craig-parker.net > Stage & Screen > Public Appearances > TheOneRing.Net Oscar Party 2003 > Report by Colleen Doran
By Colleen Doran
I was really very pleased to meet Craig Parker. First of all, he must be one heck of an actor because he is nothing like the parts I have seen him play. He looks quite different too, especially from the character, Haldir. Craig is slender, dark and very handsome. As Haldir, he looks seven feet tall and broad, but the real Craig is a very compact guy.
He is also incredibly natural and easy to talk to. I almost didn't realize who he was until I was around him for awhile. I totally geeked out at the party and he was about the first person I asked for a photo. He wasn't surrounded by many people, and he looked at me and announced "Lovely frock!" which made my day since the dress cost a fortune.
I actually ran into Craig a few times at the party and eventually he asked me why I was there and what I did and I told him I was an illustrator and cartoonist. I was just hired to illustrate The Complete Tolkien Sourcebook, so I was in a good mood and pretty excited and I told him about my comic book work, which made him exclaim. He seems to like comics a bit. He asked me a lot of questions about my work, what it was like being a woman in the business and then gave me his card so I could send him some books. He had to go sign some posters and told me he'd be back in another minute, but frankly, my limo was about to leave and I had to scoot, so I bid his publicist goodbye and went my way.
At one point, when the cast went to the stage to get their kudos from the crowds, Craig demurred and said he was happy to be on the balcony watching the proceedings, so I spent a bit of time hanging out with him on the balcony and cracking jokes.
Anyway, I was happy to meet him. He really seems like a regular, nice guy. I am going to send him my new graphic novel when it comes out and some other works and I sure hope he enjoys them!
Colleen