Craig Robinson Wants to Believe
But the Ghosted star doubts he’ll ever play a bouncer again
A few minutes. That’s all it takes for Craig Robinson to steal a scene — whether as a shamed doorman in Knocked Up or a deadpan workplace drone in The Office — and it’s usually all he gets, too. So imagine the larceny he commits in Ghosted, the new X-files-spoofing supernatural sitcom he gets full co-star billing in with Adam Scott. It’s straight-up highway robbery.
Between you and Adam Scott, who’s Mulder and who’s Scully?
I’m the Scully — the skeptic — on the show. But it’s the reverse in real life. Adam is the skeptic, whereas I don’t think we’re alone.
What do you believe in?
Ghosts, aliens, all of that! I don’t want to talk about it, but I’d say I’ve had some paranormal experiences. There are some things I’ve seen.
Yikes, all right! Well, your workload’s been quite intense the past few years. Are you afraid of saying no?
No! You’ve got to say no to stuff or else you’ll just be doing anything and everything. Just because you do everything doesn’t mean you’re successful. Actually, the word “no” is your biggest power in Hollywood. It’s so easy to get pigeonholed. I remember reading the Internet comments when they announced I’m getting my own show. People were like, “Don’t ruin him! He’s good in small doses!” I was like, “Wow! Really? You have no idea what I can do!” So yeah, now I don’t read comments.
You don’t like being known for your five-minute cameos?
Put it like this: when I did Knocked UP,I probably got six offers from people saying, “Hey, we want you to play a bouncer in this thing!” And I was like, “I did that! It’s done! I’m moving on.” So you can stay in that lane and pigeonhole me in your mind, but I know what I can do. I’m already gone.
Have you ever ghosted anyone — like, in the dating sense?
I’ve been on both sides of that coin. Absolutely. You just stop calling or they stop calling you. It’s not nice. I’m too old to play that game now. I did it when I was younger. It was easier back then because we didn’t have cellphones. Just don’t pick up the land line!