There is an undeniable similarity between Greg and Ryan, and I don’t think that’s a coincidence.  I can assure you its not genetic.

To move away from CSI for a second, you have appeared in Marilyn Manson's music video for (s)AINT, as the music journalist here, I was just wondering what made you get involved in one of his videos? As a MM fan, I’m going to keep my eyes peeled next time he pops up on MTV!

Manson and I have been friends for several years.  He asked me to be in his video and I said yes.  All I can say is it was one of the craziest shoots I’ve ever done and it was refreshing to do something way different than CSI.

You support the US campaign for Burma and even travelled over Thailand to see the refuges that have fled the country, what sparked your interest in that particular cause?

A good friend of mine showed me the trailer for a documentary she produced about Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s Democratic leader who has been imprisoned by the military junta for 15 of the last 20 years.  I was so moved and outraged by what I learned I offered to help however I could. 

She introduced me to human rights activist Jack Healy and Jeremy Woodrum from the US Campaign for Burma who invited me to visit the refugee camps in Thailand.  I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to see what few get to witness and share my experience with people back home.

Did you see the film Burma VJ, which highlighted the problem over there?

I have only seen the trailer for Burma VJ, but am very interested to see the film.  It looks amazing and I am happy it received an Oscar nomination.

Finally, what else do you have coming up in the near future for all of us Eric Szmanda fans out there?

Currently, I am developing a couple TV series, a screenplay and a rock opera.  Also I am the executive director of a digital radio station in the US called erockster, which I run with one of my best friends.  We have a production company as well, which up to now has specialized in creating web content.  Hopefully I’ll do a movie or a play this hiatus.  If not, you can probably find me wandering through the Tate Modern over the summer.

FemaleFirst - Ruth Harrison