Gary Schneider is the epitome of the B-movie villian- demented, obsessive and utterly likeable. He personified Troma's dark humor and manic intent with unforgetable roles in "The Toxic Avenger" and "Class of Nuke 'Em High". Its hard to forget his role as Bozo, the bullying pyschopath who runs over bicycling kids and torments poor Melvin the mop boy in the original "The Toxic Avenger". With his kilt and stocking in place, he also made quite the exit in "Class of Nuke 'Em High". Recently, Deadpit had the privilege of sitting down with Gary, and after all these years, he's still clowning around.

(Q): Tell us a little about your background, and what made you decide to pursue acting.

(A): I THINK THAT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A LITTLE THEATRICAL. WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD I MEMORIZED THE SONGS THAT WERE IN COMMERCIALS. MY FAMILY CALLED ME THE COMMERCIAL KID. I REALLY DECIDED THAT I WANTED TO BE AN ACTOR WHEN I WAS IN 12TH GRADE. I PLAYED A CHARACTER NAMED JUDD FRY IN THE MUSICAL "OKLAHOMA". JUDD WAS AN EARLY VERSION OF BOZO. HE WAS VERY ANGRY AND A LITTLE CRAZY. OF COURSE BOZO IS MORE THAN A LITTLE CRAZY! ANYWAY, I LOVED PLAYING THE CHARACTER AND I ENDED UP STUDYING ACTING IN COLLEGE. SEVERAL YEARS LATER I WENT TO A PROFESSIONAL ACTING SCHOOL; TWO MONTHS LATER I WAS HIRED TO PLAY BOZO.

(Q): What was it like to work on the film "Five Loose Women", which was co-written by the infamous Ed Wood? Were you familiar with his work at the time the film was being made? Also, at that time, was he regarded as the "genius of bad films" that he is today?

(A): THE INTERNET MOVIE DATABASE SHOWS THAT I HAD BEEN IN SEVERAL FILMS INCLUDING "FIVE LOOSE WOMEN" AND "THE SWINGING CHEERLEADERS" ACTUALLY, THEY MADE A MISTAKE. IT MUST BE ANOTHER GARY SCHNEIDER. I WAS, HOWEVER, IN THE OTHER FILMS LISTED, INCLUDING ROGER CORMAN'S "BEACH BALLS", WHICH WAS DIRECTED BY JOE RITTER. JOE WROTE "THE TOXIC AVENGER"

(Q): How did you get involved with Troma Films and, in particular, Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz?

(A): VERY SHORTLY AFTER I GOT OUT OF ACTING SCHOOL, THE GIRL FRIEND (NOW HIS WIFE) OF A CLOSE FRIEND OF MINE KNEW AN ASSISTANT CASTING PERSON AT TROMA. SHE SUGGESTED THAT I GO DOWN AND AUDITION FOR THE FILM. SO I DID. I THINK I WAS CALLED BACK CLOSE TO 10 TIMES. TROMA LIKES TO DO THAT. I GUESS THEY WANT TO SEE IF YOU ARE DISCIPLINED ENOUGH TO KEEP COMING BACK. ANYWAY, IT WAS EXHAUSTING! LLOYD AND MICHAEL WERE REALLY STRESSING ME!!! AFTER THESE MANY AUDITIONS, IT WAS BETWEEN ME AND ANOTHER ACTOR WHO HAD WORKED WITH TROMA IN THE PAST, NAMED VINCENT DINOFRIO. VINCENT, WHO IS THE STAR OF ONE OF THE "LAW AND ORDER"" TV SHOWS TODAY, GOT THE PART. I WAS REALLY DEVASTATED. I WANTED TO PLAY THIS PART. THEN A FEW WEEKS LATER, I GOT A CALL FROM TROMA ASKING ME IF I WANTED THE PART AFTER ALL. AS IT TURNED OUT, VINCENT HAD GOTTEN ANOTHER PART THAT HE WANTED TO DO. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE ROLE OF THE CRAZY GUY IN STANLEY KUBRICK'S MOVIE, "FULL METAL JACKET".

(Q): Bozo, your character in "The Toxic Avenger" is one of my favorite horror film villains. How did you develop the part? Was there a particular influence or inspiration for the role?

