Interview: Marta Kober (Sandra, Friday The 13th Part 2)
The amount of traffic that flows through this website searching for information on actress Marta Kober is truly amazing. As such, this writer has been trying to find my long lost interview with Marta from 2010, and until recently, it was thought lost. That was until it was finally found today!
There has been a lot of discussions among Friday the 13th fans about Marta Kober, who played Sandra in Friday The 13th Part 2. Marta seemed to just disappear from the entertainment business since the early 1990’s and really had not been heard from since that time. So, when this writer found out that Marta was going to be appearing at the Monster Mania convention back in August 2010, I asked a big Friday the 13th fan and veteran convention attendee, Stacy Lee, if she could relay some questions for Marta to answer.
Below is the questions that were asked and Marta's sometimes unusual, but interesting answers, some of which may shock some of the Friday The 13th fans out there,
Interview With Marta Kober
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Where did you grow up as a kid and what are some of the crazy stories you have from those days?
(MARTA KOBER) I GREW UP IN NEW YORK CITY. EVERYTHING WAS CRAZY. OUT ALL NIGHT ROAMING STREETS. SINCE I WAS VERY YOUNG I WAS ALWAYS GETTING INTO TROUBLE.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Outside of acting, what previously were and currently are some of your passions in life?
(MARTA KOBER) I HAPPEN TO WORK FOR DEATHROW AND DEF JAM RECORDS. TLC WAS MY VERY FIRST GIG IN 1991. 10 MILLION RECORDS WITH TUPAC SHAKUR. MUSIC IS MY PASSION AND STILL RECORD EVERY SO OFTEN. THE LATEST STORY IS THAT I PUT OUT PICS WITH DEF JAM AND BAD BOY.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) How did you get into acting and what were some of the roles you had before joining the cast of Friday the 13th Part 2?
(MARTA KOBER) I WON AN EMMY FOR NBC AFTER SCHOOL SPECIAL. I WAS IN A HIT OFF BROADWAY SHOW THAT RAN FOR COUPLE OF YEARS. THEN I WAS HIRED FOR FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH AND STARTED MY CAREER. I BELIEVE STEVE MINER AND JOHN SAYLES MOVED TO LA AND HAVE RESIDED ON THE WEST COAST EVER SINCE.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) How did you learn about the opportunity to audition for Friday the 13th Part 2?
(MARTA KOBER) I WAS HIRED STRAIGHT FROM THE OFF BROADWAY SHOW. I BELIEVE, DUE TO MY MUSIC CAREER, THAT I HAVE LOST MANY ACTING JOBS, BUT AM STILL OFFERED JOBS HERE AND THERE.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) We have heard of some crazy auditions for actors that have tried out for parts in the Friday the 13th franchise. What was the audition process like for you in trying to join the cast of Friday the 13th part 2? Did anything jump out at you that was strange and unusual during your reading and audition?
(MARTA KOBER) I WAS ASKED, DO YOU WANT TO WRESTLE? THAT WAS A BIG LAUGH. I WAS AN UNDERAGED EMANCIPATED MINOR AT THE TIME AND A LITTLE EMBARRASSED.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) After getting the part of Sandra in Part 2, did you know any of the actors beforehand that you were going to be with on the film?
(MARTA KOBER) NO. ALL FRESH FACES TO ME AND IT HAS BEEN FUN TO SEE THEM AGAIN.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Do you recall how many days you were involved on the shoot for the film and what did you think of the locations you filmed at?
(MARTA KOBER) IT WAS A COUPLE OF MONTHS. WE USED THE REAL CAMP CRYSTAL LAKE. WE STAYED IN THE BUNKS. IT WAS LOW BUDGET AND SCARY!
(F13TH FRANCHISE) I am going to ask you about working with a few of the actors and crew individually, however, overall, how was it to work with the crew during the shoot?
(MARTA KOBER) ALL CREWS ARE FUN. AT THE TIME, I MADE A FEW CLOSE FRIENDS.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) How was your experience working with, at that time, first time director Steve Miner? Was he easy to take direction from and can you recall how he and the rest of the film crew got along?
(MARTA KOBER) I BELIEVE HE WAS EASY GOING. IF I RECALL, YOUNG AND FUN MANY YEARS AGO. AS I SAID, IT HAS BEEN FUN TO REUNITE.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Although, you had a very brief scene with him, what was it like to work with the late Walt Gorney?
(MARTA KOBER) I WORKED WITH MANY OLD ACTORS LIKE JACK WESTIN AND KEENEN IVORY WAYANS. THE STORIES THEY HAVE TAKE MORE THAN ONE DRINK AT THE BAR TO TELL. AND THE PEOPLE THEY HAVE MET WOULD BLOW YOU AWAY.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) What do you rememeber about your experiences with Stu Charno? His character was a practical joker on film, but did he share the same personality off-screen?
