Get to know the man starring in Quantum Leaps return to television.
Raymond Lee is bringing family-friendly time travel back to TV as Dr. Ben Song in the newQuantum Leap.
“You need the audience to cheer for this guy.
Raymond Lee on ‘Quantum Leap’.Ron Batzdorff/NBC
They need to be on his side right away in various situations,” he explains.
That combination was present inScott Bakula’s Sam Beckettand will be in Dr. Song.
RAYMOND LEE:My mom put me in a children’s choir when I was about five.
Ron Batzdorff/NBC
I just remember really diggin' it.
What was your first professional project?
How I Met Your Motherwas my very first professional TV role, and I remember being so stoked.
I had made a living off of playing the stoners, and I got to play the ultimate stoner.
I was very proud of my one line.
Is it true that you switched from kinesiology to acting while in college?
My dream was to tape up Shaq’s foot.
I played sports growing up and was obsessed with how the human body worked.
I rememberSports Scienceon ESPN was a really big show at the time.
It showed me how things worked.
I was like, “That’s how that ligament lines up there.
I read that you co-founded an acting troupe called The Four Clowns.
What role did that play in your journey as an actor?
It was theatrical clowning.
It was so revolutionary that me and my friends started to clown around town together.
Like busking, without the money.
We gathered enough material at that point because we had tested it out so much to create a show.
We took it around to all the fringe festivals we could in and around LA.
That’s where I cut my teeth, basically, and then I got into theater after that.
What is your favorite thing about Ben?
Ben’s a better person than I am.
He’s constantly risking his own life to save another person.
He’s very altruistic, brave, and smart.
Ben’s a selfless guy, and I’m learning how to be a better person through him.
How is Dr. Song similar to and different from Sam Beckett?
He’s different because perhaps Sam took a leap for different reasons than Ben.
What we’re trying to figure out in the show is why Ben took this leap.
How daunting was it for you to take on bringing back this iconic series?
I wouldn’t say it is daunting.
This was generally unanimously beloved, and for all the right reasons.
It was a show where families were able to watch together and rally around a character doing good.
There are no real nefarious things going on.
It’s more, “I’m so glad this is going to be back on air.”
What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
She tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Hey, you’re good-looking.
Do you want to keep doing this?”
I said, “Yeah, I want to take this seriously.”
She asked me if I read and traveled, and I told her not much.
I needed to get culture.
I took that to heart.
It’s beyond me.
I do this because I love doing it, and I look this way because I have no choice.
What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on thus far in your career beforeQuantum Leap?
BeforeQuantum Leap, you played Sam onKevin Can F**k Himselfopposite Annie Murphy.
What was your takeaway from that experience?
Another great number one.
Annie Murphy is an exceptional human being.
I would work with her any day.
What are you excited for viewers to see fromQuantum Leap?
Audiences will get a kick out of how much action there is.
There’s some deep mythology, time travel, and that kind of stuff, but also pure action.
Viewers will be surprised at how much it’ll get their heart racing.
Quantum Leappremieres September 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on NBC.
