Chat about "Hollow Man" and "Felicity"

August 01, 2000

Actor Greg Grunberg chats about working with Kevin Bacon in "Hollow Man" and his regular role on the WB's "Felicity."

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Checkout: Welcome to a chat with actor Greg Grunberg. For the past two years, Greg has starred on the WB's hit television series "Felicity," but today he is talking about his new film, the thriller "Hollow Man" from Sony Pictures. Directed by Paul Verhoeven, Greg co-stars with Kevin Bacon, Elisabeth Shue and Josh Brolin. Welcome Greg Grunberg!

Greg: Thank you very much. I'd like to thank everyone for checking me out.

TonyM: How did you get into acting?

Greg: I've always been interested in acting. It started back in elementary school, but my brother's an actor and friends of mine have had success in it. I realized about 12 years ago that if I didn't take a chance, I'd never do it. I broke into acting about 12 years ago in commercials.

Phillygrrl: Who has inspired you the most in your career?

Greg: I'd have to say some of my favorite comedians and comic actors and writers, such as Woody Allen, Albert Brooks, and believe it or not, Jeffrey Abrams, who is the creator of "Felicity."

Claire: What role do you play in "Hollow Man"?

Greg: I play Carter Abbey, a cardiologist in a team of six scientists working on invisibility in a secret government laboratory, about 30 stories under ground. I am the newest member of the team, and the last to suspect the great Kevin Bacon would fall evil.

GaryTX: This will be your second movie with Kevin Bacon if I remember right. Are you two friends?

Greg: We became friends on the set playing endless hours of backgammon. I never had the chance to work with him together in "Picture Perfect." Elisabeth Shue and I were both in "Trigger Effect." I didn't work with her, but we were in the film together. We spent nine tedious, yet fun, months together on Hollow Man.

Fally: What was it like for you working with Kevin Bacon and Elisabeth Shue? Did the cast get along well together?

Greg: It was fantastic! For me, playing the part of the newest member of the scientist team, it was great for my character to be really kind of in awe of the people I was working with. I felt that way as an actor working with Kevin and Elisabeth. Also Josh Brolin, Joey Slotnick and Kim Dickens are terrific to work with, so it was easy for me to the green member of the team. It was just so much fun working with them. They were fantastic!

CO-felicity23: What did you think of Kevin Bacon after seeing all of the grunt work that he went through for "Hollow Man"?

Greg: He's my hero! Kevin did it all with a smile on his face, even though I'm such a better backgammon player than he is. He humbly accepted my digging. He was there for us for off- camera. Even when we were working with him in a scene where he was invisible, he would never have someone read his lines or not be there. It was important for Kevin to be there with no one doubling for him. When people see the special effects in this movie, people will understand. This is like nothing anyone has ever seen before.

CO-HollowHead: In the movie, you ask Kevin Bacon about messing with a girl while invisible? Are you a villain?

Greg: I'm not a villain, but he's like a mentor to me. My character is into pornography and a fun guy and would, if given the opportunity to be invisible, would be the first person hiding in the dressing rooms in the mall. He's a bit of a pervert. That's why I asked that question. It makes sense when you see the movie. If you think about the possibility of being invisible, something inappropriate will come to mind if you're a normal human being. Kevin's character is an egomaniacal guy, and in the film I know that and know I'm going to get some real juicy information.

MelindaMc: Did you enjoy working with Paul Verhoeven as the director of "Hollow Man"?

Greg: It was unbelievable! Paul had the entire film shot and cut in his head before he rolled the camera on the first day. He's so precise, and knows exactly what he wants. Decisions are the most important part of directing. He has them all laid out before he begins. I saw the screening two nights ago, and people were screaming at the screen. It blew me away. The tone that Paul set in the film is such that it grabs you and doesn't let go until it's over. After the movie, you're still looking around, knowing no way anybody could be invisible, it really stays with you.

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