Leah Calpin, Kevin Kelly and Elizabeth Waskover, three children who write for Kidsday, a column in Newsday, chat with two interesting and popular actors.
We interviewed actor and comedian Robin Williams while he was in New York City recently.
What role do you think is the most like the real you?
The genie in Aladdin. I would say a combination of the teacher in Dead Poets Society and maybe the character in the movie The Fisher King. Those are two extreme characters.
In the movie Mrs. Doubtfire, was it comfortable to wear women's clothes?
No. It was a big lady's outfit. Wearing a big lady's body was uncomfortable. It was like wearing a big beanbag chair. The makeup took four hours to put on, and it was 18 different pieces. The hardest part about the makeup was they had to paint it.
What was the most challenging film you have done?
It was a film called What Dreams May Come. It dealt with heaven and hell and loss, and losing family on a daily basis. There were a lot of stunts and not for comedy. It was a strange movie and very hard to deal with emotionally because there were very few days when you had to deal with anything happy. The opposite is doing a movie like Aladdin, where you just go in and have a good time, or the movie Happy Feet, where you create a voice, and they create a character from the voice, and I got to be three different types of characters.
Who are some of your favourite people to work with?
Jeff Bridges, Jeff Daniels, Cheryl Hines, Kristen Chenoweth, who was in the movie RV. A friend of mine who I only got to work with once but who I would work with again in a second is Billy Crystal.
A director who I have done three movies with, Barry Levinson. I've done more movies where I have become close friends with them after the movie. That is the great part. For example, I did a movie called Cadillac Man with Tim Robbins, and we became great friends afterwards.
Who did you admire?
My father, a lot. My mother for comedy; she was very, very funny. My father was an ethical and elegant guy.
What is the best thing about being an actor?
The work, making movies or performing. It's the chance to work with other people who are really good. People ask me if I like watching my movies, and I say no, but I don't like looking in a mirror all day, either. Making (the movie) is the best part.
How many scenes have you flubbed because you were laughing?
A few. There have been times when someone has done something so funny that you just can't stop.
You starred in the movie RV. Would you recommend a family take an RV vacation?
It would be an interesting stress test. I think taking a car vacation is a great American tradition. That is kind of cool. It is great for me. I love it.
