Our Exclusive Interview With J.Michael Trautmann

 Just last week we got to “meet” J.Michael Trautmann on Twitter, who plays Mickey Milkovich’s brother in Showtime’s Shameless. (You might remember him from such films as 96 Minutes)

Team Gallavich got this exclusive interview with him about his upcoming appearances on season 3 of Shameless and his music.

Enjoy! Oh… and warnings for bad language and adult content. This is Shameless after all ;-)

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(photo courtesy of Noel Fisher)

TG: You play the role of Iggy Milkovich. For those fans out there who might not have been paying attention, can you tell us a little more about your character.

JM: Iggy is a dirty (literally) hoodlum, as are most of the Milkovich boys. He’s Mickey’s “make it hurt, make it count” ol’ reliable. If any family member needs someone threatened or beat up, Iggy’s always there for that sinister touch. He always packs heat. He’s the one who, if anything goes wrong, he’ll just pull the trigger and end it.

TG: Did you specifically pick the role of Iggy to audition for or was it one that your agent thought would be a good part or you?

JM: I actually auditioned for Lip Gallagher back in 2009 and then I auditioned for Mickey Milkovich. They liked me enough to call me in for Iggy and I filmed my first scene that same night, toting a sawed off and a chicken mask =)

TG: Did you have to do anything special for your Shameless audition?

JM: I sucked nine dicks. Ha! No seriously it was only six! I just went in, did the scene and looked menacing. It was a great audition.

TG: Did you see any of the UK Shameless before you auditioned for your part?

JM: No, as an actor I didn’t want to fall back on it. If I was gonna crash, I wanted to burn. 

TG: Other than your own (!) who is your favourite Shameless character and why?

JM: Lip. I identify with him. In high school I was a neighborhood heathen who was a 4.2 accelerated student. In elementary school I had to join the math team in place of detentions for fighting. In Shameless, Lip has so many others’ hopes weighing on his shoulders and in the midst of everything he gets himself into, he’s a good kid just trying to do the right thing. 

TG: Which actor (if any) on the Shameless set were you most star-struck by?

JM: Bill Macy - no doubt. An absolute professional and a great person. I met him my first night filming and got to shoot the shit between set-ups. He was super personal and approachable, and really a classic example for any young actor. He was there, ready and prepared for work, but you saw him enjoying his role so thoroughly. That balance was flawless and super refreshing. He made a definite lasting impression on me.

TG: What’s the most “shameless” thing you’ve done?

JM: In high school, I wrote “SHIT STINKS, HUH?” on this D-Bag’s white pedo van in my own feces. Probably tops a decent laundry list of immature things I’ve accomplished.
TG: Can you sum up what you know about Shameless season 3 so far in 5 words or less (spoiler free of course!)

JM: “Through the roof raw ridiculousness.”

TG: Could you make up a little Milkovich rap for us?

JM: “Hunting through the Chi just tryin to get by, 15 dollar franks!? Nah, fuck you, guy!

You even know who I is??! Igginald God Damn Milkovich, Bitch!!

Besta not be steppin, our family fuckin pantry’s jam packed with weapons

And you could get to guessin, but me and my brothers are all red headed step sons.

So, show me the money! Clean it up and clear em out, then sell the buzz back they honey.

Some call me a dummy, but check my IQ. And I don’t know what that stands for, so fuck you, too!

The day is rue and that’s my cue.

Name’s Iggy. I’ll kick your ass and wrap you in bacon, you shitty Miss Piggy.”

Haha

TG: You’re also a great rap artist. (See above!) Who are your musical inspirations?

JM: Jay Z, Tupac, Lupe Fiasco, Wale, Murs and I think Fabolous is clever. And yes Eminem. Can’t knock where his brash talent pushed hip hop. But I take a lot from other forms of music. Most notably punk. Rufio is my favourite band and their song lyrics are fantastic poetry.

TG: Which do you enjoy more? Rapping or acting?

JM: Really depends on what mood I’m in. I love to rap because it’s my content, butShameless always gives me the greatest things to act out that I would never have the sac to do in real life and that rules. I feel extremely privileged to be a part of such a well written, performed and executed show. Also, as of now, acting pays way better =)

TG: What would be your dream collaboration? Either musically or within the acting community? Or both?

JM: Would love to rap with E40, and act with Leo DiCaprio and Giovanni Ribisi. I also would like to get on screen with Charlie Hunnam as Jax in Sons of Anarchy. If the Milkovich boys started a biker gang, that would be absolute excellence.

TG: And finally - topical question: as the Olympics are on, which sport would you choose to compete in, if you had to?

JM: Like, if I had a gun to my head? Archery would be dope. Or fencing. But if I really got to choose, I would want to wear USA on my chest playing basketball alongside Kobe Bryant. Go USA, go Lakers!

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TeamGallavich also got this little nugget on Twitter about Ian & Mickey too:

@JMACdaKID: @TeamGallavich  Iggy doesn’t know Mickey fucks boys yet. Not privy to the Ian/Mickey arc. So, I’m looking forward to learning of that. =) It’d be dope if Mickey/Ian killed someone in order to save Mickey/Ian. That’s my non character answer, but I want Iggy to know

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J.Michael will be appearing first as Iggy in episode 3#03. In the meantime you can follow him on Twitter here and check out his official website here