New York has a long history with delivering some very funny television shows starring some very big personalities. Think “Seinfeld,” “30 Rock,” “Friends,” and tons of others that have brought big laughs as they offered up crazy stories about The Big Apple. And, they’ve also given opportunity for hundreds of actors to show off their comedy chops.

One such actor is Kyle Klaus, who steps into the small screen comedy arena with appearances on two very different shows. He recently helped launch season two of SyFy’s oddball dark comedy “Happy”; and coming up, he joins the hilarious Tracy Morgan for an episode of TBS’s hit “The Last O.G.”

A New York transplant from Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Kyle previously popped up on a couple of Showtime’s heavy-hitting drama series. First, he emerged as a Trader on “Billions” and then as a TAC Team Homeland. He hit the big screen in the rom-com indie film, My Bakery in Brooklyn, at the Marché du Film at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. Plus, he gained attention on the festival circuit for starring in Cody Blue Snider’s award-winning dramatic short, All That Remains, about a WW2 veteran suffering from dementia.

In between his TV appearances, Kyle Klaus answered a few questions:


Tell us about your role in the TBS show “The Last O.G.”

KYLE: I don't want to give too much away, you need to tune in and see this show. But, what I can tell you is that I play a not so nice, kinda brash Brooklyn cop who jumps to conclusions quickly based on stereotypes.

How was it to work alongside Tracy Morgan?

KYLE: Tracy is great. You never really knew what he was going to do next. Since this show is on TBS, I had an idea of how I should play it based on that. Tracy called me over after rehearsal and told me a little bit about cops in his neighborhood, haha. Basically, that this show wasn't the “Big Bang Theory” - it touches on real life situations. That gave me a lot of stuff to work with.

Any interesting stories from the set you can share with us?

KYLE: Well we filmed in the Bronx. Like pretty deep in the Bronx. The first five minutes on set some lady tried stealing a few of the crew members equipment. She wouldn't back down. I think they had to get the real law enforcement involved.

Another thing was I had to wear this huge shirt over my uniform to cover it up when I wasn't on set. Apparently, cops weren't the most liked around where we were filming.

You also appeared in SyFy’s offbeat “Happy”; what can you share about that?

KYLE: I play a Manhattanite named Brad that goes to see a beautiful brownstone with my wife, only to be informed by Meredith McCarthy (Lili Mirojnick) of a triple homicide that happened inside the house. I was still so in love with it I was trying to talk my wife into it since it had a "built in coffeemaker" and the chances of a triple homicide happening again were close to zero, haha.

What’s the biggest lesson you learned from working on these projects?

KYLE: Everything is a work in progress. You have to go into the day having an idea of what you want to do, which usually comes from the audition process, but be open to play once you get there. Everyone is just trying to figure it out on the day.

And, now just for fun:

Who’s your favorite actor/actress?
KYLE: Living - 3 way tie between Brad Pitt/Leonardo DiCaprio/Matthew McCaunaghey - Dead between Marlon Brando/Paul Newman. These guys - especially Pitt, Dicaprio, and McCaunaghey never disappoint. I'm still trying to figure out my personal saying - Allllllright, alllright, allllright.

What role from the past do you wish you could have played?
KYLE: Henry Hill from “Goodfellas.” He just goes through this epic life from showing himself young 20s to 40s. He starts out innocent, then starts getting used to the life, there are very comedic moments throughout the film that aren't overtly funny. There's also extreme violence, but then he can switch back to normal everyday suburban husband. It's very complex and I never can turn the film off when it's on TV. I've seen it 100 times.

Favorite movie or TV show from your childhood.
KYLE: “Saved by the Bell” - I always wanted to be as athletic as Slater, as cool and have hair as Zack Morris, and looking for my Kelly Kapowski.

Tell us one thing that would surprise our readers to learn about you.
KYLE: I’ve got a pretty sweet jump shot and can play a mean game of basketball.

How can fans keep up with you?
KYLE: I'm really into Instagram. You can find me here: @kyleklaus link
Or my website: www.kyleklaus.com link - I have a place for e-mails.