Risk Worth Taking
Jane Leeves has been making me cackle on the small screen since she first appeared on “Murphy Brown” as Grant Shaud’s off- beat girlfriend. Now she’s reached even bigger success as the ditzy but daffy Daphne Moon of “Frasier” the only female on the show who manages to put the dynamic doctor duo, Kelsey Grammer and David Hyde Pierce, in their place. So, with the shortage of female funny ladies on the big screen, I’m wondering why Hollywood isn’t replacing such low-in-the-batteries comic bunnies as Rosie O’Donnell and Sarah Jessica Parker with fresh-in-the-field Jane Leeves.
HEIDI PARKER: Rosie O’Donnell is Hollywood’s comic relief at the moment, but after seeing her in Exit to Eden, now would seem like a good time to swoop into movies and knock her off her mantle.
JANE LEEVES: Oh God, I’d love to-are you kidding? But I’m really waiting for a few scenes that are gold.
Q: Because you’ve played such goofs on TV, do you think casting directors have a hard time figuring out what to do with you?
A: Yeah, because I’m always the oddball, the other choice, the risk. I can’t be categorized.
Q: In person, you seem perfect for femme fatale roles.
A: That’s what I thought when I first started acting! I thought I’d be better suited for dramas, but I don’t look typical English like Helena Bonham Carter or Emma Thompson. I knew my entrée into drama would probably be through a comedic role, so that’s my key.
Q: Do people tell you you’re sexier in person?
A: When people meet me-and this is a little unnerving-they say, “Oh, you’re a lot prettier in real life.” Does that mean I look like a pig on the show?
Q: What about stripping your clothes for Playboy-à la Kim Basinger and Sharon Stone-to show the world you’re no pig?
A: No, no! That’s what really annoys me about the film industry. In order to be a top box-office draw you have to take your clothes off and do an explicit movie. It’s not my way.
Q: I saw Cindy Crawford at a party recently and was surprised to see her practically stand on her head to give a good pose to the paparazzi, then work the crowd to death-is that behavior necessary?
A: I know what you mean. Those parties look so glamorous on TV but when you
get there everything is covered with a layer of dust. I went to the Golden Globes and it just made me feel dirty and horrible. Suddenly, I was stuck in front of the cam-eras and I didn’t know what to do so I… [stands up and puts hands on her hips, breasts out]
Q: A Cindy special?
A: Yeah, I felt like such an ass and you know that’s the one that’ll show up in the tabloids. I got nervous. No one teaches you how to deal with the cameras, the ple, the sycophants.
Q: Why do you think so many actors handle success so poorly?
A: What makes people go Hollywood? I guess they just buy the bullshit, like if someone tells them they love them, they’ll say, “Well, I am God, aren’t I?” They’ve got to be dumb to allow someone to lavish that on them.
Q: Which great actor would you want to be brought back from the dead?
A: Hard question, but I can tell you this: I wish James Dean would never have died. Then he’d be fat and acting on “Dynasty” or something. There wouldn’t be this whiny boy act that’s so prevalent everywhere.
Q: Hollywood loves celebrity couples and loves to create rumors about them. Were there any about you when you dated “Murphy Brown” co-star Grant Shaud?
A: The rumors started after we broke up. Once I was at a shoot and was stung by a bee, which I’m allergic to. The tabloids printed SHE COULD DIE! and said Grant rushed to my side. He didn’t even know I was stung. We’re friends now, so we laugh at it, but it makes me feel dirty.
Q: You were a model before you got into acting-did you hate it?
A: It was pretty awful. I wasn’t the modeling type, I was the funny one who made jokes and wouldn’t stand still. I don’t care what anyone says about modeling, it requires no talent at all. It’s such rubbish when they say it’s hard work!
Q: You have two sisters-are they like you?
A: No, they’re normal people. I wasn’t the black sheep, but they could never figure me out.
Q: Would you ever help your sisters get into the business? Maybe establish an acting clan like the Baldwins?
A: I would advise anyone not to go into acting and tell them they’re never going to make it, and if they think, “Oh, she’s not talking to me,” then they’ve got a chance because you need tough skin.
Q: You’d be a riot on talk shows. Have you done David Letterman?
A: Not yet, but that would be a nerve-racking one to do because he’s the funny person and you shouldn’t try to compete with him. You have to just give him ammunition to fire at you. You’re only on his show for one day and he’s been at it for years, so don’t try to stop this guy!
Q: Do you get recognized a lot?
A: Usually if someone is staring at me, I’ll think, “Jeez, is something hanging out of my nose?” I never think it’s because of me.
Q: When you make it big in Hollywood will you become a jet-setter, throw glamorous bashes and live in the fast lane?
A: Oh, God no! I’m just a boring old fart, really.