Dennis and I enjoyed exquisite lunches of shrimp salad and sea bass in the posh dining room at El Caballero, where we ate light and talked heavy, jumping straight into topics such as the presidential race, the environment and foreign policy. Dennis as the strong, silent type? Hardly. It didn’t take long for me to be convinced that this guy literally knows something about everything. He’s an actor but you can’t fake intelligence or charisma. He’s the real deal. He’s the guy every man wants to be and every woman wants to be with. He’s the star that everyone respects and smiles at as he walks into the room, and he’s the gentleman that acknowledges everyone with a warm smile, a firm handshake and a personal comment. And, I found out on El Cab’s, beautiful Robert Trent Jones designed course, his golf swing is as grooved as the strong and steady roles he favors. Between shots, here’s what Dennis had to say:
A.J.
As the first Black (TV) President (as President David Palmer on the hit show ‘24’), what are your feelings about the dynamics of this election and what it means to this country?
Dennis
The dynamics that I see are that the country is getting a history lesson about the racial dynamics of this country and a lesson in tolerance and a lesson in the understanding of where we are as a nation. It couldn’t come at a better time. We’re about to get rid of one of the most irresponsible Presidents this country has ever had.
If you were president right now, what would you do in terms of our folks over there fighting this war?
Well, I’ve received information that you’re not going to want to hear. When we went to Kuwait, little do people know that those bases are permanent. Those boys are not coming home. I would do whatever I could to get them home. I’d exhaust everything in my power and make every effort. I believe those bases (in Iraq) are permanent and no matter what the candidates say, they’re never coming home.
McCain has stated that he wants to keep us in Iraq as long as it takes. Hillary Clinton flip flops. Obama says he wants to bring the troops home. Do you have any advice for Obama if he becomes president?
Just keep doing what he’s doing and whatever Senator Obama does right now is the best thing I think for this country. He is by far the best candidate for the office of the White House.
Why?
Just from seeing him being attacked in the primary process. His ability to stay cool under that kind of pressure. When it comes to a President and having him sit down across the table from any other head of state, wouldn’t you want someone that could be cool, calm and collected, and not take anything personally, negotiating for you?
Are you for or against the war?
I have been and always will be for the troops. As for this war, no, absolutely not. I do understand why they believe it’s important, but it was not thought out well and definitely not executed well. It left our troops out there with minimal protection.
Do you think it’s more about money than it is about freedom?
Oh absolutely.
Speaking of another kind of green, ecologically speaking, how green are you?
By September, my entire home will be green. I’ve had solar panels for over a year now. I make about 42 gigs a day so my meter’s going backwards and I’m selling back to Edison. I put in a high vibrational water system that purifies the water. I put in a waterless water heater. Putting in a rain catcher. Putting in a black-water filtering system on a state of the art septic system that will return black water to grey water that I can use to water my property. I’m getting very good at this, down to the light bulbs I use. I’m building a pool soon, which will be a saline pool without chemicals, purified by crystals.
What got you started in golf?
My dad died. He played the game and had a lot of trophies. When he died I picked up the game. I said to myself, I’m going to learn how to play this because it would have been great to have played golf with my dad. I was in my thirties when he died. Being the spiritual person that I believe I am, I picked up the game knowing that he’d be out there with me. He’s out here today, watching me play badly.
What course would you play if you could only play one course for the rest of your life?
The rest of my life? Oh man. Hmm. Kapalua. I don’t think there’s any nicer place to be in Hawaii and it’s a course that always challenges me.
Tell me something no one knows about you.
I cry at movies.
All movies?
(Laughing) Well, if they’re sad. Especially anything having to do with fathers and sons.
Favorite movie that you’re not in.
Godfather II. But I like a lot of genres. I love science fiction. I love romantic movies.
Do you cry when you watch Godfather II?
Ah, no.
How have the lines “That’s Allstate’s Stand. Are you in good hands?” affected your life?
(He laughs) They’re repeated to me 24/7, 365. The good news is, when they do repeat it to me I know they’re listening and they’re listening to the message. And Allstate’s happy, which makes me happy.
If you weren’t acting what would you be doing?
Wow. I’d either be a teacher, a psychologist or (smiling broadly) a Special Ops Operator, as crazy as that sounds.
Doesn’t sound crazy to me. You seem to be as strong, confident and capable as the leading man characters you’ve played. I don’t think it would be a stretch for you to be in Special Ops.
I like to think that certain roles I channel, that the characters are speaking through me.
They’re speaking loud and clear.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’ve got 3 or 4 projects in development. I don’t like to talk about them until they come to fruition, but one project I can mention is about renowned golf coach Lucius Bateman and his relationship with his student Tony Lema.
I’m also very proud that my son Charles and I produced a 17-minute short film called “Cessation” that was accepted into Cannes. By the time this article comes out, we’ll know how it did and whether it got sold or not.
That’s great that you and your son are working together. And with the Lucius Bateman project, you get to combine two of your loves -- golfing and acting.
Yes, my game should improve exponentially.
Your game’s pretty solid now.
It’s getting there. I had a few brain flatulent holes today. Can I say that?
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