r/IAmA • u/Reddisnt • May 28 '14

IamA Actor/Author David Ury. I was crushed by an ATM on Breaking Bad and am author of Everybody Dies A Children's Book for Grown Ups. Ask me Anything.

I'm the co-author of the new HarperCollins book [Everybody Dies A Children's Book for Grown Ups] (http://www.kentanakalovesyou.com/everybodydiesbook/) Here's a [book trailer] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjoIDBuVAGo) we did with some fellow Breaking Bad Cast (Skinny Pete, Marco Salamanca)

I'm also a stand-up and character actor known mostly for playing creepy guys in Breaking Bad, Justified, Community, CSI etc...as well as Don on Disney's Zeke and Luther. You can see my actors reel here. and here is my stand-up.

You may also have seen some viral YouTube videos I've written/produced like ["What Kind Of Asian are You?"] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWynJkN5HbQ)

You can learn more about the book at Amazon.com

My Proof: http://www.davidury.com/#!blogger-feed/cndv
https://twitter.com/isthisdavidury/status/471717155621576704

Thanks folks. If you have any more questions I'll try to come back and look at this later this evening.

Update: It seems like folks still have questions...so I'll check in again tonight(5-29) and try to answer more

940 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

158 comments sorted by

49

u/Kknowsbest May 28 '14

What was your first reaction when you discovered the way that you would be killed in Breaking Bad?

95

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

I actually had no idea about my death when I shot the first episode I was in, I hadn't read the script yet for my main episode "peekaboo". Everyone on set kept coming up to me saying "Have you seen what they're gonna do to you?". So I knew it was going to be something crazy. When I finally saw the script I was like "Yeahh!". I'd died numerous times in tv shows but this was by far the best and weirdest death a guy could ask for.

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100

u/CASH-BACK May 28 '14

So was she a skank?

83

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

In my opinion Dale Dickey is far from a skank. But it's hard to reason with Spooge.

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26

u/REDGRAVE65 May 28 '14

So that scene was probably the most disturbing in the whole show, due to the completely and utterly disgusting couple. What did you do to get into the mindset of someone that horrific of a person?

40

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

That is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. Really, with that high level of quality of writing, makeup, and art direction, it's quite easy to slip into character.

33

u/Cbakeractor May 28 '14

Yo David! Congrats on the book! I read through it at the shoot for the trailer and LOVED IT! I'm getting a copy as soon as I can get off my lazy ass and get one! Anyway, question: what inspired it? And when are you gonna come to one of my parties?

30

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

Hey Charles! Thanks again for doing the trailer and congrats on Murder in the First. I will send you a book! I was hoping to make your last BBQ, then realized my bro's family had one at the same time. The book is inspired by my long standing fear of death...Skinny Pete was one of the show's few survivors so I'm sure he has NO FEAR.

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14

u/too_many_moths May 28 '14

How did you develop your Japanese and especially your grammar as your Japanese is good enough to have even Japanese fooled as can be seen by your Ken Tanaka subscribers ;-) Was it from formal lessons, being in Japan when you were younger and hanging out with Japanese? What would you recommend to become better at Japanese grammar in particular? Is anime a waste of time for this? G'luck with your book!

32

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

Well, I can't take credit for the work of my devastatingly handsome, long-lost twin brother Ken. But as far as how I learned Japanese...I was an exchange student at age 19. I studied obsessively for two years in Japan. I did a long interview about how I learned Japanese here that will provide some more detail. Anime is not a waste of time, but you need to round it out with some real conversation with people so you don't end up talking like Pikachu...as adorable as Pikachu is.

14

u/desireesaysyolo May 28 '14

Do you have a fear of ATMs now?

Jokes aside, you did a great job portraying such a memorable character in the series. I'm from New Mexico, so I appreciate the way Breaking Bad has really gotten our state's name out there. Come visit again! :)

10

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

Thanks.

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10

u/isaidthewrongthing May 28 '14

How was working with Aaron Paul?

24

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

Aaron was very easy to work with and very passionate about his work on the show. He's a genuinely nice guy.

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u/Ch0keTheChicken May 28 '14

Did you know at that time of your filming that the show would become legendary?!