(A): THERE WAS NO INFLUENCE. I JUST STARTED TO WORK ON THE CHARACTER AND HE BECAME CLEARER TO ME. AS LLOYD WAS DIRECTING ME, HE WANTED THE CHARACTER TO BE COMPLETELY OVER THE TOP. SO, THERE WAS NO SUBTLETY WITH BOZO. HE IS MORE LIKE A ONE DIMENSIONAL CARTOON CHARACTER THAN A THREE DIMENSIONAL PERSON. THIS MAKES SENSE BECAUSE THE TOXIC AVENGER IS REALLY A LIVE ACTION CARTOON. I IMAGINE BOZO BEING VERY INTENSE AND ANGRY WHETHER HE IS WAKING UP IN THE MORNING, GOING TO THE BATHROOM, WATCHING A COMEDY ON TV OR RUNNING SOMEONE OVER.

(Q): Most of your scenes in "The Toxic Avenger" are with Robert Prichard ('Slug'), Cindy Manion ('Julie') and Jennifer Babtist ('Wanda'). Did you get along with the cast and crew on the film, especially this core group of actors/actresses?

(A): YES, WE GOT ALONG WELL. IT TOOK ME A LITTLE WHILE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THEM, AND I THINK IT TOOK TIME FOR THEM TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH ME. AS I HAD MENTIONED BEFORE, I REPLACED ANOTHER ACTOR SHORTLY BEFORE WE BEGAN FILMING. THE OTHER THREE VILLAIN ACTORS HAD ALREADY BONDED WHEN I GOT INVOLVED. ONCE WE BEGAN FILMING WE ALL GOT ALONG. ROBERT (SLUG) AND JENNIFER (WANDA) ENDED UP MARRYING EACH OTHER.

(Q): What are some of your more memorable experiences from the set of the film?

(A): I REMEMBER THE DAY THAT WE FILMED THE SCENE WHERE BOZO DIES IN THE CAR CRASH; THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHING THE FILMING. THERE WAS PRESS FROM ALL THE LOCAL NEWS STATIONS WATCHING THE CAR GO OVER THE CLIFF. THE CAR WAS ON TRACKS, WHICH YOU CAN'T SEE. THE TRACKS MADE SURE THAT IT DROPPED WHERE THEY WANTED IT TO DROP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLIFF. I'LL NEVER FORGET WATCHING THEM PUT TOGETHER THAT SCENE. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A LOW BUDGET FILM, THEY DIDN'T HOLD BACK ON MONEY WHEN IT CAME TO THE CAR STUNTS. I REALLY ENJOYED WATCHING THE STUNT PEOPLE WORK. I HAD A LOT OF RESPECT FOR THEM. THE MAN WHO PLAYED MY STUNT DOUBLE DURING THE HIGH SPEED CAR SCENES WAS ALMOST KILLED WHEN THE ROLL BAR, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE ROOF FROM CRUSHING YOU LIKE A PANCAKE IF THE CAR TURNS UP SIDE DOWN, DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY. HE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY FLATTENED. HE WAS OK THOUGH. BEYOND THAT, I JUST REMEMBER REALLY ENJOYING MYSELF AND MEETING SOME VERY INTERESTING AND MOSTLY NICE PEOPLE.

(Q): Did you see the film in theaters when it was released? If so, what did you think about the finished film, and what was the audience?s reaction to the film as a whole?

