Curry Bear Interviews Glee’s Iqbal Theba (Principal Figgins)
Now there are a lot of new shows out this fall but I have to say that my favorite show has to be Glee on Fox. Glee comes on every Wednesday at 9PM. This show may seem like it’s about a glee club, but it’s so much more than that. It reminds me of the show Freaks and Geeks that was cancelled way too soon. Thanks a lot network executives. Glee explores the insecurities of being in high school and of following your dreams. I think there is a character that everyone can relate to on Glee. I relate mostly to “Puck” because I like to have sex with cougars and knock up cheerleaders. This show has heart, comedy and drama – the perfect combination for a great show. The best part about this show is the music. Every week they do an amazing performance to a popular song. Sometimes they even mash-up songs like they did for Bon Jovi’s “It’s My Life” mixed with Usher’s “Confessions”. I even downloaded the Glee version of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing”.
I can go on and on about how amazing this show is but there is another thing about this show that caught my eye. Yes, one of our own has a key role on this show. Iqbal Theba, from Karachi Pakistan, plays the infamous Principal Figgins. Last week’s Glee had its highest ratings ever and I think it was because Principal Figgins got more air time. Let’s hope they keep putting him in more scenes. Once Curry Bear found out that a Desi (South Asian) person was on one of his new favorite shows, I did some research and I was blown away.
Iqbal has been around forever. If you check him out on IMDB, you will notice that he has been in just about everything and anything. When I realized this, I thought to myself he’s not one of these Desi people riding the coat tails of the success of a few Desis in Hollywood. He made those coat tails! This guy has been in the business before Desis were looking for “White Castles”, working in “Office’s”, “Lost” on islands, and trying to kill Jack Bauer.
When I look at his bio page and read about how he came to LA with nothing but a few bucks in his pocket and a boatload of determination, it really made me believe that anything is possible. He majored in Civil Engineering and had his whole life mapped out for him, yet chose the path less traveled, chasing a dream that could have just as easily never have been a reality. After years of rejection because Desi people were rarely cast in recurring roles, he finally landed a hilarious role as the principal on “Glee”. I think this show is going to be a hit and with that, so is Principal Figgins. That alone should fill South Asians with “Glee”.
Some of the roles he has been in include “Community”, “Nip/Tuck” , “Two and a Half Men” , “Chuck” , “Weeds”, “Kitchen Confidential”, “Las Vegas” ,”Arrested Development” , “Alias” ,”ER”, “The West Wing” , “Friends” , BASEketball, “Everybody Loves Raymond”, “Family Matters” , “Married with Children” , “Ellen”, “Roseanne”, “Sister, Sister” , “The George Carlin Show” ,The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes, “Mad About You”, Indecent Proposal and others. Now check out what Iqbal had to say as he sat down with Curry Bear to have this interview.
1. CB: How did it feel to be the only student actor left out of the summer stock theatre in college, and now act on a popular Fox television show that bleeds awesomeness like a virgin on prom night?
Iqbal: Well, I was extremely disappointed to say the least. But, I also had a bullheaded, blind desire and love for acting. Nothing could have stopped me. You should also know that the reason I became an actor was because I loved to act and not because I thought I was massively talented or brilliant or anything. It is wonderful being part of Glee. But, I don’t have the “aren’t you sorry now?” attitude towards people who rejected me in the past. I am not out to prove anything to anyone or make anyone regret not hiring me. I am an actor because I simply love it.
2. CB: In your experience, what has been the hardest thing about acting?
Iqbal: After I arrived in LA I began to realize that there aren’t very many good parts that someone like me could read for. Auditions with good material were hard to come by. It was very hard for me to deal with. In fact, I still have to deal with it, even though things have improved a great deal now.
3. CB: Your new show Glee is amazing. Did you go through a rigorous process to audition for Glee?
Iqbal: No, I did not. I had done Nip/Tuck last year for Ryan Murphy and co. so they knew me and my work. I did have to audition, only once though, for the part along with a handful of white actors.