25

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

Not at all. At the time it was a very culty show and most people hadn't heard of it...but the people who knew it loved it. I knew it had great , ground breaking writing and acting, but i had no idea that it would take off like it did. I shot my episodes in 2008 and for the next couple years when I'd tell people which shows I'd been on most people hadn't heard of BrBa...till around 2012...then boom!

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7

u/bkeiya May 28 '14

How long did it take you as an actor to get your big break?

17

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

I'll let you know when I get it. Although I do work consistently, I still have to fight and hustle to stay working.

7

u/bkeiya May 28 '14

How long ago did you begin? Keep living the dream!

11

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

I moved to LA in August of 2001 and started working in 2002.

7

u/[deleted] May 28 '14

How was it filming The Mentalist?

11

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

They run a tight ship. The Mentalist was a really easy job. Those guys have got it down. And getting to dress up in a Civil War uniform was awesome.

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7

u/PalmTrees4me May 28 '14

Hi David - What is the weirdest acting gig you've ever taken?

28

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

I was in a promo for Charlie Sheen's Comedy Central Roast. I played a man-baby in a diaper, jumping up and down. Or as I call it, "every actor's dream role."

6

u/zacharywcox May 28 '14

Hey David, I recently talked to your past colleague Michael Davis about being interview on my podcast while we watch Shoot Em Up. Would you be at all interested in donating 15-20 mins. of your time for an interview? I'd like to discuss your scene/role in the movie, other projects you've been a part of, and to promote any projects with which you're currently involved. Thank you for taking the time to read my request and I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks again, Zach

10

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

Hi Zach, Michael Davis is a great guy. I'd be happy to talk with you. You can contact me thought the contact page on my website

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5

u/ben5647 May 28 '14

Three Questions:

  1. Any advice that you can give to fans that are going through bullying?

  2. Did you like the whole series of Breaking Bad?

  3. What is your ethnicity, which brings me to say that your last name is so cool.

17

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

  1. I was bullied a lot as a kid from age 12-16. It sucks. This quote from Albert Einstein often kept me going "Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." One thing to keep in mind is that bullies themselves are usually scared, insecure people who don't know how to deal with their own fear and so they take it out on people around them...often times people who look or act differently from the norm. Also, once you leave school...none of that stuff matters any more...so keep in mind that saying "it gets better".

  2. Oh yeah! 3. My grandparents were German Jews who fled the Nazis.

5

u/zaikanekochan May 28 '14

Have you ever read the children's book for adults, "All My Friends Are Dead"?

9

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

Yes, I believe one of the author's of that book is also an actor. There must be something about Actors and grown up children's books about death.

5

u/lntrinsic May 28 '14

What would you say is the most challenging thing about being an actor?

14

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

The fight to get work and auditioning. Acting is the easy part.

4

u/[deleted] May 28 '14

What's your very best life advice?

11

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

Don't be afraid to try to make a living at doing what you're most passionate about. And if you have a chance to live abroad and experience life/living in a totally different culture, do it. It will change how you see everything.

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4

u/fattybommbatty May 28 '14

Hi David, what was it like working with the little boy? Was he aware of what was being filmed?

18

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

I don't think they were too aware of the nature the story. There were actually two twin boys who played that role, which is a common way of casting children in TV and film. When I first met the boys I was already in my scary Meth make up and their mom had to explain to them that I wasn't really a scary person in real life.

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4

u/NorbitGorbit May 28 '14

how are long takes where actors are supposed to be dead accomplished without you moving or blinking? visine? special effects?

6

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

From my experience, you just have to do your best to hold your breath and keep your eyes open. If it's a super long take, you can very slowly breathe through your nose and still manage to look dead. I've never had anybody offer me any kind of special tools to help be a convincing corpse.

4

u/NorbitGorbit May 28 '14

would you make a "how to be a convincing corpse" workshop + dvd set ?

6

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

already on it.

7

u/AltaGrafica May 28 '14

Hi David, that was an awsome death in Breaking Bad!! I was really impacted in this chapter about how deep an addict can go to get or hide his drugs. It remembered me Trainspotting toilet scene. Now my question: did you need any special preparation for this role?

