November 2002 Q&A

Lyn Maxwell, Bognor, Ontario, Canada:

Dear Mr. Davis:

Today a repeat on (local 98.6 fm) CBC Radio Noon a performance of Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" was aired.

It has been many years since I read "The Handmaid's Tale", being an avid fan of fantasy & science fiction most of my life. I thought, however, you might appreciate hearing how much I enjoyed your interpretation of "The Commander" and his brief and unusual relationship with "Offred".

I went on-line looking for other characters/voices you have performed and discovered little reference to radio, only television and movies. This is a shame.

The point of this e-mail is to let you know you have yet another fan, not only through television and movies, but radio also.

Please take care.

Yours sincerely,
Lyn Maxwell

WBD: It was very gratifying to hear of this response to my radio work. If you went back far enough you would find lots of radio work. Well, you probably wouldn't find it as the radio I did as a child was all live. But I did a lot of radio acting as a kid in the early fifties. Then I produced radio drama for three years from 1977 to 1980. The only other recent radio acting is a series called Hartfeldt Saskatchewan. That actually can be found on the CBC website.

Ian McCabe, UK:

Hello Mr.Davis,

Can I firstly say I am a huge fan of you. Being from the UK I had not heard of you before I watched The X-Files, and I thought your acting in the show was second to none and now I try to follow your work as much as possible.

I was wondering if you were ever going to be coming back to the UK? I make a website about your X-Files character and also yourself and if you did ever come back over here I'd love to interview [you] for the site if possible and with time permitting from your busy schedule of course.

Good luck to the future and take care and also thank you for nine great years on The X-Files.

Take Care
Ian McCabe

WBD: We almost came to London this fall but time overwhelmed us. Hopefully we will get there next fall and certainly we could do an interview. Mez can keep you informed of my schedule.

Morten Nevado, Denmark:

Dear Mr. Davis!

I am one of your biggest fans in Denmark. You are the best actor (on this planet :-). Your skills as an actor are way beyond any other I ever seen. I really enjoy you when you put on that trench coat and play Cancerman (in Danish: ìKrÊftmandenî)

The questions: Who make the Morley Cigarettes for The X-Files? And are there any way I can purchase some? It would be SO cool to have a pack of them!

Have you, or are you going to visit Denmark?

Best wishes,
Morten Nevado

WBD: I have never been to Denmark but I am going to play Niels Bohr in Copenhagen in the spring. [See News - Mez] It will feel as if I am going to Denmark.

There is no such thing as Morley cigarettes. The props department simply mocked up the package which contained regular commercial cigarettes. I don't know if you could get a pack from an X-File memorabilia supplier.

September 2002 Q&A

Greg Mayo, Jackson TN:

Mr. Davis, I love your work on the X-Files. My wife and I are having a friendly disagreement about one of the episodes. In the episode "EVE" there is a scene where Scully is talking to a deputy after the child has been abducted and he looks uncannily like you. My wife says no. Were you ever in any episodes as any other character? If this is not you, you should see this scene! Thanks.

WBD: No, it wasn't me.

Ian McCabe, UK:

Hi Mr Davis,

I am probably your biggest British fan (don't believe me, just look at all the sites and communities I have dedicated to you and CSM ;)) and I love your work on The X-Files. I was so disappointed to see your character CSM being thrown down the stairs in Requiem and not to see him appear again for almost 2 years. BUT my delight when I saw that you were appearing as CSM again in the series finale 'The Truth'. I always [thought] CSM was the unsung lead of the show and I don't think a better actor could have played the part.

Coming from the UK though I haven't really had the chance to see any of your other work. Have you any plans to appear in any future movies or even shows for that matter over here?

Anyway I'd just like to say thanks for nine great years on the X-Files....In my opinion you and CSM were the real leads!

Your Biggest Brit fan
IAN

WBD: Thanks, Ian, for your kind words. I do keep working and I guess some of it gets to the UK, although it does seem that most of it lately has been either for the US or Canada.

Vandevere, Stamford CT:

Dear Mr. Davis,

I know that you were in a lot of radio shows as a boy, and I wonder if any of those tapes still exist. I'd love to hear them one of these days.

Also, were any videotapes made of your water-skiing comptetitions?

Just curious for one reason or other...

Vandevere

WBD: Tapes, gracious. I don't think tapes were invented when I acted as a boy. The programs were all done live. Some of them might have been recorded on some ancient technology and be buried in the CBC archives but I don't know of that.

I don't know of any available videos of the waterskiing either though there may be some private ones.

July 2002 Q&A

Fiona Thomas, Toronto, Ontario: Question: Hello Mr. Davis. I am an undergraduate at the University of Toronto and I am majoring in philosophy. I heard someone mention that you were either the graduate chair of the department of philosophy or the chair of a philosophy club at the Hart House. Are any of these claims true? Also, do you still have any interest in philosophy?

WBD: Ah how things grow in the telling! I have an honours degree in philosophy from Toronto but that is as far as I went. But yes I am still interested in philosophy. A lot of my current world view stems now from evolutionary biology.

Elke Panisset, Brazil: Mr Davis,

As a Canadian, which opinion do you have about the threats made by Quebec to splitting from Canadian Union, becoming independent ?

WBD: I have often had some sympathy with Quebec aspirations but my personal hope is that they remain in Canada.

Emilia, Italy: Dear Mr.Davis, "Beyond Suspicion" was aired also in Italy; those "camera speeches" reminded me of "Two Fathers". I saw your name written last in the titles, as usual for guest stars. Which are the most perceivable differences amongst a "short part" and a "cameo"? Do your colleagues treat you a different way, after the "X-Files"?

Always hoping to see you play a very long part, if not the main character, yours sincerely - Emilia

WBD: Thank you. I am anxious to play a long part also. They become less frequent as you get older. The notion of a cameo suggests something in the role that will make it stand out even if it is brief - Judi Dench in "Shakespeare in Love" for instance. A short or small part would be one that really supports only, say the waiter or the doctor who reveals the bad news.

