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Harry Dean Stanton talks about life as Roman Grant, singing with Dylan
and watching the Game Show channel. |
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HBO
Was it a difficult decision to commit to a regular series like Big Love at this point in your career?
STANTON
Well, HBO series are more like theatrical films. They're sort of on the avant-garde of filmmaking right now. So it wasn't too difficult.
HBO
As the man who probably knows him best, how do you see Roman Grant?
STANTON
I see him as a typical patriarch of a fundamentalist clan, pretty much like any other religious leader, Christian evangelist or Muslim fundamentalist. Nothing new about it. They're into power. They like power. He can be charming. He couldn't really be the leader unless he got along with people on some level.
HBO
You've had an incredible career, starring in movies such as "Cool Hand Luke," "The Godfather II," "Alien," "Repo Man," "Wild at Heart." Roger Ebert even devised the "Stanton-Walsh Rule," claiming "no movie featuring either Harry Dean Stanton or M. Emmet Walsh in a supporting role can be altogether bad." Did you find that your co-workers were a little... intimidated by you?
STANTON
I was working with professional actors. And I play myself all the time... on camera and off. What else can I do? [LAUGHS]
HBO
Has the show given you any new insights into polygamy or polygamist compounds?
STANTON
It made me a little more knowledgeable of what their beliefs are. It's pretty much like a lot of organized religion. I'm not really into religion.
HBO
Could you imagine being a polygamist though?
STANTON
Well, any man could.
HBO
[Laughter] Even with all of the tension in Bill's life, all the trouble he's up against?
STANTON
Trouble?
HBO
Well, there's you — or Roman — and then there's the stress and craziness of juggling the three wives and all of their problems.
STANTON
That's the writing — it's very good.
HBO
Now that the show has been airing for a while, have you received any interesting reactions?
STANTON
Everybody seems to respond to it very well. I've received a lot of compliments. People come right up to me on the street, they recognize me as Roman, even without the hat.
HBO
You also just filmed a movie with Bill Paxton, your nemesis in Big Love — can you tell us about it?
STANTON
It's called "The Good Life." Bill knew about this young director who's also a skateboard champion — he's quite talented. I play a guy with Alzheimer's. It was a well-written role. It's a good original style.
HBO
Like Roman, you're something of an accomplished musician. Can you tell us about The Harry Dean Stanton Band?
STANTON
Yes, I sing and play guitar and harmonica. I've been doing it for I don't know how long — a long time. The band I've played with for 10 or 12 years now. We've been all over, but we mostly play in L.A.
HBO
What kind of music do you play?
STANTON
It's eclectic — pretty much like the range of characters I've played. There's the rock classics: Dylan, Jimmy Reed. The blues, Muddy Waters, Jazz from the 20s and 30s. We'll sit in with bands occasionally, like the Weary Boys from Austin. And occasionally musicians will join us. Chaka Khan came down and sang with us a few times, as did Roger Clinton, the President's brother. And John Dinsmore, the Doors' drummer, sat in with us once. Years ago, around when I was doing "Billy the Kid," I had the chance to sing with Dylan, Baez, and Kristofferson, just casual meetings.
HBO
Wow — how many people can say that. Did you ever train as a vocalist?
STANTON
I took speech training. And I took a few voice lessons in college. But I don't believe in singing lessons. You can sing or you can't. Speech lessons probably did more for my singing voice — they teach you breathing, resonance.
HBO
You also sing some Spanish and Mexican songs in your band. Where did the interest first come from?
STANTON
It just evolved. I really liked the Mariachi singing in Westerns. And I have a good ear for languages. And California is full of Mexican culture and Mexican music.
HBO
Is it true you might record an album?
STANTON
Well, we're talking about it. I've never been ambitious about recording. I've been working a lot. When you get a break, you like to do nothing and then rest.
HBO
Can people find any of your songs anywhere?
STANTON
I recorded a song for the film "Paris, Texas," which is on the soundtrack. Eric Clapton liked it — I met him once.
HBO
How about some of the other songs you play in your band?
STANTON
There's "Begin the Beguine," a Latin American song. Some of my favorite Dylan songs, "Knocking on Heaven's Door" and "Baby Tonight." Jimmy Reed's "Let it Roll."
HBO
You also have a couple of movies coming out soon?
STANTON
There's David Lynch's "Inland Empire," which just finished shooting. And Nick Cassavetes' "Alpha Dog" (starring Big Love's Amanda Seyfried). And a film called "Chrystal," with Billy Bob Thornton, which should be coming out in video soon.
HBO
It doesn't sound like you get a lot of down time. What do you like to do when you finally get a break?
STANTON
I like to stay home and watch television. The Game Show channel, mostly. [Laughter]
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Video
Watch the promos and interviews for the show.
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