(A): I SAW THE FILM THE NIGHT THAT IT OPENED IN NEW YORK. IT WAS APRIL OF 1986. I WAS SO EXCITED TO SEE IT IN THE MOVIE THEATER ON LONG ISLAND THAT I HAD GONE TO SO MANY TIMES BEFORE. THE AUDIENCE LOVED IT. THEY LAUGHED AND THEY SCREAMED JUST LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. I ACTUALLY SAW IT IN SEVERAL MOVIE THEATERS DURING THAT TIME. AT ONE OF THE SHOWINGS IN BROOKLYN, NY I WAS SITTING IN THE ROW DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF A WOMAN WHO SAID, "OH HE SCARES ME, I DON'T LIKE HIM"! JUST AS ONE OF MY SCENES CAME ON SCREEN. I WAS THINKING OF TURNING AROUND AND TELLING HER THAT SHE WAS STRESSING ME, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE HER A HEART ATTACK. ANOTHER FUNNY EXPERIENCE HAPPENED THE FOLLOWING YEAR WHEN THE MOVIE CAME OUT ON VIDEO. I WAS IN A VIDEO STORE, WAITING TO RENT A MOVIE WHEN I REALIZED THAT THE GUY STANDING ON LINE IN FRONT OF ME WAS RETURNING "THE TOXIC AVENGER". HE HAD JUST SEEN THE MOVIE AND HE WAS TALKING ABOUT THE SCENE WHERE BOZO RUNS OVER THE KID ON THE BIKE. I TAPPED HIM ON THE SHOULDER AND TOLD HIM THAT I WAS BOZO. HE LOOKED AT ME FOR A SECOND AND WENT RIGHT BACK TO HIS CONVERSATION. HE STILL DIDN'T REALIZE THAT IT WAS ME. AFTER HE LEFT THE STORE, THE VIDEO WORKER AND I HAD A BIG LAUGH ABOUT IT.

(Q): In 1986 you appeared in another Troma film, "Class of Nuke 'Em High", as the psycho rogue 'Pete'. What do you recall about the shooting of the film, and how did it differ from the shooting of "The Toxic Avenger"?

(A): THE FILM WAS ORIGINALLY CALLED "ATOMIC HIGH SCHOOL". IT WAS GOING TO BE ABOUT A SUBURBAN FAMILY WHO HAD A SECRET. THEY WERE CANNIBALS. THE TEEN AGE SON AND DAUGHTER WOULD BRING DATES HOME TO MEET THE FAMILY AND SOMETIMES THE DATES WOULD BECOME DINNER.RICHARD HAINES WROTE THE SCRIPT. IT WAS GOING TO BE HIS FILM COMPLETELY, BUT RELEASED AND FINANCED THROUGH TROMA. I WAS GOING TO PLAY THE SON. THEN LLOYD AND MICHAEL GOT MORE INVOLVED AND THEY COMPLETELY CHANGED THE SCRIPT AND I ASSUME ADDED MORE TO THE BUDGET. THE NEW SCRIPT BECAME "CLASS OF NUKE 'EM HIGH". ANYWAY, ALTHOUGH BOTH FILMS WERE GREAT EXPERIENCES TO WORK ON, "NUKE" WAS A LOT MORE FUN. PETE WAS A MUCH MORE EASY GOING CHARACTER THAN BOZO.BOZO WAS VERY TORMENTED. PETE, ON THE OTHER HAND, REALLY ENJOYED HIMSELF EVEN THOUGH HE ALSO WAS CRAZY. IN ADDITION, ALL OF THE ACTORS WHO PLAYED THE CRETINS HAD A LOT OF FUN TOGETHER AS A GROUP.

(Q): I have heard that the original director, Richard Haines, was replaced in the middle of filming. Do you recall the circumstances behind his dismissal? Was there friction between him and the cast? Also, who ended up replacing him for the remainder of the shoot?

(A): I DON'T REALLY REMEMBER THAT. I DO REMEMBER RICHARD, AS WELL AS LLOYD AND MICHAEL DIRECTING THE FILM.

(Q): According to Lloyd Kaufman, the character of 'Pete' in the film was originally supposed to be dressed in women's clothing. How did you get out of having to dress up this way, and what made you decide to adopt the kilt instead?

(A): I DIDN'T KNOW THAT I WAS GOING TO WEAR WOMEN'S CLOTHING. THEY JUST GAVE ME THE KILT COSTUME TO WEAR AND I WORE IT. THE KILT ACTUALLY DIDN'T FIT AROUND MY ENTIRE WAIST. I WAS WEARING LONG JOHN'S AND THE KILT WAS WRAPPED AROUND MY WAIST, BUT IT DIDN'T FIT COMPLETELY AROUND. SO, IT WAS PINNED TO THE BACK OF MY LONG JOHN'S. IF YOU SEE A PICTURE OF ME FROM THE BACK, YOU'LL SEE THE LONG JOHN'S, BUT NO KILT. I LOVED THAT COSTUME WITH THE LEATHER JACKET AND THE WIG. IT REALLY HELPED ME TO FIND THE CHARACTER.

