Exclusive with Pittsburgh Native/Actor Joe Manganiello

First, any new projects you’re working on that fans should know about?

We just launched Shoplifters of the World – it just came out. It’s a period piece set in 1987 after the Smiths broke up. There’s an urban myth about a kid in Denver who holds up a radio station to impress a girl and won’t let them play anything but Smiths songs. I was inspired by the story and produced the film as an independent film. Me, my brother and a high school friend all worked on it and I play the DJ in the movie. We have 20 Smiths songs we use in the film – we showed  it to Morrissey who loved the film too.

Nothwithstanding that film – Sci-fi/fantasy seems to be a big interest to you – what about it interests you and do you see a resurgence in things like D&D? Why?

Sci-fi and fantasy was always in my bones – I grew up on it as a kid and loved going to comic book stores. It was more coincidence that my first movie was Spiderman – it wasn’t a comic I read as much but it was obviously very popular.

After that there was True Blood of course. I’m not sure why I ended up in those. I always loved D&D – I was able to work as a consultant for them to launch new projects and to design some characters for their video games and books. I was their ambassador to Europe as well. Doing all of that was the job I wanted as a kid and now I get to do it part-time!

You’re also involved in Children’s Hospital – what makes that so important for you?

I’ve been on the board of trustees there for over a decade now, yeah. I’m moved by working with kids – and by the parents who often go unheralded in what they do. People often don’t know how difficult it is for them. So I enjoy raising money for them and the new programs the hospital develops. And it’s a way for me to stay connected to my hometown. I wanted to stay connected to my community.

Clearly you’re a big Pittsburgh sports fan. What from your experience is different about being a fan of a Pittsburgh team versus what you see of other teams/cities?

I think Pittsburgh fans are just so highly educated. Cris Collinsworth commented on that last season and got called out for it, but I think what he was trying to say that Pittsburgh fans are shockingly intelligent, across the board.

What happens behind the scenes can be complex, but the fans get it. The whole crowd gets what’s happening on the field. And whether or not it’s still a blue collar kind of town, we still love to see guys hitting hard and smashmouth football.

Do you think all those things that you loved about the Steelers growing up – they still hold true to you today as the game and team has changed over the years?

I think the fans are still the same. It’s a generational thing – each generation teaches the next what it means to be in Pittsburgh. Don’t be an idiot and represent the city. Have a workman-like attitude that the town has. I know it’s not a steel mill town anymore – those have all been replaced by medical and biological – the city has turned the corner. It’s not some aging rust belt city – but the sentiment still holds true.

I think the sport has changed a lot. We can debate on why and whether that’s good for football or not all day. I just remember Troy Polamalu getting flagged late in his career for clean, hard hits and thinking “Here we go.” As Pittsburgh fans, we don’t like it. I’ve threatened to stop watching a number of times when I get frustrated. When you go over the middle and get hit …hello! What do you think it supposed to happen there! I guess it had to change but it’s still not the way I like it. I still love defensive games – a 3-0 game with great defense – I still love that kind of game.

I joked with Seth Meyers that the Pittsburgh-Hollywood connection has a secret Listserv where you all bemoan Pittsburgh sports. True?

Whenever there’s a big offseason move I get texts from Seth. Dan Cortese too – he’s like that. Every time we go to the Oscars or the Golden Globes or a Vanity Fair party, I’ll see Michael Keaton and Jeff Goldblum and we’ll just get together in our tuxedos and talk about what the team is doing. There we are all talking until our wives have had enough. Billy Gardell is another one. It’s always a blast.

Watching Ben and Sid – you think fans really appreciate what they have in both of these guys right now and how rare it is to have guys like this?

Yes – I think we do. One of those things that comes with high IQ of the fans – they know to be grateful. That’s where the IQ of the town comes in. These past few years we saw all the talent they’ve had on offense – Hall of Fame quarterback, the best receiver and running back. Three All-Pro offensive linemen.- but they could never get over the top. Then they got the defense going but Bud and Bush went down….it was disappointing. Why can’t we just piece it all together and win? So I do think fans are grateful, but we’ve just been driven mad by all the talent they’ve had and the fact the cards haven’t lined up well for them.

Any memorable experiences with Steelers and Pens players? Any of those guys you have enjoyed spending time with the mot – and any fun experiences?

Hanging out with Troy is up there in my five all-time moments. He was more than I even thought he was and he was always my favorite player. I respected the way he played the game. He was like some medieval knight – not of this era. Like a timeless warrior that I got to spent time with – like Sun Tzu. I rarely got this way with anyone, but on the ride home I remember asking my wife “Do you think he liked me? Did I ask too many questions?” I cared so much about what he thought of me.

I’ve spoken to a lot of guys who talk about feeling dehumanized at times due to the proliferation of stats and fantasy football – any thoughts on how that’s affected your enjoyment of the game and players?

I think fantasy football and social media can be a trap for young players, If that’s what drives you and you can still be a productive player then great. But I do think it’s de-emphasized the idea of it being a team game. You see that in certain guys. It’s hard to see things on the peripheral.

Producer David Fincher – he talks to us about having a clear peripheral. He wants us to focus on our jobs on the set. I think that’s what the Pittsburgh mindset is supposed to be. I grew up watching Greg Lloyd – he was the hardest hitter I’ve ever seen. He would knock guys out but never did any yelling or dancing. He would just be like, “Who’s next?” There is something about that we love as Pittsburgh fans.

Hines Ward was an assassin out there too – you had to keep your head on a swivel. He was the guy your high school coach warned you about. We loved him. And when JuJu knocked out Burfict after he hurt AB and Bell, we were ready to erect a statue for the kid. If he didn’t stand over him there probably wouldn’t have even been a penalty – it was a clean hit. We look at examples like that. That to me is solid, karmic football! It’s what we like. It’s the temperature of the city, if that makes sense.

What have been some of the best Steelers and Pens moments or stories that mean the most to you outside of obvious Super Bowl/Stanley Cup wins?

Ryan Shazier and I used to text each other a lot after games. I got to hang out with Brett Keisel and have a cigar with him. It’s amazing to hang out and have a cigar with the big man!

On a flight once, James Harrison randomly sat next to me – this was after his stint with the Patriots. I told him Pittsburgh still loves him. He just talked to me about the differences between the Steelers and Patriots locker room and the differences between the teams at the time. I love James – his perspective is great. And he’s tough as nails. He sat down on the plane in gym shorts, a tank top and shower slides. He just wears toughness!

Franco Harris was also at my wedding. Ed O’Neill was there too and I remember Franco wanting to go and meet Al Bundy. Ed couldn’t believe it – seeing that was awesome.

Ryan Clark yelling “Hey Alcide!” to me on the sidelines when True Blood was big was fun. And once Ben and I hung out at a karaoke bar and he pushed me to sing Hungry Like the Wolf on stage!

One of the great perks about the job is being able to hang out with guys like that. Even texting with Cam – knowing how he was texting Tyson trying to get him to come back.  Working on him – Cam is a great leader for sure.

Any last things you want me to mention before I let you go?

Yes – get people to watch the Snyder Cut of the Justice League. If you want to see more – especially of Deathstroke – they look at those numbers. So please watch the movie!