October 10, 2001

'Felicity's Grunberg Moonlights on 'Alias'

By Vanessa Sibbald

LOS ANGELES - "Alias" has more in common with "Felicity" than just executive producer J.J. Abrams and star Jennifer Garner. If you've been watching closely you may have noticed Greg Grunberg, who plays Sean on the college drama, wandering around the CIA offices on the ABC spy drama.

As to why he's letting Grunberg collect two paychecks, Abrams says, "Because he paid me."

In fact, the two are old friends dating back to when they went to kindergarten together, and Grunberg says the price is a steep one -- to the tune of three boxes of Krispy Kremes doughnuts each week.

The real story is that Grunberg wanted to be part of the series as soon as he read the script. Abrams, feeling the same way, called Grunberg in to read for the part of star Jennifer Garner's partner, Agent Dixon, a role that eventually went to Carl Lumbly.

"I wasn't right for it and obviously it's a major role on the show," Grunberg tells Zap2it.com. "I thought that [the character] had to be older, but [Abrams] just wanted to hear me read for it."

"After that he said, 'Ok, I'm going to make this happen somehow.' I had no idea of what I was going to do. Even when I got to the set, I said, 'Ok, what do you want me to do.' That one scene in the pilot I'm just standing there and I hand over a pen."

Grunberg, who has appeared in every episode of "Alias" shot thus far, plays Agent Weiss in the spy drama. Weiss, a colleague of Michael Vartan's FBI character, doesn’t yet have a first name, yet Grunberg has one in mind.

"I think my first name is Eric, I'm hoping. That's was Harry Houdini's real name, Eric Weiss. That would be so cool to have that."

As for how long he can do both shows, Grunberg isn't worried.

"For me it would be a dream to do 'Felicity' for a few more years then cross over to that show," he says. "I love 'Alias.'"

Maybe the plots could even be worked out to make the transition smoother.

"What would be really funny, when ['Felicity'] ends, is that this is the way Sean has been making money is at the CIA undercover," he adds. "The crazy invention thing is just a front."

Thanks to vaughnetc.!

© Zap2it.com 2001

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