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Playgirl
February 1990
by Susan Bax
The dense jungles of Vietnam are a far cry from the flat plains of
Montana where Jeff Kober grew up, but like many other young people who
came of age in the '60's, Kober's life was profoundly affected by the
Vietnam war. While he didn't serve in the war itself, Jeff relives its
drama and futility weekly as Dodger on the acclaimed ABC-TV series China
Beach. He also co-stars with Lou Diamond Phillips in Transit, an
action/adventure movie to be released this month. He plays a "local
crazed serial murderer. "But", he says good naturally, "I'm
a little higher class than (Friday the 13th's) Jason - I hope."
Playgirl: Are you surprised to be starring in both a TV series and a
feature film?
Kober: For some reason, when I first started as an actor, I had a strong
vision that I could do quite well at it, I knew it was a gamble, and I had
to admit to myself that by the time I reached 50, I would be either a hero
or fool in my eyes, depending on what I'd done. But I think in Hollywood
if you hang around long enough you'll get a shot. And if being an actor is
that important to you, you'll hang in there. I needed to act. And when I
got my shot (reading for the pilot of China Beach), I was able to do
something with it.
Playgirl: From the beginning, you always said you instinctively knew who
Dodger was. How do you explain him?
Kober: He's a damaged soul who hasn't become cynical. I don't think you can
be healthy when you're facing life and death daily, so I recognized the
wounding of his humanity and his willingness to carry on.
Playgirl: You went to Vietnam to prepare for the show?
Kober: I went with Dana Delaney and I had no idea what to expect. But I
felt so good there, I came alive. I fell in love with the people, the
children, their ties to the land and religion and their devotion and
respect for their ancestors. Surprisingly enough, there's almost no
evidence of the war there, and the country is extremely beautiful.
Playgirl: Have your feelings on war changed?
Kober: I can relate to the Americans who were there. I understand who they
are and what they were doing. I wouldn't say I'm a supporter of war, but I
could understand why someone would do it. I feel empathy for those who
fought.
Playgirl: Has having a son affected your thoughts on war?
Kober: My son is so cool. He's completely changed my lifestyle and expanded
it for the better. I love him and enjoy being a father. I can't even
imagine anyone sending a son off to war. People are more aware today and I
think war can always be avoided. The important thing to remember is that
people of the world don't want to fight - they want to communicate - and most
realize we're all in this together. We're just one family with different
points of view. I hope the world keeps moving in that direction so we
never have to fight again.
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