©2022 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights ReservedAs a toddler, Román Zaragoza watched his dad, Gregory Zaragoza, play Chief Sitting Bull in a Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun.
“So before I was 3 years old, I was seeing the show, going backstage, hanging out with Bernadette Peters, and I had crushes on all of the young female performers in the show,” he says. “I just fell in love with theater right away and the community aspect of it all.”
On his day off from CBS’ breakout hit Ghosts (Thursdays), where he’s Sasappis, Zaragoza spoke over Zoom to answer our “5 Questions.”
1. Have you ever had a ghostly experience?
Growing up, I definitely felt connected to my grandfather, who passed on before I was born, and I bear his name. When I was really young, I felt this connection to my grandfather, and I remember my mom would tell me that she would see me just talking to the corner. And she said, “Who are you talking to?” And I would respond, “Grandpa.” My mom would be like, “This is really cute and terrifying.” It’s really cool to feel that connection with ancestors that I never even really knew.
SEASON 3!!!! @GhostsCBS pic.twitter.com/E8ro2nWBql
— Román Zaragoza (@RomanZara_Goza) January 13, 2023
2. Did you always want to be an actor?
It was very encouraged at a young age because my dad fell in love with it when he was in his 30s after being a lawyer. So he and my mom put us into singing, acting and dancing classes at such a young age. And seeing my two older sisters do it, I was like, I have to do this.
3. Tell us about a time when you were starstruck.
In 2017, I was coming out of a hair salon, and I saw all these paparazzi outside. Selena Gomez was taking a yoga class downstairs. I loved her growing up. She’s awesome, but I’m not going to freak out or go out of my way to bump into her. I walked down the stairs and literally bumped into her. And I’m like, “Hi, I just want to say I’m a big fan. This is so cool. And I just hope you’re doing well.”
4. Who would you have at a mythical dinner party that anyone can attend?
Heath Ledger. I just want to talk to him. I have so many questions. I just want to be his friend. He just seemed like such a cool, cool dude and so talented, so free. Bruce Lee would be awesome to talk to about philosophy. I started taking Wing Chun recently, a form of kung fu, so I would love to talk to him about martial arts. Also, Neil Patrick Harris and Michelle Obama.
5. What were some jobs you had before acting?
I was an assistant to an electrician. My mom wanted me to learn trades, and one of my friends, her dad was an electrician, and I followed him around for a few months. At the L.A. Auto Show, I was a helpful Honda person and told people where the bathroom was. I went from college to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
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