Gene Simmons Talks 'CSI' Cameo and Reveals Role in 'Entourage' Movie
Gene Simmons offered "CSI" fans an inside look at his cameo role on the crime drama series this week while also shedding light on the "Entourage" movie.
The world-famous bass guitarist rose to stardom with KISS, the band he co-founded in the 1970s. Simmons, also known as his stage persona The Demon, is also a record producer, entrepreneur, restaurant owner and actor. Most recently, the 64-year-old guest starred on "CSI" during an episode entitled "Long Road Home."
"It was a role I was born to play," Simmons told CBS New York. The rock-n-roll star appeared on the drama as himself while the CSI's investigate the murder of a rock and roll groupie and the disappearance of a prostitute.
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"I was thrilled when they called and asked me to play 'Gene Simmons,'" he added. "Not the first time I've played myself. I did it on 'Ugly Betty' and 'Castle' and in the forthcoming 'Entourage' movie. I've played other roles as well, this was kind of a hybrid. I play myself but I'm suspected of murder."
Although the Israeli-born guitarist addressed his role on "CSI," he refused to go into detail about the television series.
"If I told you more about the plot, I'd have to kill you," Simmons joked.
KISS has been accepted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an induction ceremony scheduled for April 10 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. However, Simmons and the bands other founder Paul Stanley are objecting to the Hall's decision to only induct the original members of KISS, excluding longtime and current members such as Eric Stanger.
"Well, you have a group like the Eagles who continue to be our contemporaries … and every member that has even been in the Eagles has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame," Simmons explained to Entertainment Weekly. "But you're only gonna honor the first lineup that was together for seven years? We've been around for forty years."
Simmons went on to recount that although Peter "Catman" Criss and Ace "Space" Frehley are original band members, newer members Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer have been with the group "two and a half times longer" for about 20 years.
