MoneyballAn Interview with Stephen Bishop
By Wilson Morales
September 30, 2011
When casting was being put together for the sports film ‘Moneyball,’ starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill, how hard was it to bring in Stephen Bishop to play then-Oakland A’s outfield David Justice.
After all, the California native had a few things going for him that his fellow competitors didn’t have when trying out for the role. Not only is he a former baseball player, having spent some time in the minor leagues, but the guy also bears an uncanny resemblance to Justice and can also act. He’s been working in the TV and film world for some time, with appearances in TV’s ‘Girlfriends,’ ‘Brothers and Sisters,’ ‘Hancock’ and ‘The Town.’
“Moneyball’ is the story of Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane’s (played by Pitt) successful attempt to put together a baseball club on a budget by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.
The chance to play opposite one of Hollywood’s golden boys and leading men and play a role that’s part of your background was just good to pass up and hopefully ‘Moneyball’ will lead to more exposure as his next films include ‘Safe House‘ with Denzel Washington and the Sci-fi alien film ‘Battleship.’
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Bishop goes over his role in ‘Moneyball’ and his deep connection to the story.
What led you to be part of the film?
Stephen Bishop: A friend of mine saw the breakdown (of the role) and text me about it. He said there was a film called ‘Moneyball’ and there a part for someone to play David Justice. I happened to be sitting in my agent’s office at the time and I told him that, “We have to call the casting office right now and get me in on this movie. This is my part. Trust me.” When he asked who was this guy and I pulled up David’s picture and then pulled one of mine and showed it to him side by side and he was like, “Oh, my God.” So he called the casting agent and pitched me, he said that I looked like David Justice and also played baseball. Three days later I was in the audition process.
Had you met David (Justice) before?
SB: Yes, David and I are actually friends. We played together in (Atlanta) Braves organization. He was a major leaguer when I got signed as a rookie and took me under his winger and became like a mentor, big brother. We’ve friends for quite some time.
Had you read the book prior to being in the film?
SB: I knew about the book but I knew about ‘Moneyball’ because I grew up in the Northern California area and watched Oakland A’s games. All my friends were Oakland A’s fans and so was I. I saw it happening more first hand than reading the book. It was something that we noticed and heard about when we watched games and they talked about it on telecast.
As a former player who switched careers and became an actor, how did it feel to get back on the field?
SB: It felt great. It was my opportunity to play in the big leagues from different levels. I made it to the minor leagues and (on screen) I made it to the majors, so it was cool. It was great to run around a major league field and have fans in the stands treating s if we were the real major league players. That was a lot of fun and just to able to do opposite guys like Brad Pitt and Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jonah Hill was the big leagues of another profession.
How long did play professionally?
SB: I played in the minor leagues for three years, but never made it to the big leagues.
When and why did you leave the sport and turn to acting?
SB: I gave it up after I was release by Baltimore and the reason I became an actor is when I was in college, I had taken some drama courses. My professors were very encouraging in what I did in classes and they thought I should pursue it as a career. When I told them I would be playing baseball, they told me to hold on to it in case I needed a Plan B. I always thought about because it was a lot of fun. When I was released from Baltimore, I was about an hour away from LA and was deciding whether or not I would play again; and then just like an epiphany, something was telling me to make this move. That acting would take me to where I want to be. I rent a car, went to LA, crashed on a buddy’s couch, and the rest is history.
How was working with Brad?
SB: Working with Brad was awesome. He’s at the top of the food chain. He’s a down-to-earth guy with regular guy tendencies. He’s a mega star who’s able to keep his humility.
What’s next?
SB: I have ‘Safe House’ with Denzel Washington and Ryan Reynolds. That comes out next February and then in May I have Peter Berg’s ‘Battleship’ with Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgård, and Rihanna. In ‘Safe House,’ I play the head of the Marine guard that is in charge of guarding the American consulate in South on Africa, and in ‘Battleship,’ I’m Lieutenant ‘s Office on deck on one of the battleships that ends up going into battle with the aliens.
It seems like timing is going right for you these days.
SB: It appears so. I don’t want to predict anything because that’s how you end up jinxing things and get into trouble, but doors are opening. Last year, work wise, was fantastic shooting these three films back-to-back-to-back. It’s a dream come true for any actor so I feel very blessed.
