Drew Garrett's "Mentalist" State: The WE LOVE SOAPS Interview, Part 3

In Parts One and Two of our interview with Drew Garrett, the acclaimed actor spoke about his upcoming role on CBS-TV's THE MENTALIST, on February 17th at 10 p.m., as well as his leaving GENERAL HOSPITAL, and his vindicating Emmy nomination.  In Part Three below, Garrett shares his hopes for the future, and what he's learned over these past two years.

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: You have proven yourself as a dramatic actor.  Have you ever wanted to do comedy?
Drew Garrett: I love doing comedy and I think I’m pretty good at it.  For whatever reasons, I tend to just book dramatic roles.  I don’t know why that is.  I am just as capable of doing comedy, and I have a blast doing it.  For the time being, I walk into the door and casting directors say, “Oh yeah, this is a troubled youth.”

People say that drama can be hard but for me comedy is just as challenging.  It’s a whole different rhythm with completely different deliveries.  I find that as challenging and fun to do.  I work on comedic stuff in class and tend to do well.  Who knows, maybe I’ll have to do my own comedy stuff to prove it.  Or maybe I’ll keep doing dramatic roles until I create a name for myself and can do what I want.  I think it will depend on the right role, it all has to line up. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: You seem to have a balanced perspective on the business, especially given your experience on GH.  How do you keep that balance?
Drew Garrett: The best thing for me is to surround myself with friends that have the same interests, that are down to earth, and laid back like I am.  I have a great circle of friends.  They keep me in check as much as I do myself.  We are in the same, if not similar, boats.  We keep everybody from getting too inflated.  And, of course, my family.  They always say, “Don’t get affected by the entertainment industry.”  For me, it’s not a big a deal, it’s a job. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: One of our friends who wrote for ANOTHER WORLD told us the backstory on Brad Pitt.  He was brought on that show in 1987 for two days, and essentially told by P&G that he couldn’t act and had bad skin.  Now look how well that worked for him!
Drew Garrett: What was that show called?

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: “ANOTHER WORLD.”
Drew Garrett: Wow, 1987, that was before I was born [laughs].  But that is a perfect example.  Obviously he wasn’t as skilled then, but then he created quite the name for himself.  He is one of my favorite actors.  I love watching his stuff.  You never know.  Plus,  I’m 21 years old, I’ve got time.  Sometimes I catch myself saying, “You’re 21 years old, you’re old now...” But I am still a baby in some ways.  I’ll look back on this time and say, “You were a little kid!”

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: If you could go back two years ago, right before getting hired on GH,  and give yourself a piece of advice, what would that be?
Drew Garrett: I would say my advice to myself would be, “Don’t be biased against managers,” and “always have an acting class available to you that you enjoy.” I don’t necessarily think you should be in an acting class every week of the year, but it’s absolutely an ongoing process.  Having a class you enjoy going to is really important even if you’re busy working.  You want to further your studies and improve yourself.  I am always always learning.  I don’t feel like I can ever peak from knowledge.  As I grow as a person, so does the scale of my craft. 

WE LOVE SOAPS TV: That’s a humble standpoint as well.  It is important to remember we can always learn. 
Drew Garrett: And it’s funny because when I was younger I thought, “I’ve been in performing art schools for so long, I’m ready to work...” But there is never limit, you can always learn more.  You can always improve things.  Even the takes that people compliment me on, I think of how they can be better.  That would be my advice: Have a class and a manager.  I didn’t have a manager for awhile but now I have a great management company working with me.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Thank you for reading, and please watch Drew Garrett on CBS-TV's THE MENTALIST, on February 17th at 10 p.m.

Damon L. Jacobs is a Licensed Therapist now accepting new clients in New York City.  He is also the author of the popular book "Absolutely Should-less: The Secret to Living the Stress-Free Life You Deserve," currently available at Amazon.com. For more information about scheduling an appointment, please email him at [email protected].