TV Tattler: Celebrity Interviews

Related Links 'Blade: The Series' Listings More About Kirk "Sticky Fingaz" Jones

Sept. 11 -- Before OutKast had 'Idlewild,' before Ludacris starred in 'Crash' and before Eminem told his life story in '8 Mile,' Kirk "Sticky Fingaz" Jones had already made the rapper-turned-actor jump that's so in vogue these days.

He got his start in film, but he recently starred as the no-nonsense Pvt. Maurice "Smoke" Williams in ‘Over There,’ the Steven Bochco drama about soldiers fighting in Iraq. But it's his latest role -- that of the half-human, half-vampire hero on Spike TV's 'Blade: The Series' that's getting all the attention.

The actor talked with AOL Television editor Geoff Bennett about the fateful decision that helped him land the role, his return to rap music and what 'Blade' fans can expect next season.

I'd imagine a lot of people were interested in playing this role. How did you get the gig?
Basically, I just went in on a regular audition just like everybody else. I loved the part. It’s funny because, at the time, I was doing the TV show, 'Over There,' and they were flying the whole cast to South America to do press, which was basically a free vacation. And it was the same week I was supposed to audition for ‘Blade.’ So I could have either gone to South America and had fun or gone to the audition for ‘Blade’ without knowing whether I’d get it. So I was like, “Forget that!” I turned down the trip and said, “I’m getting this part!” And I just fought for it and got it.

‘Blade’ is probably one of the more well-received comic book adaptations, and Wesley Snipes really put his stamp on that role. How influenced were you by that?
I’m a fan. I’m a fan of all three movies, and the comic books. I love the directing and the writing. I loved Wesley Snipes in it.

Have you had a chance to talk to him since the show debuted?
I’ve met him before, but it was before the show.

A question about 'Over There.' With all the buzz surrounding that show, how did you feel about it not being renewed for a second season?
Well, in light of me getting the role in ‘Blade,’ I was happy. Outside of that, I thought it was the wrong decision. It was critically acclaimed, but you know, it was a touchy subject at the time especially because the troops are still there.

What did you enjoy most about that show?
I loved the action. I loved the wire work. I love watching the finished product -- once it’s all edited and all the effects are done. I can sit back and enjoy it.

With all the battle scenes, what kind of training did a role like that require?
Extensive training! Martial arts, kickboxing, Wing Chun, trapping hands, sword work, wire work, weight training, stretching, dieting. Everything -- you name it.

So I guess it paid off when it came time for you to star in ‘Blade.’
It paid off, but I had been doing it so it was nothing new. But the extensive martial arts training was new to me.

So what can we expect to see next season?
You can expect the show to get better and better. And I say that in all honesty. The pilot was my favorite, and the shows just kept getting better. The story and characters develop more, the action gets more intense. The studio [execs] would send us notes saying, “We want more action! We want Blade to do more kicking and flying though the air!” It just gets better -- like one long ass movie.

Rap fans remember you as a member of Onyx, alongside your cousin Fredro Star. How did you both manage to jump from music into acting?
Well, we were in Onyx together. And over the course of that, we would go to open call auditions, and that is how I actually landed my first part in Spike Lee’s ‘Clockers.’ The line for the audition was around the block, and I skipped the whole line, went in, blew up the room and got the part. And Fredro was in the movie, as well. And we’ve been knocking it down ever since.

So any thoughts about getting back into the rap game?
We are actually working on the album right now. It’s called “The Black Rock” because that’s what onyx is -- a black rock or a black stone. It’s gonna be hip-hop and rock. It’ll be out in February.

So what other TV shows -- besides your own -- are you watching now?
I don’t really watch TV that much, to be honest. I just wrote, produced and directed my own movie called ‘A Day in the Life,’ and the interesting part is all the dialogue is in rap. But it’s not with rappers; it’s all A-list actors like Michael Rappaport, Omar Epps, Mekhi Phifer, Robert DeNiro, Vivica A. Fox and a whole host of other people.

So what advice would you give your fans, who may want to follow in your footsteps?
Don’t follow in my footsteps. Create your own path.