Chris Diamantopoulos on "The Sticky"
A man of many talents, Canadian actor Chris Diamantopoulos really does it all: you may recognize him from critically acclaimed Peacock series Mrs. Davis, or Netflix’s biggest blockbuster, Red Notice, or even as the Emmy nominated voice of Disney’s Mickey Mouse. His latest project? Amazon Prime’s brand new dark comedy series, The Sticky, which tells the (fictionalized) story of “The Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist.” Diamantopoulos tells us more about the process of filming The Sticky, and how he manages to accomplish everything at once.
Left:
Suit by Karl Lagerfeld
Shirt by SIMKHAI
Sunglasses by KREWE
Right:
Vest & Blazer by Weisheng
Pant by SIMKHAI
Shoe by Kenenth Cole
Sunglasses by Ray-Ban
What initially drew you to The Sticky, and what made you excited to be a part of the project?
As a proud Canadian, I'm always looking for projects that both shoot in Canada and tell Canadian stories. You'd be surprised how hard it is to find quality material that does both. I was drawn to the unique nature of the show. It's a half hour show, but it's no more comedy than The Bear is. It has elements of a drama, and is cinematic in scope, despite its bite-size feel but the main draw for me was working with Margo Martindale. I'm so glad I went on this journey with her. We had an absolute ball.
The show blends varying elements–comedy and a heist story. If you had to describe it in three words, what would they be?
Three desperate saps.
You have quite a history in your career of playing villains. What makes Mike Byrne different from the characters you’ve embodied before?
I always wanted to be the hero when I was a little boy dreaming of being an actor in Hollywood. Of course, then I didn't realize that the villains had all the fun. So I'm kind of glad that my career has taken me in this direction. Playing Mike was a real revelation for me because he's not your prototypical villain. There is humanity in Mike, though it's buried in many serpentine layers of skin, he's as desperate as they come. And his desperation pervades every decision he makes. Being able to take as big swings as I was able to in both the comedic and dramatic sense in this role was a real treat. Mike really traversed from the Alpha to the Omega in this first season. It'll be fun to see where he goes…
Suit by Karl Lagerfeld
Shirt by SIMKHAI
Sunglasses by KREWE
Shoe by Kenneth Cole
How did you approach preparing for the role of Mike?
The prep work for Mike was similar to the prep work that I might do from any other roles that I've played. It's really a matter of becoming so familiar with the material that I can forget it and put it away. I wanted to make sure that I wasn't searching for lines or trying to remember motivation or which scene connected to which. I made sure that the story was so steeped into my consciousness that I could just allow myself to flow and go with whatever Margo, Guillaume, or the writers or Director would throw at me. Prepare, be open, allow for inspiration, be courageous, spontaneous and vulnerable and don’t take yourself seriously.
The series is based on a hyper specific and somewhat comical real life event. Did you have to do any studying to understand the context of the events and the location?
As a proud Canadian, I had heard of this heist, and certainly did a little bit of reading on it, and watched the documentary on Netflix. But because I knew that the writers were crafting a fictional account, I didn't want to get too married to any one historical person or event. As for the location, shooting in northern Montreal, in the winter really creates an atmosphere, and certainly for my character (who wants nothing to do with being there), it creates a real sense of tension, and subsequently some terrific human, and humorous, moments.
What role does Mike play in the trio’s dynamic? How does is presence affect the outcome of the story?
Mike is a blunt instrument. He's the brawn of the trio. But he really thinks he's the brains. Mike is quick thinking, but his quick temper usually out-does any possibility of genius. He's impulsive, entitled and self important, but he's also got balls. That's the great thing about this trio: lose one of them, and the heist doesn't succeed. Mike's lethal streak, while unfortunate for his victim(s), is a linchpin, and why the heist is able to happen in the first place.
How was it to work with Margo Martindale, Guillaume Cyr, and Jamie Lee Curtis?
Working with Margo Martindale, Jamie, Lee, Curtis, and Guillaume Cyr was a joy. I've been in the industry for 40 years, and these are three of the most genial and professional and prepared actors I've ever worked with. Margo is a terrific leader, Guillaume is as skilled as anyone could hope for, and Jamie Lee Curtis has enough charisma to power a city. It was an incredible experience.
You, Martindale, and Cyr form quite the team on-screen. Did you do anything off-screen to help cultivate the connection and chemistry between the three of you?
Margo, Guillaume and I would often go for drinks and dinner on the weekend and after shoot days. We got along instantly and our chemistry was super organic and real from the very beginning.
Do you have a favorite memory from filming The Sticky? Something memorable, heart warming, or funny that you can share?
I remember the first day Jamie Lee Curtis showed up on set and it was like she generated 1.21 GW of electricity into the entire cast and crew. I have been a huge fan of hers especially from a Fish called Wanda and it was beautiful to recognize that meeting one of my idols exceeded my expectations. Of course, her character also had to beat the crap out of me… Super fun, but she doesn't pull her punches lol.
You’re often juggling an extensive list of roles at any one time, from films and movies to voice acting. How do you find a balance between such a busy professional schedule and your personal/family life?
I love what I do for a living. Was it Mark Twain? That said make your vocation your vacation? That’s certainly how I feel. I don't have any other hobbies really other than spending time with my family. I love acting. So when opportunities come, whether they are on stage, the big screen, the small screen, or in animation, or even endorsements and commercials, I try to find a way to add value and see where they will add value in my life. I have found that saying yes, usually leads to an adventure and a story so if I can say yes, I will. The mercurial nature of the business builds in time off, and so I've been fortunate enough in the 40 years that I've been doing this to not feel like I have had an issue with the balance of my work life in my personal life. Our family motto is: “follow the spark”.
When you’re working on multiple characters in a short timeframe, how do you stay grounded in each distinct role and differentiate them from each other? Do you have any specific tools, like playlists, scents, or rituals, to help with that?
I am a person of specifics. I like things to be "just so" but I'm also a father of four and I have four animals so I recognize that things being "just so" is an illusion and extremely ephemeral. When I'm fortunate enough to work away from home, lol, I like to make sure that I surround myself with beautiful scents like Aesop incense, a warm Epsom salt bath can really eliminate the trials of a long day or set the stage for a triumphant day in the morning. And it sounds simple, but a good walk usually helps solve a mental block, answer a question, or alleviate any anxiety or stress. When, in doubt, put some Frank Sinatra on and dance, while making an omelette.
CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Chris Diamantopoulos
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: David Higgs at Exclusive Artists
Fashion Stylist: Tracy Shapoff at Forward Artists
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Logan Dutra
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