Willy Rosner Interview
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 08:14AM ;)
Click to kiss headSo here it is the long awaited interview with one of the stars of The Wrestler, Willy Rosner, cast as 'Touchdown Man at Deli Counter', a role which joined the start of the film with the end. Without Willy the film would have lost meaning and we all would have been wondering around bumping into walls saying 'I just don't fucking get it'.
Currently pushing the film globally Willy was kind enough to take time out of his schedule to be the first ever person to be interviewed by Fuck Off Film and for that we are truly grateful. Read below his emotional journey from not being an actor to actually becoming an actor.
Mr Fuck Off: So how does it feel to be the first ever interviewee on Fuck Off Film?
Willy Rosner: I haven't broken anyone's cherry in a long time...so it feels pretty damn good. I may even Donkey Punch you.
MFO: That would be cool. So how did you get involved in the Wrestler?
WR: Darren is a friend from back in the day. He's also the guy that convinced me to get into acting. In 2002 I was visiting friends in NY. Darren and I were at a poker tourny and had both been eliminated early. We decided to go get a drink and shared a cab from Manhattan to Brooklyn. During that cab ride we talked a lot about the process of acting and I was intrigued. Darren referred me to a great acting teacher (Caitlin Adams) back in Los Angeles. I started taking classes and that was that.
When I heard Darren was doing "The Wrestler" I contacted him and told him I wanted an audition. I auditioned in Los Angeles for the part of "Scott Brumberg". I had a good audition but the part went to Judah Friedlander. I got an email from Darren asking me to come to NY because he had a 'day-player' part for me. The week he needed me I was supposed to be in court in Los Angeles and couldn't make it. I got my court shit taken care of and emailed Darren. As luck would have it there was another scene he wanted me for and I ended up in the deli.
I've often wondered if Darren isn't a sadistic bastard that tells everyone he knows "You should be an actor" and then watch as people destroy their lives chasing this dream...
MFO: Tell us about the court case one day (has it got anything to do with Donkey Punches?). Did you realise how integral your scene was to the film?
WR: Of course. Everyone knows that in a movie about a washed up wrestler, the guy ordering potato salad at the deli is the glue holding this fucking mess of a film together. Honestly, I was just hoping to make the final cut of the film. I got an email from Darren from Venice and he said "they applaud your scene". I couldn't understand why until I saw the film.
MFO: We got it, we totally got it. Did you catch your potato salad first time?
WR: Fuck yeah.
MFO: We fucking love the film more than Kindergarten Cop, did you know at the time you were involved in something so special?
WR: Darren doesn't fuck around so I knew this movie would have weight to it. I grew up in New Jersey, right next to Asbury Park where some scenes were shot. I've been a Bruce Springsteen fan and a Mickey Rourke fan my whole life. So personally, the film is very special.
MFO: Wow that would be like me being in a film with Corey Feldman and Whitesnake recording the soundtrack, you lucky fucker. So what was Mickey Rourke like to work with?
WR: Mickey was great. He's a terrific listener and gives you a lot to work with. In the script I order potato salad and chopped liver, get it and leave. When I got on set Darren pulls me aside and says, "Uh...Mickey doesn't always follow the script so be ready...". I order my potato salad and chopped liver like the script says. Mickey's supposed to pack it up and give it to me. Instead he turns to me and says something like "That chopped liver's a heart attack waitin' to happen and you don't look too good anyway". He refuses to give it to me. So I start fighting with him for my chopped liver. We ended up doing around 6 takes. Each one totally different. He didn't throw the potato salad until somewhere around take 4 or 5.
MFO: He was pretty fucking amazing and deserved his Golden Lion and Golden Globe, do you think he will get the Oscar?
WR: What the fuck do I know. I thought he should have gotten one for Barfly.
MFO: Were you surprised you were not in the running for best supporting actor at the Golden Globes?
WR: No. I worked it out with the Hollywood Foreign Press. I'm going to get one in 2010 for a yet-to-be-named project.
MFO: Who is your favourite wrestler of all time?
WR: Andy Kaufman.
MFO: Good choice, a Wrestler many youngsters may not know, mine was Mr Perfect. How was Darren Aronofsky to work with?
WR: Darren was cool. Very relaxed. He's a great director. It was fun.
MFO: He is making Robocop next, how fucking cool is that?
WR: Could be very cool. Especially if Robocop does an ass-to-ass scene with Jennifer Connelly.
MFO: Are there any films you are really looking forward to this year? We can't wait for Terminator Salvation.
WR: Watchmen. Wolfman. Anything that starts with W.
MFO: So you can't wait for 'White Sluts 4' then?. If you were reincarnated as a swear word what would it be?
WR: Jesus Fucking Christ
MFO: What roles have you got coming up?
WR: I'm playing the role of an actor looking for work in the upcoming project called My Life.
MFO: What is it like having your own page on IMDb and people stalk you through Facebook?
WR: It would be a lot cooler if you were a cute girl rather than a dude in a ski mask.
MFO: What do you think of Fuck Off Film?
WR: I think you people are doing God's work.
MFO: Funny that, I have always felt that God is doing my work. Who is your most famous friend?
WR: Billy Portman.
MFO: We sense your lack of enthusiasm, the questions are now longer than the answers so we will let you get back to life. One last thing, any message for all your fans out there?
WR: Stay in school or you'll end up living in your mother's basement writing about movies like these guys...
Well big thanks Willy, we truly appreciate you taking the time out to do this interview. If any of you little pricks have not seen the film get your fucking lazy ass to the cinema because this is one bad ass motherfucker of a movie and Big Willy steels the show.
Reader Comments (5)
That might be the best interview I've ever seen, anywhere, ever! Well done fucker!
Don't thank me, thank Willy
Willy you are without doubt a fucking legend. I hope you can join us again in the future. Mr F keep em coming motherfucker.
Good work!
Thanks for taking the time to talk about this, I feel fervently about this .
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