Bryan Batt: That Mary Tyler Moore can really do her sit-ups

Out actor Bryan Batt talked with financial site QueerCents recently. The Mad Men star discussed his hit AMC series, his career and his partner in the interview. Here's a few tidbits.

On charting a career as a gay actor:

I’ve never tried nor cared to “sell” my sexuality, to me it is such a non-issue. “What you do” with your life rather than “who you do” is far more meaningful to me. Being gay is as genetically predisposed as having brown eyes and being six feet tall. I am a six foot tall brown eyed ACTOR who happens to be gay.

On the odd jobs he's had to take while establishing himself as an actor:

I did have an embarrassingly humiliating job. Although it paid well and I could arrange my hours around auditioning, I was a “fragrance model” at Bloomingdales in the late eighties and sprayed people with cologne. It was horrific because the perfume vendors were so pushy and aggressive - they wanted us to force ourselves on the unsuspecting shopper, which is not my style. Later on, I taught aerobics. Mary Tyler Moore was in my second class … that lady can really do her sit-ups.

On the making a living in the arts:

The arts are the only businesses where although you may have the best training, incredible talent, and great ambition, you may not work or make good money. A friend of mine was in Les Miserables years ago playing one of the leads, and he earned the same amount he had waiting tables. It’s a tough and unfair business. That’s why I love it when I hear actors making insane amounts of money.

On his partner, Tom:

It also helps that he’s a gorgeous, talented, funny man. No one can make me laugh like he does. Financially, he is light years ahead of me, very organized and budgeted. Because of my theatrical gypsy nature, I can get to the “hand to mouth” place…he keeps me in line.

On his hometown, New Orleans, after Katrina:

It is still struggling, so this is an open invite to all to come down and shop, eat, drink and see all the amazing architecture of the French Quarter, the Garden District, and Uptown. The restaurants are back, the music is back, the shops are back and need the nations’ business. When you come though, make sure to tour the devastated areas like the lower ninth ward, and Lakeview and see how much more needs to be done, write your public officials in D.C., then drink a “hurricane” - you’ll need it.

The whole interview is a solid read so check it out. Batt also discusses his store in New Orleans, Hazelnut, the street fair benefit he organizes as well as speculation into what his Mad Man character would be doing if he were alive today.