Veg Celeb: Charles Halford

Photography: Daniel McFadden/Warner Bros Entertainment Inc.

Co-starring in the new NBC series Constantine, Charles Halford appeared recently in HBO’s Emmy-winning drama True Detective opposite fellow vegan Woody Harrelson. Also a detective show—though with an otherworldly bent—Constantine is inspired by the DC Comics series John Constantine: Hellblazer. The show debuts this Friday, just in time for Halloween.

How would you describe your character in Constantine? 

My character [Chas] accepts John Constantine without judgment, and while always trying to support and allow John’s, at times, questionable pursuits, Chas tries to encourage John toward his best self. If Chas can help by offering advice, or muscle, or a lift somewhere, he’s there. If a train needs to be jumped in front of, he’s there for that, quite literally. And for the most part—well, except for the train bit—I like to think John would do the same. Then again, you can only expect so much from John Constantine. He’s more than a little self-serving.

Are you familiar with the DC Comics superhero Animal Man, who’s vegetarian? Do you know of any other animal-friendly comic book heroes?

It’s funny you should mention Animal Man. I actually had weird sort of flashbacks from that comics [series] when I started revisiting the Hellblazer title as our show got rolling, but I was at a loss for the name, I just remembered the artwork and the ethos. I was a comic book fan in my early years, but as I got older I got more into music and skateboarding, my own artwork, and acting, which carried me through high school and into adulthood. But presently, by luck, my job is reading these awesome classic comic books. I am, as we speak, attempting to acquire the entire Animal Man canon. In terms of other animal-friendly comic book heroes I have been drawn to: The Teen Titans [series] features Beast Boy, who is vegetarian/vegan; Captain Planet cares about the environment; Swamp Thing is eco-conscious and sympathetic to natural life.

You’ve mentioned drinking Woody Harrelson’s juice when you worked with him on True Detective. Tell us more!

It was juice. The only thing that made it extraordinary was it came from Woody’s stash. I don’t know if he was Woody’s assistant or his traveling juice master, but a couple times a day, this real cool cat would come around with some variety of fresh juice: sometimes red, sometimes green, sometimes sort of brownish, but always delicious and energizing. I was sold. I bought a nice masticating juicer as soon as I got my True Detective paycheck, and I absolutely love it. Great investment.

Any ingredients you’re obsessed with lately? 

I’m pretty obsessed with hot chiles. Last year I grew Scorpion peppers, Ghosts, 7-Pots, Fatalis, Brain Strain—all “super-hots,” and every one devoured in sweaty appreciation.