Dale Raoul has been seen in True Blood as “Maxine Fortenberry,” Hoyt’s mama, since Season 1 and we just love how she plays the character with such reality and animation. Recently she sat for an interview with callmemadam.com and below are excerpts from that interview that pertain to her portrayal of Maxine on the show.
Dale Raoul
Dale’s foray into television began in 1986 when she booked her first television appearance on “Murder She Wrote.” Earning a formidable reputation as a character actress, Dale appeared in numerous television series.
In addition to series television, Dale has starred in such made-for-television movies as “Mending Fences,” “Net Force,” “A Match Made In Heaven,” “Death Benefit,” “Favorite Deadly Sins,” and “Here To Remember.”
Dale’s feature film credits include “The Mexican,” “Beautiful,” “Seven Pounds,” “Forfeit,” “Save the Mavericks,” “Love Stinks,” “Out to Sea,” amongst others.
When not performing, Dale dedicates much of her time to The Los Angeles Opera, various animal shelters and adoption charities, and Artists Confronting AIDS.
For the past five seasons, you have been playing “Maxine Fortenberry” on HBO’s “True Blood.” What initially attracted you to this series?
It was the prospect of working for Alan Ball, who had first created SIX FEET UNDER. I admired him enormously, and still do, of course. His brains, talent, compassion and humor are undeniable.
What have you enjoyed most about playing “Maxine” for the past five seasons?
“Maxine’s” journey on the show has been so wild! I’ve been possessed, bitten by a vampire, gotten drunk, and played Wii like a maniacal fiend. Anything the writers come up with is amazing and always, always surprising.
What do you identify most with about “Maxine” and how has your portrayal of “Maxine” grown over the years?
“Maxine” is definitely a girly girl, believe it or not! She likes accessories and clothes and makeup – I like all those things too. But she is narrow-minded and selfish – at least that’s how people perceive her. I think that as years have passed, we realize that she has had a difficult life and that she is very insecure and afraid. That is why she is unable to let “Hoyt” grow up.
If you could choose the path or growth of “Maxine” in future seasons, where would you take her to or how would you have her grow?
I would love to see “Maxine” get a boyfriend!
To read the full interview with Dale, go to: callmeadam.com
