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Jessica Alba hardly
leads the life of the deadly, genetically
enhanced human prototype she plays on Dark
Angel. She grew up in a pretty traditional
family in the Golden State, where she got an
early start on her future career.
Jessica's father served in the air force and
moved the family a few times before settling
down, when Jessica was nine, in Southern
California. At the age of 12, she took her first
acting class and signed with an agent just nine
months later.She made her feature-film debut in the comedy
Camp Nowhere and was initially hired for about
two weeks. But when the girl in the lead role
became ill, Jessica stepped in. It wasn't her
talent that landed her the role, though. It was
her hair! Her 'do matched the original actress'
mane perfectly, and that was just what the
doctor ordered.
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Jessica appeared in TV commercials for Nintendo
and JC Penny and was featured in several
independent films. In 1994, she landed a spot on
Nickelodeon's The Secret World of Alex Mack, and
that paved the way for a major role in the 1995
series remake of Flipper--a perfect fit for the
young scuba diver. Jess spent two seasons
swimming with dolphins while filming the series
in Australia.
In 2000, Titanic director James Cameron picked
Jessica to star in his new sci-fi TV series,
Dark Angel. She didn't know it then, but the
role would bring her true fame--and a future
husband. She met costar Michael Weatherly on the
set, and sparks flew.
From her biggest influences to a possible career
in the kitchen, click to see if the Dark Angel
answered your Q's.
From tylyone12:
What's your favorite Dark Angel episode? Which
was the most fun to watch and the most fun to
make?
The second-season finale was definitely hard
work, but it was amazing, because James Cameron
directed it. I think that episode will be unlike
anything we've ever seen on television. It's
really like a 90-minute feature film.
From rickfulks:
Has it been awkward or less enjoyable filming
episodes for you or Michael since Max broke up
with Logan?
It was definitely difficult playing those scenes
where there was a lot of emotion and Max and
Logan couldn't touch each other.
From nicole_29:
What a great character you get to play with Max!
What was your inspiration when you tried out for
the part?
I just went in there totally committed. I guess
Jim [Cameron] saw something of Max in me.
From jftc:
How was working with your brother Joshua when he
guest starred as one of the x5?
It was great having Josh on the set, and I
thought he did a really good job.
From donluv:
What is the best thing about your character Max
that is similar to you in real life?
Max is totally fearless. I'm a little more
tentative. But we both pretty much speak our
minds, and it gets us into trouble sometimes.
From funkygirl1867:
If Fox announced the end of Dark Angel, what
would be your reaction? And what's it like
working with the rest of the cast?
We're waiting to hear whether the show will be
picked up for another season. It's really in the
hands of fate at this point. We work really hard
to do the best shows we can, and the rest is out
of our control. It's a great job, but if it goes
away, I hope it just means I'll be available for
other great opportunities. I love working with
the cast. We spend so much time together. It's
like a family--or being away at summer camp.
And, of course, I'm lucky to get to work with my
fianc頍ichael. Not only because we're engaged but
also because he's a really good actor. I've
learned a lot from him over the past two years.
From hallenwen:
Do you train in martial arts? If so, what kind?
And how often do you train?
I trained extensively in martial arts before we
started the series, and I continue to work on
it, though not as intensely. I still work
out--especially during production--because you
have to stay strong and healthy or you might
hurt yourself or someone else during the action
sequences. I don't go crazy with it, but I do
take care of myself.
From demagogue:
What's the best book you've ever read?
One of my favorite books is Fall on Your Knees,
by a Canadian playwright and author named
Ann-Marie MacDonald.
From mel452:
Do you have plans for any upcoming movies? Also,
I know you spent some time in Australia filming
Flipper years ago. Any plans to come back and
visit--either for work or pleasure?
I'd love to do a movie, but as long as we're
doing the show, it takes so much of the year
that the window of opportunity is pretty slim.
And because it would pretty much mean working 12
months solid without a break, I have to be
careful to choose something I really want to be
a part of. I would love to come back to
Australia. I'm going to Europe and Japan to
promote the show this summer, but I hope to get
back there at some point.
From curlytop:
What do you think of the changes--time slot,
characters, plots--made from season one to
season two?
That's another one of those things that are out
of my control. You just do the best work you can
and try to make good shows and hope that the
people who decide those things make the right
decisions.
From barrman:
Who has been the biggest influence on your
career?
I've had a chance to meet and work with a lot of
really smart, talented and creative people. The
ones that come to mind are James Cameron,
Michael Weatherly and Drew Barrymore. I met Drew
when she cast me in Never Been Kissed, and I
just really love and admire her. She's a great
example of someone who is not only beautiful and
talented but also incredibly smart and in charge
of her career. She also has a great spirit and
is extremely supportive of others.
From cacklina:
Who is your favorite costar to work with?
Again, I think you learn from everyone you work
with. I've learned a lot from my scenes with
Michael--seeing the way he prepares and
approaches things. I really love working with
everyone on this show.
From playtapus_man:
I live in Vancouver and know how depressing all
the rain can be. Are you sick of the weather and
wish your show would film somewhere else?
For the most part, Vancouver is a really cool
place to live and work, but you're right, the
rain can get you down. I grew up in Southern
California, so I really crave the sun. I can get
pretty bummed out when I'm away from it for too
long.
From leona_ash:
Are you more interested in making a TV series or
pursuing a movie career? And do you think
working on a hit series might limit any movie
offerings?
There's definitely a smaller amount of time for
me to do other projects since we shoot nine
months out of the year. I love making movies and
doing television, and I'll keep doing it as long
as I can.
From blndgrl94:
How difficult has it been adjusting to fame?
Have you ever wished you could go to college?
Also, if you weren't an actress, what would your
career choice be?
It's funny, I don't think much about the fame
thing because we're in Vancouver so much of the
year, and the people are so used to us. I'm
always surprised when I come back to L.A. or go
to New York and people recognize me. I'm not
sure what I'd do if I wasn't acting...probably
something that involved cooking. I love to cook!
From moviephan:
Who are some of the actors and actresses you'd
like to work with in the future and why?
There are so many amazingly talented people, I
wouldn't even know where to start. You learn
something from everyone you work with, from
actors to directors to technicians, so I
wouldn't want to limit myself.
From trueredneck:
Have you ever gone dirt biking? Do you have your
own motorcycle?
I learned to bike for the show. It's a lot of
fun, but since I'm not genetically enhanced like
Max, I would definitely wear a helmet!
From lizapar:
Do you think the show will have a third season?
If so, what can we expect to see?
I don't know. We're still waiting to hear about
a pickup. I have no idea where the show will go
in season three, if we have one, but I think
this season's finale is amazing. It really ties
things up and lays some interesting groundwork
for what could happen in the future.
From lisha444:
Are there any plots or story lines you'd like to
see happen? Do you have much say in what happens
with your character?
If the show continues, I'd really love to be a
producer. I've seen people like Drew [Barrymore]
who has really taken an active role in her
career, and I admire that. I'd love to have more
input into the character and storylines.
From josong:
What do you hope to see yourself doing 10 years
from now? Will acting take a back seat when you
start a family?
I love acting, and I hope to be doing it for as
long as I can. Of course, having a family is
also important to me, and I hope I'll be able to
have my career and family. |
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