There are few people in show business who have worn as many hats as Stacy Keach. Perhaps best known for his portrayal of detective Mike Hammer in Mickey Spillane’s classic television series, Keach has also graced the small and big screens, the stage, has loaned his voice to narration projects, has had writing/directing and producing stints and, most recently, has jumped behind the music composer’s podium.

His work ethic has certainly paid off, as Keach’s mantle is full of prestigious awards. He’s received a Best Actor Golden Globe, three Obie’s, three Vernon Rice awards, the Helen Hayes Award, the prestigious Millennium Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution to Classical Theatre, and has been nominated for Emmy and Tony Awards. The New York Times once referred to Keach as “The finest American classical actor since John Barrymore.”

One of Keach’s current projects is the portrayal of President Richard Nixon in the Broadway production of Frost/Nixon, which kicks off Broadway Across America – Columbus’ 20th anniversary season from Oct. 14-19 at the Palace Theatre. Keach took some time out of his hectic schedule to talk to CityScene about playing Nixon, keeping busy and his golf game.

CityScene: Your film debut was in the mid-1960s (The Heart is a Lonely Hunter), and your stage career is just as long. What is the secret to your longevity in show business?
Stacy Keach: A lot of good luck. I think I’ve just been very fortunate to have a lot of wonderful opportunities. I also think the ability to move between film and TV and theater is a measure of my success because everyone who works in just one of the mediums tends to have long dry spells. I consider that ability a gift – something I’ve been blessed with.

CS: How do you balance it all?
SK: I just don’t like not being busy. I love to work. I’m not very good at taking vacations. And it helps that I have two kids, a sophomore in college and a daughter getting ready to graduate high school, so I have to keep punching the clock. College is expensive today!

CS: Do you have a favorite work or role?
SK: That’s a really hard question, but John Huston’s Fat City (1972) is a classic to me. Obviously I love my Shakespeare work. It’s really important to me. I just finished a film that was my debut as a composer. I’ve been composing music for awhile but never shared that talent I guess because I’ve been really shy. My dream is to direct the Hollywood Symphony Orchestra… One of these days …

Other than that, my favorite role is always my next one. And if I had to answer what is my favorite work it would be something I’ve done in live theater because of the energy and interaction of the live audience. No two performances are the same.

CS: What instruments do you play? Do you have any other hobbies?
SK: I play piano and keyboard and have since I was 12. And I play golf. I love to play golf. I try to take one day out of the week to play golf.

CS: Acting is in your pedigree. Your father (Stacy, Sr.) acted and your brother, James, directs and has done some acting. What advice did your father give you two?
SK: My dad was wonderful. He was very skeptical of us going into the business because he knew it so well and he knew how difficult it would be for us to make a living and to withstand an enormous amount of rejection. He wanted me to be a lawyer and James to be a doctor. But he supported us and wanted nothing but the best for us.

CS: You’re one of the most acknowledged Shakespearean actors and have played darker roles such as James in The Long Riders and a white supremacist in American History X. Do you prefer more serious parts?
SK: Actually, I love comedy. It’s my favorite. If I could spend more time doing comedy then I would. I loved playing Tim Titus for the Fox sitcom Titus and doing Up in Smoke with Cheech and Chong. It’s so much fun. But I am also drawn to historical roles – to do research and translate the characters. That’s why when the opportunity came along to play Nixon, I jumped on it.

CS: How did you prepare for the Nixon role?
SK: Just getting to know him from a personal, biographical, cultural and social standpoint. At first I was a little hesitant to play the character because I would be walking in huge shadows of many who have played Nixon before – Frank Longella, Anthony Hopkins. But I’m trying very hard to work on it as my own now.

CS: What can the audience expect from Stacy Keach’s Nixon?
SK: It’s not an imitation, but rather an interpretation of his behavior. Nixon was very objective about himself and very self-conscious and self-deprecating. He was a social cripple in a lot of ways and always tried to make up for it with bad jokes. But he was very intelligent. I just don’t think he was ever comfortable with his public profile. He really is a tragic character and I’d like to humanize him. I’m optimistic people will enjoy this play because they’ll see things they won’t expect about Nixon.

CS: What’s next for you?
SK: After Frost/Nixon, I’d like to reprise my role as King Lear in Chicago (Keach held this role during 2006 at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre). Beyond that, I don’t know; maybe take a little vacation if I can tolerate that.

CS: Have you ever been to Columbus?
SK: No and I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t wait to come there and enjoy the people and the town and of course the golf courses. I hear Columbus has great golf courses!

BONUS QUESTION: We have a feature on pies this issue. So we have to know: What is your favorite pie?
SK: Cherry … With whipped cream … Nevermind, it’s key lime pie. My left brain says cherry and my right brain says key lime. I’m going with key lime …

Alicia Kelso is editor of CityScene.

Catch Frost/Nixon at the Palace Theatre from Oct. 14-19. The production tackles the question: How did David Frost, a famous British talk-show host with a playboy reputation, elicit the apology that the rest of the world was waiting to hear from former President Richard Nixon?

Stacy Keach leads a cast of 10 in this fast-paced Tony Award- nominated new play which shows the determination, conviction and cunning of two men as they square off in one of the most monumental television interviews of all time.