A conversation with CSI:NY’s Emmanuelle Vaugier

Emmanuelle Vaugier recently wrapped up shooting the action-based thriller Dolan’s Cadillac. Based on a Stephen King short story, this psychological thriller finds the Canadian beauty starring opposite Christian Slater and Wes Bentley. Ms. Vaugier is no stranger to thrillers, having appeared in such genre flicks as Saw II and IV, but she manages comedy and drama with equal aplomb. Fans of the network sitcom, Two and a Half Men know her as Charlie Sheen’s love interest, Mia, and CSI: NY fans can welcome her back for her third season as Detective Jessica Angell.

I recently had a chance to chat with Ms. Vaugier on the phone about her increasingly busy schedule.

Mike Parker – You’ve been a very busy woman lately. “CSI:NY,” “Dolan’s Cadillac,” “Two and a Half Men.” Do you ever have any time to just relax?

Emmanuelle Vaugier – Yeah, right now I do. It’s always a little slower before Christmas which is nice. It gives me time to get my Christmas shopping done. When I have a little down time I like to go to the gym and try to bank some hours there. I like spend time with my dogs, go hiking, do a little traveling.

Parker – You have managed to avoid type casting by playing everything from comedy to horror to thrillers. Was that by design or luck of the draw?

Emmanuelle – A little by design and a little luck. In this industry a lot of the things that get presented to you after you do something seems to be more of the same. You have to pay the bills so many times you take what roles you get offered. I’ve been fortunate to not have to play the same type of roles over and over again.

Parker – You played in one of my favorite family films, “Secondhand Lions,” as Princess Jasmine. Tell me about that experience. Did you get to do all those great horse riding stunts yourself?

Emmanuelle – It was great fun. I’ve ridden horses before and even took lessons when I was younger. I did a lot of horseback training for the role, but that scene where Princess Jasmine are barreling down the beach – that was a stunt double. Anything that looks dangerous, that was not me.

Parker – You used to travel between your in Vancouver and a home in LA. I understand you have settled in LA now. How is that working out.

Emmanuelle – It’s great when it comes to alleviating travel issues and trying to figure out what I have where. It’s nice to have one home base. I love Vancouver in the summer and wouldn’t mind having a vacation home there again. Or maybe I’d like to buy another home somewhere else, maybe someplace warm and not so rainy.

Parker – I understand you attended a private all-girl school for ten years when you were growing up. Did you find that a good experience as opposed to a traditional co-educational institution?

Emmanuelle – There are a lot of pros and cons of private schools and all-girl schools. The educational level was much higher at the private school I attended. When I left to attend public school I was already a couple of grade levels ahead. But there are the social aspects of not getting to interact with the opposite sex. In our all-girl school, boys weren’t friends. They were either boyfriends or nothing. I think a co-educational private school might be a better solution. Would I put my daughter in a private all-girl school? No. Would I put her in a private co-ed school? Yes. Would I put her in the school I went to? No way.

Parker – What’s next up on your agenda?

Emmanuelle – More “CSI: New York.” Of course right now we’re still waiting to see what happens with the strike situation. It that happens it will affect a lot of people and not just the actors. But there are things happening outside the country and since I am Canadian and belong to the Canadian union I can work in those situations. Hopefully everything will get resolved and it won’t be an issue.

The Seven Questions

1. What’s your favorite sound?
Emmanuelle – Water. A waterfall.

2. What makes you happy?
Emmanuelle – My dogs.

3. What makes you angry?
Emmanuelle – Negativity.

4. What is the secret of success?
Emmanuelle – Believing in yourself.

5. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, living or dead, who would it be?
Emmanuelle – Marilyn Monroe and JFK.

6. What is the epitaph that is written on your tombstone?
Emmanuelle – She was always smiling; always bringing light and joy into people’s lives.

7. When you get to heaven, what is the first thing you want to hear God say to you?
Emmanuelle – “Well Done.”

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