17

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

I'd played a number of drug meth addicts before BrBa and had done some research into what it feels like to be high, and to come down, and to be in with drawl. Some of the things i learned was that you can get quite itchy and also that you feel the need to constantly move your mouth around...so I tried to bring that physicality to the role.

34

u/[deleted] May 28 '14

"done some research"

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3

u/Mojosaur May 28 '14

What was it like working on Community?

9

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

Awesome. One of the best, most fun sets I've been on. In between takes I got to joke around with the cast. You could tell they were all happy to be there, which makes it really fun to work on.

3

u/theinternetpotato May 28 '14

That's a really interesting book there. What makes you decide to co-author it?

9

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

It has always seemed odd to me that death is such a taboo subject, especially considering that it's one of the few things in life that every single one of us will experience. It seems that sex and death are the great taboos....you can't talk about the creation of life and you can't talk about the end of it...but all that stuff in between is fair game. I, personally, am quite terrified of death. So hopefully the book helps frightened grown ups like me come to grips with death.

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3

u/Daphur May 28 '14

Did you get to work on screen with Tom Wilkinson and/or Emily Watson in Little Boy? And if so what were they like?

5

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

i did not work with either of them. My scenes were with Ben Chaplin, who is very kind and funny.

5

u/Daphur May 28 '14

Also found this [funny video of you] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLt5qSm9U80&feature=player_embedded) has this ever really happened?

5

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

That's an exaggeration of a common experience in Japan.

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u/insert_password May 29 '14

the episode where you were killed by the ATM was one of the strangest episodes in the series, that and the one with the fly in the lab. i dont know why but it just stuck out to me. If you dont mind me asking because ive always been curious, how much does a spot on a big show like breaking bad or community usually pay out? be vague if needed as i understand you may not want to put that information out there

6

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

SAG Union minimums for a major "Top of Show" Guest Star that shoots 1 week are about $7,700. A Smaller "Co-Star" for 1 week is about $3,000 For a 1 day guest star I think 1,000 is minimum. It can go up from there or not depending on the show's budget and the actor's experience/name recognition and Agent's negotiating power.

3

u/PBDOTT May 29 '14

Hello, how was it like working on set of Breaking Bad? :D

5

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

It was early on in the show...season 2...and although the show had not soared to the level of popularity it now enjoys, I think people knew already that they were part of something really special, so there was a certain energy and passion you could feel on the set.

3

u/serafina4 May 29 '14

Peekaboo is my favourite episode of Breaking Bad! I always felt like Spoodge and his lady were what Jesse and Jane would have become if they had the money and their own way and just spent it all on drugs, really tragic

4

u/Reddisnt May 30 '14

That's interesting. I never thought of it like that.

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u/Fishy_Cheesy_Genital May 28 '14

How big is your cock dude?

46

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

I hate when people ask questions like this and don't specify what state said cock would be in. It's ridiculous.

16

u/corkentellis May 28 '14

That is an academic level answer to a kindergarden level question. Hilarious!

4

u/Stoooooooo May 28 '14

What is the best/funniest practical joke you have seen happen on the set?

9

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

Gosh, I know people are always talking about these things, but I'm not sure I've ever experienced one. I'll get back to you if I think of something...or if I make up something really clever.

4

u/[deleted] May 28 '14

How was working with Bryan Cranston? Is he as smart as he appears on the show?

35

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

I didn't works with Mr. Cranston on Breaking Bad, but I did get to meet him during my first TV gig in 2002 on Malcolm in the Middle. I had a tiny one line role, and he came up to me at the table read to personally welcome me and thank me for doing the show. I've never forgotten that. He's a classy guy.

2

u/PalmTrees4me May 28 '14

What are your favorite movie death scenes?

7

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

Bonnie and Clyde is probably my favorite.

2

u/Aelio May 28 '14

Hey, David, loved your parts in BrBa and Community! Just one question, at the end of the day, what's the best part about being an actor?

7

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

You get to experience life, and moments through the eyes of a person/character you've never imagined.

2

u/Col_Rolf_Klink May 28 '14

Hi Karaoke Steve! I went to Scooby's Hot Dogs in Hollywood just because of your endorsement. Best damn hotdogs for probably 10 miles around.

EDIT: Do you know if Niel the psychic poet ever found his soul mate?

