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A pilot who brings innate skill and confidence to the cockpit, but brings edginess and rebelliousness to life on the ground. From the start, there's friction between Bobby and Lieutenant Colonel Kelly . . . and it's only going to get worse, when the young pilot finds out that the local object of his high-voltage romantic interest is, in fact, his new superior's estranged daughter Janine. There are two things that occasionally surprise Bobby Griffin. The first occurs on those rare occasions when his dark Adonis good looks don't turn the tide of feminine resistance and he's sent home to a solitary bed. Doesn't happen much, but when it happens, it does come as somewhat of a shock. The second surprise experience relates to those times when the thought strikes Bobby that, smart as he is, he'll probably never be as smart as he thinks he is. He calls it confidence and the psychologist might note that he's got a very healthy degree of self-esteem, but the truth of the matter is that Bobby is without question on the cocky side. Makes him a helluva pilot, though the "teamwork" part of the concept is sometimes allowed to slip past at a high rate of speed. He grew up as the only child of a single mother in Phoenix, AZ. Bobby never knew who his father was, only that he didn't amount to much. His bad boy behavior is also fueled by his inability to let people in, to really let down his barriers and be vulnerable. Bobby was already 'abandoned' once, by his father, and he's not going to let that happen again. |
Actor's History
Rod Rowland took to acting the way he took to the water as a kid: He dove straight in.
The son of an aquatics athlete and a native of Newport Beach, California, Rowland attended Los Angeles' Pepperdine University on a water polo scholarship and remains an avid surfer and snorkeler. Reaching the surface in his chosen career, however, took a little longer. Not quite certain what he wanted to do with his life, Rowland considered a number of options - ironically, including the Marines - while supporting himself in extensive commercial work in the U.S. and Europe. During one assignment, noted photographer Bruce Weber suggested the man become an actor. "Later, he asked me what I wanted to do with myself," Rowland remembers. "And just like the heavens opening up, it came very naturally to me: Acting. It became the most sure thing I'd ever said in my life."
His big breaks in acting came only after a decade of study. "I must have taken 2000 classes: he recalls. "I worked really hard. But acting is an art, and it takes time." Rowland first came to public attention as Lieutenant Cooper Hawkes, one of the stars of the cult hit science fiction war drama series Space: Above and Beyond. He also appeared in the X-Files episode "Never Again" as Ed Jerse, a divorced man with a strange tattoo whose interest in Agent Scully changes from romantic to dangerous. Rowland's other television credits include the films If Someone Had Known, Marshal Law, and Hearts Adrift. He also appeared in the independent film Tres Cruces.
Rowland is able to combine all his interests in Pensacola: Wings of Gold. As First Lieutenant Bobby Griffin, he is one of the four talented, energetic, determined young people hand-picked for their unique skills and put under the command of a tough Marine Lieutenant Colonel (James Brolin), whose assignment is to turn them into an elite Marine multi-skill task force. The series is filmed on an actual military base in seaside San Diego, with a number of scenes set in nearby locales, including the beach. "I love the ocean," he notes. "I couldn't ask for a better arrangement."
He also couldn't ask for a role that's more intriguing. Bobby Griffin is a pilot who brings innate skill and confidence to the cockpit, but brings edginess and rebelliousness to life on the ground. From the start, there's friction between Bobby and Lieutenant Colonel Kelly (Brolin) . . . and it only gets worse, when the young pilot finds out that the local object of his high-voltage romantic interest is, in fact, his new superior's estranged daughter Janine.
Rowland sees the contradictions in his character, as well as an element of familiarity. "Bobby is a leader but he's a problem child. He's an incredible military man, but also a total screw-up. He's funny and cocky, but with a heart of gold," Rowland explains. "Bobby does risky things but, in the end, his decisions save the day. He's actually just an exaggerated version of me. I'm always screwing around on the set, joking about. They've given the character my own cocky energy. But when it's serious, I'm right there."
Rowland remains the brash young California surfer, living by the beach near the Pensacola set. But he takes certain things very seriously - including the insight he gained after spending time with Marines and F-18 pilots at nearby Camp Pendleton as part of his preparation for the series. "Playing this role carries a great responsibility," he notes. "I was so impressed with the people that I met at Camp Pendleton. I feel so privileged to be able to play one of them."
Video Interview with actor, Rod Rowlands
Question Video of answer When's Your Birthday? Answer Favorite Food? Answer Favorite Sport? Answer What College Did You go To? Answer How Did You Get Started Acting? Answer Why Did You Start Acting? Answer How Do You Like to Unwind/Relax? Answer Favorite Vacation/ Get-away Spot? Answer What was Your First Job? Answer Favorite Author? Answer Favorite Book? Answer Where Did You Grow Up? Answer What Was it Like? Answer If You Weren't an Actor, How Would You Earn a Living? Answer What One Thing or Person Made the Greatest Impression on Your Life? Answer
