cops with Bitch Slap’s Awesome Master. By Brian Kirst
Since his Chicago theater days, former law enforcement office Robert Mammana has been flying high with taut performances in Flightplan, Heroes, Enterprise, Charmed, the just released Just Say Love and the delicious n’ upcoming Bitch Slap (with Friday the 13th’s America Olivo). After daring to play the slashing villain in the horror opus Menace, Mammana felt strong enough to take on some blistering questions for this exclusive Horror Society profile.
Brian: So, Robert, you play an awful lot of law enforcement types (FBI agents, guards, cops), but is there another type of career man that you are dying to play (an English teacher, a low income housing lawyer) or are you pretty happy playing the gruff, in-control type?)
Robert: Law enforcement characters… Yes, I play a lot of cops/FBI/CIA guys. I think that may be because I was a cop for a while, and the directors/producers seem to like that. I love to play the damaged characters, however. Every now and then I get to play the bad guy, or the good guy with a terrible secret, etc. Those characters are the most fun to dig around inside of. I would also love to play a wise-cracking attorney, DA type. I love to play intelligent characters.
Brian: And you’re still taking part in this interview?! Cool, man! Thanks. – So, do you have any specific memories that stand out about working on the horror film Menace – an increased fear of vacant houses, for example?
Robert: I would have to say that the memory that stands out the most was the night I found my puppy. The short version of the story is: we were filming a scene in which I chase the female lead through the dark woods with an axe. So, I’m drenched in blood, carrying a very scary looking axe for most of the night. Between takes a forest ranger drives up to our set (we were shooting in the woods just outside of Pasadena). I ask the ranger how his night was, what he was doing out so late, etc, and he tells me that he picked up a couple of abandoned puppies. Two beautiful lab mixes were just dumped in the middle of the night to die. I walked over to his truck, took one look at these puppies, and fell in love. I took them both home that night. They were very sick, and spent the first week or so in the hospital, where the girl puppy, Beatrice, passed away. The boy, however, pulled through, and he’s been with me for almost 10 years now. His name is Ben.
Brian: That’s an awesome story, man! After appearing briefly on Heroes – any thoughts on whether it is better to be the steely protector or the mind-bending, high flying villain?
Robert: The villain, definitely the villain. Those characters are always more fun to create, and you have a lot more latitude and freedom to play. I love playing the bad guy!
Brian: Geez – you sound a lot like my Dad when I was growing up. (Sigh.) Oh, well…Have you had a favorite filming experience or do they all simply add to the whole canon for you as a performer?
Robert: Each film, for the most part, has taught me something unique. And I’ve been lucky enough to have a great time on every set I’ve been on. One of my favorite overall experiences, though, was on a short film called “Between Blood and Sand.” It was a fantastic script, great character, wonderful cast, and phenomenal young director.
Brian: But, now onto a true cinematic treasure! – Bitch Slap sounds like the most awesome women in prison flick around! – Any joyful, shower hopping memories about that one?
Robert: I have a really small role in this one, but I’m not complaining. The set was so much fun to work on. Great cast, really great director…just a blast. Most of my work was done on green screen, so I’m interested to see how it all turns out. I’m really good friends with America Olivo, one of the butt-kicking heroines, so it was really fun to watch her shoot up the place. I can’t wait to see the finished product!
Brian: Neither can I! – What stands out in your mind the most about appearing in big budget productions like Flight Plan?)
Robert; Uh… Jodie Foster. :) I was totally star struck! I really couldn’t believe they were letting me act with Jodie Foster, and paying me to do it, no less!
Brian: Sounds cool! – Lastly, any words of advice (IE: Never offer your Subway sandwich to a philosopher on a park bench) – or future projects that you’d like to tell us about? And thanks – this has been better than quietly absorbing others’ powers any day of the week!
Robert: I just try to remember that this is all supposed to be fun. I really try not to take myself too seriously. That, and always wash the fake blood off of your face before driving home… not easy to explain to a police officer when you get pulled over. Trust me, I know!
