Date: ??
Michael Bendetti
Jumping Into Jump Street!
Can Macho Michael Make YouForget About...What's His Name?
It's never easy stepping into someone else's shoes--especially when that someone was a big star, with a devoted following. So when Johnny Depp announced his desire to leave 21 Jump Street, nervous execs didn't waste a single minute looking for a replacement. They searched high 'n low, in every corner of the USA and Canada--and came up with a hot new star right in their own backyard! Michael Bendetti, six feet of soothing California cool, was ready, willing and able to jump into the fray. 16's Catherine Greenman got Michael on the phone just as soon as he started filming new episodes of Jump Street, and asked some "getting to know you" questions! Here's Michael!
16: Let's get to the heart of the matter right away. Michael--how do you feel being compared to Johnny Depp?
Michael: It doesn't bother me really. My character, Tony McCann, is ten times different, it's just like there's a new cop on the show. I'm not trying to copy John doing his think--I'm doing mine now.
16: Is it true you started auditioning before Johnny ever left?
Michael: I actually started auditioning over a year ago, in January 1989, so yes, Johnny was still involved, I think.
16: Ever met him?
Michael: Nope, never did.
16: Did you used to watch Jump Street on TV?
Michael: After January I did--a lot! But not before. To tell you the truth, I'm not much of a TV watcher.
16: Did you have to audition lots of times before you got the part?
Michael: Yeah, they kept calling me back.
16: Did you want the role really badly?
Michael: To be real honest, I had mixed emotions. On the one hand, I'd just done a lot of plays. I really love plays, that's where my heart is. But on the other, I really wanted to work steadily and that's what TV does for you, allows you to practice your craft every day. So while I wanted the part, I didn't go bananas.
16: What was it like coming into a show that's been ongoing for several years--everybody knows everyone else...
Michael: It's been okay. Everyone's been very open armed and welcoming, very very nice. They've all been very cool.
16: What advice did you get from Peter DeLuise, Holly Robinson, etc.?
Michael: None! No one's given me any advice, but we all work well together.
16: Who in the cast have you gotten closest to?
Michael: Peter, in the beginning. Peter and I hung out a lot together. But Peter's leaving the show. He's going to be directing a few episodes and then he's gonna be leaving.
16: Really!?
Michael: Yeah, that's why they've also added Michael DeLuise, Peter's brother. Peter's only doing nine or ten episodes. Holly's been great. We go out to dinner sometimes, hang out.
16: The show films in Vancouver, right? how do you like it there?
Michael: I like it a lot. It's a very clean city, people here are very nice, less uptight than in LA.
16: So where do you live in Vancouver?
Michael: They put us up in these high rise condos--I'm up on a real high floor.
16: Do you have a car?
Michael: Not here--they pretty much pick us up and drive us to the set or location every day.
16: Is there anything you don't like about being on Jump Street?
Michael: Not really. Maybe just the real long days we put in, sometimes we need to be on the set like at 6 AM and don't get home until real late at night. And also, Vancouver can get really freezing.
16: Ever get time for fun?
Michael: Oh, sure. On the weekends mainly--when I don't have to fly to LA for auditions, meetings or family stuff, that is.
16: So what's to do for fun in Vancouver?
Michael: Well, I like to ski and there are some good ski slopes nearby. In general, I'm a pretty mellow kind of guy. I don't need to go club-hopping and partying every night to be happy.
16: Tell us a little bit about your personality, Michael--let's start with your full name.
Michael: It's Michael Christian Bendetti.
16: How 'bout some vitals...height, weight, hair and eye color?
Michael: I'm 6' tall, 160 lbs., have brown hair and brown eyes.
16: What's your birthday?
Michael: August 21, 1967--I'm 23.
16: Where are you from?
Michael: Lynwood, California, which is in the Long Beach area.
16: So you're a California kid...into surfing, that kind of stuff?
Michael: No, I'm not really the California type. I was never into the surfing bit. When I was growing up I loved baseball and soccer--and riding my big wheel.
16: Anyone in your family into showbiz?
Michael: No, not my parents or three older brothers.
16: When did you get interested?
Michael: Well, in high school I did a play an I really enjoyed it. So I started college as a theater major, but that didn't work out.
16: What did you do?
Michael: I went back to LA and got some acting work--small things, just to see what it was all about. I decided that this was something I really wanted to do. And I really wanted to be the best at it--so I went back to school, to a good and strict theater school.
16: Sounds like you put some hard work and dedication into your career.
Michael: That's true, but I really love it, so it's no problem.
16: Where do you live when you're not in Vancouver?
Michael: I live by myself in the west LA area, which is kind of nice.
16: Any pets?
Michael: No, but I wish! I love animals, especially dogs.
16: Are you single?
Michael: Yes.
16: Do you have a girlfriend?
Michael: No, not right now.
16: What's the best place for someone to write?
Michael: That'd be great. It's Michael Bendetti, c/o 21 Jump Street, Stephen Cannell Productions, 7083 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028.
(Please Note: This article was probably published around 1990-1991, so the info may not be completely current. Any mail sent to the address at the bottom of the article is very unlikely to reach Mr. Bendetti.)