GARY SCHNEIDER
Gary Schneider (The Toxic Avenger, Class of Nuke ’em High)
Gary Schneider is an actor that is famous for his roles as Bozo in “The Toxic Avenger” and Pete in “Class of Nuke ’em High” from Troma, Inc. They were two of my favorite characters in any film (not just Troma) because they were played with such hilarity and heart. Just from watching Gary, I believe he could have been a comic actor that would have rivaled some of the more popular ones at the time (and in the 1980s, that was almost everyone).
Gary was very successful in NY as Ibble Bibble of Ibble Bibble and Stewzo, entertaining kids in the major metropolitan NYC area for many years. He also made many guest appearances for Troma in areas where they were promoting presentations of “Toxic Avenger” and “Class of Nuke ’em High” to the public alongside his co-star Robert Prichard (Slug in “Toxic Avenger” and Spike in “Nuke ’em High”).
Back in September of 2015, I interviewed Gary Schneider. I never had a chance to post his interview anywhere, but I held on to the interview. Now I’m proud to present that interview.
Ladies and gentlemen…Mr. Gary Schneider.
LOU MAVS: My godfather was a member of the BQE gym in queens when Troma came in to hand out flyers for auditions. Is that how you came into your audition?
GARY SCHNEIDER: No; the girlfriend at the time of a close childhood friend told me about the auditions. A friend of hers was a casting assistant at TROMA. So, I went down to their office on 9th Ave. and auditioned. I had 5 callbacks. (Note: Troma is now in Astoria/Long Island City, NY.)
It was between me and Vincent D’Onofrio, who worked on a TROMA film the year before. Vincent is one of our best character actors over the past 30 years. Well, Vincent got the part. Then about 2 weeks later, TROMA called me to come in once gain. This time they gave me the part. I think Vincent got another part and decided to take that one.
LM: IMDB lists locations for Toxic Avenger and Class of Nuke em High as NJ, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. Some of the areas look like my home town of Astoria, or Long Island City. Do you remember anything about the locations or what it was like?
GS: We filmed a lot in NJ. We did the whole car chase scenes in Jersey City. The fast food restaurant scenes were, I believe in Rutherford, NJ. The St. George Health Club in Brooklyn Heights was the health club in the film. Scenes were also shot on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
LM: Have you ever had interest in doing more films by Troma or any live theater?
GS: After TOXIC and NUKE ‘EM, I was in the original cast of the Off Broadway play TONY AND TINA’S WEDDING for 5 years. It’s the longest running non-musical in the history of Off Broadway.
It was the beginning of environmental theater. The audience were guests at the wedding. I originated the part of the slow learning son of the caterer. Then I played the priest who married them.
After I left TNT, I stopped acting. I miss it sometimes today though.
LM: When Toxie became the hit that it was, what was that feeling like?
GS: It was very exciting! In April 1986, when the movie opened in theaters in NYC and surrounding areas, it got some buzz. I remember the major NYC TV stations reviewing it. Then shortly after that it opened at the Bleecker Street Cinema in Greenwich Village. It played as a midnight movie for about 6 months on weekends.
As you know, it became a cult film with a growing following. What amazes me much more than the beginning is how it has held up for 30 years? It has really followed my through my life. I’m very grateful for the experience.
LM: Aside from Robert Prichard, do you still keep in touch with any of the cast or crew?
GS: No I really don’t. Interestingly, I met Dan Snow (Cigar Face) last year for the first time. Robert, Dan and I did some commentary on the 30th Anniversary edition of TOXIC. WE sat in a studio, watched the film and talked about it as we saw the different scenes. Dan is a very friendly guy.
Other than that, I really haven’t kept in touch. I’m indirectly in touch with Mark Torgl (Melvin) through his partner for a mockumentary called TOXIC TUTU. I’m scheduled to have a cameo in it.
LM: Normally, it’s a 2 year process for Troma to produce and release movies. Do you remember the actual years? Was the Bleeeker Street Cinema the only theater that actually showed it when it came out, or were there others?
GS: Filming for The Toxic Avenger took place in the summer of 1983. It played at film festivals in 1984 or 1985. Around the same time, it opened in theaters in different parts of the country (regionally), so instead of opening in 1,000 theaters across the country at the same time, it opened in way fewer theaters in maybe Chicago, then Denver etc…
It opened at theaters in NYC and Long Island in April of 1986. The Bleecker St. Cinema opened it in October of 1986. It came out on video in 1987. It was actually the video release that gave it a big jump in popularity.
LM: Was Lloyd Kaufman‘s persona as eccentric then as it is now?
GS: Hehe. Yes.
LM: What film was more fun for you to make? TA or Nuke?
GS: I was (excuse the expression) “stressed out” while making TOXIC, especially at the beginning of filming. It got easier as filming progressed, but this was my first film. BOZO is certainly not a relaxed kind of guy. I really enjoyed it once we got moving, but it was a little overwhelming at first.
NUKE ‘EM was definitely easier for me. Pete is an easy going character, and I was already a veteran with TROMA. Also, I didn’t have to audition for NUKE ‘EM. Both though were really fun experiences that I cherish today.
LM: After Warren (Gilbert Brenton) shoves his fist down your throat, what was supposed to happen?
GS: There were no other plans to film anything else. I remember the day we shot the fist going down the throat scene. It was actually my first day of shooting. It was a freezing cold day, just before Thanksgiving in 1984.
I thought that the contraption that they created to make it look like a fist was going down my throat was really cool. They got what they wanted. Also, the very sick scene that we shot leading up to the death scene was fun to shoot.
LM: It looks like the comedy scenes were fun to make. Did you and the actors have to go through multiple takes because you laughed or broke character?
GS: It definitely might have happened, but I don’t remember. Lloyd needed to get a lot done each day. I really enjoyed working on the film. I definitely enjoyed shooting it more than TOXIC, but we pretty much stayed focused on completing each scene.
LM: The scene of yours that made laugh hard was that laugh you gave after you sold Eddie the atomic high. What inspired that, and has anyone ever mentioned it to you? And what can you say about your character Pete?
GS: I think the laugh just came out of the character, kind of naturally. In other words, it felt right, although it’s possible that Lloyd said “give me a maniacal laugh here. It’s a good question.
The wardrobe department created it. There is a scene where you can see my back. You’ll notice that the kilt doesn’t go completely around, so it was safety-pinned to me. It’s kind of funny.
I created “Pete” after seeing the lines and the costume. That “loose joints” scene was one my favorite personal scenes.
“They get you up up up, and you never come down.” I love that line.
LM: Have you ever thought about doing any conventions since it is now 30 years since TA came out?
GS: Yes, I would consider doing them.
LM: Still interested in acting?
GS: Yes; absolutely. As I had mentioned earlier, I’m planning to have a cameo in TOXIC TUTU.
Thank you, Gary Schneider for being an awesome, warm, kind and generous person to interview.
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