Andre Royo (2017)

Your performance as Bubbles is one of my favorite aspects of The Wire. I rooted for that character through all his highs and lows and I'm so glad he was one of the few characters to receive a truly happy ending.

With that being said, what is you favorite episode and/or season of The Wire and why?

Can you tell the story of when someone thought you were an actual fiend because you played Bubbles so well?

Your work on The Wire was the most moving piece of an amazingly good series. Thanks for that.

Can a young squire get a red hat?

Hows your day been my dude?

Hi Andre! Do I really have to wash my hands for a thousand seconds?

I heard that when you were filming The Wire, a real addict offered you his heroin because he thought you needed it more than he did. Is this story true?

does it ever annoy you to be recognized for the Wire? like, "yeah yeah, I know I know the wire was great blah blah, but I am more than that"? I would think the pc answer would be that you appreciate it, but deep down it has to get annoying.

well that's great. thanks for answering. one of the most emotional scenes I have ever seen on television is bubbles getting to go through the door to the kitchen. that shit was earned.

Bubbles showed a lot more compassion and care than a lot of characters on that show now that I think about it. Taking Sherrod in alone was a pretty selfless act. So glad Bubs got a happy ending.

Come on Bubs. I love the legend as much as anyone but if The Wire taught us anything, no addict is offering up his fix to someone out of sympathy.

Hey sir, we met at the LA screening of HUNTER GATHERER (I'm that actor friend of Drew and Isaiah), and I just wanted to thank you for the encouragement and words of wisdom you shared.

Here's my question: as an unconventional casting choice in the Hollywood machine (compared to the favored tall, white, and muscle-bound), how did you first get noticed by powers-that-be when you were starting out?

What was the most challenging part about the role of bubbles on the wire?

What is your favorite movie of all time?

Hey Andre!! Huge fan of The Wire. I just finished all 5 seasons a few weeks ago.

Your acting in The Wire was spectacular -- without doubt my favorite character. How did you get into the mind set of Bubbles? When Sherrod passed, your emotions seemed extremely realistic. How do you dig deep to find that emotion to portray it so well?

Thanks so much!!!!

You have done a few Law and Orders, that must be bread and butter to a lot of NYC actors. Did such a long running institution of a show like those have a different feeling than others? A L&O credit must be like a badge of honor for a NY actor?

Hey, I met you at a Nets game years ago. You were super nice in person, so thanks for that.

My question is, what did you do to prepare for your role as Bubbles?

Thanks again.

I imagine there is always music playing on the set of Empire, whats your favorite song that has come from the show?

Outside of your famous "Street Oscar" anecdote, what has been your favourite fan interaction?

Thanks for the reply! Bubbles was my favourite character on the show by the way!

Hey Andre, thanks for doing this AMA. Like most people here, I'm a huge fan of the Wire and your performance in it. Aside from yourself, which actor do you think did the best job at portraying their character? I'm partial to Jaime Hector's Marlo Stanfield. Are you still in contact with anyone from the show or David Simon? Would you change your portrayal of Bubs in any way? Thx again!

What did you deny yourself?

I'm sure you got along excellent with everybody on the cast, but was there one person who maybe was just a little more fun than the others to work with in a scene?

Are there any little behind the scene's anecdotes you can tell us from the set?

Resident of Baltimore and DEVOTEE of The Wire, just want to first thank you for your performance, there is no better piece of art than The Wire and your performance is paramount. Every time I watch Bubs last NA meeting I get the chills and ultimately cry. I just wanted to ask you if you've spent anytime in the city since the filming, and how you feel about the continued divide that can be seen in Baltimore and the nation as a whole? I see in Baltimore that things have gotten better, there is development and it seems like quality of life is increasing but it is in parallel to continued failure in the school system and division among the population as evidenced by the riots that took place last year.

What actor do you wish you could've had a scene with in Hand Of God and why was it Johnny Ferro?

Know any good jokes?

Did your roll as Bubbles have any effect on your empathy towards people who struggle w addiction?

How has your life changed since The Wire? I imagine that a LOT of people that see you on the street call you Bubbles now.

Hi Andre! You are just fantastic and I love your work.

What's a memorable (good or bad) encounter you have had with a fan?

Thanks!

You're awesome; your character on the wire was incredible. What was your #1 favorite scene in The Wire, whether you were in it or otherwise? (And don't say when Stringer Bell got shot! That character left too early!)

What is your favorite food?

2 things.

1. Want to buy me a pizza?

2. What's been your most memorable moments on the wire?

Loved your interview on Marc Maron a couple weeks ago! What was your favorite album of 2016?

What's your favorite ride in Disney?

Did your time on the Wire change your perspective of how you view inner city/urban issues?

Worst child related experience?

What's the question that we should be asking to get the most interesting response from you?

Mr Royo, on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best, how visually pleasing is the Ryugyong General Ophthalmic Hospital shown here?

Any memories of working with Bokeem Woodbine and Fab 5 Freddy?

Do you still keep in touch with Leo Fitzpatrick? You guys made a great team on The Wire. Would you be open to the possibility of teaming up with him again in a Bubbles & Johnny sitcom? I think it could be the next Perfect Strangers.

What is the very best cheese?

What is the funniest thing you have seen happen on set?

Did you keep your Street Oscar?

Do you have a really memorable experience (positive or negative) from filming The Wire? If so, what?

Have you had any strange interactions in real life because of characters you play?

On a personal level, what are a few of your favorite films?

What's the most important thing to consider when preparing to play a character? Where do you start?

Great body of work, sir. Enjoyed everything I've seen. Keep going.

One of the things I loved the most about the Wire was the way all key characters evolved over the seasons to show that they all had strengths and weaknesses. Not often one sees true 3D characters that way in movies and TV.

When you took the role of Bubbles, were you told the line the character would develop? I always imagine that to an actor it must be more fun to play complex characters like that. Is it?

Let me guess. Sherrod took it.

La La Land or Moonlight?

Thank you, your work as Bubbles took the show to the next level.

How proud are you of being told you look like you need a hit on the streets of Baltimore?