Let's just say we were thrilled to get this exclusive interview with the hottest redhaired male star, Eric Stoltz, as this issue's celebrity guest. Eric has been seen in more movies in the last ten years than any other noticeable redhaired star, and can be seen on HBO this summer in the movie thriller, "Don't Look Back". Stephen Douglas talks with Eric about his upcoming projects and his thoughts on being redheaded. [Interview dated June, 1996]
Douglas: So, this is pretty cool getting to speak with you. I've been watching your career almost as long as this club has been together, and that was way back in '82.Thanks for giving us redhead guys a cool image onscreen.
Stoltz: Well, let me commend you for starting this club. Any organization that speaks out against demeaning stereotypes, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, is a worthy one in my book.
Douglas: Thanks, I take that as a pretty good compliment. So what have you been up to lately?
Stoltz: I've been working in New York City and Texas, and this weekend I go to the Amazon for the summer. It's a busy, hectic time for me right now.
Douglas: From the amount of movies you've been in lately, it seems like you're doing well. I've seen almost all your movies, and of late you've been in "Rob Roy", "The Prophecy," "Little Women," "Pulp Fiction," and a weird foreign flick called "Killing Zoe," which was kind of intense. What projects do you have coming up next?
Stoltz: In the fall, I have a few new films coming out; "Inside," a prison drama with Nigel Hawthorne, who starred in "The Madness of King George," and Lou Gossett. That will be on Showtime. I'll be doing an ensemble film called "Two Days in the Valley," with James Spader, Teri Hatcher, Jeff Daniels, and Danny Aiello, which is coming out in the fall from MGM. "Grace of My Heart" is a musical that Martin Scorcese produced and Allison Anders directed which will star Matt Dillon, John Turturro, and Illeana Douglas. It's about a woman coming of age in the 50's and 60's and the various men who are a part of her life. Allison did a really interesting thing with this movie, she had original music commissioned in the style of the time, and went about that by combining songwriters from different eras. For instance, Burt Bacharach wrote a song with Elvis Costello. Pretty cool stuff.
Douglas: It sounds like your "slate" is full, Eric. What's the deal with going to the Amazon this summer?
Stoltz: I'm leaving the country to go to Brazil to make an action adventure film called "Anaconda."
Douglas: So you'll be lucky to see some of the Brazilian beaches and the scarcely attired women there. Our female members will want to know what type of women you like.
Stoltz: I can't really say I have a favorite "type" of woman. Occasionally, I'll get sent an alluring or downright sexy photo, and that's always fun ... a reminder that everyone is beautiful in their own way. I like all types, redheads too.
Douglas: Of course, you're not divulging any secrets about who you're dating ...
Stoltz: (silence -- little smile) Until I'm married, I'm single.
Douglas: Okay! Well, tell me how you decide on a movie that you want to star in. Any special criteria?
Stoltz: Hair color. Every decision is based on the hair color of the people involved. It sounds silly and arbitrary, I know, butt here it is. If they are bald, then I base my decision on how they smell. (laughs) Actually, it's different for every project, and largely depends on how I feel. Shifting criteria.
Douglas: What's been your favorite movie so far?
Stoltz: I was afraid you'd make that segue ... hmmmmm ...that's a big like asking a mother who her favorite child is. Even when they stink, you kind of love them all. I guess "The Waterdance" comes to mind, and "Mask," certainly. "Memphis Belle." "Sleep With Me" was fun too ... this is starting to sound like another list, so I'll stop there.
Douglas: How about some insights on being redhaired. What did you feel when you were a kid? Were you teased?
Stoltz: Growing up ... of course there were times when I felt the curse of "being different," all kids do on some level. But like most things, with time, the curse shifts and somehow becomes a blessing. I sound like my grandparents, but it's true. There was nobody else in my family with red hair. I think I just worked harder at everything. I found my talents and really applied myself as though I had something to prove. One time I was touring Scotland with some friends in college and we ended up staying at a poet/professor's house in the country. He had a theory he said his mother told him -- that redheads are born much more sensitive than other people, and in order to survive they have to become twice as tough. Of course, he had an accent and was a bit drunk, so it sounded quite magical at the time.
Douglas: We can wrap this up with a question that can get the redheads out there promoting their image, and that is, what can we do to start seeing more redheads in the movies or on TV?
Stoltz: The only thing you can do is write to the studio heads at Disney, Warner or Columbia, or write to the Networks. You can e-mail or fax them and ask to see more of the person you like. It sounds old-fashioned, but if it comes from the people, the people in charge will take notice.
Douglas: I'm sure our members will do their best, and we definitely will be seeing you at the movies. Thanks, Eric, for giving us the time to talk to you in your busy schedule.
Stoltz: No problem, thanks for having me and good luck with promoting redheads.