Thornton talks about being 'Bad Santa'

By Alec Toombs
Indiana Daily Student

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (U-Wire) -- With three movies released this fall ("The Alamo" would've been his fourth had it not been delayed), Billy Bob Thornton is one of the busiest actors working in Hollywood today.

His latest, "Bad Santa," is directed by documentarian-turned-comedic auteur Terry Zwigoff ("Ghost World") and co-stars comedian Bernie Mac, senior "Gilmore Girl" Lauren Graham and the late John Ritter. This darkly comical holiday farce casts Thornton as a down-and-out swindler by the name of Willie T. Stokes, who uses Christmas as means to the con. What follows are excerpts from a conference call interview.

Q: What initially drew you to your character in Bad Santa?

A: I try to play a different part in every movie -- that's sort of my bag. When I read the script I thought it was wonderfully written, I laughed on every page and I hadn't played a character exactly like that before. I also wanted the opportunity to play a character where I didn't have to hold back whatsoever in any way. I could just commit to being this nasty-talking guy and go ahead and do it.

Q: Was working with "Bad Santa's" Helmer Terry Zwigoff different than working with other directors because he's from a documentary background?

A: Actually, one of the great things about working with Terry was that he likes actors to just do their thing -- just to be natural, and I think that comes from doing documentaries since he's dealing with real people. He doesn't come ask you to do goofy things as an actor.

Q: Do you relate to Willie's character, and if so, in what way?

A: Well, I guess when I was a kid I wasn't exactly popular. Willie grew up without much of a life and kind of felt like a loser, and I think I felt like a loser when I was growing up at certain times. The other thing is that he likes beer, cigarettes and women.

Q: You do a lot of drinking in the movie. How drunk were you while shooting Bad Santa?

A: I wasn't actually drunk. I sure looked like it though. All I had to do basically is not get much sleep the night before and I'm pretty sunk for the day. Sometimes before a scene I would actually go to sleep in the Santa chair while they were setting lights or talking to the kids, and when they'd call action, they'd give me a nudge and let me know we were ready.

Q: What was it like to work with John Ritter on what became his last movie?

A: It was a joy to work with him as it always was. I started working with John in the early '90s. We did a sitcom called "Hearts Afire" for three seasons and then I put him in "Sling Blade." We were really close friends -- almost like brothers over the years. When I heard that he was going to be in the movie I was thrilled, although we only had a couple of scenes together, it was like the old days. He actually played a character in the movie that he used to play for me all the time just hanging out called Chuck Hurly, who was a guy that was on the verge of vomiting all the time.

Q: What was it like working with Bernie Mac, and would you ever appear on his TV show?

A: I loved working with Bernie. He's a great guy and a really talented guy. They've actually asked me to be on the show before, but I wasn't able to because I was doing "The Alamo" or something. But sure, I'd go on there.

Q: What is your attitude towards Christmas?

A: I'm sort of the opposite of the character in the movie. I'm very sentimental about Christmas. I have two little boys who are 9 and 10, and I'm really close to them. So close that when we're watching a movie together I always have my arm around them both and kiss them on the forehead all the time.

Q: If you could work with any actor, actress or director whom would you work with?

A: I would love to keep working with Cate Blanchett. I've done a couple things with Cate, and I think she's the best actress in the business. In terms of directors, I think every actor would like to work with Scorsese at some point in their career.

Q: What do you hope the audience will come away with after seeing "Bad Santa"?

A: I wish they'd have the s--t entertained out of them, and maybe make them smile when it's all said and done.