Gil Birmingham interview- like father, like son

Gil Birmingham plays Billy Black, Jacob Black's wheelchair-bound father, in the Twilight Saga. A former bodybuilder turned actor, Gil is as grounded in his real life as the Quileute patriarch he plays on film. Gil was kind enough to answer some questions for me regarding his relationship with his on-screen son, Jacob Black, played by hunky Taylor Lautner:

You look like you still work out regularly. What is a typical workout regime for you? Did you ever work out with or have tips for Taylor while he was in the process of muscling up?

I try to get to the gym every day, but as my schedule becomes more hectic, sometimes it’s difficult. Taylor needs no workout tips from me. He worked tremendously hard between Twilight and New Moon to bulk up, and it paid off. I’m impressed by the discipline and commitment that Taylor has to acting and to his work at such a young age. He will have a long and successful career.

Describe the first time you met Taylor Lautner. Did you two connect on a deeper father/son level or strictly on a professional level? How has your relationship changed with the filming of New Moon?

There was an instant connection between us when we met, which comes through on film. When it comes to Taylor, you have to like him. He is so young, yet he is such a talented and well-grounded young man. I hope we can work together again in movies outside of the Twilight films.

Here’s the burning question regarding Twilight that all die-hard Twilighters question (or those of us who have seen the movie a couple dozen times!): Did you pick up on the discrepancy that, being wheelchair bound, you would not be able to drive? Is there an explanation for that or was it simply an oversight?

I get this question a lot, and I’m always amazed by it. There are many individuals in wheelchairs who drive cars every day. They have specially equipped steering wheels that allow them to accelerate and brake with their hands. There is nothing out of the ordinary about having Billy behind the wheel. It also allowed for a better visual view of the “stare” that I give to Edward during the scene.

Because Billy Black is one of the few Quileutes who is not a werewolf, your role adds a different level of complexity. What did you add to your character in order to seamlessly connect with Jacob’s character as well as the rest of the werewolf clan?

Billy simply loves his son and his family (tribe). Billy is the wise tribal leader, who, because he isn’t a werewolf, understands the dangers and complexities of the “tentative” peace between the Cullens and the Quileute tribe. He knows the dangers that the Cullens present to Bella and others. Billy is the glue that holds the tribe and its traditions together.

In what ways are you and Billy Black similar?

We’re both “down with the kids.” We both have a genuine compassion for the human condition. We both recharge our souls with Mother Nature, and we both keep it real.
 

Keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming flick Love Ranch, a "based upon reality" flick about a married couple who opened the first legal brothel in Nevada. Gil plays a corrupt sheriff' deputy alongside Joe Pesci and Helen Mirren.