(MARTA KOBER) I RAN INTO HIM ONE TIME MANY YEARS AGO. HE IS A CHARACTER. THAT IS ALL I WILL SAY, ON AND OFF SCREEN.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Of course I must also ask you about your co-star and on-screen boyfriend Bill Randolph. You both share some pretty intimate moments on screen together. What were your experiences working with Bill on set?
(MARTA KOBER) BILL, I JUST SAW. HE IS STILL MARRIED TO THE SAME WIFE AND WE ARE STILL FRIENDS. IT’S FUN TO SEE HIM.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) You and Bill are involved in one of the most famous scenes in the Friday the 13th film series, which involved both of you being impaled together on a bed. What do you remember about that scene? In particular, what did you endure for the makeup and set up time to get the proper shots for the director?
(MARTA KOBER) IT TOOK NINE HOURS TO MAKE THE FAKE BACK, THEN I WOULD SLIDE IN AND OUT UNDERNEATH BILL FOR HOURS OF FILMING ALL DAY. IT WAS GRUELING, BUT IT IS MY CLAIM TO FAME.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) When the cameras were not rolling, what did you and other cast members do for fun?
(MARTA KOBER) WE ATE, DRANK, AND DANCED. THERE WERE A COUPLE OF HOH HON BARS IN THAT TOWN IN CONNECTICUT, IF I REMEMBER. I ALSO REMEMBER ALOT OF PRACTICAL JOKES PLAYED ON THE GIRLS. IT WAS A FUN TIME FIRST FILM!
(F13TH FRANCHISE) After filming wrapped, what type of wrap party was there and is there any kind of crazy stories from that time?
(MARTA KOBER) I BELIEVE THE SCREENING WAS A BIG DEAL. I WENT WITH TOM (MCBRIDE). I BELIEVE I WAS JUST TOLD HE DIED OF AIDS. THAT IS SAD FOR SURE. IT HAPPENED MANY YEARS AGO. I HAD NOT SEEN ANYONE FROM THE FILM IN QUITE AWHILE. LIVES GROW APART AS MANY PEOPLE ARE INTO DIFFERENT THINGS NOW.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) When did you first see Friday the 13th Part 2 and where? What was your reaction as well as your family and friends’ reaction to your role and the film in general?
(MARTA KOBER) I WAS SCARED! IT WAS A 40 MILLION DOLLAR PARAMOUNT HIT. THE FILM IS STILL RECOGNIZED TO THIS DAY. IT WAS THE START OF ALL SLASHER HORROR FILMS, BEGINNING WITH FRIDAY 1 AND 2 AND THEN CAME MORE HALLOWEEN FILMS.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Did you keep anything from the film and if so, what is the item(s)?
(MARTA KOBER) I KEPT A CALGARY MOUNTY HAT FROM A DIFFERENT FILM AND ALSO KEPT THE HEAD THAT WAS IN THE FRIDGE FROM FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2 FOR MANY YEARS. I STOPPED COLLECTING SOUVENEIRS AND ALL GOT LOST ALONG THE WAY.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) After working on Friday the 13th part 2, you went on to act in a number of television shows and movies through to the mid 1990’s. Afterwards, you seemed to stop acting altogether. Is this actually true and if so, what have you been up to since then.
(MARTA KOBER) AS I SAID, I GOT BIG INTO THE MUSIC LABEL OWNED BY ATHLETE, DEATHROW. EVERY SO OFTEN I WILL DO A SMALL PART IN A FILM. I JUST DID A COMMERCIAL IN NEW ORLEANS WITH A COUPLE OF BIG PEOPLE. I HAD A SMALL PART IN THE FILM ‘AMERICAN GANGSTER’ AS WELL AS ‘TRAINING DAY’. BEFORE THAT, I WAS JUST SELLING RECORDS. ALSO, AS I SAID BEFORE, I WAS DEPORTED FROM LONDON IS HOW I WILL PUT IT.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) You recently attended your first fan convention. What was it like to meet fans in a controlled environment for the first time and what type of questions were you asked?
(MARTA KOBER) ALL FANS JUST WANTED A PIC AND AUTOGRAPHS. SINCE I WAS WITH CO-STAR BILL RANDOLPH, THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE SEEING EACH OTHER AGAIN. HE IS A SWELL MAN. IT WAS A GOOD TIME!
(F13TH FRANCHISE) What are your feelings towards the whole Friday the 13th experience? Do you have any regrets towards being in that type of film and did it affect your life afterwards?
(MARTA KOBER) EVERYONE IN THE INDUSTRY HAS DONE HORROR FILMS. I BELIEVE THEY REUSED SOME OF MY SCENES FROM PART 2 IN LATER FRIDAY THE 13TH MOVIES. I WAS PAID FOR THAT, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all of these questions and good luck with everything you aspire for in life!
