handtohandwombat

Thanks for doing this AMA. In high school I finally worked up the nerve to ask the girl I was “in love” with on a date to see Phantom of the Opera. We were too young to appreciate the film but we both agreed you were unbelievably talented. And beautiful.

Having grown up in a family very similar to Shameless, I love the show because it’s so cathartic. It’s amazing how personal some of the scenes in the show are, and how therapeutic it is for some reason to watch it on screen. This last season both Fiona and Ian started to show signs of their parents’ diseases, and that theme hit so close to home it made me stop lying to myself about my behavior and get some professional help. The doctors said I was well on my way to an early death (I’m in my mid 20’s). Many months later I’m in the best physical and mental health I can ever remember being. So thank you for that.

As to my question: In preparation for the show did you tall to any children from alcoholic households? Were there any recurring themes or stories that stuck with you and that you think of while acting? I ask because your acting is so "fall off a motorcycle at 60 mph" raw sometimes it makes me cry. And I'm a big burly dude.

Anyway thanks a million, looking forward to the new season!

Holy crap you answered! Thank you. I think the number one thing I take away from the show is that it's never too late to be better. It's just hard to see that when you're down in it.

Everyone knows he retired.

Props to an Anchorage boy making it big! your mom and my mom worked together and for the longest time I thought you were from the Mintz-Carr family.

Can i just give you props for your awesome marsupial-themed username?