4. CB: Well I am glad you were the one that got the part. If you could be any other Glee character for the day, who would you be and why?
Iqbal: I would love to play Emma. Because she is deeply in love with someone. As an ethnic so called “character actor” I long to play someone who loves someone of opposite sex deeply and who longs to be loved.
5. CB: For years the brown man would only get cast as a taxi driver, terrorist, and the occasional doctor. Did you ever think you would get a role playing a principal?
Iqbal: Well, of course!! I can and will play all kinds of roles. I am the most optimistic guy you’ll ever meet. I have always believed that people in this country, even Hollywood people, are fair minded and over time will begin to understand and accept people like me. But, as “brown people”, or whatever you wanna call us, we also have a responsibility to get up and be counted. We have to have actors, writers, directors…. etc in the industry. When I started out in LA in the early 90′s there were hardly any actors of South Asian decsent who one would see regularly on TV or film. Now, there are at least half a dozen shows on TV that have South Asian actors as regulars. I would like to think that I was one of the first of a handful of actors who laid the ground work for that. Amazingly enough, people who cast commercials were much more open to the idea of casting someone like me than compared to TV shows and film. I did a crapload of all kinds of commercials and became a familiar face. And you cannot underestimate the positive impact a friendly brown face can have by appearing in people’s living rooms all across the country.
6. CB: It says you are from Karachi Pakistan. Are you Muslim? If so was it difficult to keep your faith in a town such as Hollywood?
Iqbal: Yes, I was raised as a Muslim and I am very proud of my Muslim heritage. But, I am a Muslim more by tradition than by faith. I like to associate myself with great Muslim philosophers and scientists who over a thousand years ago contributed a great deal to the cause of learning. I see Islam as a movement that encourages higher learning and speaks for the poor and the less fortunate among us. I also believe that all the religions are like different languages trying to express the same truth, the same longings. So, I never really have to try hard to reconcile my Muslim background in Hollywood or anywhere else.
7. CB: I read that you came to Hollywood with nothing but $37 dollars in your pocket. What drives a man to take such a huge risk?
Iqbal: As I said earlier, love for Acting. But, I must admit it was scary as hell. Let me tell you something else that I don’t tell very many people. From the summer of 1986 when I decided to become an actor till the end of 1994, for eight long years, every morning after I woke up, for the first five minutes I would be paralyzed with absolute fear. I could not move in my bed. All I could think was what IF I am never able to make a living as an actor? What IF I am 75 and still a waiter?!?! My whole body would get cold. Then I would finally find the strength to leave my bed. Once I left the bed I would be okay, ready to face the day.
8. CB: What was the strangest role you ever played?
Iqbal: I played a rich bad guy in CHUCK (NBC). The role itself was great and written well and not strange in anyway. But, in a couple of the scenes I had to wear just a Speedo surrounded by scantily dressed women. Now, you probably know that I am the hairiest guy you’ll ever see and that made me very uncomfortable and I felt very strange. But, I did it and I didn’t look embarrassed or nervous in the show. Phew!
9. CB: These days there a lot of Desi people on television. However, you were making waves in television before any of these people were on TV. I personally think a lot of it has to do with you laying the ground work for years. Do you think these Desi stars are benefiting from actors like yourself, who always had to take small roles for years because Hollywood was not ready for Desi actors?
Iqbal: Hehehe…. I just looked at this question! …. I talked about it in one of the questions above… I know it might sound a little pretentious or something, but I do believe that me and a few others did lay the ground work for younger actors. Back in the 90′s, Jeff Gerard the commercial casting director, used to tell me “you’re the only Indian actor I know who works all the time!”. I had an interview with an agent around 1994 and he told me there aren’t very many roles for people like me. I told him I am going to change that. And he said that that was a very arrogant thing to say. There were a few other wonderful Indian/Pakistani actors at that time but I worked more than anyone else at that time. I didn’t have some social agenda when I became an actor. But as soon as I arrived in LA in March 1991 I began to realize the odds and also the impact someone like me can have on the industry.
