Ray Donovan cast member POOCH HALL talks about Liev Schreiber, Jon Voight, his portrayal of Mohamed Ali, and the importance of family.

Chris Austopchuk: Where are you from, and what kind life did you have when you were growing up?

Pooch Hall: I’m from the boogie down Brock.. lol Brockton, Massachusetts. It’s a tough city, so I had to be tough. Home of the Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Rocky Marciano… I’m from lower middle class. Brockton is a blue collar city.

CA: In Ray Donovan, your character, Daryll, is a boxer, and you have some personal experience in the sport, having won the Southern New England Golden Gloves. How and why did you get into the sport of boxing?

PH: My dad boxed in the Army and was a trainer at Petronelli’s Boxing Club, so it was a good fit. Plus my dad didn’t want me fighting in the streets. But if I had to, I trained so that I could protect myself.

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CA: Was your background in boxing one of the reasons you got the role? Could you tell us how you heard about the role, and how you got it?

PH: Boxing had nothing to do with it… lol; it was more about acting. You know, as an upcoming actor you gotta eat. So it was just another audition. I prepared and I killed it.

CA: The new season is nearly here, and we can’t wait! The series seems to let its actors explore and add depth to the characters they play. Can you tell us about how Daryll has developed since he was first introduced?

PH: He is still evolving… we will see Daryll get closer to the family. I think as a little brother he wants to be accepted by Ray and he will do whatever it takes.

CA: Can you give us a hint as to the arc of your character in the new season?

PH: We are still filming the series, so I’m still finding out stuff. But as of recently, Daryll gets to be a little darker…

CA: Your relationship with your father in the series, Jon Voight, is a complicated one. As Mickey, he is a self-centered, small-time criminal, and yet, he honestly loves his family. Can you tell us a little bit about your relationship with the character Mickey, and to Jon?

PH: Mickey loves his family. Same as Jon… he loves his family. ..and he loves me… he’s my dad away from my dad. Love that guy… He is such a great actor. He can make Mickey twisted and evil and lovable at the same time.

CA: We read that you and Liev Schreiber, who is Ray Donovan in the show, are occasionally sparring partners in real life. Can you tell us about that, and your relationship to Liev?

PH: Liev is my big brother 4reals… we work out in off season and when we can during the season. Liev fought for me to play the late great Muhammad Ali in the feature film “The Bleeder”… Liev and I became even closer after that.

CA: We wanted to wish you a happy Father’s Day! It is safe to say that one of the main themes of the show is family, and how strong those bonds are, in spite of everything. How do you bring your life experience, from growing up, to being a father, and family man now, to your character?

PH: Well to be a dad and a husband takes patience and work. And through the process you make mistakes and I try to learn from them, which gives me strength and perspective. Daryll doesn’t have kids, and being the youngest Donovan, he wants family. And being a family man in real life helps me and helps me understand bond and affection.

CA: Are you involved in any new projects, and do you have ambitions to take your career in different directions?

PH: Yes…I have the film “TheBleeder,” “A Dog’s Purpose” and a pilot for TV called Media” that I want to produce and direct… I wanna do it all… I’m tryin’ to be up there with the Denzels, Ben Afflecks, Will Smiths, Robert Downey Jrs and many more… Let’s F#@king Go!

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