"I don’t look as handsome in Men in Black 2 as I did in the first one," Tony Shalhoub said facetiously during a break in filming his USA television series, Monk. Although obviously needing help from the special effects department to portray Men in Black’s "Jeebs," an alien immigrant whose face morphs into various forms, Shalhoub has an uncanny ability to play many different parts in comedy or drama. Because of this versatility, he works steadily in films, theater, and television.

Regarding his new television assignment, Shalhoub explained, "I play Adrian Monk, a detective with a serious obsessive-compulsive disorder. And I’m really getting into this character. I fear Monk is more like me than I care to admit."

Getting into character is nothing new for Shalhoub. Whether playing a dedicated chef in Big Night, the endearing Italian cab driver in NBC’s Wings, a self-absorbed lawyer in The Man Who Wasn’t There, or a no-nonsense horror novelist in NBC’s Stark Raving Mad, this talented actor finds ways to project the important essence of each part.

Shalhoub recently added "directing" to his already impressive resumé. "I got the bug," he admitted while discussing his work on Made-Up, a coming-of-middle-age comedy written by sister-in-law Lynne Adams and starring himself and wife Brooke Adams. "I didn’t know if I had the courage – but Brooke knew what a control freak I am, so she persuaded me. And everyone was so patient with me. After I found out what I was supposed to do, I learned to delegate responsibility and focus on what I know about – such as staging, acting, and so forth," he explained. "I’d love to direct again." (Shalhoub must have done something right as a first-time director. Made-Up is currently winning awards on the film festival circuit.)

Speaking about the challenges of directing and acting in the same film, Shalhoub teased, "I’m impossible to direct. I couldn’t get myself to do anything." He gives credit to his wife for getting him over that hurdle. "Brooke helped me a lot. In fact, I’d like to see her direct a film in the future. She has a great eye for what’s important. Right now she’s taking some time away from acting and has been painting instead."

Although Made-Up is their first film together, Shalhoub and Brooke met while co-starring in a live theater production. "I was doing The Heidi Chronicles with Christine Lahti, and Brooke came on board as Christine’s replacement when she left," Shalhoub recalled.

In addition to Men in Black, Monk, and Made-Up, Shalhoub’s upcoming projects include Spy Kids 2 and a movie with Meg Ryan called Against the Ropes. "Meg portrays the first American woman to become a boxing promoter," he said. "I play another promoter who tries to keep her out of the game – but who hits on her, too."

According to Shalhoub, Against the Ropes should be released sometime in 2003. He’s also scheduled to appear in Robert Altman’s next movie, an ensemble piece entitled Voltage. With so much going on for him now, I predict it won’t be long until Tony Shalhoub is recognized as one of America’s show-biz treasures. It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.

(Made-Up made its theatrical debut in Dallas, Texas, on May 30, 2003, at the Angelika Film Center.)