Las Vegas Weekly

June 16, 2012 · 10:06 AM

‘True Blood’ star Sam Trammell can’t shift into animals in real life

By Don Chareunsy

Sam Trammell.

Photo: Courtesy

By Don Chareunsy

“True Blood” studs have overrun Las Vegas.

Last weekend, it was Joe Manganiello (werewolf Alcide Herveaux on the hit HBO series who stars in the upcoming “Magic Mike” as Big Dick Richie alongside Channing Tatum ), and today it’s Sam Trammell, the complicated super-shifter Sam Merlotte, hosting at Gallery Nightclub in Planet Hollywood.

Merlotte, who didn’t shift into an animal while being interviewed -- as far as we know -- chatted about the new Season 5 (which kicked off last Sunday), Luna and Andy Bellefleur -- ahead of his Las Vegas nightclub duties.

Don Chareunsy: What’s in store for Sam Merlotte in Season 5 of “True Blood”?

Sam Trammell: It’s a very dangerous year for Sam. He’s got werewolves after him, and this complicates his relationship with Luna. And there are others. Many ups and downs and twists and turns -- and plenty of shifting.

D.C.: How are you most like your character? Least like him?

S.M.: I’m a fairly private person, like Sam Merlotte. I’m from Louisiana, as well. Of course, I can’t shift into animals, at least not that I know of.

D.C.: If you could be another character on “True Blood,” who would it be and why?

S.M.: I’d be Andy Bellefleur. I think Chris Bauer is an amazing actor, and his character always makes me laugh.

D.C.: You seem to host Las Vegas nightclub events at least once a year. What do you like to do when you’re in Las Vegas?

S.M.: I always see a show and have dinner at a nice place and stay out very late. I’m not a huge gambler, but I love to play poker.

D.C.: If you could shift into anything, what would it be?

S.M.: Given the traffic here today (in L.A.), I’d have to say a bird.

Don Chareunsy is editor of VegasDeLuxe.com and arts and entertainment editor of LasVegasSun.com.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

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