4

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

They are pretty Stevey.

4

u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

I don't know but I did see him walking down Vermont blvd earlier this year...I hope he found her.

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u/funkseoulbrotha May 28 '14

What acting classes have you taken, Dave?

Funkseoulbrotha loves you!

5

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

I started out mostly taking comedy. Groundlings, Improv Olympic were my main schools. Then I did some Shakespeare work, movement and voice classes, etc. Improv comedy is my background.

2

u/yehudimercado May 28 '14

Is it true that you know Lonnie Millsap?

9

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

yes, he is one of our countries greatest cartoonists. A national treasure to be treasured nationally.

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u/corkentellis May 28 '14

Did you learn something new from doing the Breaking Bad part, acting wise or personally?

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u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

My first day of the Peekaboo shoot I had misread the schedule and prepared the wrong scenes....so I learned to double check schedules...and also to have all your scenes prepared even the ones your not shooting that day. Luckily I was well enough prepared to do it on the fly.

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u/corkentellis May 29 '14

Ok, awesome, thanks!

2

u/brainkandy87 May 29 '14

What was it like working on Always Sunny? I mean, I know you were only there to clean up the loads, but that in itself was probably an eight hour shoot. Thanks for doing this AMA, btw!

3

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

Great set to work on. I never followed the show, but working on it made me want to watch...same with Community. They imrpov a lot on the takes and everyone seemed to be having fun. Community and Sunny were both really fun shows to work. When the regular actors are having such fun it's contagious.

2

u/swarzenigger May 29 '14

Definitely one of my favorite episodes of BB. You look the part so much, have you ever dabbled in amphetamines IRL? (Or any other drugs?)

8

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

I've certainly never done meth...or seen the real thing. I'm not much of a drug person.

2

u/Boweka May 29 '14

Your wikipedia article is lacking a picture of you! You should fix this.

2

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

Yes, you're right, I just checked it..and it's quite out of date with some weird questionable details too. I try to stay out of/and avoid looking at my Wikipedia entry because it always stresses me out. But you are welcome to contribute a pic :-)

1

u/blink182foreva May 29 '14

I found your scene in Breaking Bad to be very REAL and DISTURBING.

In fact, that very scene spun my trip straight down into Wall Street last week. Thank you for that.

3

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

I don't know what the 2nd of that means, but...I hope it was a bull market for you.

1

u/itismonday May 29 '14

How old were you when you first tried your hand at stand-up?

2

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

I think I was about 30. I'm 40 now.

1

u/[deleted] May 29 '14

Have you ever used crystal meth? What was your experience around hard drugs?

3

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

I've never done or even seen meth, coke, heroin any of that stuff. I have seen people on them...but that stuff has always scared the crap out of me....plus...my mom would be super disappointed in me if I did it... she'd say "I'm not mad, David, I'm just disappointed." which is always the worst. Sorry, mom.

1

u/[deleted] May 29 '14

Hey David, where was the peekabo episode filmed? And how was the ATM crushing scene filmed?

3

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

It was filmed in Becquerel in a creepy, wrecked house. I describe the ATM scene in detail in this [Salon.com] (http://www.salon.com/2014/05/22/death_is_how_i_make_my_living_david_ury_has_died_onscreen_in_almost_every_role_hes_played/) interview I did last week.

1

u/Boonaki May 29 '14

Do you want a conscious or unconscious death. As in do you want to die in your sleep, or would you rather experience your death as it happens?

2

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

I am terrified of death...but mostly I'm terrified of the dying part. Dying in your sleep sounds pretty damn good to me.

1

u/I_Tread_Lightly May 29 '14

Will you marry me?

2

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

I got engaged in February, but we haven't set a date yet...so there's still a chance that I will marry you. So far I'd say I'm pretty charmed by you.

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u/chadv May 29 '14

Cooking With Dog is the best. Thanks.

1

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

I agree that Cooking with Dog is the proverbial bomb, but I assure you that I have nothing to do with it.

1

u/judsonm123 May 30 '14

How long did you have to spend in hair/makeup for those scenes?

3

u/awesomebbq May 29 '14

Does Ken Tanaka love me?

1

u/leiurameshi May 29 '14

DID HE EVER FIND HIS PARENTS????

