Peter Facinelli

Photo: Giuliano Bekor

I felt like I was in a dream—but I wasn’t. I really was talking to Peter Facinelli, aka Dr. Carlisle Cullen from the Twilight movies. Although the series’ fans are bloodthirsty with anticipation for the November 20 release of The Twilight Saga: New Moon, the 35-year-old actor—an avid Tweeter with over 1.2 million followers, and father to three daughters with 90210's Jennie Garth—seems as calm and cool as his signature vampire character. Currently in New York shooting the second season of Showtime’s Nurse Jackie, Facinelli regularly commutes home to Los Angeles to visit his family. The strikingly handsome star took some time from his hectic coast-to-coast schedule to fill Time Out Kids in on his family, his career, his hometown (in Queens!) and, of course, the Cullens.

Will Twilight fans be surprised by New Moon?
I don’t know if they’ll be surprised; I’m hoping they’ll walk out of the theater happy. I was a fan of the book and am very pleased with how the movie came out. The Cullen family isn’t featured as prominently [as in the first film]. New Moon is focused more on the werewolf side of this small town. Also, Chris Weitz directed New Moon and his vision is different from [Twilight director] Catherine Hardwicke’s. It’s not the same as Twilight, but it still has its edge.

Was it challenging to play dad to a brood of actors so close to your own age?
When I first got cast I thought, I’m only about ten years older than these kids; how am I supposed to play their father? But I was more conscious of that on the first movie. Carlisle’s speech pattern and movements aren’t very contemporary, so it gives him more of a patriarchal feel.

Is the Facinelli household on Team Edward or Team Jacob?
When I asked my three-year-old what she liked about Twilight she said Edward.

How has Twilight changed you?
I've definitely got more people asking me to have a picture taken with them. The fan base is fantastic. They are very loyal and giving. Some people will fly in from other states just to come meet me.

Do you have a lot of moms as fans?
The fans span all ages. It’s not like more of the moms like me. They love the whole Cullen family.

How do you balance family and work?
Any minute I have off, I try to get home. Last year I flew into L.A. on a Friday morning, picked up my kids from school, put up the Halloween decorations, had dinner with them and got back on a plane that night to go back to film. But it was worth every minute that I got to spend with them. I try not to go more than two weeks without seeing them even if it’s only for a day. And we also have Skype. At least we get to see each other! Sometimes we’ll even eat dinner together. I’ll be eating ramen noodles and they’ll be having a wonderful home-cooked meal.

The complete interview is available online at Time Out New York Kids.

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