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Credit to moffel

Interview with Lost-star Dominic Monaghan

“Ich bin ein Berliner!” [I am a Berlin citizen!]

As Hobbit Merry in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy he had his breakthrough. Now Dominic fills the TV-audience with enthusiasm on “Lost.” In Yam! he talks about his German roots and about private quirks.

“Hey, wie geht’s? Und wie ist das Wetter in Deutschland?” [Hey, how are you? And what’s the weather like in Germany?] Happy and in almost perfect German Dom Monaghan says hello to our reporter Julia on her Lost set visit on the island of Oahu/Hawaii. While doing so, he plays relaxingly on the guitar. Shortly afterwards he gives answers to our questions in the interview.

Yam!: Are there similarities between you and the character you play, Charlie?
Dom: Charlie and I are very different, generally speaking. But we are both friendly and like the girls (laughs). And we are both musical and believe in the behaviour towards life and philosophy the Beatles once had. That’s why I am happy to be able to play a musician. First I was offered the part of Sawyer but I had even less in common with him…

Yam!: Charlie is addicted to Heroin. How have you prepared yourself to that aspect of the role?
Dom: I have 3 friends in Los Angeles who are unfortunately addicted to Heroin. Their stories helped me with my preparation. Because I wanted Charlie to be as authentic as possible.

Yam!: You were born in Berlin and spend your childhood in Germany. What are your memories of that time?
Dom: Like John F. Kennedy already said: “Ich bin ein Berliner” [I am a Berlin citizen!] (laughs.) I was born in Berlin-Charlottenburg and was raised in Germany until I was 11. Excerpt Berlin I also lived in Düsseldorf- Lohausen, Stuttgart and Münster. I can even remember the street in Münster we used to live in- Muckermannweg (grins). And I can still remember that me and my brother Matthew often spent our time in the local Karstadt [it’s a shopping centre-chain that is spread all over Germany].

Yam!: Did you like German food?
Dom: Oh yes, I love it. I loved Sauerkraut [pickled sour cabbage], potato pancake, French Fries and Currywurst [some kind of Sausage]. I also liked Maoam [some kind of candy to chew on -- very tasty] and sour French fries [?].

Yam!: Is it right that you are a big football (soccer) fan?
Dom: Absolutely. I played a lot of football in Germany. That’s why I have been such a big fan of Jürgen Klinsmann [German player who is now training our national team], Lothar Matthäus and Rudi Völler [all very famous German players who work as coaches now]. Even when I already lived in England I supported the German national team. But these days I support Manchester United. I really want to see their next game against Real Madrid.

Yam!: What are you doing in your spare time?
Dom: I play the guitar and the piano and go surfing a lot. I like to watch movies, listen to music and go swimming in my pool. Sometimes I even DJ in some small local clubs here in Oahu. But generally I don’t go clubbing that much. I prefer to spend my time with my colleague Matthew Fox who plays Jack and his children.

Yam!: So you are good friends in real live, too?
Dom: Yes. Foxy, that’s his nickname, is a very good friend of mine. Also, I’m very close with Evie, Evangeline Lilly. I also spend a lot of time with Josh Holloway and his wife... We all get on really well. Every Wednesday when Lost airs in America we meet at one of our houses to watch the new episode together. And Malcolm, who plays Walt, and me often play Play Station or Basketball together.

Yam!: Is it right that you have rather strange pets?
Dom: Yes! I have 2 chameleons here on Hawaii. But home in L.A. I’ve also got 2 snakes, 1 scorpion and a spider, a black widow called Wichita. I’m really fascinated by these animals, though many people are disgusted by them. When I was a small child and we were on holiday, my brother and me smuggled many lizards in our car- without my parents knowing. Recently, me and my brother have been to Panama where we fed wild apes and caught a snake. Oh and yes, a few days ago I had a really strange encounter with a giant toad…

Yam!: Sounds interesting, what happened?
Dom: I love water and I often go surfing. Last time I saw a giant toad lying next to my surfboard. That was really impressing. When we looked each other in the eye that really was an unforgettable moment for me.

Yam!: Please tell us some of your little quirks…
Dom: I do these strange noises with my voice when no one is around. And I have a tic to walk into the jungle here on Hawaii, to search for insects to feed to my chameleons. It’s almost as if I’m forced to. Even when I’ve got enough and I am on the way back to my car and I see something- I have to catch it(laughs). Another quirk: I am afraid of heights but went bungee-jumping none the less. Rather stupid, isn’t it?


PHOTO CAPTIONS
[Photo of Dom with Viggo and Elijah]
His friends: The Lord of the Rings-gang
His Lotr-colleagues Viggo Mortensen and Elijah Wood are his best friends. The hobby they have in common: Music. They’ve already written songs like Half Fling and Shadow together.

[Photo of Dom with Evi]
His love: Dominic and Evangeline
Dominic and his fellow actress Evangeline Lilly (Kate) officially deny being a couple. But with pictures like this (one from the Golden Globe) they feed the rumours. Their love for each other is already an open secret.

[Photos of Dom with "trees" written on his hand and at tree sit school event]
His goal: Save the trees!
Dominic is really involved with environmental issues. He cares especially for the conservation of forests and trees. Dom with members of a British environmental organisation. Further information on www.project-monaghan.net !