May 2002 Q&A

Sean Klisiewecz, (no location given): Hi, how are you Mr. Davis; sorry never watched the X-files so much as all that - but as it is I saw you on the Skeptical Enquirer thingy on the Discovery Channel. Anyhow, wanted to ask you a question. So, here it goes:

According to the 2nd or 3rd law, can't remember for sure, of thermodynamics, the nature of things is to become more disorganized. My question is - then why is there 'life', well, organized life, which clearly flies in the face of natural law. I ain't no holy roller sir, but this is a question that I often struggle with. What do you think? I would be surely interested to know.

WBD: For starters, life may not be as well organized as it would seem. In many ways it is pretty chaotic. But as I understand it, the second law - I think it's the second - is dealing with a time line so vast as to be hard to imagine, billions and billions of years. Many recombinations can occur within the long slow process of destructuring. I don't think life on our little planet contradicts that process.

Jessica, Toronto, Canada: I was just wondering - from a completely Canadian perspective - if you would ever consider a move to America? Canada already seems to have a big enough 'Brain Drain' to the U.S. The majority of our actors are no longer in the country, unfortunately. Would you ever consider leaving...or is Canada *really* considered home?

WBD: Canada really is home. I lived in Britain for several years and I am happy to work in the US. In fact they consider me a resident as I just got my green card. But officially I am a joint resident. And emotionally and practically I am Canadian. I am especially interested in original Canadian theatre and film.

Brandon LaCroix, Toronto, Canada: Hey Bill,

As a follow-up to a question I asked you last month, do think the character "Strughold" played by Armin Mueller-Stahl in the movie will ever return to the plot line? He seemed really important in the movie and he didn't die with the rest of the syndicate. We've also heard the name "Strughold" before when Mulder and Scully found all of those records underground at the "Strughold Mining Co.".

Thanks again...

WBD: You know I don't think we will. We just did the finale and while many characters and their histories were reviewed Strughold wasn't mentioned. Frank Spotnitz did say to me once that Strughold was still out there but I think he is going to stay there along with the truth. I'm not sure Armin is that keen on doing more X-Files. I don't think he was comfortable with Chris' oblique writing style.

February 2002 Q&A

Svetlana Fainshtein, Russia: Dear Mr. William B. Davis!
Merry Christmas to you and your closest! Thank you for my opportunity to write. Your "Cancer Man" is excellent, although there is no fun there. I have seen only "The X-files" but now I hope to see other your films. You are also so sexy as my favourite actor, Eugenie Evstigneev. Please excuse me for my bad English.
Yours truly
Svetlana Fainshtein.
P.S. I'd like to know your favourite role.

WBD: Thank you for your kind words. And your English is fine. It is always hard to say what is one's favourite role. It is usually the one one is working on at the time. But certainly CSM would rank at or near the top.

Lee Lamont, United Kingdom: Dear Mr. Davis, I am a fanatic of the X-Files, and I have researched the 8th series from the X-Files website and the previous where CSM was pushed down a flight of stairs by Krycek. I am enquiring if the CSM is really not coming back, and if not what have you enjoyed about the role, and what were your emotions about the episode 'Requiem' where your character was apparently written out by the creator of the X-Files, Chris Carter, for good.
Yours sincerely,
Lee Lamont

WBD: As they say, "no one ever dies on The X-Files" so who knows, I could be back. I was disappointed about Requiem of course but at the time we didn't know the future of the show and thought I might well be back. It was left uncertain on purpose. CSM could have survived the fall. We don't know that he died.

The role was great fun to do. It was always a challenge to find the motivations and the patterns of thought.

Ellen Engelhorn, Baton Rouge, La: Hi Mr. Davis, I really like you as a person and as an actor. I have loved the shows you have been in. I would like to know if you might ever be in the Louisiana or Alabama or Mississippi area for conventions or what convention you might go to next. I really like to hear you talk and know that you are very well educated, that is wonderful. I love the new show you do, The Skeptical Inquirer, and watch it when I can. Where can me and all your fans get more info on that show, and good luck in your career and wherever it may take you next.
Ellen

WBD: Thank for your thoughts, Ellen. I don't seem to be doing any conventions at all lately. But if I do one in your area please introduce yourself to me. I don't know where you could get more information about the Skeptical Inquirer program other than from Discovery-Science. We are planning to do more and more expanded episodes soon.

Stijn Hommes, The Netherlands: I have been a fan of both the X-files and Shirley Holmes for quite some time. That's why I know about your latest project MythQuest. (The girl who played Shirley Holmes plays Cleo in MythQuest.) I was pretty surprised to find you were in it as well.

How was it to act with kids (especially Meredith Henderson and Christopher Jacot)?

Do you find the number of credits they already have impressive?

Was it weird to act in something like MythQuest? (I mean there is pretty weird stuff going on there as well in the X-files.)

Did MythQuest have any comparison to the X-files?

I thank you for this now. Good luck on any future endeavours! You are a great actor.

WBD: I enjoy working with kids. That is how I started after all. I worked with kids on Mentors as well. You are certainly right about the wierd stuff that goes on on that show. I am glad you are enjoying it.

January 2002 Q&A

Emily Titon, Jamestown, RI: Okay, Mr. Davis. You have every right to thwap me for this...but I'm trying to find you in the move IT, y'know, the movie of Stephen King's novel. Yes, I see you in the credits, but for the life of me, I can't find you in the movie itself. You're probably *right there* and just hitting my blind spot, or something, but... it's been nagging at me for awhile.

Also, just wanted to let you know, I think CSM is one of the coolest "bad guys" ever (if he is a bad guy - like you, I can see the POV that he wasn't a bad guy at all, snarkiness aside).

And - I went to Toronto for the first time in April, to meet a bunch of friends I'd "met" on the Net. What a cool city you have! :D BTW, I wanted to go up the CN tower, the others were afraid of heights, so... oh well. I had to settle for a picture of it. :)

Take care, and good luck in the future, as ever!
Emily

WBD: I'm glad you liked Toronto, Emily. I do as well though I now live thousands of miles away from there in Vancouver. I have not seen IT but others have and mentioned my performance so I am in the film. In the other Stephen King movie I did - Dead Zone - I appear in the credits only. In IT I play a school principal who has a short scene in the cafeteria. There was once another longer scene but that was cut before we could shoot it.

Erica, Italy (Legnano): Hi, Mr Davis, I've a question...I didn't understand, why Krycek and Marita killed CSM? I'd like CSM will return to S9, he was one of my favourite characters and I don't want to lose him forever! Thanx!

