Vince Vaughn: US Magazine

US Interview
March 1997
By Josh Rottenberg

Shooting has ended on Steven Spielberg's hotly anticipated Jurassic Park sequel, The Lost World, and Vince Vaughn, who plays a nature photographer in the film, has returned to his native Chicago with a cold as nasty as a velociraptor. "I don't know why," Vaughn croaks, "but I always get sick as soon as I'm done with a movie."

Then again, with the whirlwind he has been riding, the 26-year-old is lucky he's not in traction. Not long ago, Vaughn was just another Hollywood bottom feeder with a handful of blink-and-you-missed-it credits on his resume. His appearance in the 1993 football film Rudy was so brief, his parents could identify him only by the number 44 on his jersey. Then along comes Swingers, a low-budget comedy about a group of sad-SAG-wannabe actors who spend their evenings prowling nightclubs like extras in an old Rat Pack movie, trying to win over "honey babies" with their hepcat vibe. As their smooth-talking ringleader, Trent, Vaughn was slicker than a sharkskin suit, dropping Sinatra-worthy lines like, "You're money - any of these ladies would be lucky to pull a cat like you." The film was a surprise hit, and quicker than you could say "Hold for Mr. Spielberg," Vaughn found himself the toast of Hollywood. Now, with his roles in The Lost World and the upcoming drama The Locusts, with Ashley Judd, the actor's career is definitely on the upswing. Cold or no cold, the guy is money.

On the set of 'The Lost World,' did you teach Spielberg to talk like a Swinger?

[Laughs, coughs] No, not really. Now that Swingers has come out, if I ever say any of those expressions, I get looks and glares.

What was your first break starting out?

When I was in high school, I got a national Chevrolet commercial - "The Heartbeat of America" - and I thought my career was made. I moved out to Los Angeles when I was 18. I didn't know what the big agencies were, so I called up ICM and said, "I hear you're good, so I'll definitely meet with you," They said, "We only represent movie stars. There's nothing we can do for you." I said, "I understand. I'm not sure I'm going with you, either." [laughs, coughs] I just couldn't fathom it. I kept hounding them until finally they recommended me to a smaller agency. And it was a rude awakening for the next seven years - one year working a lot, the next year getting just one job. It was a very difficult outcome that I'd expected.

Was there a particular low point for you?

The worst would be if you screen-tested and it would come down to you and a couple of people for something that could change your life and you didn't get it. You'd really get a pit in your stomach for a couple of days, because you'd realize you were that close; it was a coin flip. And one of them would get it and you'd see how it would change their life.

How closely did you life during those years resemble Trent's?

The Dresden Room and the Three of Clubs - those were places near where I lived, so I'd go there sometimes and hang out and drink. And I've always liked flirting with girls and things like that. But Trent was kind of a spoof on a lot of guys I've known. These people come to Los Angeles and their intention is to become actors, but they end up being cool hangers-on at a bar. They recreate an identity for themselves. Somehow, it satisfies some celebrity need in them to be able to go to a bar and not wait in line and have everyone know who they are.

How has having Trent out there in the world affected your own relationships with women?

I haven't had a lot of negative responses from women. I think they understand that Trent's just an innocent, immature guy who's pretty much a good soul. And Trent's moves are a little different from mine. I'm not one for pickup lines.

Do you think it's better to date someone in the industry or outside the industry?

Out of it. The entertainment industry can become like a bad high-school clique. I've always been a sucker for the local girls: the girl putting herself through school by working at the bowling alley, bringing people drinks. It shows a lot of character. I've never been overly attracted to actresses.

What's the worst part of being tagged a hot young actor?

I don't know, man. This has been such a fast ride for me, I don't have a lot of perspective on it yet. My biggest concern has been not to let my press get ahead of my work. You don't want to be in magazines reflecting on how you're this actor when you only have one movie out and two in the can. When the hype gets ahead of the work, it can hurt the acting side of it. Then it becomes a very different thing.

Do you worry that when 'The Lost World' comes out, the hype will become overwhelming?

I never really gave a damn about that. If it happens to a point that I can't stand, maybe I'll walk away from it. It's never been my focus, so I don't know how it will affect me. I'm taking it as it comes.