Some people will do whatever it takes to provide for their family and friends, even if it means breaking the law to give them the best possible life. They come to justify their actions, no matter how violent or despicable, if it means their loved ones are cared for. That’s certainly the case in the new crime thriller, ‘The Iceman,’ which is based on the true story of hitman Richard Kuklinski. The film, which was directed and co-written by Ariel Vromen, details the lengths a person would go to in order to provide a better life for their children, even if it means breaking the moral and legal structures of society.
‘The Iceman’ follows Richard Kuklinski (Michael Shannon), a hitman who was convicted of murdering 100 men for various crime organizations around the New York and New Jersey area in 1986. Despite being a cold-blooded killer, Kuklinski was also living the American dream with his wife, Deborah (Winona Ryder), and their two daughters. His family and close friend, Dino (Danny Abeckaser), were unaware of his real profession until he was arrested. While determined to support his family and keep them safe, Kuklinski resorted to working for mob boss Roy Demeo (Ray Liotta) in the 1960s as a way to move up in society. His ease at compartmentalizing his brutal killings from his love for his family allowed him to keep his true profession hidden for almost a quarter of a century.
Abeckaser generously took the time recently to discuss filming ‘The Iceman’ at a New York City hotel. Among other things, the actor discussed how his fascination with Kuklinski’s story influenced him to take on the role of Dino; how he modeled the character and his relationship with the title character on one of his personal relationships; and despite initially being nervous about working with Shannon, based on his respected reputation as an actor, building a strong on-screen connection with his co-star.
ShockYa (SY): You play Dino Lapron, the best friend of Richard Kuklinski in ‘The Iceman.’ What was it about the character and the script that convinced you to take on the role?
Danny Abeckaser (DA): Well, I’m a fan of the documentary series on HBO, ‘The Iceman Confessions.’ I was fascinated with the story, and was excited to hear that they were going to make a movie about it.
Personally, for Dino, I liked it because he’s different than everybody else, in his relationship with Richie, the Iceman. I feel like he’s the only one who knows him, and interacts with him on a personal level, so that really drew me into that character. I was just happy to get the role. Once I got it, I really wanted to do my best job.
SY: How did you become involved in the film? You have said that you don’t like to audition, so did the movie’s director, Ariel Vromen, approach you with the role?
DA: I know Ariel, and he had spoken to me about the movie in length, and he was so passionate about it. One day, he mentioned that there was a smaller role as Dino. Initially, it was much smaller, but it became a bigger role once they began developing the story. So I knew the director, and he talked to me about it.
SY: What was it like working with Ariel on the film, since you knew each other before you began shooting?
DA: On set, he wasn’t really a friend. (laughs) He was very professional, and we didn’t talk much. But I felt really comfortable with him. I knew that if he had to point anything out, he would. I told him to be honest and what he really wanted, and I would do it. It was great, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.
SY: ‘The Iceman’ is Ariel’s third feature film directorial effort. Did the fact that he was relatively new to helming movies influence your working relationship at all?
DA: Well, thank God I got to work with him now. I think he’s going to be a big, great director, and hopefully I’ll get to do another movie with him.
I had faith in him since day one. I felt that he’s very smart, and he knew the story so well. I had no doubt in my mind that he was going to make a great movie. Watching it, I honestly think it’s incredible what he did, and the performances he got. Everything about it is just great.
I think this movie’s going to do very well. I think it’s going to get a cult following, kind of like ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘A Bronx Tale,’ that kind of film.
SY: Besides directing the film, Ariel also co-wrote the script. What was it like working with him as a co-writer as well? Do you generally prefer working with helmers who also penned the screenplay?
DA: I don’t know if I actually ever worked with a director who also wrote the script before. But again, he knew the story so well. That’s what you want from your director. You’re so consumed with the character, but he intimately knows the character, as well. He would come up to me and say, “Danny, don’t forget, he’s upset with him because of what happened.” So that brings you back to the moment. Since he also wrote it, he knew it so well.
SY: You mentioned earlier that you are a fan of the HBO documentary. How much knowledge did you have of the case, and did you do any research, before you began shooting?
DA: I read about it online, and I watched some YouTube videos. I watched everything I could on him, and tried to bring myself into that world. But I didn’t go deep into detail, or interview anyone. I didn’t feel that I needed to do much research.
SY: How did you get into Dino’s mindset before you began filming?
DA: I kind of modeled the relationship on a personal relationship that I have. I kind of felt like Richie and I have been friends forever. But he was becoming really successful, and I wasn’t, so I kind of looked up to him. So I kind of modeled it on a personal relationship that I used to have, and I went with that.
