From Heather Arsenault,
Your Guide to Soap Operas.
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Recently I had the opportunity to ask Mark Wystrach, Nicholas Foxworth ‘Fox’ Crane, from Passions some questions. Getting to know the man behind the character shows that the two are quite different yet they compliment each other in ways that make the character very three dimensional. I enjoyed this interview, and the chance to learn more about Mark Wystrach, and I hope you will as well.

Mark: First off, thanks for having me... it's always fun answering questions like this... let's get started shall we?

Heather: How did you get into acting?
Mark: I was always interested in acting since I was a little boy. My siblings and I started making movies and mock news reports when I was 3 and a half years old... they were incredible. After school and some soul searching I realized it was the only thing for me to do, so I simply made it happen.

Heather: What were you doing before acting?
Mark: I was living in Oslo, Norway with my ex playing music on the streets for extra money and bartending... I decided back then I was moving back to Cali to make a go at acting... I detoured in Laguna Beach for a year while taking classes, Hollywood meetings and doing all the mental and physical prep work to move to Hollywood... basically I was a surf bum for a year.

Heather: What do you think you'd be doing now if you weren't acting?
Mark: Maybe a journalist... for music magazine or a musician most likely.

Heather: If you could have played any role (movie or TV) what would it be and why?
Mark: Well if I answered this question when I was a kid it would have been "Maverick" in TopGun because he was the coolest mother----- ever! It looked like a great role to take on with elements of comedy, drama and gratuitous scenes involving sand, volleyball and tons of oil... it drove the gals mad! Brilliant.

Heather: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
Mark: That I can be quite introverted at times where I want solitude and want to talk with no one! No one!

Heather: Are there any actors or actresses you model yourself after or use for inspiration?
Mark: Absolutely! Sir Ben Kingsly, Harrison Ford, Gael Garcia Bernal, Roman Duruis (French actor, watch The Beat That My Heart Skipped). Every artist is inspired and influenced by fellow artists. I borrow from all of them and hopefully some day some young buck will quote me as an influence as well... that's the cycle.

Heather: What kind of advice do you have for people who want to get into the field of acting? Mark: Don't get into for fame or money, you will be sorely disappointed with your life. If you are interested in acting then do it. Take classes, do theatre, make films with your friends, study film and actors. Most importantly, live an interesting life because that is where your craft comes from.

Heather: What do you like most about the character of Fox?
Mark: I like that Fox is damaged. He has billions of dollars, seemingly everything a human could dream of yet he doesn't have a loving mother and a father. He comes from dysfunction and truly just wants someone to love him. I think everyone can relate to him (ok, maybe not the billions of dollars, jets , mansions and what not).

Heather: Was it hard for you to assume the role as a recast?
Mark: I never even thought of it as a re-cast. It was my role the day I started. I never saw even one take of the previous portrayal because I wanted mine to be uniquely from me and not an impersonation... Justin did a great job.

Heather: Some fans think that Fox is turning too evil, and going too far to get Kay, do you think so?
Mark: It's not my job to ask that question, I must exist within the parameters of what the writers create for my character... with that being said, love is a hard thing to apply science to.

Heather: Forum member Marlamoe wants to know: Which Fox do you like portraying more... The sweet Fox that we all grew to love? Or the manipulative Fox that keeps us on our toes?
Mark: Well Marlamoe I think I enjoy playing the more devious, menacing Fox because that's not something I can get away with in my real life... my mom would kill me! I relate to devious Fox in a way because he's getting cheated on like crazy! Thanks for asking the question Marlmoe.

Heather: Which female character would you like to see Fox with?
Mark: I would like to see Fox with Scarlett Johansen... (does) she qualify as acharacter?

Heather: There are many rumors about Passions being cancelled this year. Would you care to comment on this?
Mark: No Comment... Fox and I show up to work as long as we have it... that's my job, that's a question for my bosses.

Now, some easy questions...

Heather: Do you have a MySpace?
Mark: No I don't have a MysSpace, but Fox does... I've only logged onto MySpace once... not a huge fan of spending a lot of time in front of a computer.

Heather: What TV shows do you watch?
Mark: I watch Weeds, Sopranos, Entourage, City of Men, Family Guy, InHD channel and Fuel.

Heather: What is your favorite movie?
Mark: Favorite movie has to be The Harder They Come starring the cold blooded Jimmy Cliff.

Heather: What music are you listening to these days?
Mark: Peter, Bjorn and John, Bent, B.R.M.C., Calexico, M. Ward... my own music, "The Young Whiskey".

Heather: Do you have a favorite video game?
Mark: Don't play video games, but if I did it would be Guitar Hero II.

Heather: Do you have any pets?
Mark: No pets, tons at my parents ranch though.

Heather: What's your current ring tone?
Mark: Soul Kitchen by The Doors.

Heather: Have you read any books lately?
Mark: Rum Diaries by Hunter S. Thompson and I am currently reading One Hundred Years of Solitude by Marquez.

Heather: If there was one thing you could say to your fans, what would it be?
Mark: One thing to say to my fans... watch out for the environment, it's all we got.