Adam joins the Minutia Men podcast to discuss the span of his 50+ year acting career in a wide-ranging interview which covers everything from experiencing his first taste of fame while still in kindergarten, to improvising on stage with John Cusack, to studying acting with Stella Adler and David Mamet, and his approach to playing bad guys by looking for the “positive” motivations of even the darkest characters.

Originally broadcast on 02/24/2021

Following his performance in Redtwist Theatre’s production of THE SEEDBED, Adam was interviewed for the ROLE PLAYING column featured on the theatre review website, Chicago On The Aisle.

Originally published July 2016

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Another interview in the wake of Adam’s Buffy episode.

Originally published January 2000

Fans of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer” may have a little trouble recognizing the face, but L.A actor, Adam Bitterman, wanted it that way. After all, he spelled "fear itself" as the freakish demon, Gachnar, the Dark Lord of Nightmares, on the hit series.

You remember the episode? The one where the Scooby Gang had to take on a force in a fraternity house's Halloween party that drew out everyone's worst fears, and at the end of the episode, they came face to face with a little pipsqueak of a demon? Sure you do.

If you watched TV or been to the cinema at all in the last couple of years, chances are you have seen Adam Bitterman. Oh, and without the Gachnar make up! His long list of credits includes guest spots on TV's "Early Edition," "Becker" and this year's "The Huntress," as well as film work in "Starstruck," "Good Will Hunting," and "Homicide" for director David Mamet.

After high school, Bitterman actually had the opportunity to work with Mamet at The Undergraduate Drama Department at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Bitterman's other acting experience and training led to a move to California where he began acting in sitcoms and films. He spent a lot of his time though acting and directing with the Sacred Fools Theatre Company.

More recently, Bitterman was handpicked by Sylvester Stallone to do some work on his film "D-Tox" and he will also be seen in this year's "Buying the Cow" with Jerry O'Connell.

Clint Morris had the opportunity to speak with him

Q: What was it like to work on "Buffy"?

A: Working on Buffy was an enjoyable experience. I was working with the second unit so the shot was all about me.  The production crew was very attentive to all my needs which included placing straws in my mouth to drink from a water bottle and guiding me by hand on and off set as the colored contacts I was wearing were not prescription and I am pretty blind without my contacts. The neck-to-toe rubber costume (along with the latex prosthetics) I wore was particularly warm, so before I was actually needed for shooting, I was allowed to wear only the mask and a bathrobe. The odd looks I got from passing visitors and extras - seeing a Demon in a bathrobe - was definitely worth it.

How was the cast?

As I said I was with the second unit so I didn't really interact with the other actors.  All my stuff was done on greenscreen and then edited in.  I did speak briefly with Seth Green (who advised me to carry my headshot with me so when I introduced myself to people I could show them what I really look like) and Paige Moss (who played Veruca in Buffy Episode "Wild at Heart").  A few weeks later I ran into Paige again (sans makeup) and said "hi", she looked at me like "do I know you?" I re-introduced myself, we had a laugh, and I decided Seth was right.

How long were you in the makeup chair for!?

I was in makeup for about 4 hours.  Removing the prosthetics only took about 20 minutes.

You are soon to appear in "D-Tox," a Sylvester Stallone film, who do you play? Any juicy on-the-set goss?

On D-Tox, I did what's called ADR (Additional Dialogue Recording).  They needed someone to voice-match Kris Kristofferson (he was unavailable - don't know, didn't ask) to record dialogue not originally in the script. I was actually cast by Sylvester personally, so... no, no gossip.

I just watched "Starstruck" on cable, very funny film. Who did you play in that?

"Starstruck" was one of the first jobs I got in L.A. and was a favor to producer Dan Etheridge and director John Enbom.  I play the TV Thug getting beat up by the TV Detective in a scene playing on a TV set in the background of another scene.

What was Bridgette Wilson like to work with? I think she is an actress on the verge of a big break.

I never worked with Bridgette.  Although "Buying The Cow" was a lot of fun and Bill Bellamy, Ryan Reynolds and Jerry O'Connell were all GREAT to work with.

Tell me about your other TV work.

I had a chance to work with William Devane and Tess Harper in an episode of "Early Edition" in 1998.  That was really a learning experience, to work with actors of their caliber.  I did an episode of "Becker" last year in which I was returning John Becker's (Ted Danson's) wallet. I was supposed to enter, hold up the wallet and ask if “a John Becker was in here?”  In the final dress rehearsal, I said "...any chance there's a Sam Malone in here".  I got a huge laugh from the cast and crew, Ted Danson included.

Have you stayed friends with any of your co-stars?

Occasionally, I speak with some of the guys who played my brothers on "Early Edition."

What can the readers see you in next?

I will be co-starring in an episode of "The Huntress," a new series on the USA network.  The episode is titled "The Kid."  My bit is very funny.  The episode is scheduled to air on Aug. 2 & 5.  Check local listings.

Any advice for budding actors?

Read as much as you can.  Work as much as you can in whatever you can. Performance is the best teacher.  Above all, make sure this is what you want to do, and if there is anything else that you enjoy or are good at, do that instead.

We Thank Adam Bitterman for his time. We all look forward to your future projects!

Clint Morris
Moviehole.net