By: Lucy Hall & Angelalyn
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| Bernard Robichaud Promotional Photo |
He talks like the tough guy from the wrong side of the tracks. He's not too bright. He cheats in class to get his grade ten. He struts around toting the gun his father gave him and threatens to shoot up the park. He is Cyrus, the nemesis of the Trailer Park Boys. With his signature studded motorcycle jacket and shades comparable to another pop icon the Fonz, Cyrus is the epitome of cool. Cyrus quickly became a
breakout character among the residents of Sunnyvale Trailer Park. When a red corvette blasting “I’m Young, You’re Old” on
the stereo, pulls into the park, you are fully aware that a badass has just arrived.
Cyrus is arguably one of the best-known male television actors of the
moment, given the across the board appeal of the Trailer Park Boys.
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| Bernard Robichaud as Cyrus |
The talented man who plays Cyrus
is Bernard Robichaud. He may portray the nemesis of the Trailer Park Boys but he is hardly the clueless, trailer park troublemaker. Bernard plays the part of Cyrus very well and uses his acting skills to make him a believable character. But Bernard is not really like the character he plays at all. Bernard is so much more than meets the eye not only is he an accomplished writer, model, comedian, and actor but he is also a cancer survivor and activist. The theatre trained performer developed the knack to radically alter himself for every role with ease. He can go from portraying an intimidating, gun toting thug to the enduring good guy with
ease. A
smart man no, a brilliant one for his implicit knowledge of his fans needs and
how he will travel the extra mile, no, miles to give them what they expected. Bernard possesses
this rare and brilliant ability to sculpt an everyday turn of phrase or mundane
snippet of conversation into hilarious Cyrus-isms. Classic comedy
characters Fonzie and Vinny Bobarino had their, “Ayyy” and “Up your nose with a
rubber hose”; today we have Cyrus’ catch
phrase, used as his exit, “Fuck off, I’ve Got Work to Do” which has also entered
into the lexicon of pop culture and is quoted often by fans.
Angelalyn and I had the pleasure of interviewing the
talented Mr. Robichaud:
HEAVY MAKEUP: Where do you draw your inspiration from as an actor, writer, and
comedian?
Bernard Robichaud: From my misguided youth and spending lots of time in front of my mother’s mirror above her dresser acting out what I wish I could have done or said to my father in retribution.
HEAVY MAKEUP: What do you think is the best role you ever had?
Bernard Robichaud: I don't look at my roles like that, they were all the best in some way, or the best they could've been at the time.
HEAVY MAKEUP: What or who got you into performing?
Bernard Robichaud:I
had a good friend who thought I needed a better outlet to express myself other
than bar fights on weekends.
HEAVY MAKEUP: What can you tell fans about your stand-up comedy performances,
what can they expect to see when they come to a show?
Bernard Robichaud: Initially
it all revolved around my character in Trailer
Park Boys, that was like being a cartoon, so now its become about me, not
that I didn't derive from my character, it was just written and delivered
differently than it is today.
HEAVY MAKEUP: What about day to day aspects of road life - travel, food, hotels,
what is the hardest thing to deal with? What has been the best part?
Bernard Robichaud: Trying
to sleep in a different bed each night, lack of sleep, bad food, too much to
drink, long hours, but I did meet a lot of grateful people.
HEAVY MAKEUP: When you write do you write from your own experiences?
Bernard Robichaud: Yes,
always.
HEAVY MAKEUP: What attracted you to the Trailer Park Boys script?
How did the project come to you?
Bernard Robichaud: I
knew Barrie Dunn and Mike Clattenburg and I was asked to audition with no
guarantees.
HEAVY MAKEUP: You were in the very first episode of Trailer Park Boys.
Are you surprised that it has become such a huge phenomenon?
Bernard Robichaud: Yes,
but I'm sure I'm not the only one.
HEAVY MAKEUP: There are many references to hard rock and metal music in
the Trailer Park Boys television series ranging from Helix,
Rush to Sebastian Bach. Were you ever a heavy metal fan? If not, what do you
listen to?
