Q&A - Vincent Kartheiser (Pete Campbell)
In this exclusive interview with AMCtv.com, Vincent Kartheiser discusses his character Pete Campbell, not to mention the actors portraying him in the "You Could Be on Mad Men Contest."
Q: Episode 2 has Pete coping with the death of his father -- and you coping with the death of Christopher Allport, the late actor who played him. What was that like?
A: Christopher Allport was really great. We only had one scene with him last year, but it was a great scene. And I think the way Matthew [Weiner] handled it in the show is amazing because he doesn't play to that obvious reaction. The death of someone so pivotal in your life really creates a self-analysis...I think the bigger question about the episode is "How are we supposed to respond in certain situations? What am I supposed to be doing now that this thing has hit?" This is a very small and bad analogy, but I just had a flood at my house, and I looked at my house full of mud and I was like, "What am I supposed to do?" I knew there was something I should be doing in this situation, and I think emotionally that's what Pete's going through. I'm just thankful that my parents will live forever, because that's just how it's going to happen, okay?
Q: Do you think this development makes Pete more sympathetic?
A: I think people should be able to empathize with him on a certain level. It's hard for me to think too much about whether the viewing audience is going to sympathize or not with Pete, because this is a character that I've now been with for three years. I think there's a certain amount of people who still won't like him. And I think there are people in the world that when I hear bad things have happened to them, I won't sympathize or empathize. Some people have it coming.
Q: What's the hardest part about playing Pete?
A: The most difficult part sometimes is that people are constantly shunning him and locking him out of conversations. He gets humbled several times in the first season, and I think it's a strong character trait of his that he can take that and continue to bully his way into the next thing. But it's such a blessing to have a character like this. The words just jump off the page and the characters fall in line and very rarely or ever do you see someone going, "What am I doing this for?"
Q: Have you been paying attention to the videos of fans saying your monologue for AMCtv.com's contest to win a role on Mad Men?
A: Yeah I have. I feel anger towards all of them that they're trying to one-up me. [Laughs] I don't get it. Why don't you guys just go do Jon Hamm. Come on! Who wants to be Pete Campbell anyways? I mean, I do. But I didn't think there was any other freak out there who wanted to be Pete.
Just as Don is self created so is Pete. Vincent is creating great depth to a character most people love to vilify but he (Pete) is really just trying to prove himself. Pete hides his family as much as Don and really for the same reasons; he wants to be better than they are and he's done it on his own. Sure he stumbles but that's how you learn. Pete is also so endearing in that he just wants to be loved, but he doesn't know how. Mr. Kartheiser is wonderful.
Agree. I get more and more impressed by him. I think Pete is the most interesting character for me, right before Peggy and Don. They are all amazing, but hats off for Kartheiser in the last episode.
Kudos to Vincent Kartheiser for taking on such a potentially unsympathetic character and making him so transparent and achingly vulnerable that you can't hate him (you can't exactly love him, either). Glad Pete is being developed more. Brilliant scene at the end of Ep 2 when Pete shows up at the restaurant and tells AA head that his father died on the flight. So much there - so many layers all at once: his need to understand on a personal level and his need to succeed coming together at the perfect time and working for him. Draper's right - what works in advertising is what's real and Pete aces it this episode!
When I first saw Pete last year, in the first episode, I knew that despite the pandering, and the sense of entitlement, this was in many ways a very sympathetic character. He wants to be better--he wants his ideas to be heard. Don is threatened by his relentless ambition, and there is a terrible father-son-like enmity between them. Pete wants approval so desperately from Don, and it's painful to see him slapped away--you know it must hurt him very badly. Last week, when Don for the first time behaves sympathetically when counseling Pete after his father's death, I could have cried. A few scenes later, though, and it's "Not now, Campbell", and there is the pain all over again. Thanks to Vincent Kartheiser for expressing the nuances that give his character real dimension and depth!
Pete Campbell is a mainstay of the show. And Vincent Kartheiser's portrayal of him is wonderful.
Bravo Vincent!
In season 1, I took an immediate dislike to the Pete Campbell character, probably because I'd worked with a number of Account Services guys who had his character traits ~ and no talent to back up their ambition.
