OnlineHost Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc.

OnlineHost Your emcee tonight is JudiDF (AOLiveMC11)

OnlineHost Eric Stoltz is not only one of the industry's most talented actors, but one of its most prolific. In recent years, he has starred in a number of very diverse and widely praised film projects, including United Artists' historic drama "ROB ROY," Quentin Tarantino's Oscar-winning hit "PULP FICTION" and the remake of Louisa May Alcott's classic "LITTLE WOMEN." Welcome!

AOLiveMC11: Welcome, Eric Stoltz!

EStoltz: Boy, I'm thrilled to be here. Although I'm not exactly sure where I am.

AOLiveMC11: Welcome to cyberspace. :)Eric, we already have mounds of questions from our audience? Are you ready to start answering?

EStoltz: Where is cyberspace, exactly? What subway stop?

AOLiveMC11: LOL. You're supposed to answer the questions, not ask them. :)

EStoltz: I feel like I've been asked if I'm ready to go to prison. I'm not sure why that is. I suppose that means I'm ready.

AOLiveMC11: Our first question is from JGotti187.

Question: What will be your next project?

EStoltz: Well, Mr. Gotti, with all due respect to you and your family members, all of whom I have always held in highest esteem, I'm doing a play in New York City, called "The Importance of Being Earnest" at the Irish Repertory theater. This play was written by Oscar Wilde, whom I believe is quite Italian. Sir.

AOLiveMC11: Next we hear from SGCJC...

Question: Hi Eric, In 1983 and 84, I used to bowl at the Picwood Bowling Alley every Sunday night. I was always with the same group of people, many of whom dressed as if they were stuck in the 60's. One member of my group had a particularly repulsive yet beautiful orange ball he called the love ball. Was it you who called it the puke ball?

EStoltz: What a terrifying thing memory is. Thank God mine is not very good. I *do* remember the orange bowling ball. I thought it belonged to a fellow named Walter Raymond. If it was called "The Puke Ball", I have no recollection who came up with that handle, and I can only hope that it wasn't me.

AOLiveMC11: From BJbohica:

Question: I heard you worked on a video with Yoko Ono? What was that about? By the way Jenn who you met while filming with Sky during that told me to say "Hi".

EStoltz: Oh, Jenn and Sky! I remember them as being uncommonly attractive. But the Yoko Ono video was for a benefit album of some sort, I think, and Peter Bogdonovich directed it. And Tate Donovan and I were in it, and Yoko was the sweetest woman I have ever had the privilege of hanging around on a video set with.

AOLiveMC11: This comes from NJM RAT:

Question: Who had the greatest influence in your life?

EStoltz: My grandfather.

AOLiveMC11: From Rgranch1:

Question: How much fun was it making Pulp Fiction

EStoltz: (Laughs) It was too much fun. It was a wild ride. It was a fun wild ride; a whacked out, exciting, fun, wild hard-to-explain-in-under-2-days wild ride.

AOLiveMC11: Also from NJM RAT:

Question: If you could not have been an actor, what would you prefer to do?

EStoltz: What if there were no hypothetical questions?

AOLiveMC11: A comment from CanesFans:

Comment: I loved him in "Mask."

EStoltz: Thank you. Thanks very much.

AOLiveMC11: From I am 4694:

Question: Are you in any movies, in the near future and how would you describe your perfect day?

EStoltz: I'm in a film now called "Grace of my Heart" and I have a film opening September 27th called "Two Days in the Valley," and I'm in a great big fun adventure film next year called "Anaconda." My perfect day is constantly changing. Right now, it would be to lie around in a hammock reading with a portable phone and a table of food next to it. I would spend all day there. And that's all that I can possibly come up with on the spur of the moment.

AOLiveMC11: A non-question from Solwish:

Question: Bet this is the career goal you've been shooting for, AOL's Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle.

EStoltz: Well this is as good an opportunity as any to run a little test: "Hell" "damn" "piss" "breast".

AOLiveMC11: Ack!

EStoltz: Just wanted to see how censorship is handled on the Internet.