WBD: Krycek never liked me much after I tried to blow him up in a car back in season three I think when we were fighting over a tape. Frankly I don't remember exactly why he pushed me down the stairs. The only good news is that I may not have died. But whether I will reappear on the show is still unknown.

Tara, Essex, England: Hi Bill, sorry you haven't been in Season 8, let's keep our fingers crossed for you in Season 9. You sound a really down to earth nice guy if you don't mind me saying :) I would just like to ask you the following couple of questions.

What would you say is your biggest passion apart from acting and do you have any ambitions which you have yet to achieve, in acting or on a personal level?

WBD: You may know that I am pretty passionate about skiing - on snow or water. But I have lots of ambitions I have not yet achieved. I was thrilled recently to hear an interviewer introduce her interview of an 80 year old to say that they were going to discuss her career SO FAR! I am just beginning as a writer and have lots that I want to write. And I want to direct film and play romantic leads, etc, etc.

What would you say is the most memorable thing that has happened in your life, and what is the worst thing that has happened?

WBD: I've lived a long time and so it is hard to pick a 'most' event. But recently I might say being cast as the non speaking character Cigarette Smoking Man might be the most memorable though no one knew it at the time. The worst thing was probably my last divorce - though it was also a good thing.

If you could change anything in the world what would it be and why?

WBD: I would get rid of the macho testerone driven male leaders. I would have Hillary Clinton and Osama bin Laden's wife sort out the world's problems.

I travel to Vancouver on business on a regular basis from the UK and I really miss it when I am not there. What do you miss most about Vancouver when you are away for long periods acting?

WBD: Mostly I miss being home and my life at home. And I guess that would be the same wherever home was. But I miss the mountains in the winter and the ski lake in the summer.

November 2001 Q&A

Steve Dinges, Houston, Texas, USA: Greetings and Felicitations, Mr. Davis!

Much intrigued by this project of yours alluded to by Mez, of writing and starring in a piece based on The Unabomber!The peculiar combination of "fire and ice" that we have seen in your CSM leads me to believe that you could turn in a most interesting and troubling portrait of an equally interesting and troubled man.

Is this to be an ep of "The Outer Limits", a full-on theatrical release, a stage play, or what? Was it originally your idea, or did someone suggest it to you?

Have you read "Industrial Society and Its Future"? I believe it is still posted in the archives of Wired.com (website of Wired magazine), if you are seeking the complete text.

I note that you have formally studied Philosophy; if you have read "ISAIF", what parts did you agree and disagree with, and why? [I abhor Kaczinsky's method, of course, but found myself agreeing every now and again with some of his observations]

Have you met, or will you be meeting with, Kaczinsky, himself? Bound to be a spooky experience, but that would be the ultimate in "researching the character"! :-)

I miss CSM, of course, but best of luck, always, in finding new and interesting avenues for your talents. Hope to see more of you in the future, be it on X-Files or otherwise!

Best always!
Steve Dinges

WBD: We seemed to have confused two of my projects. I was offered a part in a film and the character was much like the unabomber. I never did do it as it conflicted with one I did do called Damaged Care with Laura Dern. I have written a screenplay but it has nothing to do with the unabomber. And no, I have not read "Industrial Society and Its Future". Should I?

Cara, CT: What is the name of the short you are doing on one of the Discovery Channels? I want to say it was called The Skeptic, but I am not sure...

WBD: I did a short called Polished, a no budget art film for the son of a friend in Toronto. And I hosted a series of ten shorts for the Discovery Channel which I think were called Skeptical Inquirer. Certainly they were done in conjunction with Skeptical Inquirer magazine and CSICOP - Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal.

Oscar de Vries, London, U.K.: Dear Mr Davis, Ever since the X-Files first started I have always liked C.S.M more than the main characters Mulder & Scully! I think you are the main key to the X-files and always will be. I hope you will return in more episodes of the X-Files.

How does it feel to be in power and always one step ahead in The X-Files, making Mulder & Scully go round in circles? Is it true that during the making of X-Files 'the movie' the army refused to be in the film because it had aliens in it?

WBD: It's always fun to be in power even if it is a fiction though in later episodes CSM was in more and more trouble. I did not hear any difficulty about the army and aliens. I don't know why that would be a problem since the movie was a work of fiction but you may know more about this than I.

Karen Jones, Chattanooga, TN, USA: Dear Bill, Let me say first that I think you're the dishiest man on television. And you have the most luscious voice! Hearing a voice like yours, I could be talked into anything. *GASP!*

WBD: Well gracious! Thank you.

Q: I have really enjoyed seeing you as CSM, and I'm disappointed that you aren't in season 8. "X-Files" simply isn't as intriguing without you!

You've been asked many diverse questions here, and I've learned a lot about you personally and professionally. You are as intriguing as CSM, but certainly much nicer! :D

WBD: Thank you again.

Q: I'm a classical singer, and music is everything--the rest is just details! So my question for you is what type of music do you favor the most?

WBD: Well I do favour classical music. Only in the last few years have I been drawn to opera but I am really enjoying it now. But most types of classical music appeal to me. Favourite composers? Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Mahler to name a few.

I have terrific respect for a classical singer and the dedication and perseverance required to excel in such a difficult field. So, congratulations to you.

Q: Thank you for your time, Bill, and for sharing your wonderful talent with us!

The best to you, Karen

WBD: Thank you for your support and my best to you.

August/September 2001 Q&A

Brian MacElwee, Ottawa, Ontario Canada: Dear Mr.Davis

I enjoy the X-files a lot. I also think that CSM is what really attracts people to watch. My question is do you think as the conspiracy unfolds, we'll come across conspirators in the Canadian government like people who work for the PC or Liberal party?

Cheers
Brian

WBD: I think the conspirators on the X-Files are a lot better at conspiring than Ottawa politicians. It is hard for me to imagine Stockwell Day or Jean Chretien contributing effectively to a grand global conspiracy.

Diana Savich, Michigan: I don't have very much to say Mr. Davis, except that I think you are a very good actor. I have seen some of the movies that you have been in and thought that you did great. I have been in a couple plays at school, and have a family member who is also an actor. I must say that it is not as easy as everyone (in the movie business) makes it look. I some day hope to become an actress, and that is partly because of seeing you. I do have one question, what inspired you to become an actor?

