It seems like the universe couldnt allow someone like Greg Cipes to exist without somehow making him Michelangelo.
Throughout our interview he was relaxed, happy and friendly.
He was softly spoken, charming and charismatic.
Hes also really, really like his character on the show.
Like, really really.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that I was utterly enamored of him.
On top of that, Id argue that the current one is the bestTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtlescartoon yet.
Heres how our chat with Greg Cipes went.
Like, you ARE Michelangelo.
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I am.
How did you get the role of Michelangelo?
Well, through the traditional casting process.
I was the first choice for Michelangelo.
They were like Greg Cipes hes perfect for Mikey.
I still had to audition and go through that and then I got it.
How quickly did you know it was going to be a good show?
Oh, I knew right away.
Anything he touches is gold.
Hes like Youre Mikey!
Then, it takes a long time to make a high quality show like this.
Youre such a good fit for Mikey.
Youve had a great response to your performance.
How nice has that been, to get such a response for a character where people had such expectations?
Its a great blessing to have people so turned on and happy by what Ive brought to Mikey.
Its only because Mikey is such a big part of who I am.
It came out so naturally.
So, you didnt feel any pressure?
Because you have 30 years of character expectations.
There was a just a pressure because its the coolest show in the whole world, you know?
I knew that if I just had fun it would come across right.
The fact that Nickelodeon and Ciro were a part of it, it was gonna be good.
The pressure wasnt really on me.
With your fellow cast members, who is your favourite to have scenes with?
Hes become one of my best friends.
Rob (Paulen)s always a pleasure.
I mean, really, I like working with everyone there, just the whole crew.
Our voice director Andrea Romano is the best in the business.
Its just a pleasure all around.
The new head writer and executive producer Brandon Auman, hes amazing, one of my favourite writers.
And our guest cast.
We have like, Roseanne Barr, the list goes on and on.
I think youre probably a similar age to me, and Ninja Turtles was my childhood.
Did it impact on yours as well?
It would be the show that I would wanna watch more than anything.
I only had a few of the tapes.
It taught me meditation; I meditate every day.
And thats because of the Turtles.
Its a very powerful show, you know?
It shapes reality for us.
It shapes our lives.
On the subject of your surfing achievement, you are the most chilled out person Ive ever met.
But youve achieved so much, as well.
How do find that balance?
I live in a state of let go.
I find that I have infinite amounts of inspiration, so I just allow it to come through.
I basically function in a state of no thought.
I dont think anymore, I just am.
You know, Im speaking but Im not thinking about what Im speaking.
Its all just action.
Music, TV, movies, producing, directing, writing.
Youre also a vegan.
Oh, so much pizza.
At Nickelodeon were bombarded with pizza parties and I get vegan pizza.
So Im catered to.
Turtles is a show thats enjoyed by different generations.
Youve also appeared in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Teen Titans.
How nice is it to be a part of these shows that help people form intergenerational bonds?
Its a lot of fun.
For me its all about family, and thats why I loveTurtlesso much; cause its a family show.
This show inspires us to be ourselves, which allows us to connect with others.
I think the most beautiful thing about life is the diversity.
The fact that the show brings families together is awesome and I couldnt ask for anything more than that.
Bringing people together is the key to happiness, for me.
That, and its got to be cool to be an action figure, right?
I had a little Lego you in my pocket.
It is so cool.
It never gets tiring to see yourself stacked up in stores?
No way, I buy myself all the time!
Its always exciting, all the cool new products.
Theres Mikey socks, Mikey toothbrush, theres Mikey everything.
I have all of it.
And I have all of it too.
Now its everywhere and I have to stop myself from buying everything as I see it.
And they know that.
You cant get too much of it.
If you go to Walmart or Target theres moreTurtlesstuff than anything else.
Michelangelo is the most positive character on television.
Do you look for roles where you know theyll have a positive influence over your day-to-day life?
I look for them and I look forward to them.
When they show up in my life Im always so excited for them.
Really,Turtlesis the most positive thing in my life.
Its the most positive show and Mikey is the most positive character that one can play.
And ultimately it effects my week.
Mondays is when we record new episodes.
So every week gets kicked off with the most positive experience I could ever have.
Theres gonna be two Michelangelos now.
Yourself and a chap called Noel Fischer.
Who wins in a chuk off?
Oh, for sure me.
So you’re free to chuk?
Yeah, with my eyes closed.
You know whos the best chuker though?
Hes a real master chuker.
I was tempted to learn, but I just know I would injure myself so seriously and so quickly.
If its fun, do it.
Take it step by step.
Oh, I love your life philosophy, but I cant just do things.
Im riddled with anxieties.
you might do anything you want to do.
Its all in the breath, brother.
You did a movie called Killer Pad with Robert Englund.
How was it to take direction from Freddy Krueger?
It was a fun little movie.
Yeah, theres a little bit of that.
It was a little scary being on the set.
And you were in Fast and Furious, the fourth one.
I got to work with Paul Walker.
He was so sweet.
The film was great.
It was the one that brought the whole franchise back.
The same thing happened with Fast and Furious.
Now they have The Rock in them.
You could beat The Rock in a race if you had The Shellraiser, right?
I would love to see a buddy cop movie with you and The Rock.
Youre a young gentleman, but youve done a ton of stuff.
I know you like to live in the moment, but do you have goals?
Well, there are things I like to do, so I just do them.
And some of those things Id like to do more of.
Which would be directing.
I love creating things that I dont necessarily even have to be in.
I like creating worlds.
So more of that, yes.
What do you get the most recognition from?
And many times people will, just by my voice.
I get that sometimes, which is always weird n wild.
[Nickelodeon] When you said how did you know that?
you sounded exactly like Michelangelo.
Now were being put on camera more, so people are knowing who is the voice behind the character.
Theyre starting to recognize me more and more.
Do you have a favourite episode or a favourite thing that youve been able to do as Mikey?
Raphael had Spike, and Spike is no longer Spike.
Hes turned into Slash.
Theres a lot more new episodes coming up where its Mikey and Ice Cream Kitty centered.
When we spoke to the team behind the show they were so excited by Ice Cream Kitty.
Do you have a favourite Jason Statham film?
That is absolutely fine.
I dont watch TV.
Only while Im doing it do I see it, really.
So I dont know anything.
I only know old reggae artists.
So thats my thing.
Old reggae artists and martial arts.
So youre still useful in a pub quiz, then.
When the reggae round comes up.
Yeah, if theres a reggae pub quiz Ill do good.
Your Turtles co-star Jason Biggs; is he mischievous?
He seems like hes mischievous.
At the animation awards, the ANNIE awards, he pulled down my pants on stage.
We planned it though.
But I didnt think he was gonna do it.
[Nickelodeon] At least you were being patriotic!
Your business partner is Rose McGowan.
And thats Rose McGowan from Scream?
Its her directorial debut.
Can we expect her popping up on Turtles any time soon?
Im working on it.
I bet she will.
They love having horror movie characters on, shes from Scream.
They should get her on!
And shes got a great voice, so were working on it.
She wants to do it, she loves the Turtles.
Thank you, Greg Cipes.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is on Nicktoons at 9.30am on Saturday mornings.