AOLiveMC11: :::recovering::: The next question is from Kred1:

Question: Are you married?

EStoltz: No, I'm not.

AOLiveMC11: From ASAP4ME:

Question: I was wondering if you and Mr. Tarantino are having any other plans in the future?

EStoltz: Not that I know of, but Quentin does tend to touch down in peoples' lives a bit like a tornado touches down somewhere in the Midwest, so you never know.

AOLiveMC11: From Arionrhod:

Question: Did you move to Los Angeles or New York to get into the business?

EStoltz: Yes, I moved to both cities to get into the business. And I still spend a great deal of time in both cities, although I now live in a rather remote area of New Mexico.

AOLiveMC11: Deni1226 wants to know:

Question: Eric, I loved you in "Mask" and "Don't Look Back," only to mention a few. What was your favorite movie to make and why?

EStoltz: My favorite film is always the one that I'm publicizing right now. And the reason why is just because it's just easier for everyone involved.

AOLiveMC11: From CLBrownel:

Question: You have been called brave among other things for your extensive nude scene in "Haunted Summer." How do you feel about onscreen frontal nudity and that scene in particular?

EStoltz: (Laughs) First of all, who called me brave? Are you sure he was an American? It could've been a Communist. One can never be too careful. And, B) I love onscreen nudity, especially if it is someone else that is nude. If it is integral to the story, and to the character then, to me, it is a litmus test of an actor's commitment to a role and ability to rise above his or her or society's hangups about the human body. In "Haunted Summer" I was playing the poet Shelley, who loved to bathe and swim in the nude. It wouldn't have made much sense for me to be frolicking about under a waterfall in Italy in a waistcoat and boots. Although, I must say, I do enjoy gratuitous nudity as long as it's purely exploitative.

AOLiveMC11: From JACOB7JOE:

Question: Do you know Robert DeNiro?

EStoltz: I know his work. And I've shook his hand. But he is such a private man, that I've already said too much.

AOLiveMC11: Another frontal question. This time from JSeiden94:

Question: What was the point of "Naked in New York," how did you get Katherine Turner to appear, and why the gratuitous frontal scene at the end?

EStoltz: Well, the point of any movie is to tell a story. Some people get the story of "Naked In New York" and some people are clearly baffled. I had nothing to do with getting Kathleen Turner, the question is more appropriate to her or the director, and the nude scene had a great deal to do with the title of the film which was "Naked in New York," as opposed to "Clothed in New York," and had everything to do with a young man finally facing up to adulthood, which was represented in a dream, in a rather Jungian way, that is probably too complex for me to try to explain to someone who feels that it was simply gratuitous.

AOLiveMC11: From Letheward:

Question: Q for Eric: I saw you last week on Comedy Central's Daily Show (good job with the "5 questions," by the way). You mentioned that, although you don't have a TV, you do have monitor on which you watch movies. What sort of films do you prefer? (current/old? genre?).

EStoltz: My favorite films change weekly. Lately I've been into old John Ford, Howard Hawks, Billy Wilder. I guess I prefer films that were made pre-1970. They seem to hold a special magic for me, I'm not quite sure why. I also prefer watching them on laserdisk. I find the quality much better.

AOLiveMC11: From MICKEEDOG:

Question: Do you have any pets like a dog or a cat?

EStoltz: I have several dogs and several cats who aren't really mine. In fact, they think that I am theirs. I'd like to have some goats and chickens, but I travel around too much.

AOLiveMC11: Llama106 asks:

Question: Eric, loved you in "Mask," "The Waterdance" was, also, great! Have you ever been involved with Helen Hunt?

EStoltz: What do you mean "involved"?

AOLiveMC11: A comment from Solwish...

Question: If it matters, my wife thinks your a great actor. (she's from Osaka, Japan.) Stay cool and be happy!

EStoltz: Thanks.

AOLiveMC11: Letheward asks:

Question: Q: Many actors say: "What I really want to do is direct." Have you had any thoughts of stepping behind the camera? (If you already have directed, please forgive my ignorance!)

