Photo by Brant Brogan
We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Joe about his role on “Chicago Fire.” Check out the interview below.
Hi, Joe! Thank you for granting the interview. We’re excited to speak with you about your role on the hit series “Chicago Fire.” Tell us about Joe Cruz that we may not already know.
I think you’re about to see real growth from Cruz in the next coming years. He’s just now starting to feel his own power. And I think that’s going to eventually manifest itself in really important ways. As far as something you may already not know, your guess is as good as mine. So much of what we learn about our characters come to us year to year as well. So I look forward to discovering new character traits as the season’s progress along with audiences.
[su_pullquote align=”left”]”I felt it was important that you understand how much he wears his heart on his sleeve.”[/su_pullquote]What was the one thing you had to accomplish to tell Joe’s story in a way that resonates with fans?
That’s a fascinating question for episodic television, so much of a character is established year to year and is impossible for an actor to know what to expect. I never anticipated in season one I will leave a man to die in a fire in the effort to save my brother’s life and then cut to two seasons later where I am a Zumba instructor. I think for any actor our responsibility is to find empathy in every character. Reasons that you can latch onto that helps connect you to that role. For Cruz, I felt it was important that you understand how much he wears his heart on his sleeve. How much he truly loves his family and how he’s willing to go to tremendous extremes to protect them. I thought that was the only way we would know how genuine a man he really is and why he chose this profession.
What was the biggest takeaway that has had a positive effect on your role as Joe, thus far?
I think probably joining squad has been the biggest positive effect for Joe. I think it’s given him a sense of importance. He feels like he’s a more capable and respected firefighter. He feels like he can be more of a leader. All of those things were important for Joe to learn. I think it’s important for all of us quite frankly.
As an actor, what specific skill do you feel you must keep sharp
Listening! Above everything else, an actor must be able to listen and actively interpret what they’re listening to in order to be able to respond accordingly.
Are there any huge changes for Joe this season of “Chicago Fire”?
Well, besides finally having a girlfriend who loves him as much as he loves her, in general, Cruz is really growing into his own this season. He seems to have wised up a little bit. I think what’s important with characters on a long-running series is not about the huge changes, but about how the little ones add up along the way.
What is going to surprise people about Joe?
Well, actually, we’re doing a pretty big crossover with Chicago PD in the second half of the season where Cruz will be involved in a bit of an undercover sting. So we’ll get to see Cruz play cop for a while.
What has been your favorite experience in filming “Chicago Fire?”
My family, I have met the greatest group of people here. The core group of us that started the show seven years ago is still pretty much intact. And I believe that’s because we just thoroughly enjoy each other so much. Going to work every day is actually a ton of fun. The hours are long, but when you work with people you enjoy this much, it makes it all that easier.
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When looking back on your role as Joe, what resonated with you the most and why?
Honestly, probably feeling unrequited love. I used to be a real fool for love, still am really. But I definitely fell in love with all the wrong women. Cruz definitely had this problem. I’m just glad to see it seems he’s grown out of that a bit, sometimes when you want love too bad, it’s easy for others to take advantage of you. He’s just smarter in relationships now and that’s good to see.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to act?
Absolutely, acting kind of found me. And it is to this day where I feel most at home. I look forward to the next phase of my career. I want to do a bit of directing and writing. But I will forever, first and foremost be an actor.
Besides acting, any plans to direct in the future?
Yes. I’m actually working right now with a writer to potentially direct a small film starring Christian Stolti. It’s originally a play that I did almost 10 years ago, and we think it could be a beautiful little film.
What charities are you involved with and why?
I have been working with Shriners Hospital For Children for a couple of years now. Their Be Burn Aware campaign is about getting important information to families during the holiday season on the dangers of potential fires and tips on how to stay safe.
I also support The 100 Club of Chicago as much as I possibly can. They provide assistance to the families of fallen first responders. A wonderful organization that does nothing but good for great people. I’m also involved with the Fetching Tails Foundation. They work to foster and get the dogs into forever homes. My wife and I have two beautiful pups thanks to those incredible people and we just try to pay back as much as we can. Also, I recently lost my mother to a really tough battle with multiple myeloma. So any opportunity I can help with any kind of charity that is working towards the eradication of cancer I’m there. Cycle for Survival is one of my favorites! It’s like my mother always said: “Whenever you are one of the ‘haves’, it’s your responsibility to help”.
Featured Image Credit: Brant Brogan.
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