There has been a lot of discussions among Friday the 13th fans about Marta Kober, who played Sandra in Friday The 13th Part 2. Marta seemed to just disappear from the entertainment business since the early 1990’s and really had not been heard from since that time. So, when this writer found out that Marta was going to be appearing at the Monster Mania convention back in August 2010, I asked a big Friday the 13th fan and veteran convention attendee, Stacy Lee, if she could relay some questions for Marta to answer.
Below is the questions that were asked and Marta's sometimes unusual, but interesting answers, some of which may shock some of the Friday The 13th fans out there,
Interview With Marta Kober
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Where did you grow up as a kid and what are some of the crazy stories you have from those days?
(MARTA KOBER) I GREW UP IN NEW YORK CITY. EVERYTHING WAS CRAZY. OUT ALL NIGHT ROAMING STREETS. SINCE I WAS VERY YOUNG I WAS ALWAYS GETTING INTO TROUBLE.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Outside of acting, what previously were and currently are some of your passions in life?
(MARTA KOBER) I HAPPEN TO WORK FOR DEATHROW AND DEF JAM RECORDS. TLC WAS MY VERY FIRST GIG IN 1991. 10 MILLION RECORDS WITH TUPAC SHAKUR. MUSIC IS MY PASSION AND STILL RECORD EVERY SO OFTEN. THE LATEST STORY IS THAT I PUT OUT PICS WITH DEF JAM AND BAD BOY.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) How did you get into acting and what were some of the roles you had before joining the cast of Friday the 13th Part 2?
(MARTA KOBER) I WON AN EMMY FOR NBC AFTER SCHOOL SPECIAL. I WAS IN A HIT OFF BROADWAY SHOW THAT RAN FOR COUPLE OF YEARS. THEN I WAS HIRED FOR FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH AND STARTED MY CAREER. I BELIEVE STEVE MINER AND JOHN SAYLES MOVED TO LA AND HAVE RESIDED ON THE WEST COAST EVER SINCE.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) How did you learn about the opportunity to audition for Friday the 13th Part 2?
(MARTA KOBER) I WAS HIRED STRAIGHT FROM THE OFF BROADWAY SHOW. I BELIEVE, DUE TO MY MUSIC CAREER, THAT I HAVE LOST MANY ACTING JOBS, BUT AM STILL OFFERED JOBS HERE AND THERE.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) We have heard of some crazy auditions for actors that have tried out for parts in the Friday the 13th franchise. What was the audition process like for you in trying to join the cast of Friday the 13th part 2? Did anything jump out at you that was strange and unusual during your reading and audition?
(MARTA KOBER) I WAS ASKED, DO YOU WANT TO WRESTLE? THAT WAS A BIG LAUGH. I WAS AN UNDERAGED EMANCIPATED MINOR AT THE TIME AND A LITTLE EMBARRASSED.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) After getting the part of Sandra in Part 2, did you know any of the actors beforehand that you were going to be with on the film?
(MARTA KOBER) NO. ALL FRESH FACES TO ME AND IT HAS BEEN FUN TO SEE THEM AGAIN.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Do you recall how many days you were involved on the shoot for the film and what did you think of the locations you filmed at?
(MARTA KOBER) IT WAS A COUPLE OF MONTHS. WE USED THE REAL CAMP CRYSTAL LAKE. WE STAYED IN THE BUNKS. IT WAS LOW BUDGET AND SCARY!
(F13TH FRANCHISE) I am going to ask you about working with a few of the actors and crew individually, however, overall, how was it to work with the crew during the shoot?
(MARTA KOBER) ALL CREWS ARE FUN. AT THE TIME, I MADE A FEW CLOSE FRIENDS.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) How was your experience working with, at that time, first time director Steve Miner? Was he easy to take direction from and can you recall how he and the rest of the film crew got along?
(MARTA KOBER) I BELIEVE HE WAS EASY GOING. IF I RECALL, YOUNG AND FUN MANY YEARS AGO. AS I SAID, IT HAS BEEN FUN TO REUNITE.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Although, you had a very brief scene with him, what was it like to work with the late Walt Gorney?
(MARTA KOBER) I WORKED WITH MANY OLD ACTORS LIKE JACK WESTIN AND KEENEN IVORY WAYANS. THE STORIES THEY HAVE TAKE MORE THAN ONE DRINK AT THE BAR TO TELL. AND THE PEOPLE THEY HAVE MET WOULD BLOW YOU AWAY.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) What do you rememeber about your experiences with Stu Charno? His character was a practical joker on film, but did he share the same personality off-screen?