10. CB: Now you are on a show called Glee. It is the best new show of the season! In fact, it is one of my new favorites. And this show is about singing. Can you sing? And what is your favorite song (Desi or American)?
Iqbal: I can’t claim that I can sing but I can carry a tune. I don’t have a single favorite song. But I love the old Indian/Pakistani songs. One of my favorite being ” aaja sanam madhur chandni mein hum tum milay to viranay…. from the movie “Chori Chori”. It was filmed on Nargis and Raj Kapoor. And I love Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for his music and his humane Sufi Philosophy. I also love the B-52′s, Billie Holiday, Amy Winehouse….
11. CB: You were in an episode of Community where you were Abed’s father who was not supporting his dreams to go into the entertainment business. You did an amazing performance and it made me think if any of that hit home? How did your parents feel about you leaving home to become an actor?
Iqbal: They were very upset because I was throwing away a four year “professional” US degree and pursuing something that makes no sense. But, eventually, to their credit, they understood that I really loved it and they stopped complaining.
12. CB: If you have any advice for us South Asian dreamers, what would it be?
Iqbal: Work at your craft and don’t let the fear of failure stop you.
13. CB: Do you think they will ever do a Desi song on Glee?
Iqbal: Anything is possible on Glee. Personally I am hoping they do a Desi song.
PS: Special thanks to Goose Fraba who sent me some of these questions.
wow that was an intense interview. I can’t imagine that many years of rejection. I’m really glad he’s on a good show now. Glee is awesome.
If any of you were big friends fans…he was this guy on the show…this scene was awesome. Kidney Stones!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLO5beZY4zc
I love GLEE!!! yes give him more air time!
I think he was in fiber commercial too…the cereal needs more fiber or something…he’s been in a shitload of commercials now that i think about it.
He is so funny on that show. Did anyone see the video of him with the indian airline commercial. So hilarious. He has really good delivery.
This guy has been in the business before Desis were looking for “White Castles”, working in “Office’s”, “Lost” on islands, and trying to kill Jack Bauer.
So true! Nice way of putting it, CB.
Wow finally a Pakistani. That’s nice to see. I think he maybe the only one in Hollywood. Good for him.
I think he was also on Family Matters in the 90`s. If i am not mistaken, because it use to be my all time favorite show, and I know all the epsiodes by heart.
it was deff harder for desi’s in the 90s than it is now. Now we are like the end thing…thanks to slumdog millionaire.
wow I totally remember that commercial. I remember seeing and thinking “this is the first desi I’ve seen on American television”, good for him.
I think he is deff one of the best part of the show. My fav parts are when the gym teacher and him are arguing. It’s so hilarious. That gym teacher is really funny too.
“From the summer of 1986 when I decided to become an actor till the end of 1994, for eight long years, every morning after I woke up, for the first five minutes I would be paralyzed with absolute fear. I could not move in my bed. All I could think was what IF I am never able to make a living as an actor? What IF I am 75 and still a waiter?!?! My whole body would get cold. Then I would finally find the strength to leave my bed”
wow….just wow.
wow a desi song on Glee? I think I would flip out. I guess they could pull it off. Like put in a scene where Principal Figgins does a song. Since he can “Carry a tune”. Or has a daughter visiting or something. Maybe they can cast one of the Penn Masala guys. THat be so amazing.
DESI SONG!!!DESI SONG!!!DESI SONG!!!DESI SONG!!!DESI SONG!!!DESI SONG!!!DESI SONG!!!DESI SONG!!!DESI SONG!!!DESI SONG!!!DESI SONG!!!DESI SONG!!!
there are going to have Adam Lambert on an episode soon. If they have Anoop Desai on an episode they can pull off an Indian song. How cool would that be?
lol…he dresses like my dad on that show.
