Brett DelBuono

So tell me about the show you’re on, The Cleaner.
It’s a show that deals with drug use and my father, on the show, cleans up people by kidnapping them and taking them to a rehab facility. It’s interesting to me because you know that drug use isn’t by just one group of people, it can affect anybody. It shows that no matter where you are in life, you can be affected by drug use.

It sounds like a dramatic and serious show that hopefully teaches teenagers not to mess with drugs.
Yeah, that’s what we’re hoping. We’ve been getting calls from people who are addicted to drugs, that have watched the show and realized that they need help or their friends need help. They ask where to get the help or how to get the help. We’re making a show and it’s just not entertainment anymore, were helping people out and it’s a great feeling for everyone on set.

Tell me about your character, Ben.
He’s not the happiest kid in the world. He has a lot of resentment for his father because he wasn’t around a lot when Ben was a kid, due to his addiction with drugs. Now that he’s back, I’m not used to it. He missed all of my big moments growing up and it’s all confusing, since I’m not used to it.

There are many children in the same position that Ben is in, do you think they could relate to it?
He is a product of a kid whose family wouldn’t be considered normal. There are a lot of kids dealing with issues that are similar, so hopefully it’s relating with people.

So are you anything like Ben?
I like to think not too much like him, he’s not a ray of sunshine.

Is it difficult to become Ben because you guys are so different?
It’s not easy, but I get a better understand when I talk it over with Benjamin (Ben’s father in the show). Me and him, just sitting down and talking helps with getting it out, and through that discussion we get in the point of view of our characters. It helps go through things smoothly.

Is it fun playing a bad boy?
Kinda. It’s interesting to see that, yes, he is a bad boy, but he has reason behind it. I’ve never really thought about that before. Personally, I have never thought of why someone would destroy property. A lot of the stuff he has done is to get attention from his father or because he just doesn’t know how to deal with it.

Where are you from?
A town outside of Boston, Massachusetts.

Are you going to move to California?
I don’t know. We’ve been debating it for a couple of years since I have to leave from my family for a while. If we do, then my mom has to come with me and we have to leave my brothers and dad here, with my cute little doggy.

So now I have some random questions for people to get to know you better.

Describe yourself in three words.
Funny is the first one. Describe myself in three words; I’ve never done this before. I got it, really funny kid. That was the hardest thing I’ve done in a very long time.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
I’d like to travel all around Europe. I always thought Europe was really cool. I’m half Italian, so maybe hit up Italy. Maybe Ireland, but Italy first.

What are your hobbies?
I’ve been playing guitar for a couple of years now, hopefully I’m going to be a rock star. :) I’ve been exercising a lot because my father on the show is in really good shape so I have to look good for me [Ben]. I’ve been playing hockey since I was three and I stopped last year because I couldn’t do it with working. I love to skate when I can.

Are you homeschooled?
Yes I am. I’ve been homeschooled since the 6th or 7th grade.

Do you think you’re missing out on the daily drama of school?
Yes and no. out in California, there are a lot of actor kids like me and were all homeschooled, but we hang out in person almost every day. It’s kind of the same effect, just no in a school environment. I do miss school. Some teachers would get you going, and now, I have to teach myself.

If you were stuck on a desert island with only three things, what would they be?
Okay, a lifetime supply of books, Mila Kunis [from That 70’s Show], and a lifetime supply of Italian food. I’ll be fat, but Mila would still love me.

So you like to read?
Yeah, it’s fun when I have the time. There’s a lot of time off set so I can pick up from where I left off. My friends are trying to get me into Twilight. I used to love the Artemis Fowl series.

Tell me random facts about yourself.
I have very curly hair. I have ridiculously large feet for my size; I’m 5’ 8” and they’re a size 12. I like swimming, but I’m not very good at it. I love pretzel, root beer, and chicken parmesan. My favorite color is red. I’m also a Scorpio/Libra. I drive a Mini Cooper.

What’s the most disgusting thing you’ve ever eaten?
I was filming a movie, a short film when I was 10, and they had this pasta. It was a funeral thing, the room was all setup, and they left the pasta there. It was a really low budget, so after 5 days, I had put the pasta on my plate, and I put the fork into it and it made a squeaky sound. It smelled horrible; we were putting Febreeze on it to make the smell go away. I didn’t have to but I took a bite of it. Here’s another one, last night, my mother brought home some Halloween M&Ms and my brother licked a bunch of M&Ms he wanted for himself. I was not aware of this and I got a handful and started tossing them into my mouth. He and his friend were laughing and I’m like ‘what’s so funny?’ He’s like ‘I just licked that whole bowl.’

What really annoys you?
The sound of chewing or when people talk with too much saliva in their mouth, you get the sticking and slapping sound. It just grosses me out. Other people don’t hear it, but I’m squirming in a chair.

How can your fans contact you?
I have a MySpace that fans can add. Its myspace.com/brettbelbuono.