When Nurse Jeffrey Sparkman first appeared on our TV screens in the House episode “Ignorance Is Bliss,” it was a real eye-opener for long time viewers. Here was a character who was not afraid to give Dr. House some of his own back, to not sheepishly slink away when House shot a few snide remarks his way. It took only a couple of lines and a ‘bite me’ attitude to make Nurse Jeffrey a fan favorite.
We here at InHouse were eager to interview Patrick Price, the actor who, with very little screen time, has managed to make the character of Nurse Jeffrey memorable and interesting. As the weekly “Bitch Tape” appisodes prove, this is a character with staying power; one we would like to see more of in the app and on House.
This week, Mr. Price graciously granted us the following interview, which fans of House and the appisodes will find surprising, enlightening and just plain fun.
Please tell us a little about yourself. Where are you from? Do you come from a show business family? How did you get started in the entertainment business? I see from your IMDB listing you’ve worked on a couple of soap operas. What was that like?
Wow, where to start? I'm an avid runner, gardener, singer, cook, and over-all bon vivant. I'm originally from Germany, but lived in Milan and Paris for many, many years while I was modeling. Have been living in LA now for many years. No, nobody else in the family is in show business, just me. I started doing bit parts in independent films when I lived in Paris, guess that's where I got bitten by the 'bug', so decided to move to LA to give it a go. Yes, started in soaps when I arrived in LA. Soaps are an awesome training ground for any actor, I think. Tons of dialogue and a tight shooting schedule means you gotta learn how to get it done right and in a hurry. Stressful, yes, but you learn to memorize quickly, hopefully do it well,and turn it out fast.
On Twitter you communicate in a variety of languages. Which languages are you fluent in?
I speak German and French, yes; and enough Spanish and Italian to get me out of trouble, or into trouble if I'm not paying attention. Twitter has been great because it's given me a chance to practice my language skills, or lack thereof, with fans from all over the world.
Article comments
1 - Olga Parera
Great interview! Patrick is really sweet with the fans on Twitter. Wish him the best luck in the business, he's great as Nurse Jeffrey
2 - Marit_xo
Love Patrick. He is just the sweetest guy and always answers you on twitter. Very funny as Nurse Jeffrey!
3 - sdemar
How nice to meet Nurse Jeffrey. I had no idea he was Hugh's stand-in on the show and Stuart Little. So did Hugh have a hand in getting him involved in "House".
Even though I don't hear him, I can tell he has an accent.
I enjoyed this. Thank you.
4 - HuddyItaly
Mindy, you did a fantastic work! Thank you for this amazing interview!
And you Patrick, thanks for sharing with us something more of you. You always do the impossible for us, your fans. So much appreciated! :*
5 - Mindy Peterman
Thanks for all your kind comments. It was fun being able to ask these questions of Mr. Price and get in-depth, interesting responses to all of them. I'm pleased to have been able to publish this on BC.
6 - Sam
I am really sorry to say but I'd rather have the "old" House back like it was in the first seasons than Nurse Jeffrey and all that other stuff going wrong right now. I like Patrick, he seems like a nice guy, but that's not what the show needs. And the sudden need for extensive promotion shows that the producers are very well of the fact that they are losing more and more audience (well, except for the bunch of Huddy fangirls who should enjoy the Huddy MD cr*p while it lasts). Problem is that they are not couragous enough to admit their mistakes and to refocus. Well, being nominated as worst show and losing the status of the most popular show of the world should have been a sign. Too bad, I'll miss House. Anyway, I wish Patrick good luck, and thank you for the interview, Mindy.
PS: I know TPTB hate critical comments, so if that's not allowed anymore, feel free to delete.
7 - Mindy Peterman
Sam: You're always free to speak your mind here and I certainly welcome your thoughts. Yes, it's true the show has been through changes, that's to be expected after a six year run. But I don't think there's anything wrong with the producers and writers exploring new ground. The Nurse Jeffrey appisodes were created to present a humorous behind the scenes look at hospital workers we never see in the episodes. The running story of Jeffrey trying to get the goods on House is, for me, amusing and something fun to look forward to through the show's summer hiatus.
The fact that House is no longer the most popular show in the world doesn't bother me. A decline in popularity is to be expected and I think it's great that it held that title as long as it did.
A show like this will never please all of its viewers. There are too many variables involved. Regardless, I know I'll keep watching until House hangs up his sneakers.
8 - Barbara
Is there any way to see these "appisodes" for people who don't have fancy phones? Like, just on a computer?
9 - Mindy Peterman
Barbara: Yes, they are on YouTube. Just type "Nurse Jeffrey" into YouTube's search engine and links to the appisodes will come up.
10 - madfashionista
Thank you for the great interview. I love Patrick Price and Nurse Jeffrey, and I love the "Bitch Tapes." The last one, with Juanita, was just hilarious.
11 - clarissa brooks
Nice interview. Patrick is awesome. He's such a great addition to the show House. Hopefully he'll be around a lot more on the show, and do more of his webisodes/appisodes. I love them.
12 - Sandra Burch
I am excited for the new season to start. I think it will be great to get a new face and new "whit" on the show. I was getting a little bored with the same faces. But I am a faithful viewer and after 5 seasons I can tell you who is going to diagnose what, it is a game I play. So a new character will add a new point of view to my game!!! CAN"T WAIT!!!!