'Men in Trees' Star Dishes His Off-Screen Addictions

Hunky James Tupper Talks About Being Marin's Beau, Building Houses and Going Fishing

Oct. 11 -- After suffering through time slot changes and being yanked from the schedule with five episodes left unaired last season, the charming ABC Alaskan romantic dramedy 'Men in Trees' is finally back. While star James Tupper is excited for fans to see the unaired episodes as well as a whole new batch this season, Elmo fans are likely just as excited about the possibility of a Jack and Marin hookup as they are about the off-screen romance between Tupper and his co-star Anne Heche.

AOL TV's Michael Maloney grilled Tupper about both his on and off-screen love affairs, his experience with carpentry and poetry, and the beauty of filming in Canada.

How does it feel to be coming back for a second season?
I feel lucky and happy to be working. I don't know if it's because we're isolated up in Canada, but the cast is like a family up there.

Do you like shooting up in Canada?
Yes. It's very calming. It's like being away. Nature is all around you. I miss the states sometimes. The people up there are great.

Last season ended with Jack and a pregnant Lynn getting engaged. Do he and Marin stand a chance?
I can't say what's coming, but there's a big surprise that's going to happen. I will say this about the surprise ... no, no, I shouldn't. If I tease it, it'll be too obvious what it is.

Is it a baby?
I wish I could tell you. (Joking) OK, a lion eats [someone].

You and Anne have been linked together off-screen. Do you think that gives Jack and Marin extra rooting value from viewers as opposed to Marin and her roommate Cash or Jack and Lynn?
I have no idea... (Smiling) Maybe you can tell me?

What have you learned about relationships by playing Jack?
I never knew that when a guy gets in trouble that he gets to go fishing. I thought he had to stick it out and argue with them, but now I fish.

How would you describe Jack?
I model him on my uncle Buddy, a biologist. When I was a kid, he'd disappear for a few weeks at a time to go salmon fishing. (Jack's) self-sufficient and the feeling he gets when he's in nature is so central to his sense of calmness. When it comes to relationships, I think Jack is working it through. If he gets stuck, he'll retreat to a river and fish.

Sounds like you enjoy the outdoors, too?
I'm an amateur bird watcher. I enjoy spending time in the woods. I run in the woods. I had to do a scene where I had to take off my shirt and the next day, the executive producers were like, 'Hey, we got you a trainer!' I haven't lifted a lot of weights, but I run a lot. I used to be a carpenter.

Your ABC bio says that you make gifts for people?
Yes. I have a deal with all my friends that if they want something in their home then I'll build it. That means I can call them at any time day or night and say, 'Hey, can you come pick me up?'



Have you built anything for fellow cast members?
I have a deal with Emily [Bergl, who plays Annie] to do a school. Tim Webber, the guy who plays Jerome, he's so great -- we're going to build a little deck on a house.

Were you a professional carpenter?
Yes. In fact, the first person who ever hired me in Los Angeles (for carpentry work) was Lauren Tom's husband to build her house. They called me "Long Pants" because I was the only carpenter who didn't wear shorts. I worked on it for about eight months. I left, never saw them again and then I saw her on set. She was like, "Long Pants! What are you doing here?" I said, "I'm on the show!"

Lauren Tom does a lot of voiceover work, has she tried to lure you in?
No, but I'd love to do that. [Wryly] Use my Texas drawl.

Are you environmentally conscious?
Yes. I bought a bike. I'm looking into a hybrid [car]. I went for solar panels on my house. It's so funny. I was talking to Sarah [Strange] recently about the climate changes in Alaska that are visible. She's seen flies and mosquitoes for the first time. I think that as a public figure, 'C-lister,' you should take the initiative and set an example.

Would you ever like to write or direct some day?
Not for a couple of years. I'm interested in directing. I'm not a writer, but I have written some poetry.

You've written poetry. Careful. Some viewers might start thinking you're a romantic.
(Smiles) There's a danger there, huh? I went to drama school, so [I studied] Shakespeare, John Donne, and Dylan Thomas -- all the biggies.

How was your hiatus?
It started in April and went until July. It was restful. I really didn't do anything. I didn't have a chance to have a vacation. I learned the backstroke. I got a place up in Vancouver. I did do a movie called 'Pictures of Hollis Woods' with Sissy Spacek and Alfre Woodard. It's for the Hallmark Channel. I play a dad. It's weird. I have straight hair and glasses in it. (Laughs) No fishing.

What was your first car?
I used to drive a little white Toyota pickup that was all beaten up.

What's your dream car?
A little white Toyota pick up. I used to love that I could park it anywhere and never lock it because it was all beaten up.

Go to our Chris Noth Interview >>