WBD: It sort of came naturally to me as my cousins ran a summer theatre when I was a child and I started working with them when I was quite young. Later I became a theatre director and only drifted back to acting in the last twenty years or so. My inspiration comes from two things: why do people behave the way they do?; and, how can one recreate that behaviour?

Brandon LaCroix, Toronto, Canada: Bill, while under contract with the X-Files did you ever feel that you knew where the show was heading? As a fan, it's tough to imagine anyone could understand where the show is going as Chris seems to change his mind quite a bit.

Also do you think that the CSM is actually dead? I mean with Krycek gone, who could A. D. Kirsch be taking his orders from? The only member of the "conspiracy" that I can think of who is unaccounted for is Strughold (played by Armin Mueller-Stahl in the movie).

Thanks a lot for all the great years on "the files" and I hope to continue seeing you in other roles on TV and in the movies.

WBD: I think Chris had a broad outline in his mind but that he adjusted the story line as he went along. I don't know if CSM is dead and yes I wonder too who is behind Kirsch.

But no, as an actor I did not know where the story was heading.

July 2001 Q&A

Emilia, Torino, Italy: Dear Mr.Davis, I know that actors usually don't like to speak about their families, but I should like to know about your youngest son. I read that he wants to become a dancer. If he (what's his name?) inherited your light step, that's a good start; is he still studying, or already began to perform as a professional? And does he prefer classic or modern dance?

I was told that the proper good wish to give a dancer is "break a leg"; although slightly perplexed, I conform myself to the custom. For you, I wish the "normal" Live Long and Prosper. Hope to see CSM again!

WBD: I don't know if one says, 'break a leg' to a dancer. One does say it to actors but it is a bit risky saying it to a dancer. But I don't know that world well enough. Maybe they do.

I don't actually have a son but you might be thinking of my youngest daughter who has done a lot of dancing. Her ambition for long time was to have a dance company. She has just finished her first year of business school in Toronto with a view to being able to run such a company. And she is still trying to keep up with her dancing.

Alison, Massachusetts: I suddenly got the sense, in the XF finale, that when Krycek called Mulder 'brother' and seemed hesitant to kill him, that perhaps he IS a half-brother, perhaps yet another son of the CSM. It would explain a few things. Was anything like that ever discussed, or did the idea ever occur to you?

Hoping the CSM has a future,
Alison

WBD: I love that idea. I laughed out loud when I read it. So I am the father of Samantha, Jeffrey, and Fox, and now Krycek. I sometimes say I am probably the father of the Lone Gunmen as well. No wonder the aliens were interested in me. What a breeder. ;)

But alas, no, nothing was ever said about that connection. In fact Nick always seemed quite confused about who he was and why. Certainly no one ever explained anything to him as far as I know.

Richard Mansfield, Cambridge, England: Thanks for the really good portrayal as the CSM in the X-Files. You said in the making of the episode 'One Son' that you thought that the CSM was the hero. I agree but I would like to know what he has done that is really heroic. Thanks for being the coolest actor on the show and stay well.

WBD: I don't know that he has done anything truly heroic. When I said that he was the 'hero' of the show I meant it more in the sense of being the protagonist as opposed to the antagonist. That he is pursuing the most rational and realistic causes and that Mulder is the antagonist as he is constantly thwarting him. I hasten to add that I am being ironic when I say this.

Jason, Lexington, KY: Hi Bill, I know you must travel quite a bit, and I'm curious if your reputation as the CSM is ever a burden on your trips. Do you ever respond to fans in public with CSM-like words? :)

You're one of my favorite actors, I hope they decide to continue your character.

Warm Regards,
Jason

WBD: Thanks for your good wishes Jason. No, I don't respond with CSM type words. People do come up to me quite a bit but they are always friendly and I try to be the same back. I find people are pretty nice on the whole.

Matthew Schaller, Cape Coral, Fl, USA : Mr. Davis, one of my favorite episodes of the X-Files is "En Ami" because you are the main character of the episode. The CSM is my favorite character, and you play him very well! I have one question: when you wrote "En Ami", why did the CSM throw the disc back into the water, after all that had been done to retrieve it in the first place? Did the CSM feel guiltly, or maybe a little selfish?

Thanks!

WBD: That's a very good question. In episodic television scripts get rewritten a lot and Chris had quite a hand in the final version of this one. Both Rob Bowman, the director, and I were concerned that it was not clear enough why CSM throws the disc in the lake. We, and Chris, did various things to try to make it clear but we were not fully successful.

The idea was that the disc had such power that whoever had it could control the world. While the disc had potential for good it had greater potential for evil. CSM had thought it was the power that he needed until his heart was softened by his experience with Scully and so in an uncharacteristic act of generosity to the world he destroys the evil power.

Perhaps the irony is that then he became a worthless villain and had to be discarded by being thrown down the stairs.

Laura, Argentina: How a sport's man like you can handle the smoke from CSM? I have read that you don't smoke. It's needed to be a good actor for that.

WBD: I didn't use real cigarettes on the show. They were herbal and I smoked them as little as possible. The props department lit them for me off screen and handed them to me.

Susan, Phoenix, AZ: Please allow me to say that I am sure I am not the only person to tell you that you are the most handsome man on television.

WBD: Well I am flattered. Thank you.

That aside, I have heard that you have a degree in Philosophy. What area in philosophy did you study? I myself am a philosophy student.

WBD: I guess it would best be described as history of philosophy. We covered a broad range from the Greeks to the present.

My actual question to you is what books have you read recently, and if you could mention some of your favorites. Thank you.

WBD: I read a lot of evolutionary biology these days. I recently read Matt Ridley on the story of the human genome. And the last novel I read was Robert Cohen's 'Inspired Sleep'.

Josh, Oklahoma: Question: Mr. Davis, first off, thank you for answering my last question. Second, I actually have two questions:

1) Have you ever thought about doing more work with X-Files behind the scenes, such as writing or even directing?

WBD: As you know I did write one episode but my sense is they are anxious to keep the writing within their script department. I would love to direct but I'm too far away from the show now to push for that.

2) What do you think of the new guy on the show - Doggett - and of the guy playing him - Robert Patrick?

