TOMER CAPONE: PASSIONATE PURSUIT [IN PRINT]

BY IRVIN RIVERA

PHOTOGRAPHER: KLARA LANDRAT, ART DIRECTOR: PHIL LIMPRASERTWONG, FASHION STYLING: EYAL HAGBI, PRODUCTION: LEGENDARY FILM PRODUCTIONS, LOCATION: LEAR SENSE HOTEL

In this issue, we dive deep into the remarkable journey of Tomer Capone, the charismatic actor behind Frenchie in Amazon Prime Video’s "The Boys." Capone's story is not just one of talent and success but of resilience and transformation. As a foreign actor breaking into Hollywood, Capone faced countless challenges and insecurities, navigating a new industry and language while bringing to life one of television's most complex characters. His journey serves as a powerful reminder that passion and perseverance can conquer even the most daunting obstacles. "Frenchie really helped me break out of my shyness and insecurities," Capone shares, revealing the profound impact his role has had on his personal growth.

One of the most memorable life lessons from Capone's story is the importance of staying grounded and connected to one's roots, even amidst the chaos and glamour of Hollywood. Despite his rising fame, Capone emphasizes the need to "keep it simple" and remain true to the reality that existed before the spotlight. This humility and authenticity shine through in his performances, making Frenchie a character that resonates deeply with audiences. Capone's dedication to his craft and his ability to channel his own experiences into his role underscore the unseen hard work that goes into every scene, reminding us that success is often built on a foundation of unseen effort and relentless passion.

Passion is a recurring theme in Capone's narrative, not just in his acting but in how he approaches life. He speaks candidly about the need for passion in one's pursuits, noting that it doesn't always mean constant happiness but rather a deep-seated commitment to one's goals. Capone's journey is a testament to the power of passion, as it has driven him to overcome cultural barriers and personal insecurities to achieve greatness. His story inspires us to embrace our own passions wholeheartedly and to understand that true success comes from a blend of hard work, dedication, and an unwavering belief in oneself. As you read through this interview, let Tomer Capone's journey inspire you to pursue your dreams with the same fervor and resilience.

Tomer Capone, known for his riveting portrayal of Frenchie in the hit series The Boys, has captivated audiences worldwide with his multifaceted character and intense performances. Reflecting on his journey from the early days of Comic-Con anonymity to becoming a fan-favorite in one of television's most acclaimed shows, Capone's story is one of resilience and transformation. "We were the new kids on the block," he recalls of his first Comic-Con experience. "Nobody knew who the hell we were." Now, five years and four seasons later, he anticipates a triumphant return, marveling at how the show has grown and the massive fan base it has garnered. Capone's nuanced take on Frenchie, a character shrouded in mystery and complexity, has left fans eager for more with each passing season.

Diving deeper into his connection with Frenchie, Capone reveals the profound impact the role has had on him personally and professionally. "Frenchie is my longest TV relationship ever," he says, reflecting on the five-year journey with his character. Through Frenchie, Capone has explored themes of identity, trauma, and redemption, all while grappling with his own insecurities as a foreign actor breaking into Hollywood. His candid reflections on the challenges of being an outsider and the camaraderie he shares with his co-stars, particularly Karen Fukuhara, highlight the authenticity and depth he brings to his performances. As Capone teases the upcoming season and his role in the sci-fi thriller Slingshot, fans can expect nothing short of extraordinary from this dynamic actor. "Stay tuned," he urges, promising more secrets and surprises as Frenchie's story continues to unfold.

Anything exciting that people can look up to when you guys head to Comic-Con?

I mean, listen, the first and the only time I went to Comic-Con was on the first season. 

Oh my God!

Yes, so you know, we got there. Nobody knew who the hell we were. Nobody looked at us. We were the new kids on the block. We were trying to explain what we were doing. We actually went to Comic-Con, while shooting the first season. So we stopped filming for a week, we went to Comic-Con to promote it and went back to finish the first season. 

That's wild. 

I mean, listen, I remember being there and I said to the people in Amazon, I told them, I want to go and see the ground floor. I want to see the costumes. I want to see the people- I want to engage! And they're like, yes, it's fine. Because nobody knew me. Nobody knew anything about The Boys. I just walked there, I was happy. So it will be crazy to go back now after five years. You know, being in the fourth season and seeing the reaction of people after that much time, it's going to be crazy.

It's going to be crazy; also because the show has grown so much. And you guys have amassed this huge fan base globally. It's massive, it's incredible. I mean, it's such a good show for everybody. Whether you're a fan of the superhero genre or not, the story, the writing, the characters are just so good. 

Thank you, man.

 So given that, how would you describe your character development from season one, all the way to the current season? 