SY: Being that Dino is based on a real person, did that influence the way you portrayed the role at all?
DA: No, because I felt like no one really knows this guy. So I didn’t have to do anything that people would recognize. I just really concentrated on the relationship, and who he was to Richie, and what he brings to the story. The way that I wanted to portray him was with a lot of heart.
I feel like Dino brings a human side to Richie. He’s very nice to him and giving and supportive, even though everyone else sees this crazy killer. Dino sees a friend, so I wanted to bring that to the way I portrayed him.
SY: Richard tries to keep the fact that he is a hitman for the Mafia a secret from his family. Do you think anyone questioned his job or what he did for a living, since he obtains so much money without explaining where it came from?
DA: Yeah. How would someone make that much money, and no one knows what he’s really doing? It seems like he’s well off, as he’s driving this nice car, and pays for dinner for everyone. So I think Dino does question it a little bit, but I don’t think he went into that deep of thought. I don’t think he could have ever thought that’s what his friend was doing.
SY: One of the main aspects of Richard is that he turned off his emotions when he was killing, but was protective of his family. Do you think that added to the character, and made him relatable?
DA: Yes, that’s what makes the character and the movie so interesting. At a screening I was at, people said, “I know he’s a bad guy, and he killed all these people, but I kind of feel bad for him.” That’s because of the way he was with his kids and his wife. Michael did a great job building that character, and made you feel bad for him.
That’s what made it interesting. You can’t believe that a guy who’s that great of a dad and husband goes out and does these things, and ruin other families. It didn’t just concentrate on him being the killer; if the movie did that, he wouldn’t be as relatable.
Everyone can relate to trying to support their family. If you don’t show his motivation, then he’s just basically a serial killer. Richie’s not a serial killer; he did it for money, and that money was to support his family.
SY: What was your overall working relationship with Michael like when you were shooting the film?
DA: He was the best and is such a great actor. I was nervous because everyone kept making me nervous; they kept saying, Michael Shannon’s so great. But he’s so giving, and such a great actor. He really brought the best out of me.
SY: Michael has said that he doesn’t like to rehearse before shooting. What was that process like in your scenes with him?
DA: It was nerve-wrecking, as I would have liked to rehearse. But looking back, I see why it worked and why he did it. It felt real, and it brings out the best in you, being that nervous and being put on the spot.
SY: ‘The Iceman’ is an independent film that had a limited budget. Did that influence the way the move was shot at all?
DA: Yes, because you don’t have as much time as you would like. You have to continue to move, and can’t really move into overtime. You really need to focus and be on point. You really need to get things done and move to the next scene. They shot in such a short time; I feel like this should have taken two months, but it took five-and-a-half weeks.
SY: The movie was shot in Shreveport, Louisiana. Being from New York, what was the process of shooting in the south like?
DA: It was difficult, as I’m a Brooklyn boy. But I was happy to be there. There was pretty good food, but not much to do there. But that’s where we had to be, and it felt like a little family. We stayed in the same hotel, so it was interesting.
SY: What was your overall reaction when you first saw the film?
DA: I was excited. I thought, this is really good, and I’m glad I decided to be a part of it.
SY: ‘The Iceman’ premiered at several film festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival. What was that experience like, having the movie premiere in the festivals?
DA: I didn’t get to go to Venice because I was shooting a small role in ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’ But I went to Toronto, and that was incredible.
SY: You mentioned ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘A Bronx Tale’ earlier. What is it about this crime and gangster genre that you enjoy so much?
DA: I grew up in New York; I’m from Brooklyn. I’m a big fan of Al Pacino and Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci. I grew up watching them, and I always wanted to be in a movie like this. To me, it’s exciting.
I feel like I’m a character actor, and so are they. They’re just character actors who became big stars. Most of the actors that I look up to are more like character actors, not the leading man.
SY: Besides films, you have also appeared on several television series, such as ‘The Ropes’ and ‘Entourage.’ Would you be interested in doing TV again?
DA: If it was the right role and project, yes, of course.
SY: Besides acting, you also co-wrote and produced the upcoming film, ‘The Life.’ Has working behind the camera influenced your acting at all?
DA: Yes, obviously. For me, it’s the whole process of making movies, with the acting and the producing. I’m not particularly a writer. But ‘The Life,’ which I’m doing this summer, is a very personal story. I co-wrote it because it’s loosely based on my life. But I love the whole business and the whole process of it, so whatever way I can be involved is great. But acting is my main focus, even though I’m trying to dabble in everything.
Written by: Karen Benardello
