JASON SCHWARTZMAN IN JANE (Feb. 2001)
THE SAME FIVE QUESTIONS WE ALWAYS ASK
by Jauretsi Saizarbitoria
A conversation with Jason Schwartzman is like taking a ride into Willy Wonka's chocolate factory: It's colorful, delicious and completely amusing. Twenty-year-old Jason, who was immortalized for his character's stubborn crush and goofball antics in Rushmore, is once again trapped in an on-screen love triangle. This time, it's in photographer Dewey Nicks' first-ever flick, Best and Brightest. Jason's obsession in the film is model/actress James King. "I cross the line to stalker with a lint roller," he says of his character, who is always trying to collect James' hair. In addition to playing in Los Angeles-based band Phantom Planet, Jason will be in the upcoming film Simone with Al Pacino. "Al Pacino is a cappuccino personified," says Jason in a moment of reflection while stroking his pet pug in his mother's floral-print-decorated home, "but Al has a little more sugar."
What was the last dream you had?
I waws kidnapped byy aliens, and I had to have a dancing contest in the spaceship against MC Hammer. Hammer went first and did the "typewriter" [dance], and all the aliens were like oohing and aahing. I was a little nervous. Then I did this dance, and sparks flew from underneath my feet. I was so good and fast as I floated in midair that Hammer exploded into little balls. MC got hammered, baby!
What's the biggest prank you ever pulled?
My senior year in high school, we bought 600 chickens and let them loose in the school, and they went nuts. That was rock 'n' roll.
What's the worst thing you've ever done?
I went skydiving with my mom, and I pulled her rip cord when she wasn't looking.
Do you believe in God?
Sure. When I play baseball, I'm definitely talking to someone when I say, "Please let me get this ball."
Have you ever had your heart broken?
I have never had it completely broken. I've had heartache though...maybe like a hairline fracture of the heart.
