Spock/Sylar/Zachary Quinto

Dear Zachary Quinto,

I was reading an article recently in which you expressed shock at how much disrespect people show at the theater (talking, and unwrapping candy, etc, during the show). You said that you take theater very seriously and I wanted to let you know that I am totally with you on that. I mean, I take film and television seriously too, but they aren't live and even when they are if you watch at home how much noise you do or don't make has no effect on the players. I'm not an actor. There was a time I thought I would be, though, and I know what being on stage feels like, but I don't think you have to have that experience in order to have respect for it (as an audience member).

Maybe though, I don't think you have to have had any experience in order to have empathy for those who have. Like I said, there was a time I thought I would be an actor, and isn't empathy the primary skill of actors.

Speaking of which, this is supposed to be a fan letter, and I am a big fan so let me get to that. Your performances are the ones that remind me that the primary skill of actors is empathy. Your performances are absolutely seamless.

I'm not one of those fans who would meet you on the street and assume you were the characters you play. If I were to confuse you with the characters you play I'd have to be concerned about myself for finding Sylar and Spock so attractive (well maybe not Spock, he does hold logic in high esteem which is a powerfully attractive trait, but definitely Sylar). It's precisely because I can make the distinction between you and the characters you play that I find your skill so impressive.

I get the impression that you really don't like being famous. Maybe, like many, you think that the constant desire people have to know more about you (personally) detracts from your performances. It's true that some actor's personalities outshine their work and make it difficult for people to believe them as the characters they portray. I think that you are better than that though because...

Here's the thing. Even with the best actors, who keep their personal lives completely to themselves, there are similarities between each of their characters. Subtle ones, for sure, but similarities none the less. With you though, I don't see the similarities. Maybe there are some, but I don't see them.

I will admit that I am impressionable, so to speak. I often tell people that I have no disbelief to suspend which is overstating things a little, but I do tend to easily immerse myself in stories. Even though I lose myself in stories so much, maybe a little bit because I get so totally immersed in them, I tend to notice all the tiny little details. I notice all of those things, and yet, your characters are unique. You're that good.

Of course, the fact that you're that good makes me wish even more that I knew you. That's just my insatiable curiosity I guess and not what this is about.

This is just to say that I am with you on the theater thing, and that I'm am massively impressed by your superior acting skill which I can only assume, since I don't know you, evinces an empathetic soul.

Love,
The Fan