I didn't know Colby was in this movie. Guess I'll have to rent it now. Was it
good? I don't want to get the movie if it doesn't interest my husband...he
would say I just wanted to see Colby....which is true, but you know....~Wipa
Survivor's Colby Ready for Takeoff
by Angel Cohn
TV Guide 8.18.05

Most people remember Colby Donaldson as the guy who pretty much handed over the
million-dollar Survivor: The Australian Outback prize to Tina Wesson, but now he
is out to prove that nice guys don't always finish last. While many of Colby's
fellow reality alumni are toiling away on Kill Reality or Battle of the Network
Reality Stars, he is featured in Red Eye, the new Wes Craven thriller opening in
theaters this weekend. Colby, who also surprised more than a few people with his
comedic timing on a superb episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm, gives TVGuide.com
the story of how he's managed to outwit and outlast all those other former
Survivors who are actor wannabes.
TVGuide.com: You play a high-ranking security agent in Red Eye. How did that
come about?
Colby Donaldson: I went in and initially read for a different role, but the
casting directors called me back in for this one, and then the process began. It
was so much fun, we got to shoot [in L.A.] and down in South Beach, in a huge,
unbelievable condominium. I was lucky to be a part of that. The hard work's
paying off.
TVGuide.com: You don't come on the scene until pretty far into the movie. I
almost thought I missed you.
Colby: I have to call my family and tell them to be patient, because they're
going to be sitting in the theater going, "Where is he?!" I don't come in until
halfway through, at least. But I hope they're proud. It was such a neat
experience to be on a set and working with an amazing director and a great cast.
TVGuide.com: Some of your former Survivor: All-Star cast mates are filming their
own movie on Kill Reality. Have you seen that at all?
Colby: I haven't. I've heard about it.
TVGuide.com: Did you give any thought to auditioning for that show?
Colby: No. I don't even know if I was contacted about that. I've been working so
hard in pursuing acting and doing [Red Eye], and have been fortunate enough to
stay busy that way, that I don't know if I would have done it. I knew what the
premise was and it didn't seem like a direction that was in my best interest.
TVGuide.com: Well, you are a serious actor now....
Colby: I know, can you believe it? Woo-hoo! Lorne Michaels has a new sitcom
coming out on NBC called Thick and Thin, and I'm doing that. It's supposed to be
a mid-season release, but it may come out sooner. Jessica Capshaw, who is a good
friend of mine, is in it, so that was a lot of fun. I've [also] got my recurring
[role] on Joey. All my scenes are with Matt LeBlanc, because my character is
Joey's nemesis, so we're constantly at each other's throats. I've learned so
much just working alongside him — little subtleties and innuendos that make you
a better actor and also make the work more efficient and a lot more fun.
TVGuide.com: Are you hoping that people soon stop asking you all the reality-TV
questions and just focus on your acting?
Colby: Survivor was such an amazing experience and it helped me a lot. And
honestly, what better preparation [is there] for Hollywood than going on
Survivor? This is the most cutthroat island you'll ever be put on, this
Hollywood "island." To this day, the coolest thing I've ever done was to go to
Australia and be part of the first [Survivor] I did. I don't ever want to forget
that, and I don't expect anyone else to. It was enough to do the red carpet at
the premiere [of Red Eye]. People were asking me about the movie. They're not
all asking about Survivor. The more time that goes by, and the more work I get,
and the more credit I get as an actor, the more distance exists between me and
reality [TV]. I'm proud of that.

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