Eric Stoltz was born in Los Angeles in 1961. He attended the University of Southern California, but dropped out to join a repertory company that played at the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, UK. In the 1980s he garnered attention (and a Golden Globe Nomination) when he portrayed Rocky Dennis in Mask, and in John Hughes' Some Kind of Wonderful. In the 1990's he appeared in Pulp Fiction, as well as starring on television shows including Mad About You and Chicago Hope. Sci-Fi fans will no doubt recall his role in The Fly II and the fact that he was replaced by Michael J Fox as Marty McFly in Back to the Future. Darren Rea caught up with him as Sci-Fi mini-series, The Triangle, was due for release on DVD...

Darren Rea: What attracted you to the role of Howard Thomas in The Triangle?

Eric Stoltz: It was a fun script with a terrific director and good actors and it was shot in South Africa, a country I love.

DR: Would you have accepted the role if it had been an ongoing sci-fi series rather than a mini-series?

ES: I don't think so. It was a great deal of work, and I can't imagine doing it week in and week out for years and years and years. And then, if it was a hit, I'd have my photos in all the magazines, I'd be rich and famous, and... wait a minute, let me rethink that question.

DR: The conclusion of the series wraps the story up neatly, but if the producers came to you with a way of revisiting your character (say an ongoing show where in this reality the Navy has somehow developed a way to travel through time) would you be interested in reprising your role?

ES: Oh my goodness, that would be wonderful.

DR: Before starring in The Triangle, did you have any theories on the Bermuda Triangle? What were they, and has your theories changed since being involved with the show?

ES: I didn't, really. I just thought it was one of those places where strange and unexplainable things happen. Not unlike Hollywood.

DR: Are you a believer in the paranormal?

ES: I don't know that I'd call myself a believe in the paranormal, but I do believe that there are things in this world, and universe, that are simply unexplainable - which is both disturbing and intriguing.

We're such a science oriented society, we need everything explained away and broken down and understood. It's nice to find things that are beyond our ken, to be reminded that we really don't know that much and that we're just darn lucky to be here.

DR: You've managed to have a successful career, without getting typecast in any one genre, or role. Is there a genre or type of role that you haven't played yet that you'd love to have a go at?

ES: I haven't really done a true horror film... although some of those early teen comedies might qualify. To be honest, I don't really look at the genre, if I'm sent a script I just read it and respond or not.

DR: Is it true that you are a collector of antique guns? If so, how did that all start?

ES: That's not at all true. I think that started as a 'fact' that someone posted on the Internet. Just goes to show you- never believe anything you read on a computer.

DR: What's next for you? What are you working on at present?

ES: I just produced and acted in a small independent film called The Lather Effect, which should be coming out this year. It's sort of a tribute to the '80s, filled with fun cheesy music and bad hair.

DR: Thank you for your time.

With thanks to Jo Quintanilla at Cathy Beck

The Triangle is released to own and rent on DVD from Momentum Pictures on the 29 May 2006

Order this DVD for £14.99 (RRP: £19.99) by clicking here

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