Sam Daly – Madam Secretary

By: Taylor Gates

Q) You first appeared on “Madam Secretary” in Season One and then came back during Season Three. If you were to return to the show, what would you like to see Win doing?

A) I would love to see Win help Daisy, played by the marvelous Patina Miller, raise her baby so that she doesn’t have to do it on her own. As far as Win, I would like to see them help push the legal marijuana agenda as it is so prevalent in mainstream politics these days.

Q) You had an especially “meaty” and relevant storyline during Season One where you were on lockdown with Geoffrey Arend’s character due to a gunman outside the White House. What was it like to film those scenes?

A) Filming the scenes was not nearly as tense as it was on the show. Geoffrey Arend is one of my favorite people that I’ve worked with. He is hilarious – one of the funniest guys I know. He does incredible impressions and is super down to earth. Consequently, that episode was directed by the great Eric Stoltz. For such an incredible actor, Stoltz is equally as talented behind the camera. He knows exactly how to pull emotion out of actors and make a situation real. Eating (fake) pot gum on national TV was a highlight and the fact that Geoff is so well known for his classic role in Super Troopers as a stoner made it all that more fun on the day.

Q) How would you describe the atmosphere on the “Madam Secretary” set?

A) Efficient, fast-paced, professional and with a large dose of humor on the side – which is either the exact same or the total opposite of the atmosphere of the actual Statehouse, I imagine. I’m just not sure which one.

Q) You’ve collaborated with your dad (Tim Daly) on more than one occasion and you’re set to work with him again soon. What’s been the most fun and most challenging thing about working with family?

A) The most fun part is simply the fact that I get to work with my family. I love my family. So, it’s always a joy to be on set or stage together. The most challenging part is figuring out what where we’re going eat dinner when we’re done working. Everyone has their own opinions and they are never wrong…

Q) Acting obviously runs in your family, but I’ve read that you didn’t always want to be in the industry. What changed your mind? Who are some of your acting role models?

A) I think growing up around so many actors and artists instilled a deep love for the craft and even before I was aware of it. I always loved film and TV and going to plays. It wasn’t until I was in college that I realized I wanted to be the one performing. I’ve always loved performing, whether it is on stage or on the basketball court, it has always been inside of me. My acting role models are definitely my parents. I’ve been watching my mom and dad act since I came out of the womb. I was even in my mom’s belly for a play while she was pregnant with me. I’ve literally been acting since before I was born. My favorite actor of all time is Steve McQueen. He was a genius and undeniably exuded the essence of cool and we also share a birthday. March 24^th babies for life!

Q) What shows and movies did you love growing up? What are some of your current favorites?

A) My favorite movies are Hollywood Renaissance movies–The Great Escape, The French Connection, Marathon Man, Chinatown and Amadeus to name a few. My favorite movie in recent years is probably The Witch. My favorite film this year is definitely I, Tonya.

Q) You’ve successfully tackled both comedy and drama. Do you prefer one genre over the other?

A) I love that I’ve had the opportunity to do both. In life, there are many comedic and dramatic moments and it’s safe to say I experience both comedy and drama on a daily basis. I don’t really have a preference. However, if I had my feet held to a fire I would probably say comedy. Even though comedy can be more challenging, I would take laughing over crying any day.

Q) What’s been the most challenging role you’ve ever played?

A) Dylan in the film Black Road. I am in almost every single frame of the film. I learned to ride a motorcycle for the role. I got into the best shape of my life. The other lead character, Clyde, is a human-like computer chip inside my head. I was having conversations with myself for a large portion of the film and playing a half –human/half-cyborg was a challenge unlike any other in my career thus far.

Q) What’s one role you haven’t yet gotten the chance to play but would love to in the future?

A) I would love to be the leading man in a rom-com, mostly because my wife would love me to be in a rom-com. Our relationship is one big rom-com.

Q) You’ve appeared in a wide range of projects. What attracts you to a role?

A) I love finding the flaws in characters and making them relatable. Everyone is flawed, but that doesn’t mean that they are bad or good. It just means that they are human. I also love great stories regardless of the genre. If the story is unique and appealing, then the characters will usually follow suit.

Q) Office Uprising, your upcoming zombie comedy/horror film, sounds really different and hilarious. What can you tell us about your character and the movie in general?

A) The film is simply awesome. Laugh-out- loud funny. It is filled with action sequences that will make you jump out of your seat. I’m excited for this one to come out and for people to see. I play Marcus Gantt, who is basically a horrible person, but thinks he’s the bee’s knees. Marcus is someone people will hopefully love to hate which is always a fun role for me.

Q) In addition to acting, you’ve also done some writing and producing. Would you like to do more of that eventually or even branch out and try your hand at directing someday?

A) I love writing and producing. The hardest part of writing for me is sitting down and actually writing. We can all have great ideas but until you put it down on paper, they’re just ideas. I am producing a movie that my dad and I are starring in together later this spring called Just Not Right, about a dad who gets engaged to his son’s ex-girlfriend, which, let’s face it, is just not right. As for directing, I would love to direct one day. For now, I want to continue acting in great projects and working closely alongside great directors to inspire me to get behind the camera in the future.