Eric Stoltz
Eric Stoltz
Eric Stoltzis an American actor, director and producer. He is known for playing the role of Rocky Dennis in the biographical drama film Mask, which earned him the nomination for a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture, and has appeared in a wide variety of films from mainstream fare like Some Kind of Wonderful to independent films like Pulp Fiction, Killing Zoe, and Kicking and Screaming. In 2010, he portrayed Daniel Graystone in the science...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionMovie Actor
Date of Birth30 September 1961
CityWhittier, CA
CountryUnited States of America
I've been directing more and more the last few years, I find it an enjoyable challenge.
I think I'm wealthy. I make a good living for what I do. Well, it depends. If I'm doing an independent film I'm making no money - probably losing money. But if I'm doing a studio film, I'll make a decent wage. I can live for a year without working.
I studied piano for many years, and I still play. I'm a complete amateur, and I wouldn't consider myself very good at all, but I enjoy it.
When you're in a movie, they treat you like you're four years old and give you whatever you want. On some level it's really wonderful and gratifying, but on another level it's rather disturbing. I'm sure you've spoken to movie stars and wondered: How do these people survive without babysitters?
I'm a gentleman, if nothing else. It's taken me years to become one, but finally I have a sense of propriety.
I have a love/hate relationship with just about all technology in my life. My first typewriter in particular. I had a helluva time putting new ribbon on it.
It seems that whatever we do is somehow beyond reproach - murder, rape, drunk driving - as long as we go on a TV show and apologize.
Roger visited us and got to know and spend time with Nestor before he died. That's an important part of the process of portraiture. And, of course, we have thousands of photos.
I realize I'm a very lucky man. I love what I do, I love films, TV and theatre, and the fact that I'm able to make a living at it staggers me.
I'm a big believer in therapy. I'm in therapy in real life. I think anytime you can bitch and moan about your own life to someone who really doesn't care that much, and can give you an objective opinion about what you're going through, I think that's valuable.
I did a film called 'Fort McCoy,' based on a true story of one of the few internment camps during WWII that was actually in the United States.
Before I start directing a show, I try to spend a few weeks hanging around the set, getting to know the crew and talking to the actors about how they like to work. Who is fussy? Who is left-handed? Who wants to go home early, and who is the perfectionist?
I consider myself a very lucky man indeed.
To this day I over prepare. I draw storyboards for every scene - chicken scratches so crude that they amuse and horrify the crew. I send out shot lists, act out the scenes, and search for a theme that I can relate to. It's my favorite time of the process.