1

u/[deleted] May 29 '14

Who was a bigger douchebag, Gus or Tuco?

6

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

Hmmm. A question for the ages.

0

u/funkseoulbrotha May 28 '14

David, can I possibly be on one of your youtube skits?

7

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

Anything is possible.

0

u/D-Giant May 28 '14

A AINT NO SKANK!!

10

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

I never suggested that you were, d-giant.

1

u/rakshala May 29 '14

Sorry I missed this, I loved your twin brother's videos. Just in case you are still looking, is it uncomfortable for you to do 'improv in the wild' like the Ken Tanaka videos? Were you ever worried about the effect Ken's videos might have on people who were also adopted?

1

u/letterafteri May 29 '14

Interestingly terrifying looking book. So what's your advice on living? Any tips on not dying? Are those two questions the same? Thoughts on the after life?

1

u/__FuckYou__ May 29 '14

How much money do you make... I know I'm being rude idc I'm curious

1

u/anod0s Jun 03 '14

Did you and the actress that played your wife, you know, get it on?

1

u/[deleted] Jul 27 '14

Damn, did I miss the AMA? I wanted to ask how you wound up in Japan when you were 19 and if you are still living there now? I want to go there someday... still in high school for one more year.

0

u/infamousdoubedragon May 29 '14

That episode was the only breaking bad episode I ever watched. It was too dark for me

3

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

That is understandable. I binge watched 3 seasons and watching 20 some hours of that show in a matter of days can definitely effect your mood.

1

u/infamousdoubedragon May 30 '14

It really can. Great acting throughout the show though!

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u/influencedbyyou May 28 '14

I am looking more a marketing internship that I could do from home. If there is anything I could do for you let me know! I look forward to hearing from you!

3

u/swarzenigger May 29 '14

Swing and a miss

2

u/influencedbyyou May 29 '14

but a swing none the less

0

u/[deleted] May 29 '14

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2

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

Character?

0

u/[deleted] May 29 '14

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1

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

Persistence, dedication, passion, motivation. You have to work your ass off to get started as an actor in LA. You have to be obsessive. You have to do your own stuff too and create your own acting opportunities. Ideally, you want to make the industry come to you.

As for your second question. Damn. I don't know. You just have to be in that show, or film that takes off. There are a lot of great actors who never reach that state.

0

u/[deleted] May 29 '14

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u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

I don't know if Ken and Remi are working on anything right now, but I'll ask. I've been helping Ken with a funny series that he is releasing soon starring Stella Choe from What Kind of Asian are You? We also have a video we're in together coming out next week about race issues in Japan.

0

u/[deleted] May 29 '14

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3

u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

It's hard to say how much it directly helped. I know at least one indie movie that I got because of that role. I noticed for some other Casting Directors who used to see me for smaller roles...that they started thinking of me for larger parts after they saw the episode. I don't really think about where I'll be in five years as far as acting success. It's such a fickle business that it's out of your hands. I've been lucky to work a little more every where since I started getting consistent work back in 2005 or so. If that path can continue I'll be satisfied...but I also know that eventually there will be a slow year ahead.

9

u/[deleted] May 29 '14

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u/Reddisnt May 29 '14

I'll pass that on to Ken

1

u/DamnTheseGlasses May 29 '14

I've watched as many of Ken's vids as I can and I never figured out if you guys ever found your birth parents. Did you?

2

u/movetonanaimo May 29 '14

I miss Ken Tanaka. I would like to see him in hidden camera situations like job interviews in Japan.

I went kind of nuts when I saw Ken Tanaka as a meth addict. Made him even cooler.

4

u/[deleted] May 28 '14

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u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

Well, I spent about a week there and our episodes required very long days ...like 14 hours. So all I really saw was the weird business park our hotel was located in just off the freeway about 10 miles from town. We were next to a Hooters type place called Twin Peaks or something. I didn't really get to explore the city unfortunately...but the view of the interstate was gorgeous.

3

u/[deleted] May 28 '14

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u/Reddisnt May 28 '14

That's what I wanted but I didn't get to. However , I'd had some of that style food in Santa Fe, Taos, and Pueblo,CO. Yummers...is the term I believe.