WBD: I like both Doggett and the actor. There is some interesting tension developing now between Mulder and Doggett. Patrick is a very good actor and I hear that his positive attitude has been a real asset on the set.

Martijn, Holland: Are you going to appear in The Lone Gunmen series?

WBD: Only if it gets picked up and there is some doubt about that. And even then they seem to be avoiding crossovers. I know Tom Braidwood would like to get me on the show.

Colette Bluma, Milwaukee, WI: Dear Mr. Davis,

It is sad not to see you on the "X"!!!!! Do you ever catch yourself "living as your character" even though you're not on the "X" at this moment in time? Do you have any idea if you're going to "magically appear" in any seasons? I hope so! You're the main man of the "X". By the way, you resemble my husband!! That is a compliment!!!

WBD: Well thank you for the compliment. Even dead characters return on The X-Files and so there is certainly a fair chance that if the series continues or if they do some movies that I will reappear at least for a guest shot. But I have not heard of any definite plans.

Vandevere, Stamford, CT, USA : Events in "Closure" really had me wondering.  We found out that Samantha Mulder was living in the Spender household for a while, and that kinda bothered me in that I saw it more as an attempt to hold a club over the CSM's head.  If the intention was to hold a club over Bill Mulder's head, it would've made much more sense to return her to the Mulder household, and--if further tests were neccessary--use the excuse of a serious childhood illness combined with unorthodox medical treatments as a cover.  It certainly would've made things a little more peaceful in the Mulder household--not to mention poor Fox--and might have kept Fox from opening those X-files in the first place.

Returning Samantha to the CSM was a very odd act.  Especially when you consider that all the abductees of 1973 were returned to their families. Except for Samantha.

Why?  Was the Consortium unsure of the CSM's loyalties to the Project? Or were they actually trying to rectify an injustice by giving her to her biological father?

I'm at a total loss here.  But I would like to let you know that I'm one of those...the few...the proud...who believe that the CSM IS a hero doing his level best to save all of humanity.

You make it easy for us to believe it too.  There's a totality of conviction and a tangible sense of reality in your performance.

WBD: Thank you for your support. I don't have answers to any of your questions. I'm not really sure what to believe in that whole chain of events.

Vandevere, Stamford, CT: Recently I lost my cat, and that started me wondering about if the CSM ever had a pet--apart from Mulder, of course!--and also, what kind of pet would it be.  Is he a cat person?  A dog person?  Or does he like both?

WBD: I doubt that CSM ever had a pet. For one thing he had to travel a lot but I don't think he would let himself feel the softness and vulnerability that a pet brings out. He might then not be able to do the things he felt he had to do.

Also, do YOU like/own cats or dogs?

WBD: My partner has two cats and I have come to quite like them. One year when I was single I had a dog as a very close companion. She died suddenly. That was very upsetting for me. Though I often find myself on the opposite side from cat and dog lovers. At my country place I have very active bird feeders and sometimes I have to drive domestic cats away as they will attack the birds. I was happy to see a coyote on the lawn the other day as he will chase away the cats. And the neigbours' dogs sometimes bark endlessly and I don't like that much.

Vandevere *Who watches X-Files for the Mytharc alone, and lives in hope that the CSM shall return in triumph!*

WBD: As do I.

Erica, Legnano, Italy: Hi Mr. Davis, I'm Erica, I'm 16 and I'm your fan. I think you're a great actor and I like CSM very much. I hope CSM will be on eighth season. I can't see The X-Files without you. What do you like of your role of CSM?

WBD: I find CSM a complex and interesting person who has been forced to make very difficult choices and sacrifices in his life.

Anna, London: Hi, my questions are:

• Have you ever been to London?
• If yes: What did you like about it and what not?
• Did you ever break your shoulder or leg when waterskiing? ('Cause in some episodes it looks like you had some of those injuries, if I am not mistaken.) And when I tried water-skiing once I almost broke my neck!!!

Mez, Milton Keynes: Bill, has CSM been a blessing or a curse to your career, or a little of both? And do you now find that being so strongly identified with CSM limits the other types of roles you're offered or not?

WBD: Mostly a blessing but sometimes a bit of a curse as well. It is hard for some to see me differently and for some to imagine putting me in their show at all. But in the broadest perspective it has been very helpful giving me exposure...and most of all experience.

Brent, Ohio: I heard Chris Carter say back in August that we'll see CSM again dead or alive.  I would imagine he meant this season.  Do you think CSM may return with Mulder in February or in the season (series?) finale?

WBD: If CSM is to return this season it will be by some paranormal means as the actor who plays him has not shot any footage. I don't suppose they have finished shooting for the season so anything is possible but no one has contacted me about doing anything. On the other hand maybe the three week hiatus for The Lone Gunmen intercession is so that CC can figure out how to end the season.

Geoff, California, USA: Mr. Davis:

Of all the episodes you played in X-Files, which one is truly your favorite? Why? Thank you.

Geoff Forgie
A True WBD Fan

WBD: It's probably still Talitha Cumi. There was such a range for me to do. I had the debates with Jeremiah Smith, the relationship scene with Mrs. Mulder, and another fight with Mulder. But I also liked Two Fathers and of course En Ami.

Lee, Israel: First may I say, you're my favorite character. Now for the question, do you think it's possible that CSM envies Mulder?

WBD: That's an interesting idea. I think he may envy his youth and future. He admires his resilience and focus I think. I believe he thinks of Mulder as a son, whether he is genetically or not.

Peter Cabrera, Melbourne, Australia: Your character is seen central to the X-Files conspiracy.  What do you think it is about your character which generates such a 'cult' following?

WBD: Everyone seems fascinated with the bad guy, with evil. And there is so much we don't know about him and wonder about him. There is an endless mystery surrounding him.

Elke Machado Panisset, Brazil: Mr. Davis, I read in some Bio that you are an snow skiing's. I am not sure about that. I would like to know which of these mountains in your opinion is the best to seeing and skiing in Vancouver? Cypress Bowl ski Area, Grouse Mountain, Mount Seymour or Whistler Mountain. Thanks.

WBD: There is no question that Whistler is the best of these mountains. It is much larger with greater variety of terrain. Whistler is a world class resort while the others are really local ski areas. On the other hand Whistler is two hours from Vancouver while the others border the city itself. Of the local mountains I prefer Grouse but many prefer Cyprus. Seymour is scenic if it is a good day but the skiing is pretty tame.

