Vincent Kartheiser fully embraces the scummy character he plays on "Mad Men," Pete Campbell. Kartheiser never flinched when I described Campbell as scummy, either. He went on to list the ways in which he's like Campbell. But he also noted that Pete is perhaps the least bigoted ad man on the AMC show.
Kartheiser was in the metro for a private Minnesota Film Board fundraiser at the home of Dr. Leo Furcht and Katherine Roepke. Roepke owns Roepke PR and is a member of the film organization's board of directors. It was a garden party with a setting so stunning, Campbell probably thought he was at some glitzy L.A. venue -- when he didn't feel like he was on the set of the 1960s show, as some guests dressed for that era. Speaking of L.A., if you're an adult raising a child with no appreciation for boundaries, Kartheiser has some fascinating insights into how that's unhelpful should that child want to be an actor. And who was that lady who interrupted our interview? See the video.
Q You're the youngest of six children. Were your parents even paying attention when you grew up?
A Yeah, they were. My parents were pretty amazing. We didn't have a lot of distractions in our house. No TV. Not a lot of the modern world was around us. They had an opportunity to get to know each one of their kids. My mom spent a lot of time with me because I did a lot of plays. Carpooling to the city. A lot of time chaperoning me. I actually got a lot of one-on-one time with my folks, and I'm still very close to them. I see them all the time. Yeah, they live here.
Q What happens when your parents come out to Hollywood for one of your premieres?
A They never come out for a premiere, but my dad [took] me to a trade show. That's my work. Where there's a premiere, I spend 10 hours of the day working. It's not exactly an ideal time to see my family. We'll just do what most kids do when their folks come in -- you show them your house, introduce them to your friends, take them to your favorite places to eat. Maybe a couple of touristy spots, the sights.
Q Did you get spankings when you were growing up?
A Uh-huh. Yeah, I believe in spankings. I believe in spankings more and more, as I get older. I was in a Whole Foods the other day in LA. This kid -- there was a group of ten 12-year-old girls -- not looking where she was going, ran into me with her ice cream cone and got ice cream on me. I wasn't mad at the kid; it's a kid. But I said, "Watch where you're going." I was just trying to say "Look where you're going. You ruined your ice cream cone. You ruined my shirt." The woman who was with this group of girls turned to me and said, You watch where YOU'RE going. I thought, "Man, that poor kid; no boundaries." I was surprised at the adult's reaction and think that adults should maybe be a little bit more stern with their kids. The kids could use that when they get a little older, so they know there are consequences.
