| | | | In 1995 Scott Caan began making a name for himself in the entertainment industry landing roles in independent films and studying at Playhouse West acting school in Los Angeles. The son of silver screen tough guy and Academy Award-nominee James Caan quickly saw his career rise with brilliant turns in major motion pictures including Enemy of the State, Varsity Blues, Boiler Room, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Novocaine, Into the Blue and Friends with Money.
Then there’s his appearances in Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve and Ocean’s Thirteen portraying “Turk Malloy” alongside Brad Pitt, George Cooley, Matt Damon, the A-listers he calls peers go on and on. Caan landed coveted roles on HBO’s Entourage (playing Scott Lavin) and CBS’ hit series Hawaii Five-0 portraying Detective Danny ‘Danno’ Williams. The latter garnered him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.
Not one to rest on his laurels, the City of Angels native has also directed films Dallas 362 and The Dog Problem, as well as written scripts including The Trouble We Come From playing at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank through July 12th. He co-stars in these live performances as well along with Michael Weston, Teri Reeves and Claire van der Boom.
Caan also has earned a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and finds time to donate for charitable causes. He was kind enough to grant this exclusive interview to The Tolucan Times in between rehearsals at The Falcon.
читать дальшеWhat made you decide to go into acting?
I never wanted to be an actor when I was younger. I was into music in high school and one of my aunts was a talent manager. A director (Mitch Marcus) saw my band [rap duo “The Whooliganz”]while on the [1993 Soul Assassins Tour] with Cypress Hill, got in touch with her and asked if I was interested in auditioning for his movie. At first I wasn’t but then I read the sсript and thought this could be interesting; first sсript I ever read. I was 17 and wound up getting the part. When I got on the set I immediately knew this is what I wanted to do. I didn’t know if I wanted to be a writer, director, grip or an actor; I just knew I was in the right company, a group of people who didn’t want to go to school yet collectively make something awesome.
Why study at Playhouse West?
I was always taught as a kid: if you want to do something be the best at it, don’t just show up. It was also instilled in me from playing sports growing up and my old man always told me there is no reason to do something unless you are going to be really good at it. My mother was a member of the Playhouse West, so at that time, as far as studying, that was my only option. I am still a member over there.
Your first major movie Enemy of the State was directed by the late Tony Scott.
There is nothing more cliché than talking highly of people who have passed, but honestly I couldn’t have imagined a nicer, greater, happier guy to work for. When I first heard about what happened to Tony it was incredibly shocking; it didn’t make sense to me at all. He was one of the people that I learned from and who inspired me. I didn’t go to film school, but to me, being able to work with guys like Tony, along with Steven Soderbergh, Brian Robbins and Barry Levinson, that was my film school. I learned so much from Tony: the best way to get the best out of creative people is to create the best environment where everyone is enjoying themselves and having a good time. I got spoiled working for Tony.
Do you prefer working in front of or behind the camera?
The older I get the more I want to watch. I used to love acting more than anything. When I started directing it was something I definitely wanted to grow towards.
How did you land your role on Hawaii Five-0?
I had never done television. I was doing the sixth or seventh season of Entourage and my agent called me and asked if I had any interest in doing a remake of Hawaii Five-0…oh and they start shooting in three days. I said no. I had never seen [the original]Hawaii Five-0 and I wasn’t really hip to television. After I hung up the phone I remember regretting turning down an audition for one of the regulars on Entourage; who knows if I would have gotten it and then I was dying to stay on that show, so I had already made that mistake! I read the [Hawaii Five-0] sсript and I thought it was really interesting. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into and what a “procedural” television show was. If it was anything like Entourage I’d have a blast! Five years into the show I am super grateful that somebody gave me a job, but it is a grind.
When you first heard you were nominated for a Golden Globe for your work on Hawaii Five-0 what went through your head?
I remember waking up at five in the morning and my phone had 37 messages. They were all ‘Congratulations!’ It was a super, super cool moment. It was definitely a moment for me where I thought, ‘Oh, so people are digging this!’
Tell me about the new play you wrote and co-star in now at the Falcon Theatre: The Trouble We Come From.
I have been writing plays for a long time; it is what keeps me sane during hiatuses. It keeps me excited about what I do for a living.
You are also a photographer.
I was directing a movie with cinematographer Phil Parmet, who is a fantastic still photographer and DP. I got a camera and by the end of the movie Phil had taught me all about lighting, positioning, basically how to take a picture. I now have two books and the photos are from all over the place. For about eight years I always traveled with a camera and I went on trips specifically to take photos; mostly interesting people I met, on sets, walking on streets, skateboarding, surfing.
You also take time to volunteer.
I have been involved with a couple organizations over the years. Right now I’m working with the non-profit A Walk on Water which is a group of really fantastic people that create a day for families that have kids with special needs to relax while we take their kids out on the water. We work a lot with autistic kids. What we’ve seen as the healing power of being in the ocean has been absolutely amazing. We teach kids how to surf or put them on a board so they can learn how to paddle.
When are you going to become a black belt?
Hopefully soon. I’ve been doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 1997. It is not an easy martial art to get a black belt in. I would say 95 percent of the professors who teach Jiu-Jitsu are very, very particular and careful about whom they give black belts to. They all have different requirements and it’s a serious thing. They are not just giving them out to TV actors and people that want to pay for their belt. I feel like I’m close. There are no more steps for me, it’s just when my instructor feels like it’s time. If I’m not working I’ll try to practice three or four times a week; if I am working, once a week–that is what holds me back. I went in yesterday and kind of got beat up!
“The Trouble We Come From” playing at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank now through July 12th.
For tickets visit falcontheatre.com or call (818) 955-8101.
Denise Ames is a celebrity columnist who has contributed to Entertainment Today, All Access magazine and CNN. She has also hosted TV’s “Focus in the Mix with Denise Ames” and “The Rustam Report.” |