Great interview cb. He’s a good actor and very likeable on screen.
I’m so glad he finally found great success. I don’t think I’d be able to go through what he did for those 8 years. Hell I’d turn into a little girl and start crying 8 seconds after losing my job.
I am a 37 year old white female, a struggling actor for almost 20 years and I know how tough it is to be an actor. I really admire Iqbal for his devotion and perserverance. I am a member of his fan page on Facebbook (iqbal theba page) and he posted this interview there. Thats how I found out about Curry Bear. This is a very interesting site for someone like me. Lara
Wow…this is actually fascinating…
Hope there is a Desi song on Glee soon! And it better not be Jai Ho…something truly Desi!
Oh God if it’s jai ho that would just piss me off. An old school indian song would be dope.
@Lara Williams
I wish you luck. Have faith.
Iqbal and I have known each other for a long time and we both have many friends who were exceptionally talented in music and theatre who never made it and others who happened to be in the right place at the right time. Additionally, the industry – as well as the rest of the culture – has always been affected by prejudice. I think all of Iqbal’s fans should recognize his love for his art and his incredible persistence. It has brought him a well-deserved and hard-earned success. We used to joke at school in Oklahoma that you call someone with a PhD – “Doctor” and someone with a Master of Fine Arts – “waiter.” Sometimes there are success stories of someone who has paid their dues and finally received recognition,Iqbal’s amazing resume proves that it is true.
I got a little emotional reading part of this. I’m really happy for him. He is great on the show.
I have seen interviews on TV shows that are just lame and pointless. All they ask about is dumb irrelevant questions. This one is inspiring. I almost feel connected to him.
CB your wrong…best part of the show is Sue Sylvester! I actually don’t care for the music. But Principal Figgins has some hilarious scenes with her. I see some hilarious scenes with them together in the future.
I feel like he had this brewing inside him for a long time and he needed to get this off his chest. I know i would. I think desi people who are in the entertainment industry now should really be grateful to people like Iqbal. Look what they had to go through.
I think this show is going to be a hit and with that, so is Principal Figgins. That alone should fill South Asians with “Glee”.
awww…it does.
Dear Mr. Curry Bear or Iqbal. Can you please tell me who I have to e-mail, snail mail, call, threaten, and pleasure to get a desi song on Glee song by Mr. Theba. I will do whatever it takes. I will start a petition/ campaign if i have to. Please let’s make this happen! Give us an e-mail, an address, a phone number anything.
-Rakesh
wow this interview is so inspiring. never realized how much some people struggle in life to follow their dreams. thanks cb.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this show. Great interview !
Wow! Thats the best interview I have read on this site. They should make Iqbal a Series Regular on the show. An actor friend of mine told me that Iqbal is a “Guest Star” right now which means he is making almost nothing compared to others and that is because he is a South Asian. It is NOT FAIR! Please, call FOX Studios and Ryan Murphy Television and tell them how you feel.
http://www.fox.com/glee/ (start a Principal Figgins page/section).
Call and email FOX Publicity. Call and email Ryan Murphy Television Co. at Paramount Studios.
Way to go Iqbal! I really like his views on Islam. Islam started out as a movement to help the poor, slaves, women and all the disadvantaged members of the society. Then the stupid mullahs hijacked it. Keep it up Iqbal!
Hi all, this is iqbal theba. This was the most personal and revealing interview I have ever done. Thank you all for your support and kind words. Also, please, join my fan page “iqbal theba page” on Facebook. Love. iqbal
How on earth does this remind you of Freaks and Geeks? Because they are both set in a highschool? Please!
Iqbal you rock! I love you!
i can see how it reminds him of Freak and Geeks…both a comedies about highschool but there is a darkness to it…and it’s all about insecurities at a younger age..and how the Glee students are all either freaks or geeks.
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