To watch Richard Riehle on screen you’d never guess he’s actually a regular guy. He’s been cast in a collection of films that make him look – at times – less than charming, but nearly always peculiar. Checkout Hatchett, Halloween II or even his newest DVD release Growth for a few examples, but keep in mind he’s also played Santa Claus, too, so how strange could he really be?

We spent time with Riehle and discovered just how normal he really is…not an oddball at all.

I think the expectations of when they see me and hear me are much different than what the character is,” Riehle acknowledges adding, “It allows for that nice twist, that nice turn.”

In Growth, it is Riehle who has a hand in accidentally unleashing the parasite in the pic, but it’s only because he’s working to save someone else in the movie.

“Larkin (Riehle’s role in Growth) has rescued a young child from the original infestation and got her off the island and now she comes back as a young woman and he’s trying to rescue her again. But in-between he’s allowed this parasitical invasion to continue.”

Bummer when that happens.

But the creepy plot in Growth is what attracted him to the film. Lately he’s been working with John Cho and Kal Penn on yet another nutzo Harold & Kumar flick, A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas - one of 15-plus movies he’s either made or is currently working on this year. This time he’s playing Santa Claus again and like Riehle, the actors playing the title characters are anything but weird dopers…but Riehle knew that going in.

“We shot Harold & Kumar in 3D in an old auto plant in Detroit that’s being refitted as a soundstage,” the actor explains. “I had not worked with Kal, but I knew that he had taken a year off after the election to work for the Obama administration and I’d done a couple of films with John before so I knew that they weren’t at all like the stoners they play, but they do a good job of it…believe me.”

Riehle doesn’t take his own success for granted. He’s carved out a solid career creating quirky characters that are memorable. He calls it luck…we call that smart.

“Luck plays an important role that I think of being at the right place at the right time,” he insists. “But, I’ve actively pursued independent films just because it gives you an opportunity to stretch as an actor, but also because the stories are so different, the characters are so different and the young filmmakers that are mainly involved in the are so passionate about their work and that’s exciting and it keeps me young and vital and active in this business as well.”

Growth is currently on DVD. A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas is set for a 2011 release.