Wow, man, that's a great question. Where do I start? I mean, a character like Frenchie revolves around the new stories and characters that jumped in the show. I feel like Frenchie is the secret. Every season we get a glimpse of answers to the secrets that make him the weird, fantastic character that he is. In season one, we get the secret of Lamplighter and Mallory's grandchildren and everything that happened there, and the trauma that Frenchie has from that story. And then on the second season, again, it's the whole story about him and his origin story being in jail and Mallory meeting him and taking him to be one of The Boys. Obviously, Kimiko is the biggest influence on the character and makes him open up and tell us his story ever since day one. And then in season three we get little Nina and now in season four, we got Colin. So these relationships and all those things make up this mold of the character that I think that the first season was a question mark- Who is this guy? What is this accent? Where is this from? What's his real name? Why is he like this? Is he crazy, is he a genius? What is he? And then slowly but surely, from the backup stories you get those secrets unfolding and you get a bigger picture of who this guy is. And I think we still have a long way to go in completing his journey but thankfully, we got another season. So stay tuned.

You mentioned something about the camaraderie of the cast, the crew, like, it seems like everybody just likes each other. And it shows, it really shows in the show, and how you guys have this good relationship, because the chemistry is just there, it's not forced, and the audience can see it.

Thank you. I think at this point, we're like family. You know, it's like, I feel like, every one of the boys, each and every one of the boys, is like a family member. You know, we're really there for each other, and we really spend a lot of time together. So might as well make it work, you know. But, yes, chemistry is also very important and I got to give it up, I guess, for the casting director, Eric Kripke, you know, for putting the puzzle the way it is because it fits.

So now how do you balance that intensity that's in the show, in terms of your personal life?

I mean, it depends again on what we're shooting and how we shoot in it. When we have a really messy day, you know, this show is crazy, meaning if there's a fight, or let's say we have some body parts that explode and you know, you get covered with blood- the day ends and you find yourself scraping pieces of blood from your body while taking a shower. It's the weirdest thing and it's the stickiest thing ever. It's this corn syrup that doesn't leave your body like you really have to rub it off. But then for the emotional scenes, I mean, yes, it's not easy, man. I found myself a lot of times needing a nightcap after finishing the day, and slowly but surely relaxing into my own body, my own skin leaving Frenchie for his good night's sleep, as I need mine. But all of us, all The Boys are saying that it's funny. It's a conversation that we're having, you know, this show, we put so much into it really. We love what we do. And we know how much the fans love it. So we try to give everything every day, every season. And we have long, long hours. And this show, a lot of the days is being shot at night. So it's very late and you can finish it at 5:30 in the morning, just before the sun comes up. And it will be exhausting. You know you can't go to sleep, your adrenaline is pumped up, everything is closed, you can't do anything. The one thing you can do is just make yourself breakfast and sit down and so sometimes it's a lot to take. That's actually a great question. But actors, you know, we got some tricks. We got some tricks, there’s some meditation, yes. 

Throughout your life, what's a valuable lesson that you always carry with you, that you can immediately think of?

Something I carry with me is just knowing that I need to feel connected with nature. Something that is, you know, it's been a part of my life ever since. And it's part of my regimen in terms of keeping sanity, keeping fit, just having clarity of wisdom of purpose, and meaning is just going out there and being alone in the wilderness, in nature surrounded by green, with a little piece of sky. Just feeling the energy of the world and not being consumed by the devices and phones and disposable news. Taking a break is something that is very important for me, taking a break from society from the world and then coming back to play. Yes, but other than that, I think, it's just don't forget that... It's what happens to me when I come back from nature, I always tell myself that you're not better than anyone and no one is better than you. It's just simple. Again, simple as that.

If you were a book, what book would you be and why? 

Nice. One of my favourite books. I got a lot of favourite books. I love books. But what comes to mind now specifically, I guess because of our conversation is... how do you say it in English, it is called The Giving Tree. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. I mean, it's one of those children's books, but it's actually for adults. It's the most amazing book ever, man. Yes, yes. The Giving Tree.

What was the gist of the book? What is it about?

It's about a boy that loves a tree and the tree loves the boy and the boy gets older and older and every time you know, he plays with the tree and every time that he grows up, he goes further and further from the tree. But every time he comes back to take something from the tree, the apples the branches to build the house. He wants to see the world so the tree gives him his log to make a boat. And in the end, the tree always calls the man kid, but he's coming back and he's like 90 or something. And the tree is so happy and the kid looks at the tree and the tree looks at the kid and it's chopped down, the tree says I'm sorry I don't have anything else to give you. I wish I could give you something. And the old man says, all I need is something, someplace that I can sit and rest. I really want to rest. And he sits on the tree and he rests and it's just the most emotionally beautiful story ever. You should check it out man, you'll love it.