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The Houston Chronicle
May 3, 1996
Vartan makes friends easily
French-American actor Michael Vartan is about to have a lot of
new friends. In the romantic comedy "The Pallbearer,"
which opens today, he's the pal of "Friends" nice-guy
David Schwimmer. Vartan's currently filming an ensemble piece
called "The Myth of Fingerprints" with Noah Wyle from
"ER," Blythe Danner and Julianne Moore. He first came
to international attention in the Italian film
"Fiorile." All this from a start in which he took
acting classes in Los Angeles as a way to meet people his own
age and possibly make a few friends. A few questions:
Do you ever watch Friends?
Vartan: Yes, I do. But lately I haven't been able to watch it
because I've been working so much. When I have watched it, I
love the show but it's like, "I wish I was working
somewhere."
What's it like watching yourself on screen?
Vartan: When I saw The Pallbearer, I actually didn't
cringe too much. I thought, "Oh, that's not bad, that's not
bad. With Fiorile, people would say, "You were good."
I'd say, "Oh, no." Then it would come across as this really
false modesty. So it's nice to finally be in the mood where I
can say, "Oh, thank you," and not be embarrassed about it.
What was the difference with The Pallbearer?
Vartan: I've matured a lot. I've learned a lot in terms of my
acting ability - I just felt more confident. And I was
working with that great cast. . . . I had more fun on that
movie than any summer vacation I ever had.
How did you get into acting?
Vartan: I know it sounds really corny, but when I moved to
L.A., I didn't know anyone and my mom's friends said, "You
know, your kid sort of has an interesting look, maybe he
should be an actor." So I thought I'd join an acting class -
at least I'd meet people my own age. . . . I had no idea what
it was about, and I was a really shy, introverted kid. I'm
still pretty shy now.
© The Houston Chronicle Publishing Company
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