The Amazing
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez
Interview By: Ginger Coyote
When I first met Carlos I immediately thought he was his twin Efren... They look so much alike.. But getting to know Carlos I now also know how different they are.. It was exciting to do this interview with my friend Carlos Ramzey Ramirez.. I learned so much about how evolved he is as a human being.. I hope you enjoy the interview...
Punk Globe:
Thanks so much for interview can you give the readers a brief background on yourself?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
Hello Punk Globe, I am an eccentric free thinker from the City Of Angels. An American veteran and American Actor who comes from a dysfunctional family and one who is in a continuous search for identity in the modern day society.
Punk Globe:
Were your parents fans of the Sally Field sitcom "The Flying Nun"? One of the pivotal characters (the late Alejandro Rey) name was Carlos Ramirez?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
My Parents who immigrated to the United States in the 1960'S where huge fans of Sally Field. I could only imagine that that is where my name came from. It could have been named for the actor Pedro Gonzalez Gonzalez, another well known actor, but somehow fate would use that name in my bloodline for some other ulterior motive
Punk Globe:
How old were you when you realized that you wanted to be an actor?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
I don't think one would realize that they'd want to be an actor. I believe that anyone can truly hone into the skill by developing the fundamentals of human behavior by mere observation of society. In the absence of my parents due to there demanding employments, my brothers and I had to expand our imagination through the limited resources we had as rambunctious children.
Punk Globe:
I understand that you and your identical twin brother Efren were discovered for the television series "Hell Town' starring Robert Blake. Tell us about that?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
Efren and I had already been involved with our local parochial school plays. We had never imagined that one can make any income from any job from what we had known then however, one afternoon summer while walking home in our local neighborhood of Lincoln Heights, we were noticed by Robert Blake and were asked to be part of his hit series Hell Town.The producers though it would be a kick if they had twins on the show. I was lucky enough to have met Tony Plana and Pepe Serna in the interum of filming whle eating a boastful meal during breaks.
Punk Globe:
When you appeared on "Hell Town" did you appear as twins or was just one character with you both portraying the character?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
We appeared as twins. Non the less it would have been trivial if they had done a parent trap episode. Wonder how that would have worked with kids portrayed as orphans.
Punk Globe:
How long of a run did "Hell Town" have?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
Hell Town ran for about 2 years for us. We enjoyed not just getting out of school but the unlimited amounts of creativity and space we had with our imagination.
Punk Globe:
Did you stay in contact with Robert Blake?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
As a minor, we never stayed in touch however I was and have been in complete awe knowing that I worked not with "Baretta" but with one of the Little Rascals.
Punk Globe:
: Tell us about your role in the film "La Bamba"?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
La Bamba, what an immeasurable experience into the world of film. I was fortunate enough to have met Lou Diamond Phillips and Esai Morales and knowing that instead working on a studio, we had stepped up to the big leagues having traveled to a newly discovered shoot set location. Although the scene takes place in Mexico, it was actually shot here in California. We were working once gain playing neglected kids as background for scene support.
Punk Globe:
When and how did you become involved with dance? I understand that at sometime in that time period you decided to join the Air Force.
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
In the early 80's there was a revolution with street brawling through dance. I sought out an alternative to practice and become pretty good at it.Its a talent of mine that has taken me throughout the world I have gone though and expanded my horizon with body movement through the arts through MIME school in L.A and even independent studies abroad for jazz. Till this day I have the nitch to find myself in movement with or without sound. I have been graced having been a dancer at the Ministry of Sound in England. In the early 90's after completing High School from the Archdiocese of Pater Noster HS, An Irish Catholic School at that, I decided to expand my journey and joined The USAF in 1991. Because of the military I have traveled through over 40 countries throughout the globe and have been involved with 2 different types of wars. Chemical Warfare in the Middle East and Gorilla Warfare in Bosnia under black ops while stationed in Italy. I believe had it not been the military, I would have not been able to experience what the world has to offer, corruption,greed,gluttony, compassion, servitude and what it means to be a humanitarian.