Casey, New York: Even though you are from Canada, any views on the Gore-Bush-Florida ballot mess?

WBD: Oh yes we have lots of views. I can sum my thoughts up by saying I think they should have counted all the ballots.

Helene, Seattle: Do you like Agent Doggett and the actor who plays him? I feel like he is a replacement for Mulder, but the show is still fun to watch!

WBD: Yes I do like both the character and the actor. They don't seem to have done much though in developing the relationship with Scully. It started very well with his being the hard nosed sceptic and forcing Scully to be the believer but it has not really developed from there.

Sybilia, San Jose, CA: I'm curious about your response to a question last month. You were discussing hubris as being CSM's tragic flaw in regard to thinking he could decide the fate of humanity, and say that like the leaders of the Vichy government he made the wrong decision. Why? If I understand the situation correctly (I'm aware CSM is not always entirely truthful, but I have no reason to disbelieve the things he revealed in "Two Fathers/One Son") wouldn't the innocent victims Mulder is always bemoaning still be just as dead? The only difference I can see is that had CSM done otherwise all the rest of us would be dead right along with them. More equitable surely, but better? Better for who?

Were I to find myself somehow through the looking glass and inhabiting the X-Files universe on the other side of my tv screen, I would prefer not to know of an upcoming alien invasion we were powerless to prevent, and think that instead of criticizing CSM people ought to be damned grateful to him. Without him we wouldn't have the luxury of sitting around debating the morality (or lack thereof) of his actions today.

Sybilia (for the defense)

WBD: Well what a wonderful defence of CSM and his position. I can only heartily concur.

Jeremy Schaffer, Hemet, CA: I was just wondering, Mr. Davis, if you won't be back for season 8, will they leave hints that your character CSM is alive, and/or will you show up lurking in the shadows on some of the Lone Gunmen episodes ? By the way, you are a great actor and you got to show that in "En Ami".

WBD: I don't know what's happened to any aspect of the mytharc including my character. I guess we will start to learn something when Mulder comes back on the 25th of Feb. Whether anymore will be said about CSM is your guess as well as mine. I'm hopeful he will make an appearance next season if not this.  No sign of CSM in Lone Gunmen series. Thanks for the compliment.

Jeremy Adams, Hemet, CA: Here is a question I have not seen asked...Where is Strughold? [I don't remember him dying.] Could he be the one who saves CSM? Or could it be even more strange...Could Greta have been an alien? Could she have saved him? Thanks Bill!

WBD: When I was working on the episode I wrote, I had Strughold in it at one point. And Frank Spotnitz said that he was still out there somewhere. He did seem to be the kingpin after all. I like the idea of Greta being an alien - and I'm sure Gretchen (the actress) would like it. Why not write in?

Aaron Doherty, Ireland: Bill, my favourite episodes are the ones with you in them. I was in Toronto this summer and Vancouver and I did not know about your studio, now I'm depressed. Have you ever been to Ireland?

WBD: Well hardly. In the old days of propeller flights to Britain, planes always stopped to refuel in Shannon. I had one six hour wait there once after being up all night on the plane. They gave us Irish Coffee. I think I would like it better in a normal day. But I'm sorry you didn't know about our studio when you were in Vancouver.

Maya, Las Vegas, NV: I was so disappointed to hear that there are no plans for CSM to return in season 8. Although initially despising the character, he's become my favorite, the main reason I watch, and you are fabulous in the role. I never wanted him to come to a bad end and feel cheated that we'll never get to know him better.

WBD: Thank you for your support.

Ok, questions - do you think that perhaps Chris Carter and the writers apparently killed him off to avoid having to come up with any explanations or answers? He was the only one left who truly knew everything that had gone on from the beginning and this seems like an easy way out for them. If CSM dies, the "truth" dies with him. How convenient!

WBD: What I can tell you is that they wrote the episode where I came to my possible demise when they didn't know if it was going to be the last episode ever or if there was going to be another season if David would be part of it. That's why it was left very ambiguous. I think sometime they will have to clarify it.

Also, is there any chance that as the episode you wrote, "En Ami", was far superior to most of what the writers contributed this past season, you might someday be persuaded to write more CSM stories, even if not for the series? Many of us would love to hear more CSM stories (even the lies) providing this wouldn't entail a lawsuit by 1013 Productions for indulging our curiosity.

WBD: Now that's an interesting idea. I always thought the spinoff series should be CSM and the Syndicate, not The Lone Gunmen. But 1013 would have to support anything I did as they own the character.

Thanks for 7 wonderful years. The X-Files won't be the same without you.

WBD: Thank you.

Geoff Forgie, Lake Elsinore, California: Dear Mr. Davis:

As I have been an XF fan since the first season, you have always been and always will be my favorite character. I think you play the CSM like nobody could ever do. As for my question, what are your thoughts on playing a sinister person? Is this something you enjoy, or would you rather perform a character with a kinder soul? As I speak for millions of fans, we will miss you if you don't come back for the last season. Thank you for making the X-Files what it is.

WBD: I like playing both the bad and the good. They are different challenges. But the bad characters are always complex. Good characters sometimes are.

Nina, Russia: I’m your big fan. I don’t like X-files too much and I saw only those episodes where you took a part. I was always angry that CSM has no name (initials C.G.B. seem not too realistic for me). So - my question: Have you thought up any name for CSM? Just for yourself, to name him in your mind.
P.S. Forgive, please, my mistakes and my poor English.

WBD: No I haven't given him a name. He seems to be me when I play him, but to give him my own name would be to give him my history and that would not be right. And of course I'm really a nice person!

Cher, Ohio: How would you end the X-Files as far as your character is concerned?

WBD: Well I used to say I would bump off Mulder and marry Scully. But now CSM has sort of tried that. Truthfully I don't think the X-Files can ever end though obviously it will stop sometime. Somehow we should have an ongoing image of CSM as a continuing danger even if he dies and his spirit lives on.

Holly, England: Two questions:
1. Do you think that CSM is going to come back?
2. Is CSM a fun character to play? I can imagine that he would be!

WBD: 1. I think they have to resolve the character somehow. And so my guess is the character will return one way or another.
2. And yes I love to play him, both in his earlier pure villainous phase and later when he gained some human dimension.

