Tara Buck is an American actress and producer. She has built a resume that runs the gamut from tragedy, comedy, farce, to fantasy. Tara is best known for her role as Ginger, on HBO's gritty Southern vampire drama «True Blood». She first appeared in season one of the series as a guest star and after quickly becoming a fan favorite, remained on the series for the entire seven seasons of the show. Tara also recurred on the fourth and fifth seasons of the highly acclaimed Showtime series «Ray Donovan» playing Maureen Dougherty, a LAPD patrol cop and love interest to Terry Donovan.
Hello, Tara! Welcome to our interview. Tell us, how are you feeling?
— Hello Kate! I’m feeling a new surge of creative energy and with creativity, comes optimism. I recently turned 50. I had a lot of trepidation about the mile maker and what it meant. I’m pleasantly surprised to discover a deep well of personal peace that has been quietly filling over time. Desire continues to keep me perpetually motivated but it is accompanied by a new degree of acceptance for the present moment. I feel fortunate.
At the beginning of the interview we ask our traditional question: at what point in your life did you decide to become an actress? What was the reason for this decision? What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
— Dancing was my first creative love so I’d say, dreaming of becoming a ballerina was probably first on the list but that evolved into gymnastics and then my love for horseback riding. There was a moment when I was sure the circus would be a solid fit for both me and my equine companion, Ganad. Then in the summer of 1985 the film, “Back to The Future” came out. I left the movie theatre that day obsessed with Michael J. Fox. I was sure my only chance at meeting him was to run away from home, break into the ‘movie biz’ and begin my happily ever after. Fortunately, I consulted my mom about the idea before taking action. I vividly remember her helping me put a few essential in a backpack but she also signed me up for a local kids theatre group. My career path was more or less set into motion that summer and I’ve never really looked back.
You have a very colorful filmography! For example, the cult series «True Blood», «Ray Donovan», «Pee-wee's Big Holiday», «The Orville», «Bones», «9-1-1: Lone Star», «Sabrina the Teenage Witch», «The X Files» and even in the series «Shameless». WOW! Could you tell us which project was the most memorable for you?
— I’m a colorful person! I have eclectic taste in the types of people I’m attracted to. I used to only be interested in playing extreme characters because the weirder or more desperate a character’s circumstances the more interesting I felt my choices could be. Even now, when I read a script I’m usually attracted to a character first and the world they exist in is often secondary for me. I think that sensibility has opened the aperture of the types of projects I work on across a wide range of genres. I love 90% of the jobs I’ve had and 100% of the characters I’ve played. I hate choosing a favorite because each one is memorable and unique in their own ways. As actors, we are always being asked to do wild, strange or slightly uncomfortable things. The world’s ‘weird’ is our ‘normal’ and it’s an exciting place to live.
True Blood is high on the list of memorable moments. Every day on that set something exciting was happening. There was always a sense of anxious anticipation when we’d get called to rehearse a scene for the first time. You never knew what magic was going to show up. And there was ALWAYS magic. I’ll also never forget working with Paul Reubens on Peewee’s Big Holiday. From the early table reads to being on set with him, the entire experience felt like walking through a childhood dream while simultaneously filled with adult wonder and admiration. Paul was a one of a kind artist and a truly thoughtful human who was always enthusiastically inviting collaboration. Getting the opportunity to work with Paul in his iconic world of Pee-wee Herman has been a highlight of my artistic journey so far.
Do you have any favorite filming colleagues?
— On set, you get to know each other pretty quickly in a deep, emotionally authentic way. It’s the only way to cut the bullshit out and get down to the work of really connecting, which is an actor’s primary job. You bond with your co-worker in varying degrees but True Blood brought the family. If I’m collecting favorites there is going to be a clutch of True Blood colleagues on the list. A small group of us still gather, catch up, show off our cooking skills and try to make each other laugh. It’s a thing.
Your role as Ginger in «True Blood» still makes fans' hearts beat faster. How did you prepare for your role as a vampire club staff member?
— When I first booked the job on True Blood, there was a lot of secrecy around the project. I came in as a guest at the end of Season One so I really wasn’t given much in terms of full scripts or any details about the other characters. Fortunately I knew the show was based on a series of books by Charlene Harris so I read those. I knew Alan Ball was the creator of the show and I already had a pretty good understanding of his storytelling sensibilities from being a fan of Six Feet Under. The rest of my prep was imagination and creating a detailed and personal backstory. I connected to Ginger immediately and felt I knew her.
It's time to ask this question: are you in Bill's club or Eric's club?
