Most articles about Sam Daly start with his family… a definite First Family of American Screen. His grandfather was James Daly, Chad Everett’s kindly and supportive boss in Medical Center and one of the first Silver Foxes, his dad is television star Tim Daly of Wings and Madame Secretary fame, and his aunt Tyne Daly. Sam is holding up the family tradition. His first official acting credit was in 2004. He has had many roles in TV and in film, including the film Red Tails and the Amazon series Hunters.
1. Your whole family is known as actor’s actors. Are there roles you would like to take but don’t because you worry about disappointing them?
None that I can think of off the top of my head. As actors themselves, I think my family is just happy that I’m working!
2. We have been seeing a lot of you lately. What current or recent roles are you most excited about?
I’m looking forward to season two of Hunters and seeing what happens to Ron Davis. I’m also really excited about a show that my dad and I are developing. It’s a half hour spy comedy. We play father and son. It’s hilarious, we love it. And it has a lot of elements from our web series, The Daly Show. Which is all about being a little less douche.
3. How did a great actor like you end up in “Death In Texas?” Were you day drinking? I think I was late afternoon drinking?! Does that count??
Ha. No, I’ve known writer/director Scott Windhauser for over a decade. We’ve always talked about wanting to work together. And when he told me about the project, and Dr. Perkins specifically, I was really drawn to the character and the story. I had also met Ronnie years back, through Scott and another mutual friend. At a bar no less! And have been a big fan of his. I must admit, making this film has been somewhat of a family affair. Funny enough, when Steve Lang signed on, the family element came full circle as he has known my parents for years, both personally and professionally. In fact, Steve and my dad starred in the TV series The Fugitive together, my dad was the Fugitive and Slang was the one armed man. Small world!
4. With Hollywood becoming increasing sensitive, are you seeing more good meaty parts for gingers? Especially tall, good looking gingers?
I think gingers are the most underrated species out there. Yes, we are often passed over for blondes or brunettes, but I think redheads make up less than 1% of the human population. Yes, we have freckles, yes, we wear sunscreen, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have souls! I’m just waiting for Sorkin to write the Prince Harry and Megan biopic so I can fully flex my ginger muscles and make a good name for redheads internationally!
5. The character you play in Death In Texas, Dr Perkins, is an interesting character. Very nuanced. How did you read him?
I think Dr. Perkins is both moral and flawed, and that makes him very human. On one hand, he genuinely wants to help his patient. But he’s not blind to the fact that he can’t always help them. Especially when it comes to needing organs donated and waiting in line for them to become available and what not. I think Perkins uses “farmed” organs to benefit both himself, financially, and to keep his patients alive. Again, is it moral to help save someone, yes. Is it completely flawed and wrong to benefit financially from it and deal in these shady underworlds, of course. But like I said, he’s only human.
6. If you could act opposite of anyone, who would it be?
I’d always say my mom and dad first, because they are my two favorite actors in the world. And I love working with them. And no, they did not pay me to say that. It’s true. They’re amazing. Close second would probably be my grandfather, James Daly. Whom I never got to meet unfortunately as he passed when my dad was only 19 years old. But he was a badass. And if you’re a fan of the original Twilight Zone go back and watch the episode A Stop At Willoughby in which he stars. It’s a classic! Third, and equally impossible to act opposite would be Steve McQueen, my favorite non-family member actor, and the essence of cool! We happen to share the same birthday so I’ve always felt a strong connection to him. In terms of living, non-relative actors, I’d have to say Leonardo DiCaprio. Because he’s the fucking best! Oh, and Ronnie Blevins too, but he paid me to say that.
7. You had scenes with Stephen Lang in Death In Texas. Slang also worked opposite your dad in the TV remake of The Fugitive. Did you know him before Death In Texas? Was it added pressure?
All pleasure, no pressure. Was so happy to see him and talk shit about my dad. And praise my dad too, I should add. But mostly shit talk.
8. What sort of role do you really want to do, but haven’t had the opportunity yet?
I’ve always wanted to be in a sports movie and play an athlete. I played all sports growing up. I was a state champion football wide receiver in high school. I played college basketball, believe it or not, for four years and have been an avid sports fan and participant my entire life. There are too few sports movies in my opinion and endless stories to tell.
9. Your mom was a stage actress and your dad primarily screen. Which do you prefer stage or screen?
Theater was my first introduction to acting, watching my family perform in person, so the stage will always have a big place in my heart. There’s nothing quite like performing in front of a live audience. It’s very similar to playing sports in a lot of ways. And that has always excited me. But TV is what I grew up around. With my dad being on a TV show basically since I was in 1st grade. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love TV?! But I was actually a film major in college because I was obsessed with the medium and the scope of stories and beauty of filmmaking. Specifically films from the 1970’s, the Hollywood renaissance if you will. So I, guess if I had to choose between stage and screen I’d choose both!
10. Betty or Veronica?
Come on, that’s easy…ARCHIE!
Death In Texas will be released June 4th, 2021, in selected theaters and VoD. Death In Texas is produced by AHuevo Films and Brandtone Films in partnership with Vertical Entertainment. For more information, email brandon@brandtonefilms.com