Fancast: The Big Picture

The legend goes that you beat out Arnold Schwarzenegger for that spot?
No, Arnold recommended me. They needed someone taller than he was.

Nice guy.
We've known each other for a long time. He was my idol. We trained together afterward. I have to give him a lot of credit for what he is doing (as Governor of California). It is not an easy job. We still talk on the phone, but not much lately because he is so busy. I did vote for him. I'm a Republican. I may go into politics myself.

You're thinking of a run for office?
I might run for a Congressional seat of Congress for the State of California. Next year I plan to start working on raising funds for it. I'm not going to BS people. I want to give back to the people.

Which episode of the series do you like best?
"King of the Beach (1981)." Because I get to play myself (without make-up), and the Hulk. I'm playing myself (as body builder Carl Molino). I like them all. The TV series is about controlling your rage.

Do you still work out?
I work out every day for five to six hours. I still look the same as I did 30 years ago!

Do you ever work out with Arnold?
I don't work out with Arnold anymore; he's out of the league. But I work out all the time with friends.

What about that green make-up?
That was horrendous. Three and a half hours. And it had to be retouched because of the perspiration, in the heat. It was grease paint on my face. But first they had to glue on the forehead and the nose piece. Then they powdered it down. It was pancake make-up on the body. They gave me a ball of clay, rubbed it down and then had to reapply it. It is so much easier today because they spray it on. Back then they didn't spray it on.

Did you feel a connection to Bill Bixby right away?
When I first saw Bill Bixby. I was very excited. I had known him from "My Favorite Martian" and "Magician." Then I was standing there doing a scene with him. It was a dream come true. Bill took me under his wing. He was such a likable guy.

When did you realize the show was a huge, a cultural phenomenon? The second season. It was Eva Marie Saint as guest star, her husband Jeffrey Hayden was directing. There was a knock on the door. It was a tall guy with gray hair and glasses; his name is Cary Grant. I was in the green make-up he came into the trailer. He had his nephew with him; he said 'can I take a picture with you?' That made me realize how much respect the show had. Once [Los Angeles] Mayor Tom Bradley came down and spent time with us. Everybody wanted to be part of it.

It was a good time.
We were together for five years on the set. Everybody had a good time. Bill was a great director himself. A couple of the shows he directed; I was amazed he was directing himself. (Bill was someone who) wears so many hats. I feel like it was a big part of me for five years. You spent more time [with those people] than with your wife.

Is there any one thing about the show that stands out?
At the beginning of second season. I had to run through Times Square. I couldn't believe how much attention I was getting; People wanted to touch me, get near me, be close to me. They had 50 cops to protect me and keep the people back. I felt like I was Britney Spears. That's when I knew the show went off like a bomb.

You had a role in the 2003 "Incredible Hulk" movie. How did that come about?
I wanted to be in it. Ang Lee was directing. I had a small part. But this new movie is very different. In the 2003 movie, the Hulk was 40 feet tall (at times), and in this movie he is an even nine feet tall.

Are you saying it is truer to the Hulk as you see him?
This movie is different. They are making it more like the TV series. In fact, today I am going to Universal to do the voice. The voice of Edward Norton when he turns into the Hulk? As the voice of the Hulk.

Edward Norton turned down a role in 2003, apparently, and came back this time because they let him write the script. How do you feel about him in the Bill Bixby role?

He is such a great actor. He is perfect. He's not doing it for the money. I was in the room with him and we were talking about the character. He did so much research. He knows everything about the character. Everything about the Hulk.

In real-life you are also a Deputy Sheriff in Los Angeles. How did you get involved?
I've been involved with law enforcement for some time. My father was in law enforcement. I went through the training for Homeland Security. I enjoy it very much. I work with Sheriff Lee Baca.

Have you arrested anyone?
I've done it. People know who I am. They don't make a scene out of it.

How about being on "Reno 911"?
I did it four years ago, before I even thought of becoming a deputy sheriff. I like putting on the uniform.