Guy Siner made himself immortal playing Ltn. Gruber te Gay Nazi from Allo Allo. But he also played parts in Pirates of the Carabean next to Johnny Depp and Vlad. We meet him at a Small cafe and talk about his impressive carreer, his live after Allo Allo and his love for the theatre.

Through a career spanning more than 30 years, you have become a prominent name in the Netherlands and in most places of the world. What made you choose acting as a career? What was your first big break?

I seem always to have wanted to be an actor. I believe I was about 11 when I first made the decision. I had a lucky start; nowadays there are hundreds of so-called drama schools in the U.K. and anyone can train, but in the 70s there were only 5 accredited top schools and 100 hopeful applicants for every place. I was lucky enough to be accepted at the Webber-Douglas Academy in London and on leaving received the national Rodney Millington Award and so was fairly sought after as I entered the profession. Looking back now, of course, my ‘big break’ came later when I was cast in ‘Allo ‘Allo!, although I didn’t know it at the time.

What actors inspired you when you first started acting, or even today?

I was interviewed for one of those ’50 Greatest Actors’ TV shows a while ago. They really only wanted to hear me talk about Johnny Depp, but it does mean I gave this question some thought. As a child what attracted me - inspired me if you like - was great comedy – actors who brought skills learnt in the theatre to film: Keaton for his physicality, Chaplin for his pathos and later people like Lemmon and Matthau who exemplified characterization and timing. My absolute favourite? Jacques Tati. As a boy I saw “M. Hulot’s Holiday”. I was absolutely mesmerized. This must have been about 1955 (yes – I really am that old) and I think then the idea of playing comedy for a living must have begun to formulate in my mind. I was lucky. I knew very early on what I wanted to do, and never really wanted anything else. Most of my friends never knew. Some still don’t. Of course – they’re all rich now. 

You’ve worked with numerous actors and directors throughout your career, from Ron Perlman to Johnny Depp. Who were your favourite people to work with and who didn’t you like so much?

One of the real joys of my profession is that you get to work with people you admire. It was an extraordinary feeling to be on set with Dick Van Dyke. He was a star when I was just a kid! Johnny Depp is, in my humble opinion, the great movie actor of his generation. He makes interesting choices of roles and is always dangerous and exciting on screen. Furthermore he is devastatingly good-looking, is married to one of the most beautiful women on the planet and has gorgeous children. He makes me sick! He was kind and welcoming to me and it was a privilege to work with him, albeit in a tiny role. Holly Hunter. A superb actress. Beautiful. A voice to melt any man’s heart.

As for those I didn’t like as much – I think we’ll pass lightly over them…

Did you audition for the role of Lt. Gruber and did you know much about the character when you were informed that you got the role – for example that he was gay?

I remember the day so well - one of those glorious (and all too rare) days in an actor’s life when everything happens at once and it all goes right. I was in a play in the West End, so had a show in the evening. In the morning I did a piece for BBC Radio and in the afternoon was in a sound studio in Wardour Street doing some looping on a movie when a call came through from my agent to go to the BBC immediately afterwards and meet David Croft for the pilot of his new show.

So on that one day I had been involved in Theatre, Film, Radio and TV! Magic. 

David was Producer, Director and Co-writer of the show. I met him in his office at BBC Television Centre, and just had time to read the Pilot episode in reception beforehand. We had never met, but naturally I knew of his reputation and his work, notably “Dads’ Army” and “Are You Being Served?” spoke for itself.

We read the ‘Matches’ scene together. “Rene: Are you one of them? Gruber: Well… it was very lonely on the Russian Front.” (Yes - it was pretty obvious where the joke was). David asked me there and then to play the role. The scene has become a classic now but at the time – who knew? 

You are best known for your role as Lt. Gruber in the BBC comedy series ‘Allo ‘Allo! The show lasted 9 seasons. Now for the first time in the Netherlands finally season 1 & 2 are available on DVD. How does it feel to be part of a show that brings a smile to most households in over 80 countries? Great! I should be so lucky. 

For the people who aren’t familiar with the show, can you tell us a bit more about it and your character?

The show is set in a village in Nomandy during World War II and centres on the local café which the French Resistance is using as a ‘safe house’ to hide British airmen who have been shot down over France. The plot mostly involves ingenious attempts to smuggle the British airmen back to England under the noses of the Germans who use the café as their favorite watering hole. Lt. Hubert Gruber is an officer in the German tank corps. He is quiet, kind and gentle and hopelessly smitten with Monsieur René, the owner of the café and unwilling ‘hero’ of the Resistance. Poor René spends much of his time trying to avoid the attentions of Gruber, since he is not gay. Far from it. He has an ever watchful wife, and is also enjoying the favors of both his pretty waitresses… For those not familiar with the series – go buy the DVDs. You have a real treat in store!

Did you really drive your little tank?

Not in vision. There wouldn’t have been any point because the driver can’t be seen and anyway Gruber was an officer. He had a driver “Clarence”. However, the owners were very kind and I did get to drive it around a bit between scenes. Rather carefully because it was genuine – and valuable. It’s in a museum now.

If you think back, what are your favourite memories of the show?

