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| (Photo courtesy of Tyler Hendrickson) |
Following one of the most successful runs in American sitcom history, it's easy to point out the King of Queens stars who populated the screens every week from 1998 to 2007.
There are a few, however, who raise the question "Where are they now?" One of whom is Tyler Hendrickson, better known as young Doug.
Standing as a near-perfect reflection of Doug Heffernan's childhood figure, Hendrickson relished in his first major acting role, as he appeared in seven episodes from 2000 to 2003. From fighting Kevin James in a classroom, to singing Eat a Pellet, Make a Pellet to a pet guinea pig, Hendrickson warmed the hearts of millions in some of the show's most memorable scenes.
In a phone interview with Zach Catanzareti on December 23, 2016, Hendrickson, in a two-part series, talks about his experience on the show, behind-the-scenes moments and what he's up to now.
Tyler Hendrickson: I grew up in Long Beach, California, which is about 20 to 30 miles south of L.A. Born and raised here, I still live and work here every day. Very proud to be from Long Beach since it's always been home.
As far as the acting side of things, how it got started, it was sort of dumb luck to be honest. It was a cold call we got at our house from an acting school - they were just calling different houses asking if they had kids of a certain age. I was of a certain age, and I had always been an outgoing, funny kid so I was like 'Yeah, this could be something interesting.'
They offered classes down there - we went down there, took some classes and eventually, on the weekends, they had auditions for mangers and agents. So, one week I auditioned for a manager, I got a manager, she liked me and signed me up. Then I started going on auditions and eventually, it led to nothing too major but obviously, the King of Queens was the biggest thing I was ever able to do. That was eventually what it led to.
It was basically them cold-calling, trying to find people interested to going to this acting school and we were interested. It all unraveled from there.
When it came to acting, what was it that got your interest as a kid?
I was always a performer as a kid. My dad would always give me these funny things to say, so when we would go to a restaurant, doctor's office, dentist, whatever, I would have these little jokes I would say. I guess I enjoyed being in the spotlight a little bit and I always enjoyed making people laugh.
That was one of the things that drew me to it. I was kind of good at it and I didn’t mind being in the spotlight. A lot of kids are usually shy, but that was never my problem. I enjoyed being the life of the party - I’m still that way, but that was one of the things that drew me to it. I was already doing but it, obviously, it was to a broader audience and there was an opportunity be make money as well.
When it came to getting your spot with King of Queens, you said you had to audition for the role? Did they like how you looked? You looked very similar to Kevin James. Was that a part of it?
I’m sure the look was a big part of it. When you’re going for the younger version of a main character like that, they want people to know right away, they want to see the connection. They want to know 'OK, this is young Doug.'
I think that was a big part in it. I do think I did well in the audition. I always have an intuition when I walk out of an audition room if I felt like I got the part or not, based on how I feel like I did and the reaction from the room.
Both times, the original audition and the callback, where Kevin James was there for the second audition, so that made me extra nervous [laughs]. But after that, I felt very confident that I had gotten the part.
I think it was a combination. They were going for a specific look, but they wanted to someone who was comfortable and who could deliver on camera. I guess I must’ve done good on the audition [laughs]. I was fortunate to be able to fulfill the look and deliver with my best efforts on the acting side.
So, Kevin was there for your second audition. Did he give you any pointers or was he there just to watch?
He was there to watch, I don’t remember any specific pointers. It was a long time ago and I was pretty nervous so I was probably just thinking about not messing up the lines. I do remember that he was front and center right when I walked into the room - it was the first thing I noticed. That was a real shock to the system - this is a big moment in your life.
Funny thing about that second audition, there were two parts to what I was reading. I did the first part, got a really good reaction from the room, they thanked me and I left. I was walking down the hallway leaving the room and then someone stopped me and said 'Hey, wait, hold on! We forgot the second part.' So, then I had to go back after I thought I had finished and had to get back into that mode to do the second. That was a little twist on things.
"Obviously, everything worked out."
