Ashton Holmes

Hello Ashton! How are you today?
I'm good thank you. Just got back from a long run. It's 75 degrees in LA today. Paradise.

You're currently starring in the television series, The Pacific. Can you tell us a bit about the show?
It's a WWII miniseries produced by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. A follow up to the miniseries Band of Brothers which both Steven and Tom produced. It's based on the true stories of a handful of marines and the hardships they faced in the Pacific Theater during the war.

What originally drew you to it?
Well to start, to work with Hanks and Spielberg was enough to get me to want to do it. Also, my grandfather fought in WWII. Growing up he would tell me his stories of the war. We talked a lot throughout the filming of the miniseries. He was an inspiration for my process. Sadly, he died last November so he never got to see the show. My portrayal of Sidney Phillips was a tribute to my grandfather's life.

A promo still from 'The Pacific'

What is your character PFC Sidney Phillips like?
Sidney entered the war a 17 year old boy. When he returned home years later, he was no longer a boy, but a man. I've been lucky enough to get to know Sid and his family quite well throughout the making of the show. He's a special man, who has a love and a zest for life. He experienced horrific things during his time spent in the Pacific Islands but they never extinguished his fire for life. I've heard him say that "He's hit the jackpot of life". He promised himself that his time spent in war would not ruin his love of life.

A promo still from 'The Pacific'

What's the most challenging aspect of this role?
Well the making of The Pacific was quite a taxing process. We spent 2 weeks in a boot camp run by retired marines. It was a full on boot camp. The actors were with about 70 extras. Nearly all the extras had military training. They agreed that the bootcamp was not at all an easy one. We filmed the series in Australia for about a year. I was dirty for a year. 5 days a week, 12 hours a day, were spent being very uncomfortable. This begins to drive you mad!

The series is based on history. Did you have to do a lot of research for your role?
The producers provided us with a lot of source material that was helpful (i.e.: documentaries, books). On top of that, I was lucky to talk with Sid at length about his experiences. He was very forthcoming and honest about what went on during the war. And getting to know him also helped drive me to get it right. I felt a huge responsibility after getting to know such a wonderful man.

Sid and Sledge on the beach in a promo still from 'The Pacific'

Out all of the episodes in this series, which is your favourite and why?
I like the 5th episode a lot. I think it ties together the friendship between Sid and Sledge nicely. I always felt that their friendship was the heart of the show. For me it was at least. Sidney speaks so highly of his friend Eugene Sledge. When I first read that scene with Sid and Sledge on the beach, my heart nearly broke. I thought it came together nicely.

Apart from The Pacific, what's in store for you in the future?
I'm off to Winnipeg tomorrow to do an independent with a French director named Xavier Gens. I've got a feature I'm shooting in the fall called ATM. This summer I think I'm gonna go to Europe with some friends. I don't really do vacations well, but I'm gonna give it a shot.

Moving onto some slightly more random questions, so fans can get to know you as a person.

Which is your favourite holiday destination?
Home to NY to see my family. I love the city during the holiday season. (So cliche of me I know!)

When you have some time off, what do you do to relax?
I spend a lot of time at a coffee shop near my place with 3 of my closest friends. We dish the dirt and make fun of each other. (It's very abusive.)

Ashton with Ellen Page at the Premier for 'Funny People'

Which food can you not live without?
Chocolate chip cookies.

Rejection is hard and is unfortunately part of the acting business. How have you learnt to deal with it?
I don't look at not getting a job as being rejected. I just simply wasn't the guy for the role. I always feel that the movies/shows you get in this business are the ones you were supposed to get. I love what I do, and don't want to do anything else. I try not getting too caught up in the results, I try to focus more on the process. Keeps me sane.

What is the most valuable piece of advice someone has ever given you?
Take Fountain.