(Q): Your death scene in the film is especially memorable. Do you recall the filming of the scene and how the "fist effect" was accomplished?

(A): I DO REMEMBER FILMING THAT SCENE. IT WAS A VERY COLD DAY IN NOVEMBER OF 1984. IT WAS ACTUALLY MY FIRST DAY OF FILMING. I CAN'T TELL YOU EXACTLY HOW THEY DID THE EFFECT BUT I REMEMBER PUTTING A RUBBER TUBE IN MY MOUTH. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE ARM. THEY ALSO PUT LATEX RUBBER OVER MY THROAT AREA TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE MY ACTUAL THROAT. THEY HAD SOME KIND OF DEVICE THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO MOVE UNDER THE LATEX. THE ILLUSION WAS THAT THE FIST WAS GOING DOWN MY THROAT. THE WAY THEY ACCOMPLISHED THIS WAS VERY CREATIVE.

(Q): I have heard, and seen in some behind-the-scenes footage from DVDs-that Lloyd Kaufman can be very abrasive as a director. What do you recall about his directing style, and did you ever have any problems with him?

(A): LLOYD WAS VERY TOUGH ON THE CREW. I WOULD SAY THAT YOU COULD CALL HIM "ABRASIVE", IF NOT "ABUSIVE" AT TIMES. HE WAS ESPECIALLY TOUGH ON THE PA's (PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS). THEY WORKED EXTREMELY LONG HOURS FOR VERY LITTLE OR NO PAY. THEY LEARNED A LOT, BUT HE DEFINITELY LET OUT HIS FRUSTRATIONS ON THEM. HE WAS USUALLY NICE TO THE ACTORS, ESPECIALLY AFTER THEY FILMED THEIR FIRST SCENE, BECAUSE ONCE THEY WERE ON FILM IT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO REPLACE THEM IF THEY DECIDED TO QUIT.

(Q): What are your feelings about both "The Toxic Avenger" and "Class of Nuke 'Em High"; today?

(A): I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON BOTH FILMS. THEY WERE TRULY WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES. I GET A KICK OUT OF WATCHING THEM 20 YEARS LATER, BUT SOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE I'M LOOKING AT OLD HOME MOVIES. WHEN I WATCH A SCENE THAT I WAS IN, I HAVE MEMORIES OF WORKING ON THAT SCENE, AND ALSO OF THE PEOPLE IN THE SCENE, WHO LIKE ME, WERE FROZEN IN TIME.

(Q): Are you often recognized by fans of Troma's movies? If so, how do they approach you?

(A): I'M RECOGNIZED FROM TIME TO TIME. PEOPLE ARE VERY POLITE. THEY MIGHT ASK ME TO SAY A LINE FROM THE FILM. THE FILM HAS FOUND NEW POPULARITY WITH THE RELEASE OF THE NEW DVD VERSIONS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. SOMEONE STARTED A CHAT ROOM RECENTLY ON THE INTERNET MOVIE DATA BASE REGARDING "TOXIC AVENGER" CALLED "BRING BACK BOZO". IT GOT A LOT OF RESPONSES. THE FILM HAS DEFINITELY FOLLOWED ME AROUND FOR THE LAST 20YEARS. I ENJOY IT. I CAN THINK OF WORSE THINGS.

(Q): Tell us about what you are doing now, as I understand you are still involved in the entertainment business.

(A): TODAY, I CO-OWN AN AGENCY THAT SUPPLIES ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN'S EVENTS. I ALSO PERFORM AT CHILDREN'S EVENTS WITH MY PARTNER. I'M A CLOWN AND HE'S A VENTRILOQUIST. YES, IT IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM WORKING ON HORROR FILMS.

(Q): Also, is there any chance that we will see you in films again?

(A): I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT IT; IT IS POSSIBLE. I DO STILL HAVE THE ACTING BUG WITHIN ME. WE'LL SEE! DO YOU HAVE ANY PROJECT IDEAS?