Throughout the whole process, Kevin was really awesome. He always remembered my name and everything. I’m just a little kid so I get the sense that I’m on someone else's ground, I don’t really belong, I’m just this kid who comes in every once in a while. But he and the rest of the cast were always so receptive and welcoming. Made it a very easy working environment.
You knew who Kevin was at the time. The show had been on for about two years before your first episode, did you watch the show the first two years? Were you a fan?
Yes, I did watch the show. I wasn’t [a watcher] every week, but I remember it was on the lineup with 'Everybody Loves Raymond' and it was in the CBS prime-time spot. I knew the show, seen it and enjoyed it. After auditioning, then I really became a regular viewer. I have all the seasons now. I really increased my viewing once I auditioned.
I’m going to rundown each of your seven episodes and you can tell me your experience with each episode. Your first was "Whine Country" in 2000, you were in the RV watching a little TV show. What do you remember from your first episode?
I remember a lot. I remember being really nervous. It's a small part, that first episode, I really just say one word and laugh. I yell 'Coming!' and then I laugh at the TV. It's incredibly simple and it's so basic, you can’t mess it up.
I’m in fifth grade at the time, I’m 10, so I’m really nervous. It's my first time on a real, legit set. The RV is fake, obviously. You’re in there and you see the behind the scenes. I remember they have the bowl of Cheetos:
"I remember thinking, 'If I keep messing this up, I’m going to get to eat this whole thing of Cheetos.'"
Of course, I didn’t want to mess up. I remember going it the first time, feeling like I did a good job. The reaction was good. They wanted to do it again, which is pretty standard to have a couple of takes. I’m pretty sure we only did two takes and they were like 'I think we got it, I think we're good.'
So, there was so much energy in the room, at least for me since this was the biggest thing I had done.
It was over and... that was it. I couldn’t believe it happened that fast. All the buildup and I was only sitting in the RV for three or five minutes. I had to wait months to actually see it air, that’s just the process. It was a lot of fun and I hoped I would get the opportunity to come back.
Your second show was "Departure Time" which had your most famous line in the 'Eat a Pellet, Make a Pellet" song. Whose idea was that song?
It was in the script, I remember the director of that episode, Rob Schiller, he directed a ton of episodes. He referred to that as a King of Queens classic. It was in the script and I remember them telling me to have fun with it and make it my own. So, I incorporated the dance with it and everything just to liven things up.
It was fun working with a guinea pig, actually having an animal handler there to make sure it didn’t run away from me. I guess one of the things they say in Hollywood is to never work with animals, but obviously, I said I would work with anything you would give me [laughs].
That one was a lot of fun, that started the trend of being the tag at the end of the show. I was able to do that on my episodes. That was my first and it became a standard for when I appeared on the show. It was cool to work outside on the lot on Sony studios. If I ever get in the studios again, I can walk to where that was shot.
At the time, or all these years later, do people still sing that song to you?
I have gotten messages from fans and stuff on Facebook. I have gotten 'Eat a pellet, make a pellet! That was pretty funny.' So, that is one of the memorable things I do get. My friends don’t necessarily quote the show, but they will bring it up or mention it to people.
If someone were to quote something to me from the show, it would be that. That is the line that gets most remembered.
Your next show was "Veiled Threat" which was probably my personal favorite, when young Carry falls on you and you almost choke to death. What was that scene like?
That was cool to be able to actually work with other actors. the first two I was by myself and felt a little isolated. But this was a chance to work with other people. That scene, out in the park in L.A. somewhere I knew I needed to sell this choking. It really had to be a life-or-death situation, or at least that’s how I thought in my head. So, we have this plan where I would ne laying down, so I told the director 'OK, I can probably cough pretty loud. I can make it like I’m really wheezing or whatever.' And he said 'Yeah, yeah, go for it. Give us everything.'
I was able to trick myself into coughing when I wasn’t even choking. I was able to cough really loud - they thought I had Asthma when I was a kid because I coughed really loud. I was able to tap into it.
