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Creating a Big
Bang in Hollywood
LA based actor and graduate, Alice Amter,
talks to the University of Wolverhampton
about starring in hit TV show, The Big
Bang Theory and what life is like on the
Hollywood scene.
WLV: Alice, we have to say,
interviewing a Hollywood
actress is certainly a first for us!
Congratulations on your success
so far, you must be very proud…
WLV: That must come in handy being an actor…
AA: Being able to adapt is definitely suited to film work
because you’re a different character every time. But
with TV you’ll be one character on a show that could
run for up to 10 years and so you’re not so much of
a chameleon then! Saying that, people I encounter
rarely make the connection between me and ‘Mrs
Koothrappali’ and when I tell them, they’re shocked
to see how different we are.
to six weeks.
Currently The Big Bang
Theory is in syndication on four
networks in America so I am on TV every
week. You can work really hard on a film and it
may never reach a single screen because getting a
distribution deal can be really tough. Ideally I would
like to do both, but being able to work in just one
medium these days is a blessing in itself because it is
such a tough marketplace.
AA: Yes I am; thank you. It’s been
a tough journey at times, but to go
from a council flat in the suburbs of
Birmingham to the hills of LA is a
blessing.
WLV: Your big career break came
in 1998 when you appeared in
the hit US TV show ER. How
did you feel getting such a huge
opportunity so early on in your
career?
AA: I was cast in George Clooney’s
final two episodes of ER and luckily
I got to work with him. I was a big
fan of the show and although I was
new on the scene I was certain I could
do the role. Casting in TV is about fit, and
I fit that role. It was a great starting point
and proved to me that I could make this
work.
WLV: Since then you’ve gone on to
star in films like The Good Girl and
A Man Apart, and you’re now in
another award-winning US show,
The Big Bang Theory, as Raj’s
mother ‘Mrs Koothrappali.’
What’s that like?
AA: I love being part of the show. I
play a recurring character so I’m not
there as much as the regular
cast members, but when I do
Above: Alice Amter as ‘Mrs Koothrappali’ with on-screen husband
work it’s very exciting. The cast and crew are
small compared to other shows, so there’s a
real family bond, and they’re all so talented.
WLV: What do you love most about being
on the show?
AA: It has to be a) working with such an
insanely talented group of people both in
front and behind the camera; and b) the
response from the live studio audience when
we shoot; they are so full of praise and
enthusiasm and you feel really loved.
WLV: What’s the most challenging aspect?
AA: To be as good as everyone else. The
show runs like a well-oiled machine and
everyone is a professional with a good,
positive attitude.
WLV: You’re known as The Chameleon
because of your ability to portray a
variety of roles. How did you get the
name?
AA: I gave the name to myself, but people
have always said I’m like a chameleon
because I’m constantly adapting myself to
suit my environment.
WLV: You graduated in Modern Languages and
International Relations and initially went into
teaching English abroad. What made you decide
to pursue acting full-time?
AA: I always had a childhood dream of being on
stage, but back then, because I was academically
sound and from a disadvantaged background I did
what everyone thought I should do – get a stable job
that would bring in regular income. But I realised that
even when I had that I wasn’t really happy and I still
wanted to pursue my dream. I had no idea it would
be the most difficult thing I’ve ever done.
WLV: In what way difficult?
AA: Teaching was a stable job but with acting it
takes a while to start making a living. You might
get a role here or there but you have to juggle parttime
jobs such as waitressing or bartending - I did a
little bit of teaching English. You can’t control when
auditions come up and it can be very stressful. It
isn’t something you should do unless you are really
passionate about it.
WLV: Do you prefer working in film or television?
AA: I love big budget films like A Man Apart and for
a while I was getting much more film work than TV.
The problem with film though is that the majority are
low budget, which means they take a long time to get
out of post-production and even then may never be
cleared for theatrical release. TV on the other hand is
much more immediate. You shoot the show and you
know it is going to end up on air – usually within four
WLV: You’ve worked alongside some very famous
people – George Clooney, Jennifer Aniston and
Vin Diesel to name a few. Have you ever been
star-struck?
AA: Generally speaking no. Living in LA you get used
to seeing famous people and I’ve never been one to
be intimidated. To me, Jim, Johnny and Kaley are just
fellow co-workers. Saying that, I do remember filming
The Cleaner with Benjamin Bratt and wishing I wasn’t
dressed like an old lady!
WLV: What are your aspirations for the future?
AA: I want to build an Empire; I want to create brand
Alice – a brand of my own that symbolises a lifestyle,
incorporating things like perfume, music, clothing,
books – the lot! I like challenges and this just seems
like a huge challenge. The way I see it, others have
done it so why not me?!
WLV: What advice would you give one of today’s
graduates?
AA: Think really hard about what you want
to do. What I thought I wanted didn’t
end up being what I’m actually
doing. Your career may not be
in the degree you study but
you can always find ways
of making it work for you.
Don’t limit yourself; think
really big.
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