So many. The ‘set pieces’ at the bar – scenes between Gruber and René nearly always based on a misunderstanding. Pure genius on the part of the writers Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft. The interrogation of Monsieur Alphonse. A joy to be working with the consummate Kenneth Connor. And poor Gruber – totally at a loss as to how to question a prisoner in the approved manner and having to resort to the Manual of Interrogation.

One more: I saw this scene again by chance recently and fell about laughing - where René introduces the Germans to a potential ‘fence’ (M. Alphonse) through whom they wish to sell the painting of The Fallen Madonna. Everyone has paper bags on their heads for anonymity and we all bow politely to each other as we are introduced. Hysterical. A wonderful piece of writing. Naturally everyone forgets and gradually we all call each other by name…

Isn’t it hard to play your role with a straight face?

Yes and no. I realize this answer is boring – but comedy is a very serious business. Naturally we laughed a great deal in rehearsals. The read-throughs at the beginning of each week were a joy, when we got to hear the jokes for the first time. After that, though, the real work begins and it’s no good cracking up when you are trying to tell the story. In general – if you laugh, the audience won’t. Of course – there WERE times… 

We heard there is a theatre show that toured Australia last summer and is coming to the UK - and maybe even the Netherlands - in ’08. How was it to play the role in front of a live audience?

The stage show was written in about ’86 and we toured the UK before going in to the West End. The TV series was at its height and the stage show was a huge success. Indeed we broke box office records in every theatre we played. It was a wonderful experience. Playing Brisbane again last year with Gorden Kaye and Sue Hodge brought back memories. A new tour of the UK is still on the cards, though I don’t know when. 

The show ended after 9 seasons. What did you think about that? Was it time? And do you miss Lt. Gruber?

The series ran for 10 years and the War ran for 6! I guess we all felt that it was time. I do miss Hubert. He was a much nicer man than I am. But all good things come to an end and it was a pleasure and a privilege to have played him. 

Do you still have contact with the other actors?

Yes I do. Some of the cast have remained close friends and we see each other when we can. From time to time we get together again for work. We made a one-off episode “Return to ’Allo ’Allo!” in March ’07 and in the Summer of ‘07 several of us played the stage show at the Twelfth Night Theatre in Brisbane, Australia (see above). 

You have also played parts in numerous legends of the sci-fi world, for example Star Trek, Doctor Who and Babylon 5. Do you like this genre more than others?

I wouldn’t say I am an avid fan of sci-fi but I do enjoy watching shows from time to time. I’ve recently been watching the new Doctor Who series and think some of the episodes are excellent. David Tennant is terrific. Having been in the series in the mid-70’s as a very young actor I would love to appear in it again now in its new format. As for the roles – it’s a job and the approach is the same regardless of the genre. Someone pointed out the other day at a fan convention that I am the only actor in the world who was involved in all four of the ‘greats’ – Star Wars, Star Trek, Dr. Who and Babylon 5. I suppose that’s an achievement of sorts! But it’s just luck. I don’t go for this genre more than any other.

You are known for your skills in TV series, Movies, Theatre and Voice acting. Is there any genre you like more than others?

I’m going through my ‘movie period’. Picasso had a blue period, so why not? It doesn’t exclude other work but it happens to be what interests me most at the moment and I am learning all the time. 

Do you have any regrets about your career so far?

Yes. Even major movie stars miss out on roles from time to time and that certainly goes for ‘jobbing actors’ like me. It can be very hard going through the process of meetings and falling at the last fence, as it were. Close, but no cigar…

You do a lot of conventions these days. How is it to meet your fans in person?

For a long time I resisted but having once been persuaded (by the wonderful John Rhys-Davies, as it happens) to attend a convention, I find I enjoy them very much. Fans really like meeting actors and I think it’s nice to give something back. After all – without the audience we don’t amount to a hill of beans. 

What was the worst interaction you had with a fan over the years?

Honestly I’ve never had a bad experience. I’m always pleased they take the trouble to say ‘hello’. 

We hope to see much more of you in the next years. Any new projects?

I can’t tell you what’s next on the acting front. Meanwhile I’m working on two films (as producer) – one with my business partner Nicholas Irons and the other with David Roden who wrote and directed “The Resurrectionist” which just won the Cornwall Film Festival. Both films are British and both comedies. Hopefully we will raise the money for one or the other soon. Watch this space.

Looking back and knowing what you know now, would you have chosen a career in movies playing all kinds of characters or would you have chosen ‘Allo ‘Allo!?

Luckily I have got to do both. To be fair, of course, ’Allo ‘Allo! took ten years out of my acting career and without it I guess there would have been more movies but I wouldn’t change it. The show has given a lot of pleasure to a lot of people over the years. I’m very proud of it. 

You use your website a lot to interact with fans, but we also see a whole different side of you there – not just Lt. Gruber. Is the site helpful to change your image and has it resulted in roles?

I don’t know what it does for my image – tells the truth about me and my work I hope, and perhaps allows fans who may only know me from one thing to see that there has been more to my career. It has not, that I know of, resulted in roles. I don’t think the movers and shakers in the industry have time to look at actors’ websites! 

Any word to the fans?

Happy 2008 – and thanks for all the lovely messages.

Also for all the fans who want to send Guy a message Go to his official Guy Siner Website