— Eric’s club. Obviously. Do you really need to ask?
If fantasy worlds were a reality, what would you want to be: a vampire, a werewolf, a witch, or a human?
— I would choose to be a human, however, I always wished Ginger would have been turned. Creatively there were just endless options for humor and entertainment. If I’m just indulging my imagination, being a Vampire would be a tantalizing option. With that said, I still choose humanity.
In the TV series «Ray Donovan» you played police officer Maureen. What was the most challenging part of playing that role?
— Getting the opportunity to be a part of the cast of Ray Donovan for two seasons was deeply fulfilling creatively. I have the highest admiration for the actors on that show and it made me want to really elevate my work. In general, I don’t care so much about what audience thinks of my acting but I do care about my colleagues approval. The challenging part for me on Ray Donovan was tracking the relationship progression between Maureen and Terry as well as the rest of the Donovan family. There where big emotional jumps between episodes and the scripted scenes were not always directly tied to where the characters had left off in the episodes prior. As with a lot of television, a big part of the actors work happens off camera, in our own imagination. We have to do the emotional detailing on our own so when the camera is rolling the unscripted, quiet spaces are filled with nuance and life. It isn’t passive and it takes discipline but it’s really where the work gets juicy.
What genre do you most enjoy shooting in? Is there a genre you would like to explore?
— I’m actually surprised I haven’t worked on more Westerns. I love the genre and I feel my sensibilities align. I grew up riding horses and sleeping under the stars. I am the direct descendant of American pioneers on both sides of my family. It’s the most authentic core of who I am in many ways. Taylor Sheridan, I’m ready and waiting.
We know that you are also a producer. Do you plan to develop further in this area?
— I’ve really enjoyed the producing work I’ve done and I look forward to doing more in the future however those projects have taken a enormous amount of time and obsessive focus. Naturally I’m more inclined to sit around daydreaming, imagining and getting into my feelings. Producing requires me to really switch gears to effectively get things done. I am working with a partner on developing a podcast at the moment and so far the creative side is where my attention has been. At some point I’m either going to have to launch deeply into production mode or hire someone to do it if it’s really going to take off.
Which project, acting or producing, has taken the most emotional toll on you?
— I think the few producing jobs I’ve done have taken the biggest emotional toll on me because the work can be all consuming. Being a boss, organizing and wrangling talent, worrying about the finances, the insurance the emotional well being of everyone around me … all pretty stressful. I became an actor so I could float through life lost in the bubble of my imagination. I do love the creative control that comes with producing however and it feels like a maturing side of me that is vital to progression. I’ll definitely get back in the ring again.
If you could play any existing character, who would you choose and why?
— Judy Gemstone in The Righteous Gemstones.
Do you have any hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?
— I enjoy being outside in nature. Hiking, camping, spending the day at the beach or swimming in a river are all favorite activities. I love horseback riding and anything that involves animals. Learning about wine is probably the closest thing I have to an actual hobby. I could easily spend hours talking to people about wine; everything from growing the grapes to how it’s made.
Favourite movie?
— Terrence Malick’s «Badlands» and Baz Luhrmann’s «Moulin Rouge».
Favorite TV series?
— «Game of Thrones» and «The Wire».
Favorite game?
— Gin Rummy.
Favorite book?
— Choosing a favorite book feels impossible with so many gems out there. With that said, my Aunt, Sheryl Harmer just released her book titled «Songs from Fern’s Pond». The book is essentially a lyrical weaving of poetry, memories and intimate letters from my Grandmother. There is a rhythmic simplicity to the imagery that perfectly capture the essence of my Grandmother’s fierce spirit as well as the rugged beauty of Idaho. When I read the manuscript I found it both revelatory and releasing. The second book I have to mention is «An American Marriage» by Tayari Jones. I had such a visceral reaction to reading that book. I couldn’t put it down but I also couldn’t stop sobbing through most of it.
Favorite color?
— Turquoise.
Your favorite singer/band?
— My husband, Chris Pierce.
Your favorite song?
— Chris Pierce’s version of Neil Young’s Southern Man is out now on the recently released album, Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young. The song slays me every time I listen to it.
Three recent songs you've added to your playlist?
— Waxahatchee’s «Right Back to It», Zaho de Sagazan’s «Tristesse» and Wilco’s «Impossible Germany» is back on repeat.
What's your house from Game of Thrones?
— None. I’m a Wildling. I identify as Free Folk.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
— Empathetic, scrappy, determined.
What superpower would you like to have and why?
— I’d like to fly. I frequently fly in my dreams and it usually feels amazing.