(MARTA KOBER) I RAN INTO HIM ONE TIME MANY YEARS AGO. HE IS A CHARACTER. THAT IS ALL I WILL SAY, ON AND OFF SCREEN.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Of course I must also ask you about your co-star and on-screen boyfriend Bill Randolph. You both share some pretty intimate moments on screen together. What were your experiences working with Bill on set?
(MARTA KOBER) BILL, I JUST SAW. HE IS STILL MARRIED TO THE SAME WIFE AND WE ARE STILL FRIENDS. IT’S FUN TO SEE HIM.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) You and Bill are involved in one of the most famous scenes in the Friday the 13th film series, which involved both of you being impaled together on a bed. What do you remember about that scene? In particular, what did you endure for the makeup and set up time to get the proper shots for the director?
(MARTA KOBER) IT TOOK NINE HOURS TO MAKE THE FAKE BACK, THEN I WOULD SLIDE IN AND OUT UNDERNEATH BILL FOR HOURS OF FILMING ALL DAY. IT WAS GRUELING, BUT IT IS MY CLAIM TO FAME.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) When the cameras were not rolling, what did you and other cast members do for fun?
(MARTA KOBER) WE ATE, DRANK, AND DANCED. THERE WERE A COUPLE OF HOH HON BARS IN THAT TOWN IN CONNECTICUT, IF I REMEMBER. I ALSO REMEMBER ALOT OF PRACTICAL JOKES PLAYED ON THE GIRLS. IT WAS A FUN TIME FIRST FILM!
(F13TH FRANCHISE) After filming wrapped, what type of wrap party was there and is there any kind of crazy stories from that time?
(MARTA KOBER) I BELIEVE THE SCREENING WAS A BIG DEAL. I WENT WITH TOM (MCBRIDE). I BELIEVE I WAS JUST TOLD HE DIED OF AIDS. THAT IS SAD FOR SURE. IT HAPPENED MANY YEARS AGO. I HAD NOT SEEN ANYONE FROM THE FILM IN QUITE AWHILE. LIVES GROW APART AS MANY PEOPLE ARE INTO DIFFERENT THINGS NOW.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) When did you first see Friday the 13th Part 2 and where? What was your reaction as well as your family and friends’ reaction to your role and the film in general?
(MARTA KOBER) I WAS SCARED! IT WAS A 40 MILLION DOLLAR PARAMOUNT HIT. THE FILM IS STILL RECOGNIZED TO THIS DAY. IT WAS THE START OF ALL SLASHER HORROR FILMS, BEGINNING WITH FRIDAY 1 AND 2 AND THEN CAME MORE HALLOWEEN FILMS.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) Did you keep anything from the film and if so, what is the item(s)?
(MARTA KOBER) I KEPT A CALGARY MOUNTY HAT FROM A DIFFERENT FILM AND ALSO KEPT THE HEAD THAT WAS IN THE FRIDGE FROM FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2 FOR MANY YEARS. I STOPPED COLLECTING SOUVENEIRS AND ALL GOT LOST ALONG THE WAY.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) After working on Friday the 13th part 2, you went on to act in a number of television shows and movies through to the mid 1990’s. Afterwards, you seemed to stop acting altogether. Is this actually true and if so, what have you been up to since then.
(MARTA KOBER) AS I SAID, I GOT BIG INTO THE MUSIC LABEL OWNED BY ATHLETE, DEATHROW. EVERY SO OFTEN I WILL DO A SMALL PART IN A FILM. I JUST DID A COMMERCIAL IN NEW ORLEANS WITH A COUPLE OF BIG PEOPLE. I HAD A SMALL PART IN THE FILM ‘AMERICAN GANGSTER’ AS WELL AS ‘TRAINING DAY’. BEFORE THAT, I WAS JUST SELLING RECORDS. ALSO, AS I SAID BEFORE, I WAS DEPORTED FROM LONDON IS HOW I WILL PUT IT.
(F13TH FRANCHISE) You recently attended your first fan convention. What was it like to meet fans in a controlled environment for the first time and what type of questions were you asked?
(MARTA KOBER) ALL FANS JUST WANTED A PIC AND AUTOGRAPHS. SINCE I WAS WITH CO-STAR BILL RANDOLPH, THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE SEEING EACH OTHER AGAIN. HE IS A SWELL MAN. IT WAS A GOOD TIME!
(F13TH FRANCHISE) What are your feelings towards the whole Friday the 13th experience? Do you have any regrets towards being in that type of film and did it affect your life afterwards?
(MARTA KOBER) EVERYONE IN THE INDUSTRY HAS DONE HORROR FILMS. I BELIEVE THEY REUSED SOME OF MY SCENES FROM PART 2 IN LATER FRIDAY THE 13TH MOVIES. I WAS PAID FOR THAT, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer all of these questions and good luck with everything you aspire for in life!
