Coby Bell Speaks
Burn Notice fans recognize Coby Bell as the accidentally burned spy, Jesse Porter, who almost killed Michael Weston. But Burn Notice is not the only place on television where Bell is heating up the screen. He is currently featured in two series on two separate TV networks, Burn Notice on USA and The Game on BET, where he plays a frugal professional football player with the fictional San Diego Sabers. When he is not juggling his acting career, Bell likes to spend a little quality time with his wife and their two sets of twins.
Mike Parker – I’ve seen a number of actors handle the same role on different TV series, like folks on the Law & Order franchise who may show up on different incarnations of the show. It’s a little more unusual for an actor to have a major role in two completely different series’ on two different networks. Between Burn Notice and The Game you are busy man. How do you manage your time?
Coby Bell – When The Game got canceled I was lucky enough to jump right into Burn Notice. We were around two episodes into Burn Notice when I heard The Game had got picked back up by BET. They started shooting the new episodes of The Game after we finished shooting the last episode of Burn Notice. I was fortunate to get to do both series, and fortunate to work for production companies that would allow me to do both series.
Parker – You joined the Burn Notice team after the show had already established itself as a fan favorite. Michael, Sam, and Fiona already had a history and a pretty significant chemistry. How challenging was it for you to come in as the new kid and try to make an impact?
Bell – It was challenging, but I knew it was going to be. Every other series I’ve been on, I started with the series. We had characters who were introduced after the show started and I saw how tough it was for them. I knew it would take a while to find my legs as Jesse, but the writers knew that too, and they did a great job of bringing Jesse along. His character has really grown. This season he gets to be more jokey, more a part of the team. Bruce and Jeffrey and Gabrielle and Sharon were so gracious when I came on board. They really helped me to do my best work.
Parker – I gotta believe it is a lot of fun to act on a set where they blow stuff up every episode. So, did you ever think about being a spy or a secret agent when you were a kid?
Bell – This role is a dream come true. When you are a kid and you are playing super spy with your buddies it’s all fun. But when you grow up you realize those guys can get killed really easily. It is a dangerous job. Now I get to play super spy as a grown up. Yeah, it’s a lot of fun.
Parker – Your dad was a Broadway actor. Did you ever consider the stage, or were you always focused on television/film?
Bell – My dad is a professional singer and he did a lot of stuff on Broadway. When I was in college getting ready to come into the workforce he was on Broadway. I did theater in college and it was an option, but television came along first so I just went with it.
Parker – I’m going to shift gears for a moment. I understand you have two sets of twins. That has got to keep you on your toes.
Bell – That first six months it was like, Zombie-ville. Once we got them sleeping through the night, things got a lot better. In the beginning there was no sleep. I’d get no sleep at night, get up and go to work for 15 hours, then come home and get no sleep again. But, once they start hanging out with each other, it was great. It is really cool because it’s not like there are a couple of years in age between them. You don’t have to be constantly entertaining them because the entertain each other. Now it is just fun to be with them. Right now I work in Miami or Atlanta, but I fly home every weekend to hang out with my wife and kids. Sometimes I’ll get a three or four day weekend. I squeeze as much quality time as I can.
The Seven Questions
1. What’s your favorite sound?
Bell – Tie between laughter and music.
2. What makes you happy?
Bell – So many things. Life. Obviously my wife and my children.
3. What makes you angry?
Bell – When people aren’t fair. Its’ pretty simple – if people would just share and be fair the world would be a better place.
4. What is the secret of success?
Bell – Happiness. It doesn’t matter what you do, if you are happy you are a success.
5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Bell – I don’t know. I’d have to think about that. Maybe Bob Marley or Duke Ellington.
6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Bell – “He was a good man.”
7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Bell – “Well done.”
