Karl Urban is thrilled that he has a wide collection of fan sites, but is not computer literate. “I don’t have a computer. I only know how to check my emails,” says the New Zealand actor. He is amused to know that he has several fans that like and respect him enough to create a website about him: but would never visit any. “I try to ignore the fame aspect of my job. It is just an element of it. That is outside my area of concern; it’s not something I think about. It comes with the territory,” he explains.
It was a phone call and not an email that secured his place in Lord of the Rings – The Two Towers. Urban thought he had missed the boat when the trilogy began shooting in Wellington and he had not had the
opportunity to audition. But Harry Sinclair, who directed Urban in The Price of Milk, showed Peter Jackson the film just as he was looking to cast Eomer: the Rohan warrior who appears in the second and third Rings films. (He even has his own action figure pictured right)Jackson rang Urban and asked if he would be interested in being in the films. “Stoked is an understatement,” says Urban. “I was ballistic - in stupid mode for a week. Would I be interested…. Of course I was interested!”
The character of Eomer (pronounced A-o-meer) is a very well drawn chap. On the Rings website he is described as “Date of Birth: TA 2991 Race: Man of Rohan Height: 6 feet Date of Death: FO 63 Alignment: Good Parents: Eomund and Theodwyn Spouse: Lothiriel of Dol Amroth Date of Marriage: TA 3020 Children: Elfwine Physical description: Tall, with golden hair.” “They have the date of Eomers death?” Asks Urban. “Strange.” The thin description of Karl runs: “Full Name: Karl Urban Birthdate: June 7, 1972 Birthplace: Wellington, NZ Hair Colour: Brown Eye Colour: Blue Height: unknown Spouse: None Children: None.” Rumour has it that Karl has had a partner for many years, and a young son. However he refuses to be drawn on his personal life.
“Loss of anonymity is to be expected, and I have been a professional actor since 12 years old,” he says.”I accept it, but I have enjoyed being low key up to this point.” Despite being a regular fixture in episodes of Xena and Hercules, Karl has remained reasonably sheltered up until now. He regularly appeared at Xena and Hercules conferences in the States, which he enjoyed immensely. “They were good fun,” he says. “Conventions are a nice way to meet the people who love those shows because they provide escapism. It is great to have something to care about,” he says. He attended conventions so that he wouldn’t remain detached from the fan base. 
Did he come across some wackos at conferences? “There were some very loopy people,” he laughs. “But eccentricity is cool. If you think about it my job is pretty odd, I go to work, dress up and put on make up. People could consider that loopy!”Being involved with a project as huge as Lord of the Rings is bound to change his life, but Urban is sure that he won’t be typecast. “Again that is outside my area of concern. In the film I look relatively different, but as an actor it is inevitable that you will one day play character that will forever be sun ominous with you. That is fine by me, I am proud of the film.”
Karl first read the Tolkien books at about 12. “I was unaware of phenomenon, and had to check them out again. I was a kid who was into Dungeons and Dragons. But the genius of the movie is that you know everything you read is in there. It is a very faithful adaptation of the book.”
Karl didn’t have an in depth conversation with Peter about the character of Eomer. “I was hired to do a job and I turned up and did it. On set I was on the same page with Peter, it was just a matter of fine tuning, keeping up the effort to treat everything as urgent and dramatic.
Despite a long history in film and television, Urban prefers the theatre. “You get an immediate response from audience,” he says, “Which is great because otherwise you have no idea how effective you are; with theatre you get to witness first hand.”
What he loves most about portraying characters however is the challenge of highlighting certain aspects of each one. “I look at aspects of my job and I get to define reality. It’s a challenge.”
So is Urban to be the next Russell Crowe or Sam Neill? “I hope I am going to be the first Karl Urban. I don’t believe in the “next” such and such. The media tend to categorise people. I don’t think there is ever any ‘next’, we are all individuals. But I have followed and admired the work of both Russell and Sam. I am proud to be a Kiwi actor and have that in common with them.”
Quickfire round:
If you weren’t an actor, what would you be?
“A rock fisherman.”
What advice would you give to girls wanting to become actors?
“Invest in yourself and your craft. Embrace as much experience as possible. Take classes, pay to work when you are not being paid to work: I took boxer training. No matter what the motivation, invest in yourself so you are always ready. The world doesn’t get handed to you on a platter. Take as much as you can, if you are offered an opportunity take it. It may not be ideal but it will help in future. There is no one road to becoming professional actor. Accept an actors life is 90% unemployment. Work hard but remember you have to have balance in order to be successful within any vocation, or you will burn out. Try not to be obsessed with your craft.
Miranda