These days, our knowledge of celebrities too often originates with paparazzi images and snarky quotes by anonymous "insiders." After a while, it's easy to forget that stars are real people. That's why HuffPost Celebrity decided to launch its all-new #nofilter quick-fire question and answer series. Because how well do you know someone until they've shared their guiltiest pleasures?
Greg Grunberg's resume includes roles on "Heroes," Alias," and "The Client List." But we'll always know him as Sean Blumberg, the scene-stealing older pal on "Felicity" who spent his days brainstorming inventions such as Shreme (sugar and cream, naturally) and a curious condiment called Smoothaise, while the rest of the gang was in class. And Grunberg's real-life persona inspired the character. "I was always an entrepreneurial guy and J.J. [Abrams] and Matt [Reeves] actually wrote that character for me," he says. "J.J. and I lived together. He's my oldest friend, so we shared an apartment once and I was always trying to come up with this idea and that idea."
While we were dubious about some of Sean's ventures, we can fully get behind Yowza!!, a mobile coupon app that Grunberg co-owns with Melissa Joan Hart and Wayne Brady. "J.J. Abrams came up with the name Yowza!!, so Sean would approve," Grunberg tells The Huffington Post. "Although Sean would want to give away free Smoothaise." The affable actor also chatted with us about reality TV, his favorite drinking buddy and the secret to cheating at board games.
What shows are always on your DVR?
“Wheeler Dealers,” “House Hunters,” “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives,” “Modern Family" and “60 minutes.”
Do you ever cheat at board games?
Every single time I play. Only play with kids who are 9 and under.
If you were dating, what would your deal-breaker be?
Negative energy.
What's the silliest thing you've ever lied about?
My cholesterol.
What's your go-to excuse?
Family’s always my go-to.
What's one thing you do when you're alone that you wouldn't do in front of someone else?
Masturbate.
What's one thing from your childhood wardrobe that you wish you could wear now?
My Benetton sweater and my Dolphin shorts.
What's on your nightstand?
Every Apple product known to mankind. And a copy of The Week. I love that magazine.
Do you eat only certain colored M&Ms?
I only eat colored M&Ms. If they’re not a color, I won't eat them. I'm very particular about that.
Have you ever stolen anything?
With Yowza, you don't have to.
What’s the last song you downloaded?
Bruno Mars, "Locked Out of Heaven" -- my band [Band from TV, a musical group of small-screen stars who play for charity] is playing that. And also Springsteen’s "No Surrender." I tend to just listen to songs that I have to learn how to play the drums on, even though I love all kids of music. I'm on "The Client List" with Jennifer Love Hewitt -- she sings in our band -- and on an episode, I sing a song and then Love sings a song, which was so much fun.
What would people be surprised to know you've never done?
Played poker.
What's one item that's always in your refrigerator?
Almond milk.
Who's your ideal drinking buddy, living or dead?
J.J. Abrams -- he picks up the tab every time.
What do you think of Honey Boo Boo?
I used to have less respect for Honey Boo Boo than I have for my pets. However, as dysfunctional as it appears onscreen, I think that family is incredibly functional, and they love their kids so much. The mother is taking the money and putting it into trusts for her kids. More power to them. I just wish that I had discovered them. They're not making it up. And I wish sometimes that there were people in my life that I could use subtitles with. You have to respect them for staying true to who they are. The problem with a show like that is they start off white trash, and then they get everything they want and suddenly they become the Kardashians on the Mississippi. They're not. They're still completely hard to understand. They do things that are hilarious, but we can all relate to them in one way or another. I fart in front of my kids. They just have no filter.
If you were undead, would you be a vampire, zombie or ghost?
A ghost, because I would love to come back as different things. I would come back as a dog -- dogs have the life.
What happens in your recurring dream?
I wear tights and a cape and a big letter C on my chest and I fly around eating all the carbs I can eat and it doesn't affect me.
If you were on death row, what would your last meal be?
Roscoe's chicken and waffles.
How did you get on death row?
Grand theft auto -- I stole too many vintage cars.
When do you lose your temper?
When we run out of ranch dressing in the house.
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