KEY POINTS:
Which real-life billionaire is your Dirty Sexy Money character, Simon Elder, most like?
I see him as a chocolate Richard Branson because of his incredible vision for the future and the fact that he's not intimidated by anybody. He has more money than the Darlings put together. He's comfortable in his own skin. He's not bound by America's notion of what he should be because of how he looks. He's a maverick. He's going to go for broke. And he's been very successful at that.
Simon speaks a lot of languages. How many do you speak?
Me? Just English. Every time I'm speaking a different language, I have Ian, a dialect coach on set, making sure that I say it right phonetically and that it's the right flavour, too.
The episode titled "The Game" sparked a lot of Web chatter because of its high-stakes poker game. Do you think there are real games like that out there?
I would venture to say there probably are. When you have that kind of money, you play with those stakes. You've got to do things to keep yourself interested and entertained.
So what's the highest-stakes game you've ever played?
I've played in Vegas but I'm frugal with my money. I've got a wife and kids, so I'm not trying to gamble away anything. Elder is seeking vengeance on the Darling family.
So what are your thoughts on revenge?
My feeling is [to] leave that to a higher power. "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." But Simon Elder is not an advocate of that philosophy.
Right. Vengeance is his. And what else does Elder have up his sleeve?
All I can say is that it's getting juicier. You've already seen that Karen Darling is his next target. And there's a lot more that he does. Let's just say this: They both enter into this union with an agenda. And I think they're both taken aback by what actually happens between the two of them and it affects the whole game-plan for the Darling family.
You've got a hefty resume these days. Which of your old jobs are you surprised that people keep bringing up?
By far Krush Groove. [Laughs] It was my first lead in a studio film. It was a big deal for me. And everyone who was around me was huge. Here I am, 21 years old, and I am with Run DMC, Curtis Blow, the Fat Boys, Sheila E. They were huge.
And you got to make out with Sheila E.
Hello. It's a hard job, but somebody's got to do it!
You're an eligible bachelor on all your shows, but in real life you've been married for 13 years. How did you and your wife, Desiree, meet?
We met at an after-party at a club out here called 20-20. It was the premiere of The Five Heartbeats. Remember that movie with Robert Townsend? We started talking. And we closed down the club. I got her number and we hooked up a week later. Our first date was April 7, 1991. And we've been together ever since.
How sweet ... you remember the exact date?
[Laughs] I'd better because she'll remember it.
Since you two got married, you've ended up on all kinds of hottest and sexiest lists. How do the accolades affect your relationship?
It's not even an issue, really. In fact, she finds humour in it all around. Neither one of us takes it too seriously.
Why? Because she's seen you with sleep in your eyes?
Maybe so.
LOWDOWN
Who: Blair Underwood
What: Revenge-seeking billionaire, Simon Elder, on Dirty Sexy Money
Where & when: TV2, Wednesdays, 9.30pm
Key roles: The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006-2008); LAX (2004); City of Angels (2000); L.A. Law (1987-94); Krush Groove (1985)
