How did you get the role in "Mr. Monk is Underwater"?

Randy Zisk, the executive producer, asked me if I wanted to do it. I read the script loved it and said, absolutely yes.

Why do you think you were chosen?

Ask Randy and Tony and the other producers. They will know better than me. Randy knew me because his girlfriend Brooke and my wife Catherine are friends.

What's the character's name?

Lt. Steven Albright.

What's your take on the character? What sort of man is he?

Lt. Albright is a stand up man. He was good friends with Natalie Teeger's husband. In fact the last time he saw Natalie was at the funeral 9 1/2 years ago....

How did you prepare to play the role?

I went to my acting coach Sam Christenson. Wrote out my dialog several times. Brought in photographs of myself and family members in uniform (up on my wall in the Sub.)

What did you enjoy most about working with Traylor Howard and Tony Shalhoub?

Tony and Traylor are both extremely professional. They are prepared and make everything run smoothly. They not only work well together but make you feel comfortable and welcome. It is an awesome set with one of the best crews. Tony knows how to put the fun in funny.

Is it possible that you'll have a chance to bring the character back?

I hope you are on to something. I would love to come back on again. I will wait for the call. I guess that all depends on how the fans take to my character being around.

Had you seen Monk before you got the role? If so what about it interested you?

How would you compare working as a guest on a series like this one to the film work you've done or working on your own series?

It is all an exciting experience. When you love what you do it does not really feel like work. Just an extension of playing at the park on the weekend.

What do you like most about acting?

Casper Van Dien in
Tarzan and the Lost City

I love that I get to do exactly what I love to do. Act. Sometimes I wish we had time to shoot more.

Who are some of your show business role models and why?

John Wayne is my favorite actor. I feel that he is under appreciated for his craft. His art. He was much more talented then people give him credit for.

What other projects are you currently working on?

I have my film Starship Troopers 3 Marauder out now on DVD. It is the true sequal to the Starship Troopers film I did in 1997. Ed Neumeier who wrote all 3 Starships and RoboCop wrote and directed this one. He did an awesome job.

If you couldn't be an actor, what other career would appeal to you.

I will be a director.

Thank you for the interview!

This was fun. — Casper Van Dien