Punk Globe:
Our mutual friend Jonathan Gries and he asked me to ask you about living in Nashville?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
Richard Hofstadter described the south as being simple. Well simplicity has its appreciation for its cultural foundation that has not been changed and that is definitely the south. Jonathan Gries has that sense of ease with him and you can see that in all his characters.That type is sincerity is hard to come by for many actors. After my siblings suicide, I decided into transitioning from the military to civilian life to assist my sister in law in Nashville Tn. So for 5 years I grew with the fondness of understanding the south and yet as well provide some comfort to my nieces and nephew.
Punk Globe:
That was so cool to be there for your sister and her children.. Did you ever go to The Bluebird Cafe?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
The bluebird cafe, one of the hidden gems of Nashville. Sure I have been there a few times relishing the new and sometime surprising artists that enrich the heart and soul of Nashville.
Punk Globe:
Would you ever consider being on "Dancing With The Stars?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
No! I think Dancing With The Stars doesn't quite serve the artist in their free will.
Punk Globe:
Do you watch any of the Dance Shows on television?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
I do however enjoy So You Think You Can Dance. I remember watching Melissa Sandvig and I thought she is phenomenal!
Punk Globe:
That is the show that Lacey Schwimmer started on.. I remember that you and Efren had worked with Joan Rivers during The Oscars a few years back... What was your reaction when you heard that she had left us?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
I was devastated and did not speak to anyone for days. I though my personal grief gave me a chance to really appreciate Joan and Melissa for it is they to whom I truly appreciate changing my life by adding a new prospective in the arts in many facets. It was through there invitation as to how I walked my first ever Red Carpet! My FIRST! Wow,who can say that! I learned quickly that my life was to go to the next level.
Punk Globe:
Tell us about the film you made with Punk Globe favorite Pauley Perrette?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
Pauley Perrette, a solid figure in the film industry and an inspiration to actors to who are starting in this business. I met her on the set of an indie film I did with my twin brother. Her confidence as a person showed me that anyone can be an actor so as long as they carry the discipline to do the hard work. As you can see, she is continuously working because of her dedication to her craft.
Punk Globe:
Was Efren also in that film? Have you worked with him alot?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
Yes. Efren worked on that project with me. The last project we worked on together was Crank 1 and 2. That's all I got to say about that.
Punk Globe:
Jon Gries told me some wild stories about filming Napoleon Dynamite in Idaho. Were you ever on the set?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
No, I was not on that set in Idaho. I was in Tennessee studying dance and at the French Institute studying French.
Punk Globe:
The TV film "Wanna Be Me" got quite a few accolades tell us about it?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
Jackie Watson created this pilot as to where I worked with Fernanda Romero as my love interest. A quirky project that has me almost naked wearing a g-string and socks in the beginning shot.
Punk Globe:
Tell us about all your new projects that you have coming out? You seem to be always working.
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
Throughout the past decade, I have been working on so many independent project and finally have made my was though to some upcoming films with some strong notoriety. Thanks to my agent Peter Young, I booked a cult film called The Human Centipede 3 directed by Tom Six. What an experience! Can't say much about the project but I am sure so many viewers are anxious to see such an original idea on the big screen.non-the-less I had a chance to work on my craft as a Transgender in an upcoming film called A-guruphobia. Written and directed by Jade Puga and Richard Montes. The project is making its first debut in AZ in Oct. I am excited and nervous for what the reaction would be about the element of these characters pushing the boundaries of common social rules. But then again, that is what film making is all about, right? I learned a lot from the other sex from working from the ground up in West Hollywood. I arrived to this conclusion that we have both sexes within us and it is through our personal choice that determines out sex. The is a sense of the opposite sex within us all.
Punk Globe:
Is there any certain film of yours that stands out, as your favorite?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
I would have to admit that I'd thank Dan Frank for "Speed Dragon" a biopic of the ups and downs of a Rock-n-Roll band through fame and drugs. The extensive research which lead me to rehab and AA meeting brought an insight to the truth with those with addiction.
Punk Globe:
Any Internet addresses you would like to share with the readers?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
http://www.carlosramzeyramirez.com/
Punk Globe:
We are both October Libra's so we must celebrate our birthdays together this year?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
Possibly upon my trip back from New Orleans, that could happen. I'd love that and I would be back in time for fashion week in Los Angeles.
Punk Globe:
Describe yourself in three words?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
Independent, eccentric, and open.
Punk Globe:
Any final words for Punk Globe readers?
Carlos Ramzey Ramirez:
Yes, If you want to break the rules, you'd have to understand them first.