Alison, Massachusetts: Much as I love the main characters, and the actors who play them, I'd trample them in a moment to get to shake your hand! I think if the show was written just a bit differently, it could be a Shakespearean tragedy, with CSM as the Tragic Hero. What do you think would be his tragic flaw?

WBD: Thank you for your enthusiasm. I too like the idea of CSM as tragic hero. Hubris might be his tragic flaw. He thought he could decide the fate of humanity himself. And like the leaders of the Vichy government in France he made the wrong decision.

Audrey, Texas: Given as it obviously is so different from Bill Davis the person, do you find it hard to play the part (CSM) of a person who so seldom smiles? In the few instances where he has smiled his face just lights up.

WBD: I don't seem to find it difficult although you are right it is not like me. Maybe I didn't smile when I was a smoker! In truth, CSM seldom seems to be in a situation where a smile would be called for.

Maria, USA: Oh no! You're not going to appear in season 8...? Well I hope you will star in a movie! Speaking of which, what are your favorite movies?

WBD: I always find that a hard question. Right now I might say, Secrets and Lies, Shakespeare in Love, and The Sweet Hereafter.

October 2000

For Edgar from Mexico

WBD: Gracias por sus palabras amables. Son muy agradecidas.
(Translation provided by Alicia Ojeda, the 'wind beneath my wings' ~ Mez)

Jules, Oklahoma: Mr. Davis, I have a few guestions for you. First of all out of all the characters that you have played which one is you favorite and why? What is your biggest fear? If you didn't become an actor what do you think that you would be doing? Thanks!

WBD: Certainly Smoking Man is one of my favourite characters. Others have been Jerry in 'Two for the SeeSaw' and John in 'Summer and Smoke'. Both of those were on stage. If I hadn't become an actor I might have been a psychoanalyst. Of course I have spent a lot of time as a stage director and acting teacher.

Maria, Dallas: Hi! Do you speak german, or was that someone else talking for you in "Triangle"? Also, how did you quit smoking? I want to persuade my parents to quit too. Thanks :) I'm a big fan!

WBD: Thanks for being a big fan. No I don't speak German but that was me speaking those German lines in 'Triangle'. I had a German speaker record them for me and I simply memorized them and tried to copy his pronunciation. Quitting smoking is a hard thing to do. I went to a cabin by myself for two days to get through the worst of it with as low stress levels as possible.

Deb Morley, Minnesota: I know this sounds really silly, but it's something that's puzzled me for some time... what colo(u)r *are* Bill Davis' eyes? In some of the screen caps they look blue, in others, hazel or gold.

WBD: You know it's not silly. I don't know myself. My eye colour changes according to what colour light the eyes pick up. I never know what colour to say my eyes are. Certainly they are sometimes blue and sometimes hazel. I didn't know they were ever gold but maybe they are.

Cassidy, MI: Mr. Davis, I have read at a couple other sites that you want to come back for the next season. I was just wondering if you are going to. Personally I think if CSM was gone, without that mysterious person in the shadows, it would ruin the season.

WBD: Well as of now it doesn't look as if I will be back in Season Eight. I don't have a contract for the first time in several years. They seem to be planning to take the story in another direction. I am disappointed about this of course but also I am looking forward to doing other things.

August / September 2000

Diana Savich, West Bloomfield, MI: When The X-Files is no longer going to be filmed, are you planning on being in another TV show?

WBD: These aren't things we actors get to plan. I would certainly be interested if the part were interesting and the location suitable for my life. But more realistically I will likely do different projects, some episodes of other series, some features, perhaps some theatre.

Alethaia, from the same country as the illuminati -- cool ain´t it?: Two questions :

1) Do you have a contract for season 8 (cause I think you can´t kill CSM just by pushing him down the stairs)?

2) And if it would be your choice, would you like the CSM to be Mulder´s father?

Thanks alot you are doing a great job so far,
Love,
Alethaia

WBD: Thanks so much. No I do not have a contract for season 8. I don't think they have decided what happened to me at the bottom of the stairs but I believe the story is going in another direction for now. And yes I think it would be fun and interesting to be Mulder's father.

Josh, Oklahoma: Mr. Davis, are you by any chance a "Method" actor?

WBD: I use aspects of "the method" in my work but I don't think I would say I am a method actor. The original method used an approach to the unconscious which scientifically may be outdated. But their stress on truth and ways to find truth continue to be valuable. We all try to "live truthfully in imaginary circumstances". It's often hard to do on film as one has so many technical considerations.

July 2000

Emilia, Italy: Dear Mr.Davis - let me say that Il Fumatore was lucky to find you. Like any other character, however well conceived, he needed a talented actor to became really alive...but he started plainly at disadvantage, and your work was more difficult! If CSM now stands to be remembered amongst countless other characters, in my opinion, is because you won a "soul" for him. When Carter and his colleagues decided to draw CSM from the background, you have been equal to the task, thereby encouraging them to expand his role. I'm looking forward to see "En Ami", here in Italy the last episode aired was "Amor Fati".

Now a couple of questions. Is it possible that CSM shot Jeffrey also for love, not to see him devoured by a Colonist, being no more able to protect him?

WBD: That is a very interesting idea and I confess I had not thought of that. My thinking is that if I shot him it was because he was now going over to the other side and he had too much information that he had learned from me. I say, 'if I shot him', because it is possible that I just shot at him to frighten him. We didn't see the body.

I read that you attended an "X-Files"/"Star Trek" convention in Pasadena. Will you ever attend to a "Cruise Trek", like Jerry Hardin? He played Mark Twain in ST-TNG, but in the same Alaska Cruise one of the guest actors was Richard Biggs from B5, and no one complained...he told that the fans welcomed him more friendly than he expected. Maybe we'll see you too in the 2001 Baltic Cruise?

WBD: I didn't know about these cruises. I will have my agent look into them.

Forgive, please, my grammar mistakes if I did them: I learned English when I was a grown up. Live Long and Prosper!

WBD: Your English is just fine. Thank you for your interest. By the way I love the actor who does my voice in Italian. It is a wonderful voice and he does a great job.

