Interview from B5 Times: August 1997

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Joshua Cox's name might not ring any immediate bells, but if you're a loyal fan of Babylon 5, there's a strong chance that you'll recognize his face straight away. Since his debut in the first season episode Signs and Portents, Josh has appeared in more then 25 episodes of B5 as Lieutenant David Corwin, and also enjoyed a major role in the third season episode Exogenisis.

Josh's continued presence in the show is quite an achievement when you think that he was originally only cast to appear in one episode, and that it wasn't until his 14th episode that his character was finally given a name!

B5 Times: Could you tell us a little bit about your background and how you first got into acting?

Josh Cox: I grew up in New York and started doing plays in high school - I guess that's a sort of requisite theatrical beginning. I kind of fell into acting; I walked into a play audition in high school and kinda liked it. I hadn't really made any conscious decision about what I wanted to be at that point. I just enjoyed it, and I ended up going back for another, and it went from there.

A friend of mine who I went to school with, a guy by the name of Fisher Stevens [Early Edition, Short Circuit] who you might have heard of had a manager at the time who was sending him out freelance through agents in New York. I hooked up with him and started auditioning for commercials and stuff like that. I kept doing plays at school and ended up going to a drama school called SUNY Purchase. It's a very well respected drama school. I went there for 4 long years.....Funnily enough, Ed Wasser (Morden) was in my company.

That's sort of my acting history. Growing up in New York was interesting. I went through various phases about how I got about the city. At one point, I was rollerskating everywhere with my shoes round my neck; other times it was skateboards or bicycles or other things like that.

B5 Times : What would you say has been your most high profile role to date?

Josh Cox : I did a soap opera in New York called One Life To Live which was pretty high profile. That was my first experience of being recognized around the city and receiving fan mail. It was hard work - we were shooting a new episode every day, rather than every 7 days on Babylon 5 - it was also an invaluable learning experience.

I don't get recognized that much for Babylon 5. The mail has started coming in, and I get the occasional twinkle in someone's eye. But it doesn't happen as much as it would if I was a more featured Player on the show.

B5 Times : When you first auditioned for the role that was destined to become Lt David Corwin, the part was that of an un-named Dome Tech, and amounted to just one day's work. What was the appeal of the show.

Josh Cox : Basically I thought "Great - here's a day's work." I'll worry about the next thing when that day's done. It's always a great thing to get work no matter how many or few days you're working, because getting work in this business is always an achievement in itself, regardless of the kind of work you get. If you get any work, you can pat yourself on the back in a way, because it's so difficult...If you can sign a contract for any length of time, then that's a huge achievement.

B5 Times : When did you realize that you'd be working on Babylon 5 for a lot longer than just one day?

Josh Cox : Well, it was near the end of their first season, so they brought me back for 2 more episodes [after Signs and Portents]. I thought "This is kinda cool. This could turn into something. At the very least I'll be seen somewhere out there for a moment or two, and I'll be making a little money as an actor." At that point, because I didn't have a contract, I though anything could happen.

Luckily the producers liked what I was doing, so they kept bringing me back, until finally I had Claudia Christian [alias Commander Ivanova] and Bruce Boxleitner [Captain Sheridan] shouting "When are we going to give Josh a name?" The cast and crew were always very supportive and encouraging towards me. They're a great group of people and they all enjoy a laugh.

B5 Times : In general, most of your scenes are with Claudia Christian. Given that she's very playful on set, how do you get anything done when she's around?

Josh Cox : Sometimes you just have to hold it all in and stop yourself giggling, so to speak. And sometimes, you just bust up and let it all out, and then say "Okay - let's do that again." It makes it more enjoyable, though, and it keeps the energy level up, surprisingly. In a way it doesn't take away from anything, but adds to it, because your blood is flowing, your mind is clicking and you're getting that witty repartee. It tunes you up in a way.

It's not always appropriate, depending on what's going on. But everyone's always sensitive to when we really need to be focused on getting things done...for instance, if it's a heavy scene or if we're running late. It all has a time and place, but I think it has a quality that helps you to be sharp and aware.

B5 Times : Do you have any plans to follow in Claudia's footsteps, and record an album?

Josh Cox : I actually heard Claudia's album, Taboo, the other day. It's pretty good; it's sort of sexy dance music, but it's got her sense of humour in it too.

B5 Times : Maybe you guys could do a duet together?

Josh Cox : I don't know about that - I play guitar, but I can't sing very well!

B5 Times : Okay - maybe you can play guitar on her next album...

Josh Cox :Yeah - that's right. Joshy Hendrix!!

B5 Times : You're due to attend our Wolf 359/ The 5 Times Convention, The Alliance, in July. Are you looking forward to it?

Josh Cox : Oh yes - I'm very excited about it. I've never been to England before. I've grown up watching lots of English entertainment - movies and comedies and all kinds of things. Monty Python, Black Adder , Fry and Laurie...I'm a very big fan of that type of comedy, and I've always had a penchant for doing accents at home as a kid. I did quite a lot of English accents, in virtue of the fact that I used to watch those shows on TV. I would run around talking like some toffee-nosed, upper class Brit guy or someone like that. Also I have a lot of friends in London, whom I hope to visit. So I'm looking forward to going.

It's going to be fun to be part of this huge entourage. I mean everybody is going to be there. From producers to the actors.....everybody. So it should be really fun. It'll almost be like a class reunion in a way.

B5 Times : I know you're looking forward to meeting the fans at our convention, but do you have a message for them in the meantime?

Josh Cox : Keep banging Joe Straczynski's door down of you want to see more of Corwin!

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