NEWS

February 26, 2012

Congratulations to THE ARTIST !!!!

I am so very happy that The Artist won Best Picture and Michel won Best Director and Jean won Best Actor.

It is a great film and they are great people. I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with them, and so excited to have had a part in an Oscar winning movie.

Thank you to Heidi Levitt for casting me in it.

It also won Best Music and Best Costumes.

Tonight is a great night.

 

January 31, 2012

Thrilled and excited to report that the brilliant team at FX's hit series
"Justified" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1489428/) saw fit to create a
recurring role for me.

Harvey Jones is the County Clerk in Harlan, Tennessee and he's on the take,
baby. I shot two episodes this month and there's hope he'll return for next
season. Cross your fingers, your toes, your eyes and heart that ol' Harvey will
return.

In fact, why not start a letter-writing campaign? Yeah. Do that.

Send it to:

Producers
"Justified"
Woodridge Productions, Inc.
25135 Anza Drive
Stage 6
Santa Clarita, CA 91355

Don't tell them I sent you.
And wait till after my episode has aired!
Seem kinda obvious if dozens of fan letters arrived before I premiered.

The shoot was a dream. It's definitely an actor's set. Probably helps
that Timothy Olyphant is one of the Producers. Sometimes people listen to
actors on the set and other times they only listen to the stars. It was
clear from the outset that this group of people not only listen to the
actors, but actually allow their input. The script changes a lot during
filming. Or, at least, ours did. It's like they know and respect the
actors' process and realize that we can shed light on things previously
unconsidered.

Both of my directors (Tony Goldwin -
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001282/ and Gwyneth Horder-Payton -
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0394586/) were ready, willing and able to go
whichever direction I chose for Harvey.

I'd love to spill the beans about the scenes themselves and what happens,
but, obviously, I can't do that. So watch all of "Justified" (Tuesdays at
10pm on FX) to catch me. (But be sure especially NOT to miss the episodes
called "Loose Ends" - episode #309 and "Guy Walks Into A Bar" -
episode #310)!

And remember, write the producers after the first one airs!
Maybe, I'll become a regular!

In other news, "The Artist" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1655442/) is
continuing to kick the awards-season's ass!

Michel Hazanavicius (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0371890/),
Berenice Bejo (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067367/) and
Jean Dujardin (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0067367/)
are cleaning up! It's so great, too, when you consider that absolutely
nobody thought this film would go the distance like this. Anyone other
than, perhaps, the genius that is Harvey Weinstein (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005544/). Man, that guy knows what
the holy crap he's doing!

Here's hoping The Artist goes all the way!
It's looking really, really good.

Again, keep your fingers, toes, eyes and heart crossed for all this
potentially good news!

Thanks for reading.
Now, go back to watching my movies!

 

January 2, 2012

Really happy to see THE ARTIST getting so much positive attention. I've
done over 40 films now and this is the first one that's engendered so many
comments. I've gotten dozens of emails and Facebook postings saying
A) how much they loved the film and B) how much they enjoyed my performance
in it.

The premiere was a blast. I took my good buddy Lisa Hamil to what I thought
was just a general cast/crew screening but it turned out to be the actual
premiere. Harvey Weinstein was there and he told a funny story about how
when he first bought the film after a private viewing for "X million
dollars" his brother Bob was, to say the least, a bit reticent.

"You paid how much for it?"
"X million."
"And it's in black and white?"
"Yes."
"And it's a silent film?"
"Yes..."
"I don't know, Harvey. I think we have to pass this by the Board."
"I didn't even know we HAD a Board of Directors!"

Needless to say, Harvey's instincts did not let him down. Again.
Very lucky to be attached to such a brilliant piece. And nobody knew
(other than Harvey Weinstein, perhaps) that this little film would do so
well.

Shooting it was a dream. Hardly anybody in charge spoke any English and
Berenice and I played out our scene improvising in two different languages.
She told me at the premiere that our scene was actually the first scene with
dialogue that she shot and she wanted me to know that I'd made it so much
fun for her and that she was grateful. Sure, Ms. Bejo. YOU'RE grateful.
I'm the one that got to sit there and play off your beautiful face for two
hours! With James Conroy and Jean Dujardin behind you. And you're
grateful.
Really hope it takes the Oscar.

Since I clearly won't be winning anything for my disappearance in "J.
Edgar".

December 2011

This happened. :)

For "Breath of Hate"

November 27, 2011

The day after Thanksgiving and "The Artist" is open.

I have a small but memorable part that has generated more emails from my friends than any other part I've ever had.

So far the film has gotten good reviews and even some whispers of Oscar nominations.

Go see it. Enjoy.

 

October 26, 2011

Well. That happened.

All finished with the production of SOUTH STREET at the Pasadena Playhouse.

To say it was challenging is cheap and easy. I've never worked so hard on a show in my entire life.

The reviews were specific in their studied critiques and unanimously lauded the brilliant cast.

If there were problems with the show, they had nothing to do with the players.

I'm very proud to have made my Pasadena Playhouse debut. It's one of the most awarded and recognized regional theatres in the country and is the “State Theatre of California”. Didn't even know we had one. Does every state? I'm thinking, no.

While I'm really glad to have my life back, I'll miss the incredibly tight knit cast more than I've ever missed any company. They were all, with no smoke blown, the best group of people I've ever been lucky enough to work with. I can't wait for the opportunity to share the stage with any one of them again.

So. Now I'm looking for work again.

Living the life of a professional actor is about constantly finding work. It's crazy. The work itself is a breeze. It's all the other shite you have to do that gnaws at you.

Here's a poster of an upcoming indie film I shot in Trona, California this last Spring. Google Map Trona and take a brief tour. The place is incredible. Haven't seen the film yet, but I'm hearing really good stuff. Love the poster. Click for larger image.

So. Cool. More when I get around to it, I guess.

Keep the questions coming, yo.

Yours, Ezra

---------------------------------------

September 2011

Ezra Performs at Pasadena Playhouse

Ezra is now in rehearsals for South Street, which will be the first production of the Pasadena Playhouse since their reopening. South Street will premier on September 16th. It is a new and original musical and he is excited to be creating the role of Arnie.