May 25, 2005 |
Criminal Intent Cop Needs Nap Time
by Bruce Fretts
TV Guide: How has it been going against Housewives?
Vincent D'Onofrio: We don't f---ing care. No. 2 is better than No. 1. The fact that our show holds up on Sunday — which is the biggest night — is amazing. You take Housewives off, we're No. 1. TVG: Do you look at Chris' joining as competition?
D'Onofrio: Oh, god, no. I actually can't imagine being in Chris' situation. I'm sure the pressure will be [intense] — he's coming into a show that's already successful. TVG: Any truth to the report that you collapsed on set because you were distraught over the presidential election?
D'Onofrio: I wasn't happy about Kerry not winning, but we all had a big laugh when that article came out. I ended up in the hospital because I was shooting this and I was working on a film I directed over the summer. I was exhausted. TVG: You've always said you wanted to be a character actor in films.
D'Onofrio: I never wanted to be a leading man. Look at me, for f---'s sake. I'm not a leading man. TVG: So why did you sign on to star in a TV series?
D'Onofrio: [Law & Order creator] Dick Wolf bamboozled me into it. He pitched a hell of a series. TVG: You're famous for doing the "Goren lean." How'd you come up with that move?
D'Onofrio: In the first episode, the guest actor wouldn't look up at me. So I just bent all the way over and found his eyes. I knew I was on to something because everybody said, "What did he just do? That's kinda weird." Dick was on set, and he was the only one who said, "This is gonna make the show!" TVG: Why do viewers either love or hate Goren?
D'Onofrio: I talk to people who just can't stand my character. They think he's awful — you know, with the bending and the weird way he talks and his emotional instability. But then the next person thinks he's the most intense guy on TV. So you've just got to go for it as an actor. You can't be afraid to make an ass of yourself.
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