Bernard Robichaud: I've
listened to everything including the music the above mentioned performed.
HEAVY MAKEUP: What research did you do in order to portray the character Cyrus,
in Trailer Park Boys? Did you model the persona after any
particular person?
Bernard Robichaud: Several
from my neighborhood I grew up in.
HEAVY MAKEUP: What has been the best and worst aspect of playing Cyrus? How has
starring in Trailer Park Boys affected your career?
Bernard Robichaud: Losing
my anonymity, but it's put us all on the map and I'm taken seriously about my
craft which is reflected in the quality of the roles I'm asked to audition for.
HEAVY MAKEUP: In your career thus far - who have you enjoyed working with the
most?
Bernard Robichaud: I'm
not sure anyone one person stands out, Corey Haim, Kathy Bates, Billy Zane,
Eric Balfour, Lucas Bryant, to name a few actors, several directors including
Kathy Bates, TW Peacock, Shawn Pillar and of course Mike Clattenburg.
HEAVY MAKEUP: I quote Cyrus all the time; do you have a favorite Cyrus line?
Bernard Robichaud: Not really lol
HEAVY MAKEUP: Lucy and I were both raised as “Appalachian Trailer folk” before
college. Do you find you have a large following of actual trailer park
residents? I know in my old Park, you guys were Gods.
Bernard Robichaud: I'm
not sure, where the fans live is not something I concern myself with to be
honest, its not a reflection of how I'm treated.
HEAVY MAKEUP: Cyrus always has “work to do…” What do you think his motivation
for being such a hard worker is?
Bernard Robichaud: lol,
Money.
HEAVY MAKEUP: You are originally from Boston. Are you more recognized in Canada
or state-side? How do Canadians react when they find out you’re from ‘Merica?
Bernard Robichaud: Good
question, I'm not sure, I seem to be recognized though, I guess I just never
really think about demographics, the show is global, and now I have fans
everywhere which is very humbling.
HEAVY MAKEUP: Any final thoughts for your fans or any upcoming
projects to share?
Bernard Robichaud: There
are a few features in various stages of pre-production, one of which is, To Avenge, to be shot late summer/fall
2019, a new series being developed by Michael Masucci, working on a new comedy
tour with a couple of my closest comic friends, and we'll see what
happens, (laughs).
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| Bernard Robichaud Comedy Act |
When Bernard is not gracing the screen, he tours with his stand-up comedy act It's My Life, Not Yours! It was on the stand-up stage that he initially developed the character of the loveable, clueless criminal known as Cyrus. In 2001 Cyrus became a recurring character
on the popular series Trailer Park Boys. Bernard has made numerous film and television
appearances. He starred in a string
of thrillers such as Blue Seduction
as Billy Zane’s music partner and American
Sunset with his close friend, Corey Haim. He will also be starring in
another upcoming thriller To Avenge,
which is in pre-production. He has starred in Sea Change a film based on a best-selling book and he had a
recurring role on the supernatural drama series, Haven. Bernard has voiced characters for drama series and often
writes scripts.
The Best of Cyrus
Filmography:
Trailer Park Boys: Don't Legalize It
(2014)
The Hostage Game (2010)
Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to
Liquor Day (2009)
Black Eyed Dog (2006)
Vendetta: No Conscience, No
Mercy (2004)
Coo Coo Café (2000)
Reaper (2000)
Beefcake (1998)
Television
appearances:
Haven (2012-2014)
Trailer Park Boys (2001-present)
Blue
Seduction (2009)
Say Goodnight to the Bad Guys
(Trailer Park Boys) (2008)
North/South (2006)
Hearts of Dartmouth: Life of a
Trailer Park Girl (2006)
Ambulance
Girl (2005)
A Glimpse of Hell (2001)
The Industry (2001)
Lifeline to Victory (1993)
Life with Billy (1993)
Check out Bernard's Official
Website:
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| Bernard Robichaud in the thriller American Sunset |
Awesome post, Lucy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julia!
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