Fortunately, we only had to do a couple of takes or I may have gotten lightheaded. That was the thing. I felt her land on me, it didn’t hurt, and I was able to roll over and breath weird and force myself to cough like that. It really came off and it legitimately looks like I’m choking [laughs], every time I watch it - it's pretty funny.
That episode also had the football camp, I believe. That was the first time I got to really express my self a little more. I had a little more dialogue to do a little more on the acting side. That was really good.
I had played football as a kid in Pop Warner. I hate running, so it really worked that I was bummed to run around. Those were very true emotions I had to tap into there.
When it came to acting in front of the camera. As a kid, you’re acting, but you also have to know where the camera is. Was that a difficulty, something to learn at first?
I think the first time I was on set - the thing that’s really jarring is how bright the lights are. On set, the first one was in the RV, you notice that everything is so bright on you that it washes out everything that isn’t right in front of you.
You see the set, but as far as the camera and the people behind it, you really don’t see much because of how bright the lights are. So, you really have to stay focused and it creates a cloud that shields you from the producers and directors.
When we were outside, you just had to do your best to ignore it, to know that it's there and knew they’re going to do what they need to do as far as moving to get the right shots and angles.
"I was really able to lock in on what I was able to do."
Even though it’s not as easy as it sounds to forget there’s a camera there, I really focused on how I wanted to deliver the lines. It's easier actually in the studio because you usually don’t actually see the camera, its when you’re outside in the day light and the camera is right in front of you.
The one where we had to sprint past the camera at the end of the fake football practice, that was one where I really did have to pay attention to the camera because we had to run past it without actually running into it. You can sort of see when I move past the camera that there's a little lean to get out of the way and not hit the camera - it's a million-dollar piece of equipment and I’m not about to knock it over.
My thing was that I did not want to be the guy that had to do a bunch of takes. I didn’t want to waste tape, waste time. I felt very fortunate to be here so I wanted to be the easiest one to work with.
So, your fourth episode, "Hero Worship" saw your longest scenes up to this point, pretty straightforward - you look bored and then look happy when the package and sandwich guys come to the door in the shop. Was it really that easy in these scenes? Or was it tough to get the facial expressions down?
That's funny because I dot think I have a single line in that episode. That's really one of my bigger episodes.The biggest thing I had to think about was that I needed to differentiate between the two [facial expressions]. I wanted to be excited when the delivery man got there, because that would eventually be Doug's career. But I needed to be a little more - I needed to have a little twinkle about the sandwiches. You needed to see it in the eyes. I wanted it to be noticeable but I didn’t want to go over-the-top. I didn’t want it to where it was a little too much that I was salivating at the sandwiches, cartoonish.
As I’ve watched that, I notice that it is pretty subtle. I think there's a little more of a head-tilt and a little twinkle in the eyes. I was pretty happy with how I was able to achieve that.
The second part at the cash register, that was pretty easy because I got the confused face down. I was able to get the confused, terrified look and then it was all about the timing on when to turn and run. I really enjoyed that one because it’s great to make that face on television.
it’s that scene with that shirt, one of my friends took a picture of the TV and now that's the picture whenever I call them. For whatever reason, that's the one that got them.
That probably had to be the easier acting part because the customer was asking about store credit and all these tough questions. Do you even though what those mean today? Those were pretty tough questions they were asking you.
[Laughs] Yeah, I knew what they were asking but I knew in the moment I had to be so dumbstruck by what they were saying. I guess it was good that I was able to play dumb! [laughs]
Your next show was probably your most popular in "Shrink Wrap", where you get a massive brawl with Kevin. First talk about the preparation, what that was like with him. I’m guessing there were some practice runs, right?
Yes, we had to really block that out carefully to make sure everything went well. We had a stunt coordinator, he was a guy from Louisiana, and it was a lot of fun because every kid wants to be an action star, right? Well, I thought it was really hilarious that I was working with a stunt coordinator, so I could tell people that I do my own stunts.
