Anthony Lemke answers 19 Gravitas Questions with Alan Gratias
A fixture on Canadian and international screens, Anthony Lemke has a diverse collection of credits to his name that span over 15 years as a leading actor in the Canadian film and television industry. For the past three years, he starred as the sarcastic mercenary, Three, in SyFy TV’s hit series Dark Matter. Earlier this year, Anthony joined the cast of the hit NBC/CTV series Blindspot, in a recurring role as Victor, a charming and dangerous fixer working for a questionable organization.
Other projects include the hard-driving Detective Sergeant Brian Becker in CTV’s The Listener; a two-season arc on Bravo’s award-winning cop drama 19-2; as well as numerous multiple episode arcs and guest star appearances on shows like the sexy, supernatural series Lost Girl, the absurd college-comedy Blue Mountain State, and the hit-cop drama Flashpoint.
Anthony’s work in French-Canada includes regular and recurring roles on some of Quebec’s most popular, award-winning television shows including Les hauts et les bas de Sophie Paquin, Mirador, Mémoires Vives, Ruptures, and 30 Vies.
In November 2015, Anthony was designated as an ambassador for Humanity and Inclusion (HI), an independent aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion in regions such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Laos, Cambodia, and the Republic of South Sudan.
Anthony’s relationship with Prince Edward County began as a detour from his regular Toronto-Ottawa, Highway 401 pilgrimage. “After the kids arrived, our detours became more frequent, drawn by Wellington’s waterfront park and the charming Tall Poppy Café. Then came the weekend trips, then the cottage. In 2014, we jumped into PEC with both feet and moved to Wellington.”
One last question. What secret of a successful marriage would he like to share?
“All I can tell you is what’s helped us get this far: being surrounded by a strong community of friends and family; experiencing new challenges together; and maintaining our positive illusions about each other.”
Editor’s note: Anthony was featured in the CQL Summer 2016 issue.
Name one universal rule of friendship?
Be a cutter-of-slack.
What makes your heart stand still?
Lake Ontario in a storm. Acts of sacrifice. My wife.
If you knew the truth, how would you reveal it?
Slowly. Most of the time our fantasy version of the truth is a happier place anyway.
We all hope there will be one more time. One more time for what?
To dance with my Grandmother. To play road hockey. To hold a newborn child in my arms. The list is loooong.
If you were going to launch a new prohibition, what would you outlaw?
Broccoli…because then kids would take up eating it around age 16.
How would you like to rewire your brain?
I’d rustproof it.
If you were to ask for divine intervention, what would it be for?
To bring world peace, end hunger and stop climate change…or maybe just to let me beat my brother at Scrabble.
Give one example of life’s absurdities?
Blackflies.
Why do we sometimes crave chaos?
For the same reason that, as kids, we all enjoyed destroying our Lego houses as much as building them.
How do you stay clear of the rocks and shoals?
Get a map.
When they say, ‘follow the fear,’ what fear are you following?
Fear of failure.
Why should we hang onto our illusions?
It amounts to choosing the better story. Read Life of Pi. Martel explains it better than I ever could.
When do reality and fantasy merge?
In the moment future becomes present. The best example of this is the moment a baby is born. Nine months of fantasizing becomes concrete in an instant.
What do you wish you understood about the workings of the universe?
Why God created blackflies.
How do we get to the authentic self?
Accept that you are flawed.
What is your favourite recipe for unhappiness?
Start with a pound of no sleep. Toss in a couple ounces of no exercise. Then add a dash of self-doubt.
How can we escape the trap line of our own obsessions?
The line between obsession and passion is a fine one. Be thankful you care enough about something to be treading somewhere near that line.
When do you release your inner quirkiness?
Not often enough…or at least not as often as I used to.
If we come into this world with sealed orders, what are your orders?
Same as everyone: Try to leave this place better than you found it.
If you had your own country, what is the first law you would enact?
I’d outlaw income tax, because wouldn’t it be great to live in a society where citizens were seen as something other than economic engines?