Toward the end of last season and the beginning of this one I've grown to like the Pete a bit. He obviously does have some 'creative' talent, i.e. "Bethlehem Steel, The Backbone of America."
But, he shouldn't be pitching his own ideas to a client -- because he's an Account Exec. And that really ticked Don off -- as it would any Creative Director.
That said, Pete Campbell is a fascinating mix of ambition and frustration that has been saddled with his father's antipathy toward his career. Plus a whole lot of other things. I think Pete should start giving his 'baggage' to the nearest Grand Central red cap. Then, with his psychological burdens lightened, he can start to expand.
It's going to be interesting to see Pete begin to peel the layers off and discover the parts of himself that connect to what he wants to be.
It's also intriguing to see the quasi father/son relationship between Pete and Don, and I suspect that at some point this will grow ~ not smoothly, but through some tough effort and some missteps on Pete's part.
Pete is now caught in the middle of a delicate balancing act between Don and Duck; sort of like a puppy who doesn't quite know which master will be kind and faithful to him.
So, who's leg is Pete going to hump? It'll probably change weekly. And that's going to be fun to watch.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.....
Vincent Kartheiser does an amazing job with Pete Campbell.
Pete Campbell is not a bad guy. He might have that rich kid mentatlity, but he is very good at his job, and he has a yearning for more. He knows he can learn from his boss, but he also sees his boss' flaws. He's a realist.
Pete and Don have developed a comfortable working relationship, but they are still cautious of each other.
Actually, Pete is my favorite character. I understand Pete's motivation completely. I suppose that I see a lot of things in Pete's professional life that I see in my own. It's amazing how a situation on TV can actually mirror real life.
Pete seems much more interesting and complex than Vincent ...
See me on Mad Men this Sunday as featured background. My picture made it next to Jon Hamm left in Main Mad Men Site. All cast, crew, writers, creators, Matt Weiner are true true artists! Loved it and wish to have a speaking role on this show one day! Also, vote for me as Peggy on the contest. Thanks! I loooove this show!
Hi Nora!
Congrats for your on-camera stint! Get your agent to hound Matt for a speaking part ~ even if it's a sneeze. I'm not sure they give out Emmys for those, but it's worth a try.
I'm without agent right now. Hope to get a good one soon! Anyone know one who could speak to Matt Weiner?
Well, "A-Rod" (Alex Rodriguez/NY Yankee) just signed with William Morris...but they are the huge agency that's been around forever, I guess. They're the ones you hear about all the time, anyway, so I guess they're good at getting their OWN name out there anyhow. ha
I think with Peter what shouldn't be ignored is his relationship with Trudy. Though child-like and at times more mother-son (she's clearly the dominant partner for Pete's posing), they have become and remained a close and happy couple, in ways closer and happier than Don and Betty despite Pete's attempt to pimp his "Lovely" to an old boyfriend to get his article published in season one. Despite her innocent quality, Trudy seems somewhat aware of Peter's faults, yet loving him enough to overlook them so far, though of course she can rage at his thoughtlessness. (The unforgettable scene of her screaming at him as he desperately cowers, clutching his rifle exchange gift...), It will be interesting to follow their relationship in conjunction with Don and Betty (and the many), Roger and Mona (and Joan), Harry and Jennifer, Sal and his girl (and secret love).
Vincent Kartheiser is so impressive in this role, and clearly a top-caliber actor with a long, bright future.
Vincent Kartheiser plays a "blustery on the outside" character. With no other role model, Pete strives to channel his father, and does it poorly. He hasn't found himself yet.
Like any great actor, Vincent Kartheiser's experience of the character is largely internal, but he lets us peek through that little window at the inner horror and emptiness.
We feel Pete's motivations, in real time. While we are initially annoyed and revolted by Pete trying too hard all the time, and by his lack of integrity, we abruptly find ourselves horrified at his private suffering.... we may even end up feeling protective.
Capturing so much empathy portraying a character as awkward and disharmonious as Pete isn't easy.
Based on his work in recent years, Vincent seems to excel in doing just that ..... Pete is easily the least likeable character on the surface, and through the wizardry of Vincent Kartheiser, we can't take our eyes off him.
[This comment in no way excludes any other talent from the show. The casting is incredible, the writing is amazing, the actors are ALL top-notch.]