Paul Willson crafted the role of Bob Porter with such perfection, that the on screen chemistry he had with his character helped make the Bobs look like American Idols. He was Porter. Porter was him. "The greatest thing about Mike Judge, is this movie had five fat guys in it and as a fat guy I really appreciate it," Willson says with a laugh. "We have to eat too and we have to eat more than anyone else.
"I’m very proud of the job I did because I actually came up with trying to pronounce his name and saying he’s not going to work here anymore."
The former Cheers actor (played Paul Krapence in 1983 and 1985-1993) almost didn’t play the role of Porter. In fact, he was the second person chosen for the role, a situation that started weird, got even weirder and ended beautifully.
"I was in a casting office to read for "Pushing Tin" and I ran into the casting director of Office Space. She said, ‘I am doing something you should read for," Willson explains. "I read for ‘Pushing Tin’ and didn’t get it, so I decided to read a couple of things for the Office Space people. I must have done a good job because I got called back and went in for a long time with Mike. He had me read several parts, including Milton and both Bobs.
"I did a lot of improve in audition, which probably helped me get the role. John C. McGinley then came in and we did stuff together. Then a couple weeks later I found out that I was the second choice. I was very disappointed.
"The whole thing was a fluke. I mean I saw the casting director, which was a fluke, and then John had to change his schedule, so the original actor casted couldn’t do it, which was too bad for him, great for me. I think it turned out ok. At first I had a bit of a complex about it, but then I figured coming in second is not bad at all. Ever so often things like this are going to happen and the vice president has to assume the role."
Willson took the role and embraced it, giving it his all, helping craft the character into the magical Bob that graces his presence in the movie. Willson loved his final product, and the work of the others, so much that he can actually stand to watch the movie over and over again.
"It’s one of the few things I can bear to watch," Willson says. "I don’t think a lot of actors enjoy watching themselves, but I think it is good enough where you can swallow that self disgust and watch it. It is truly a great movie."
Despite his love for the final work, Willson was not thrilled when the movie left theaters just weeks after first dropping on the world, but as it found success in life as a VHS tape and a DVD, Willson can’t complain about the dividends.
"It only ran in theaters for a week or two, and I have no idea why it happened, its all a mystery to me," Wilson says. "And it is kind of disappointing that it left so quickly. But then I started hearing about this phenomenon of people renting the video and buying the DVD, and I cant tell you if the residuals that I gotten are any indication of how popular this is, then it is extremely popular."
Willson’s favorite thing about making the movie was the people he worked with.
"I loved doing the movie. I loved working with Mike Judge and I loved the process," Willson says. "Working with Mike and the other actors was great. John C. McGinley is a character in a half. Stephen Root is an incredible sweetheart. I had seen his work on News Radio and thought he was really good, but he is an incredibly warm and caring person. And Gary Cole is terrific. I think he is underappreciated. He is right in the grove. And Dave Herman is very funny. And Ajay Naidu was awesome.
"My one regret is not getting to meet Jennifer Anniston cause she did a great job on the film. And Ronny Livingston was great. It was an incredible gathering of people. I had never seen Orlando Jones, but I thought he had a great cameo. Joe Bays, Diedrich Baker, Richard Riehle, they were all great. It was such a great experience."
The joy in Willson’s voice is very characteristic of the type of person he is. He is open, caring and understanding, and I got that in our short time talking. It is a surprise he hasn’t taken off as one of the premiere "fat" actors in Hollywood. There should be more actors to have the class that Willson shines on the world.
Willson is currently rehearsing for a play called Spite for Spite, a play he says is, "Essentially the same as Office Space." He has continued to do TV and movie acting roles since Office Space, but has done a tone of work in theater.
"Well I love theater," Willson says. "My background is in improvisation. I really like plays a lot because you are there from start to finish. The biggest drawback is it doesn’t pay anything. For a lot of actors its their favorite medium because they are in charge.
"Acting on TV, movies and theater each have its advantages. The thing I love about movies is the opportunity to really get places. I like to get out of town and be in a new place and have someone else make my bed. One thing I hope to do before I die is make a movie in another country."
Willson says he will never forget his Office Space role, but he doesn’t know if it really helped his career all that much, even though his acting hit the bulls eye.
"I don’t know if helped career, because when somebody looks at Office Space they are not like, ‘Paul Willson made this work.’ I am very proud to be a part of, like Cheers and the Gary Shandling show - things that have sort of become a part of the mass unconscious, and that makes me feel good, which helps my career."
Photos courtesy of Paul Willson and 20th Century Fox
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