EStoltz: I'm thoughtful about that issue. I've been offered a few things to direct, but nothing that really set my soul on fire. Someday I may, but for now I'm trying to be happy with what I'm doing.

AOLiveMC11: From MightyDot:

Question: I thought that your performance as a quadriplegic was astounding. What did you do to prepare yourself for that role?

EStoltz: Oh goodness, Well, I stayed in a wheelchair for several months. I spent some time at the actual hospital talking to people who are actually living the experience. But even that research wasn't nearly enough. I don't think anyone can really understand that experience unless they live through it and I can only make a stab at an approximation. In fact, the whole issue of researching a role is something I hate to read about. So I should shut up now.

AOLiveMC11: From Stoltzin2:

Question: Greetings and Pago Pago! :) Hello Eric, we would like to know if you're going to be in "The Prophecy 2" and how you liked working with Christopher Walken in "The Prophecy?" Thank you! Sandra and Heather.

EStoltz: Hi Sandra and Heather! I am not going to be in "The Prophecy 2." I *loved* working with Christopher Walken, he is one of my favorite actors and, in fact, I think he is one of America's favorite actors.

AOLiveMC11: From GeeH77:

Question: Really enjoyed you in "Mask." I'm a long-time fan of CHER. Can you give a little insight to your perception of the "real" Cher? Thank you.

EStoltz: Good Lord. Cher seems, to me, to be totally up front with who she is. She is totally uncensored, speaks her mind, expresses her feelings (at the moment she thinks or feels them) which is a fabulous thing to be around, and if I knew the real, secretive part of Cher, I certainly couldn't talk about it over the Internet!

AOLiveMC11: From MarcEdito:

Question: Eric, what was it like working with Helen Hunt and Paul Reiser on ,"Mad About You?" You did a super job, by the way! Thanks!

EStoltz: It was great fun. It was *really* great fun. In fact, I hear that Helen's going to be pregnant this year, and I think it would be a fabulous idea if it was *my* child, not Paul's. Of course, that may push the show into a rather dark area ;) I somehow doubt that NBC would go for it. I'll have to run that by my good friend Paul Reiser.

AOLiveMC11: From ASAP4ME:

Question: Hey Eric, where do you originate from? What town and state?

EStoltz: I'm not quite sure. I spent some time on an island in the South Pacific called American Samoa, and I was also raised in Santa Barbara, California.

AOLiveMC11: From Stoltzin2:

Question: Hi Eric! You are my favorite actor and I would like to know if you have a website or fan club. Thanks! Sandra.

EStoltz: Sandra, Sandra, it's Friday night! You should be out with Heather at a bar! :) As far as I know, I don't have a website or a fan club, and I kind of like it like that.

AOLiveMC11: From NJM RAT:

Question: The role you wish you got but didn't is?

EStoltz: Hmm. Boy, that's a tough question. I was up for Michael Corleone in "The Godfather", but, as I was only 10 at the time, I think Mr. Coppola made the right choice. The Julia Roberts role in "Pretty Woman" held a bizarre allure for me. But, it's silly to look back with regret...

AOLiveMC11: From NEAUX:

Question: I saw the movie "Killing Zoe" it was great. Was it a French movie ?

EStoltz: (Laughs) For some reason that question makes me laugh. It was as American as a Tofuburger. We shot it in Los Angeles, the director was the very talented Roger Avery who, I believe, is in possession of a green card. There were subtitles in the film, that's true, but, as they were in French, I'm still not sure what they meant. I'm just being silly here, you know, I hope you all are as serious about nonsense as I am! :)

AOLiveMC11: From RodLA...

Question: Any plans to play in Los Angeles

EStoltz: I love playing in Los Angeles. In fact, it's really the only thing worth doing in Los Angeles. Ideally, I'd like to get *paid* to play in Los Angeles, but that may be pushing it.

AOLiveMC11: From MarcEdito:

Question: Eric, who was your favorite actor/actress to work with in "Two Days in the Valley?" Good luck with everything!

EStoltz: Well thank you, Marc. I can't really choose favorites, Marc, I hope you understand. Let's just say I adored them all, and I'm friends with them all, so rather than hurt anyone's feelings, I'll just give you a bland answer.

