Audiences first met actress Teri Polo in 2000s “Meet The Parents,” the runaway comedy about her boyfriend Gregs (Ben Stiller) tumultuous first meeting with her father (Robert De Niro), in which Polo portrayed Pamela Byrnes, the calm foil to the over-the-top antics of the characters around her. In 2004, the gang was back for “Meet the Fockers,” in which acting greats Dustin Hoffman and Barbara Streisand joined the family as Gregs own eccentric parents. Now the cast is back for the third installment of the story, “Little Fockers,” which tells the tale of what happens when kids are added to the mix. We recently caught up with Polo about the evolution of her character, the joys of working with an acclaimed ensemble cast and the loves of her lifeher eight-year-old son Griffin and her three-year-old daughter Bayley.
Audiences first met Pam Byrnes 10 years ago! How was she changed over the last decade?
Shes gotten older. She now has twin five-year-olds, and her marriage gets put on the back burner because you focus so much on your children, and Greg and Pam learn that. I don’t think Pam has changed much the guys are still spinning around in circles. Barbara [Streisand] and I have decided that the next movie is going to be called “Mother Fockers,” and the women will finally put their feet down and say, “We’ve had it. Were taking over. You guys are a bunch of lunatics.”
What do you love most about playing Pam?
Getting to work with these people! I was in shock when I heard 11 years ago that I was going to screen test for this part. Then meeting them and working with them, they’re some of the most talented, wonderful people. I marvel at Ben Stiller and Dustin Hoffman on set because with just one word, or even with one sound or a look they can make you laugh out loud. But at the same time, they’re just people, and its lovely to be in this group.
Did your experience as a mother help you with this role?
Oh my goodness, for sure. I was parenting while I was interacting with the two children in this movie, Colin [Baiocchi] and Daisy [Tahan], who play our kids. It was easy for me to translate something that the director needed that the kids weren’t quite getting. And [as a mother] there were moments when something was in the script and I would say, Oh, I don’t think she would do that, she wouldn’t leave her child standing alone.
How do you balance being an actress with being a mother of two young children?
You can be a working mom and have quality, special time with your children and make them feel loved and safe; its just a great deal of work. There must be some moments of incredible unselfishness, because they deserve and need as much love and attention and focus as you can possibly give without depleting yourself. You have to take care of yourself, because if you’re not okay and healthy, your children cant be.
What else is on the horizon for you?
I just finished shooting a movie in Anchorage, Alaska called Beyond with Jon Voight and Dermot Mulroney. I have a recurring role on Law & Order: Los Angeles playing Skeet Ulrichs wife, so there will be more of that in the new year. Other than that, I’m just going to spend time with my family. Then its pilot season again, which is a lot of work. I would love to land a regular television job. For a mom, that’s just the bees knees! You have a regular schedule, and you can schedule your kids stuff around it. That would be my goal.
“Little Fockers” is in theaters now. For more information, visit littlefockers.net.
Photo: Universal Pictures
