Actors on Acting Archives

Boardwalk Empire’s Kelly Macdonald: “I don’t generally get to play the stronger characters…. but I’ve been enjoying getting my teeth into something else”

There is no show on television that I follow as closely as Boardwalk Empire, and a big reason for that is incredibly talented actors and actresses featured on the show. One of the series’ strongest lead characters is Margaret Thompson, played by Kelly Macdonald, whose recent career has even lead her to being cast as the lead character in Pixar’s last film, Brave.

Chevy Chase on His Problems With ‘Community’: “The hours are hideous, and it’s still a sitcom on television, which is probably the lowest form of television”

I think it isn’t any secret that working on Community hasn’t been Chevy Chase’s favorite acting gig, as earlier this year he had a very public spat with series creator Dan Harmon and has been very vocal about his thoughts on the quality (or lack thereof) of the cult favorite NBC sitcom

Biography: Steve Coogan

British-born Steve Coogan was on top of the U.S. box office in 2008 with Tropic Thunder, and most recently starred in the comedy The Trip, his third film for director Michael Winterbottom. He was also seen recently in Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, reprising his role from Night of the Museum.

Biography: Chris Messina

Chris Messina can most recently be seen starring in Lee Kirk’s directorial debut, The Giant Mechanical Man, opposite Jenna Fischer, who also produced the film. He also co-wrote and starred in the upcoming Fairhaven, opposite Sarah Paulson. Both films premiered at the 2012 Tribeca Film Fesival to rave reviews.

Watch Liam Neeson Stare at you for 10 straight hours

Now for your viewing pleasure, you can have Liam Neeson stare, glare and judge you right from your computer screen.

Robert Patrick on Becoming an Actor: “The guys who make it to the major leagues are not there because they are lucky”

I can’t help it — even though it was over twenty years ago now since the release of Terminator 2: Judgment Day, whenever I see Robert Patrick on screen I end up thinking of him as the T-1000. Though I don’t think he minds that one bit, Patrick has had a lot of great roles since then, and he is his usual stoic self as the General Manager for the Atlanta Braves in Trouble with the Curve, which stars Clint Eastwood.

Jake Gyllenhaal talks ‘End of Watch’, Preparation and Choosing His Roles: “I am interested in anything that has a heart to it”

Jake Gyllenhaal took his role as a police officer in End of Watch extremely seriously, getting hands-on training and experience for his part.
Gyllenhaal shot his own scenes with a handheld camera every day for the first person point-of-view for the film. “We went on ride-alongs for five months, two to three times a week with the LAPD and sheriff’s department and Inglewood PD,” the actor told Moviefone.

Clint Eastwood: “Acting gets in your blood after so many years, and you just always like revisiting it”

There have been numerous actors who have turned to directing (such as recent convert Ben Affleck), but none of them have quite as impressive of a resume as Clint Eastwood, who for decades has been praised for both his acting and his directing and is one of the very few in the industry who can be undoubtedly labeled “iconic.”

Claire Danes on Turning Down a Role at 12 and Doing Research for Her ‘Homeland’ Character on YouTube

Claire Danes is up for an Emmy for her role on the Showtime drama Homeland. The actress has already enjoyed a long career, including playing teenager Angela Chase on the much-beloved series My So-Called Life and winning a Golden Globe and an Emmy for Temple Grandin.

Amy Adams talks about the research she did for ‘The Master’

In her career, Amy Adams takes on completely varied roles, jumping between comedy (Julie and Julia) and drama easily. Her newest role in Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master required Adams to color in her own back story as the wife of a Scientology-like religious leader.

Anthony Mackie on Bulking Up to Play The Falcon in ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’

Anthony Mackie will soon join the growing pantheon of actors who have played superheroes. The actor, best known for his roles in The Hurt Locker and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter will appear as Falcon in the upcoming Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The person most excited for Mackie to portray Marvel’s first black superhero? His brother.

End of Watch’s Michael Pena on growing up in the “ghetto” and how Hollywood is getting diversity

Michael Pena thinks Hollywood is finally starting to diversify. The Latino actor was cast alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in the cop drama End of Watch.

Stop Asking Paul Rudd Why He’s Doing Theater

Paul Rudd is best known for his comedic roles in films like Our Idiot Brother, I Love You, Man, and Knocked Up. But his next part is a huge departure—he’ll be appearing in a Broadway production of the dramatic play, Grace.

Dredd’s Karl Urban talks acting inside the helmet: “You have to look at all the other tools that are available to you” (video)

Karl Urban is dedicated to avoiding Sylvester Stallone’s work in the original 1995 Judge Dredd.

Josh Radnor on the Future of ‘How I Met Your Mother’

Josh Radnor was able to take some time away from his sitcom How I Met Your Mother to make the indie Liberal Arts with Elizabeth Olsen. The movie was a well-earned break from the show Radnor jokes has been on the air for “117 years.”

“You can’t get all ramped up and amped up about this thing,” Bill Murray said on talk of getting an Oscar Nomination for ‘Hyde Park on the Hudson’

Bill Murray isn’t likely to be the first actor that pops into your head when you think of someone to play beloved President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But the comedian is already earning Oscar talk about his portrayal in Hyde Park on the Hudson.

Colin Farrell on His New Film, ‘Seven Psychopaths’ and Acting in “Coffee Table Scenes”

Colin Farrell has teamed up with director Martin McDonagh for another film, Seven Psychopaths, after the success of their first project together, In Bruges. The film is a dark comedy, but is much different from his role in Horrible Bosses.

Joaquin Phoenix on ‘The Master’, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Acting: “It’s a process I don’t completely understand. I don’t know that I want to”

Joaquin Phoenix is known for going Method-deep into his roles even going so far as to appear as “himself” on Late Show with David Letterman a few years ago. Now, he’s taken on another seriously dark part in Paul Thomas Anderson’s take on a Scientology-like religion in The Master.

Mandy Patinkin talks ‘Homeland’ and the Reason He Left ‘Criminal Minds’

Mandy Patinkin isn’t holding back his opinion about his time on the CBS drama, Criminal Minds.

Emma Watson on ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower,’ Playing a Typical Teenager and Using an American Accent (video)

Most teenagers have a pretty similar experience—dating, high school, prom. But most teenagers didn’t grow up spending their time on one of the most successful movie sets of all time. Emma Watson started playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series when she was just 9-years-old, thus eliminating the possibility of a normal high school experience. So the British actress jumped at the chance to portray a typical teenager in The Perks of Being a Wallflower.