AOLiveMC11: From DJSRWE:

Question: Eric, What type of music do you like? You seem to be the type that would like alternative music?

EStoltz: I like all kinds of music. I have a 100 CD player that functions rather like a jukebox, and I have it divided up into sections, the first 10 is classical, the second 10 are jazz, the third 10 are rock, the fourth, alternative, the fifth, world music, and so on and so forth.

AOLiveMC11: From Miami1602:

Question: Eric Stoltz is my favorite actor. I would like to know what his all time favorite movie is?

EStoltz: I'm beginning to suspect that either everyone who subscribes to AOL is very polite and loving and generous, or that someone is picking and choosing these question to make sure I don't get sent anything that has to do with anything dirty, political, or painful. If only I had such a system in my real life, I think I'd be a much happier, if homogenized, man ;) and my favorite movie is always the one that hasn't come out yet, because I'm still hopeful that it will be a great work and not yet disappointed.

AOLiveMC11: Nope, I'm filtering out the duplicates only, you have a lot of fans here. :)

AOLiveMC11: Including Nuchinooc.

Question: I've admired your work. What are the factors that cause you to choose a role?

EStoltz: Well, Nuchinooc, it would be easier for me to accept that compliment if you had a more somber sounding handle. ;) My criteria shift constantly. I choose a role occasionally based on the story itself or the director involved, or the vast amounts of money that I'm offered, or sometimes I simply have indigestion, and it's just easier to say" yes" to something.

AOLiveMC11: From Montydee:

Question: Eric, was the makeup for the movie "Mask" uncomfortable? How long did it take to apply? You were awesome ! How was it working with Cher?

EStoltz: That's a very vast question. The "Mask" makeup took three and a half hours. Luckily it was applied by a fabulous Hungarian makeup man by the name of Zoltan, whom we all dubbed "Zoltan the Magnificent". Zoltan owns several kayaks, as well as his Oscar and a few Emmys. Cher was great too.

AOLiveMC11: A trivia question from QUELIN...

Question: You're doing "The Importance of Being Earnest." Yahoo. What's your name at the *end* of the play?

EStoltz: Algernon Montcrieff.

AOLiveMC11: From Sk68:

Question: When will your show premiere in NYC?

EStoltz: In October, and it will run until December.

AOLiveMC11: From Willmst:

Question: Eric, how was it to work on "Memphis Belle?" It sounds like a hoot. I love airplanes and I think you did a great job in the movie. By the way, I loved watching it!

EStoltz: It was a hoot! "Hoot" is the perfect word to describe it! "Hoot" is a word that is not used nearly enough these days. I had a blast on that film, and I'm still friends with several of the guys that were in it, and we were actually allowed to fly those airplanes, until one of then crashed, and the producer wisely revoked those privileges.

AOLiveMC11: At last, a political question from Letheward:

Question: If you were Bob Dole, would you apologize to Quentin Tarantino?

EStoltz: (Laughs) If I was Bob Dole, I wouldn't *dare* to take the movie industry to task, especially when it's clear that our government is in bed with so much big business and is doing so much harm to the environment. I think he needs to take the log out of his own eye before he tries to remove the splinter out of Quentin's.

AOLiveMC11: Unfortunately, we only have time for one more question...

AOLiveMC11: From Thomps321:

Question: I'm an NYU film professor who happens to be a great admirer of your work. Would you consider speaking to my class if you're in the New York area?

EStoltz: I would consider it, although I'm quite busy with the play I'm doing. You can certainly write to my publicist, which is Huvane Baum Halls, Public relations 8383 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

AOLiveMC11: Thanks for joining us tonight and answering our audience questions, Eric Stoltz!

EStoltz: Well, it was my pleasure! Good night!

AOLiveMC11: Good night, everyone!

OnlineHost Thanks for joining us in the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle this evening. Remember, Oldsmobile brings an exciting guest online every Monday through Friday, and transcripts from the events can be downloaded using keywords: "Oldsmobile" or "AOL Live" within 24 hours after the event has ended.

OnlineHost Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc.