Q & A with Judy Greer
Judy Greer is one of Hollywood’s most promising rising stars. Don’t know the name? You probably know the face.
At the age of 30, the engaging, magnetic Greer has already stolen scenes from the likes of Jennifer Garner (13 Going On 30) Mel Gibson (What Women Want) and Jennifer Lopez (The Wedding Planner). Tomorrow, she takes on a supporting role in Cameron Crowe’s Elizabethtown.
Q: So what was your reaction when you landed the role Elizabethtown? Screaming? Shouting?
GREER: It was silence because I started crying immediately on the phone … It had been so long since my audition. When the phone rang, it was my agent and manager, so I thought I’ve either gotten something or I’ve been fired from something. And then I started screaming. I’d been wanting to work with Cameron since I was high school and I saw Say Anything.
Q: You’re obviously associated mostly with comedies — is that a preference? Or are you interested in pursuing more dramatic parts?
GREER: Comedy certainly comes easiest to me and I get the opportunity (to do that) more. But I’m interested in playing dramatic roles and I feel I have more to offer because I’ve lived more. I don’t think you can be dramatic without being funny, too.
Q: Your credits are mostly in feature films, but you have a recurring role, too, on Arrested Development (Fox’s show about a dysfunctional family led by Jason Bateman and Jeffrey Tambor).
GREER: I’m so happy when my agent calls and says ‘They want you to come in.’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, yeah, yeah.’ Usually I don’t even get a script until I’m on the set. They’ll be like, ‘So today you had your boobs done and your nipples are crooked’ and I’m like, ‘Really? OK, sure.’
Q: Are you looking for a role that will let you carry a film or TV series?
GREER: Sure, but I’m not desperate for it yet. I’m really happy with what I’m doing right now.
Q: A lot of career highs right now — have there been low points as well?
GREER: Sure, I’ve had that and then I took an acting class with Jeffrey Tambor. He was my acting teacher and so it was strange because then I was playing his mistress on television many, many, many months later. He’s a really amazing teacher. He’s just good at building your confidence … But for someone who’s working and maybe is going through a bad period, he really reminds you of who you are and why you’re working in this profession in the first place.
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