It’s Peter Jacobson!
Randy Dworkin. Lee Drexler. Dr. Taub. Agent Wolfe. Proxy Snyder… Just some of the amazing characters in the career of Peter Jacobson! Chances are – you’ve seen him somewhere, sometime – and probably playing someone that you can either shake your head at OR someone that makes you want to throw something at your TV screen. (Remember Geronimo?)
Full Disclosure: I’ve been of fan of Peter Jacobson for a long time and I currently “play” his character, Proxy Snyder, on twitter. So while you want to throw a book at your TV, I actually want to shake his hand… With that being said, it’s time to “collaborate” and enjoy our little chat…
Funny that I’m speaking with you as “So Many Shows” when, in fact, you’ve been on so many shows! From a humble beginning as a reporter on NYPD Blue to great success on House, and now fantastic shows like Colony and The Americans. It seems like it’s been a fun ride – Are you proud?
I feel very proud about all the shows I’ve been on. Even the bad ones. It’s a tough business, and I feel lucky and proud to have stayed so busy for all these years. And yes, I’m particularly proud, and grateful to have had the opportunity to act in some particularly great shows.
Do you see yourself as a success like your fans do?
Well, success is such a relative term. I do basically feel successful as an actor, but I’m also never fully satisfied. There’s so much more I want to do in my career. And I certainly do appreciate it if others view me as a success. I guess that’s a certain success in and of itself.
We seem to see you everywhere now! Genius, Bull, Law & Order: SVU … Do you ever take any time off?
I’m not sure I ever consciously take time off. I enjoy working too much, and if there’s a project that looks appealing, I’m gonna do it. I’m too happy working. And honestly, TV work is usually done on a pretty condensed schedule. So even if I’m shooting episodes of The Americans, or spending time in Prague working on Genius, there’s always a fair amount of down time. Don’t forget, I’m never the lead in a show. Us character guys get enough days off.
Speaking of Genius – How did you come about playing Dr. Chaim Weizmann and what was it like getting to chat with Albert Einstein? (Side note: When I saw you, I did scream “Holy Moly Proxy Snyder is hanging out with Einstein!”)
I think Snyder could handle Einstein. What a great show Genius was. Geoffrey Rush should probably stick with acting, he’s got real potential. I auditioned on tape for the role of Weizmann and then promptly emailed the director, who was a friend from college, and I asked him to take a good look at my tape. I like to think I got it because I was the best fit for the role, but it probably also helped that I had a connection. At least it didn’t hurt. There were actually a few of us on that show who went to college together. We had a mini reunion in Prague. It was a a lot of fun.
Word on the street is that we are going to see more of you on Law & Order: SVU. Can you give us any hints on what we can expect from you?
I will neither confirm nor deny any rumors of another SVU episode. I love both roles I’ve played on that show. But Dworkin has a special place in my heart. Sometimes a writer and actor kind of click, or meld together on a certain role, and it’s just so easy and makes sense and works. I feel that’s the case with Michael Chernuchin and me with Dworkin. Actually, I also feel that’s the case with Ryan Condal and me with Proxy Snyder.
The Americans is a pretty exciting, yet tense and dramatic show – What’s been your favorite thing about playing Agent Wolfe?
The Americans is really one kind of amazing show, so it’s always exciting to play Agent Wolfe. I enjoy his seriousness, his hairstyle, the pole up his a–. It’s just such a smart, interesting show, and it’s exciting to play in a world that is so specific and well drawn. And yet, I also think Wolfe could use a little more death defying action and adventure outside the office.
Rotten Tomatoes rates The Americans at 95% and consistently rates 9+ out of 10… How much do you contribute that to Wolfe?
A solid rating from Rotten Tomatoes?? I’m not sure The Americans would even be on the air anymore without Agent Wolfe.
Colony began filming Season 3 – How excited are you to finish your road trip with the Bowmans and continue your “Snyder Legacy?”
We are well in to season 3 of Colony. I’ve been very busy with the Bowman family. We’re on one helluva road trip, and it’s been a total blast.
Knowing how Carlton Cuse likes to keep things close to the vest, I’m sure you don’t yet know where Snyder will end up by the end of Season 3. Knowing Snyder as well as you do, is it a safe assumption that he will again be the hero?
One of the great things about Snyder is that he’s on this hero-villain roller coaster. And even if in his own mind he’s a perpetual hero, for the viewer Snyder’s usually fun and interesting whether he’s at the top or the bottom. I definitely have no idea where he’ll be at the end of season 3. And I definitely have no doubt he’ll be in a very cool place.
Production has moved to Vancouver – Is there something you’ll bring from home that you just have to have with you while you’re away?
I’m a pretty easy traveler, and can make myself feel at home in far away places. I’d like to bring the New York weather with me to Vancouver. This rain is intense.
We all know Tory Kittles will be reading this and probably saying something snarky about “that darn Jacobson…” Let’s be proactive – Anything you want to say to Tory first?
I’m always impressed that Tory has time to read anything, seeing that he spends almost all his waking hours at the gym trying to close the gap between us. He was shooting a cool movie here in Vancouver before Colony started, so he sort of helped me get the lay of the land. But he’d agree that it’s my city now. Tory, if you are reading this between reps, just know that there’s no shame in asking me to get you a reservation anywhere in town. I’m happy to help you out.
Finally to wrap it up – If Dr. Taub, Lee Drexler, Agent Wolfe, and Alan Snyder were all at dinner together… Which one would actually pick up the tab?
Oh that’s easy. Agent Wolfe would pick up the tab. He’s the only one with with a real moral compass. But wow, I really do play a lot of a–holes, don’t I?
Thanks, Peter – You’re awesome as always!
Thanks, Jay. Always a pleasure chatting with you. And thanks again for your awesome ‘Proxy Snyder’ on Twitter. We make a good team.
It’s certainly a privilege to speak with Peter Jacobson – If you haven’t checked out any of his recent shows, you should! Season 3 of Colony returns in 2018, (hopefully in January) but you can always catch up Netflix! And don’t forget to follow Peter on twitter!
And for those of you still wondering what that darn red button was the end of Colony’s season 2 – no matter how hard I twisted his arm, he still wouldn’t tell me! Guess we will all have to wait and see!
Don’t forget to check out some of our other great content and be ready for Colony Radio coming in 2018 too!