The biggest concern in that scene was the window. So, he goes through the window and there's a mat he lands on. It's sugar glass, which I guess is an industry standard, but there were only three panes of glass. So, we could only go through the window three times and then we were screwed because that's all we had.
Knowing that, I knew I had to deliver this time and that I couldn’t mess it up. Where the camera angle is and where the shot ends up, after I push him through the window, I needed to slide to the left in order to make that opening so you could his whole body go through the window. So, that was one of the things I had to remember.
Fortunately, that worked out. That scene was a ton of fun. Nobody was injured as I recall it. Though, one of the funny parts of that episode was that William Hurt was there and that was unbelievable to have an Academy Ward winner on the show.
The chair I end up hitting over Kevin's back, it was scored so it would break, that's one of the tricks of the trade. It was set up in the classroom so I knew where to go get it so when I opened the door, I could come up behind him and hit him. We were in between takes, everyone is re-positioning everything, dusting everybody off, checking makeup and suddenly, we hear this crash. We look over and we see wood all over the classroom and William hurt is flat on his ass in the corner because he sat on the chair that I was supposed to hit on Kevin’s back.
Everyone freaks out because this is a huge get for the show and they're like 'Oh, my god, are you OK? We're so sorry!' He gets up, he's embarrassed and says 'I’m fine, I’m fine.' That was a funny moment where we thought William Hurt would be injured or would storm off set.
There were some rough stunts on that one. Where there any stunt doubles or was that all you guys?
No, that was all us. Kevin really wanted to do everything and then I’m the kid, so I have to do it. I was certainly fired up. He was the one that had to do most of the falling and crashing. He did a great job. I know getting through the window was the tough part because he had to shot himself up to make sure he got his whole body through.
If you look back and see where the cabinet and the window sill is, it's high. So, he had to push himself high. I’m sure that was a lot of fun for him. He ended up doing a lot of stuff like that in his career. That's part of comedy, right? Being able to do the physical stuff.
It was fun to do that with him because we got to interact. And it was fun that the kid I was fighting with was also named Tyler, the kid that was hitting me with the erasers.
Your final scene in that episode, you got to call Kevin a 'lardass' on the couch with William. How fun was it to be able to swear on TV?
That was great, so awesome. being that age in middle school and having the opportunity to say 'ass' and TV:
"I felt like I was going to be the coolest guy in school."
With us dressing the same, everyone on set was just talking about how much we looked alike and it was the first time we actually tried to look like one another.
My scenes were completely apart from everything they were doing. It was an effort to have us sitting in the same clothes, same setting. That was really cool to see that and have people react. That line was great. I read that in the script and I was like 'Oh, this is going to be hilarious'. That was the one I was most excited to do. To be able to cuss on TV at that age and just knowing how it would come off with the internal conflict, I thought it was really funny and a creative piece of writing.
This episode was unique for you because, in every other episode, you were flashbacks so you’re not with Kevin on scenes. Here, you guys were working together. I bet that made you so excited when you first found out that you would actually be working with him.
Oh, it was unreal. I had assumed that wouldn’t happen. The way all the scenes had gone, I thought I would do my own little part off to the side like a cameo and then the episode would proceed as usual. Being able to be in the scene with William Hurt was unreal and the episode was really funny. It’s honestly one of the funniest episodes I think. Having the opportunity to work with some of the other child actors there, young Carrie, young Arthur were there, too.
It was a good episode and, like you said, very unique being able to work with Kevin. It was really seamless and easy to do but it was a different challenge. I think it created a really special moment in the history of the show.
Ben Stiller was also on that episode, did you ever get to see him?
He was on a different day, his call was on a different day was I didn’t get to see or meet him. He’s obviously incredibly busy so he just came in, did his part. But yeah, he was on a different day so I didn’t meet him, but that would’ve been really cool. Yet another reason why that was a great episode, to have Ben Stiller play his father’s father, he was Jerry Stiller’s dad in that flashback. I thought that was funny.
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