I was growing up with a single mom who'd be at work when I came home from school. So I'd just turn on the TV. I grew up watching old Clint Eastwood westerns. I adopted him as one of my male role models.

I was a psychology major. I think that definitely helps in general life; I enjoy trying to figure out why people are the way they are.

Everybody has their own approach. I don't adhere to any one philosophy. I learn a lot from life and people - watching and other people watching.

I really loved the story. I originally read for Walt Longmire. He is obviously a very dynamic, strong, manly man that almost any dude would want to play. Once I got in the room and met with everybody, the feedback came back that they loved me, but that I didn't have the age. And then, they brought up the idea of Branch, who wasn't that interesting on the page in the pilot, but once they explained the vision, I really bought into it.

When I sat down with the creators of the show [Longmire], back when we were first starting to do the pilot, Branch was not that interesting on the page. What really sold me on the show and the character was their vision for him. It took the whole first season to flesh him out.

It was a great time to grow up in Chicago. It was the mid-80s, and we had the 85 Bears and the Michael Jordan era.

I just really enjoy the ritual of going to work and playing, which is essentially what we do. We play pretend. Acting is a kids' game.