Sybilia, San Jose, CA: Sublimely sinister, strangely sympathetic, and so seductive, CSM is the most intriguing character ever. I have never been so fascinated by anyone and, of course, love him madly.

I've always wondered if in "Two Fathers/One Son" he had foreknowledge of the rebel's attack and led his fellow syndicate members into a trap. He certainly kept his distance from them in that hangar, and the way events unfolded - they all go down in flames and he slithers on out the back door unscathed - with such precision just seemed to have that special CSM touch. Very "Oedipus at Colonus" and not entirely undeserved.

WBD: What a wonderful idea. I wish I had thought of it.

I can only hope the tale of his imminent demise was but another deception and that there are no plans to kill him off. The world would be a far less interesting place without him.

WBD: Thank you for your support and for "loving him madly".

Maria, Dallas: You are awesome! Chris Carter better not kill off Smokey!!! Ok, I do have a question: what is the atmosphere like on the set? Do you and any of the actors "hang out" outside of work? Do GA and DD really hate each other? Thanks :)

WBD: David and Gillian are sometimes somewhat distant and sometimes very friendly and approachable. I don't believe they hate each other. I think there is a great deal of mutual respect but they never seem to have become friends. The rest of us get along very well. For me I sometimes 'hang out' with John Neville, or Chris Owens, or Peter Donat, or Rebecca Toulin, and of course all the Lone Gunmen.

May 2000

Elroy Schipper, Holland: At first I like to say I'm the biggest fan of the X-Files in Holland! And I like your mysterious appearance in the X-Files. However I've got 2 questions for you:

Do you think there's real extraterrestrial life out there and the government is covering it up?
WBD: No I don't think there is extraterrestrial life that the government is covering up. I've done a lot of reading on the subject and while there were some not quite truthful reports they seem to have been cover ups of cold war secrets.

In the first episodes of the X-Files you smoked cigarettes of Marlboro isn't it? And the cigarettes you smoke later is that a real brand of cigarettes?
WBD: The cigarettes have always been a fictional brand called Morley but the colour of the pack is like Marlboro. We actually put an herbal cigarette in the pack for me to smoke.

Diana M. Savich, Michigan: Mr. Davis, I think that the X-Files is the best show that I have seen yet. I was curious if you knew if there was going to be an episode where both you and Nick Lea would be starring. I am both a very loyal and curious fan.
WBD: Funny you should ask that. We were both in the season finale as you probably know by now.

Jules, Oklahoma: Mr. Davis, your X-Files episode was wonderful! I hope that Chris Carter lets you do another one. It was one of the best episodes that I have seen in a long time.

I have a few questions for you. If you had to describe yourself with one word what would it be? What is your greatest achievement? What is your best quality? Thanks! CSM RULES!!!!
WBD: Me in one word: complicated

Greatest achievement: quitting smoking

Best quality: empathy

April 2000

Melissa, Richmond, VA: Can you tell us if you thought you would actually become as popular as you have as a character on X-Files..or was this a shock that CSM is so loved..or as it may be..hated on the show..by the way..I love CSM, he's the best bad guy around.
WBD: I'm really glad to hear that you love CSM. But no, I had no idea the character would become so popular when I started doing it. It's been a real treat to be part of it.

Samantha Bolyard, Kingwood, WV: Do you have a computer. And do you have the X-Files computer game. You are only in the game 1 scene. I wish you were in there more. Love, Samantha
WBD: I have a computer, well three actually, and I use them a lot but I haven't used them for games. And so I haven't actually tried the game. The one they sent me didn't work on my Macintosh anyway.

Tina, Newport News, VA: William B. Davis is wonderful as Cancerman!  He gives our favorite villian this "gentle" touch and charisma that makes him truly all the more sinister!  Quick question:  what is CSM's real name?  Is it the alias discovered in "Two Fathers"/"One Son", or is it something else like Raul Bloodworth? :)
WBD: It is beginning to look as if his name really is CGB Spender but I keep hoping that is just another front. I don't think it's Raul Bloodworth. Maybe it is something truly empty like, John Smith.

Strich, Germany: If you hadn`t come to play the "CSM" in The X-Files, do you think you could have become a fan of the series?
WBD: I might have become a viewer for awhile. I'm not a really big television watcher but it has always been one of my favourite shows.

March 2000

Cher, Ohio: Do you still think CSM is Mulder's father from what has happened so far? Are you still competing in water-skiing events?
WBD: I am still puzzled about the paternity issue. In ‘Amor Fati’ it would seem to have been settled that I am his father but I am not convinced. In episode 15 we see that I have become sick as a result of the operation in ‘Amor Fati’. I had suggested in an early draft of that script that maybe I was sick because my DNA did not match Mulder's as I thought it would. Chris et al took that out but I am still sick and there has been no further reference to Mulder being my son. What do you think?

Yes I am still competing – both on water and snow. More snow this time of year.

Giebs, Washington (state): Do you have any inside information regarding the rumors that Season Seven will be the last season of the show? Will there be a Season Eight after all? Thanks!
WBD: I don't really. I think it all depends on David. If he'll do it it will be a go. If not, Chris has said he won't do it without David. And the Studio has said they won't do it without Chris. And yet ........

Doug Graham, Salt Lake City, Utah: Mr. Davis – I think that you are just the best in the X-Files. It is by far the best show in many years. I appreciate your talents and abilities in portraying the Cigarette-Smoking Man. You are fantastic!!! You should realize that you have become a legend among many. My entire family – siblings and parents, inlaws, and nieces and nephews love to watch X-Files. The best ones include you. What are your plans after the series closes at the end of the year?
WBD: I have no specific plans but once free of X-Files there will be more opportunities to do other projects and I am looking forward to that. I want to do more writing as well and perhaps get back to the theatre from time to time. Thank you for your kind words.

First Q&A

Mez, England: Was it always your intention to go into the performing arts?
WBD: Pretty much though I did try once to make a sensible career decision. But I ended up doing what came next.

Mez, England: Do you prefer TV, film or stage, and why?
WBD: I am really enjoying film right now, both acting and writing but I suppose theatre is in my blood.

Mez, England: Which do you enjoy more, acting, teaching or directing?
WBD: Well now I have to add writing to the mix. I don't know.

Mez, England: If you could work with any other actor/actress and director, who would they be?
WBD: Don't have a clear answer to that one.