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Sandwiched between Legends...

"These guys had worked together so many times and there was not a single take that Walter didn’t crack Jack up. Jack laughed on every take. It was unbelievable! And, Walter wasn’t doing anything. Just looking at him. And Jack would break up - every single time, every take though the entire film. Watching them work was just a privilege. "
Brent Spiner (Out to Sea)

"BACK STAGE PASS: A Conversation with Brent Spiner

Fox Movie Channel: Can you tell us about the first time you met Walter Matthau?

Brent Spiner: Well, the first time I met Walter was very memorable. I’m not sure it was memorable for him, but it was something I had anticipated for weeks. The idea of going to work with Walter and Jack Lemmon and Donald Connor and Elaine Stretch and Dyan Cannon and Gloria DeHaven and Rue MacClanahan…. But, particularly Walter. He was a comic god and hero of mine, so I was really nervous and excited about it.

We first met at a table reading, but we didn’t really talk. I was too nervous to speak. But, a friend of mine knew Walter and said he was huge film trivia buff. So I said, "Great", that will be the icebreaker.

The first day I worked with him on the set, we shared a car. I thought, "I’m gonna break the ice here." And I said, "Walter? Who played Friar Tuck in Errol Flynn’s ROBIN HOOD?" And, he looked at me and he said, "Why do you ask me that?" And I said, "Well, I thought you knew everything." He laughed and said, "Well, no. I only know spelling and how to lose money." So, I felt like a complete fool opening up this trivia nonsense.

Anyway, we did the day’s work and I didn’t see him for another couple of weeks. I was working and he wasn’t. Two weeks later we had another scene together and I was already on the set rehearsing when Walter came straight up to me and said, "Eugene Palette". And, I thought, "I love this guy." So, that was the first experience I had with him.

Fox Movie Channel: Walter frequently played the rough, growly, slouchy guy on screen. How do you think that compares to his personality off screen?

Brent Spiner: He was growly and slouchy, but he was also an intellectual. He was a bright man. Incredibly alert and aware of everything. But, in terms of being gruff that was sort of the show. There was pretty much a marshmallow inside.

My memory and feeling from Walter has always been gratitude, just for his kindness to me.

Fox Movie Channel: Do you have a role that you think came kind of close to the real Walter Matthau?

Brent Spiner: Well, in a way, I think almost every role that Walter played was close to Walter. I don’t think he stopped to analyze what he was doing. That Actor’s Studio number on the performance. He really just came from truth and tried to make it as honest as he could.

You see a lot of Walter in everything: the serious roles and the comic roles. One of my favorites Walter Matthau performances is CHARADE because he walks the fine line between both of them. He’s the villain and actually kind of scary, but he’s also kind of funny.

Fox Movie Channel: Was there any particular moments during OUT TO SEA where you had special directions with Walter?

Brent Spiner: There were times he would turn to me before we’d do a scene and say, "This isn’t funny. Rewrite it for us." And, I’d rewrite it and he’d say, "This isn’t funny either. Let’s do it the way it was written."

Fox Movie Channel: What was the dynamic between Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon?

Brent Spiner: It wasn’t the dynamic I expected. I expected Jack to be the dominant force in the team. But, Walter was the dominating figure.

Jack would say something, or do a bit and Walter would say, "Are you going to do that". Jack would say, "Yeah, why?" And Walter would say, " ‘Cause it’s not funny." And Jack would say, "What should I do?" And, Walter would tell him. And, that’s what they’d do.

Fox Movie Channel: Did they ever crack each other up?

Brent Spiner: These guys had worked together so many times, and there was not a single take that Walter didn’t crack Jack up. Jack laughed on every take. It was unbelievable. And, Walter wasn’t doing anything. Just looking at him. And Jack would break up every single time, every take though the entire film. Watching them work was just a privilege.

Fox Movie Channel: Jack Lemmon spoke about how often Walter would ad-lib on set. Did he do that with you?

Brent Spiner: In almost every scene I worked with him, I would hear dialogue that I’d never heard before. But, I didn’t feel I had the luxury to lose it. I thought, "You know, I need this job, so I’m not going to cost them film here. Let Walter be the one to do it."

Fox Movie Channel: Can you tell us of an instance when you were surprised by his kindness?

Brent Spiner: He invited me to the ceremony at Mann’s Chinese Theater when he got his hands placed in cement.

Fox Movie Channel: Can you describe what getting his star was like?

Brent Spiner: He wore a suit and goofy sneakers. I think he didn’t want to mess up nice shoes, so he wore a pair of goofy sneakers. But, he probably wore those all the time.

Fox Movie Channel: Did he give you any acting advice?

Brent Spiner: He would say, "Brent Spiner. Brent Spiner, you got to change your name." I said, "Well I think it’s too late for that, Walter. He said, "No, no, no, believe me you got to change your name." I said, "Well, what should I change my name to?" And he said, "Brent Lemon Jello." I said, "I don’t know." He said, "What about Brent Orange Jello…You can say it like Orangello or Mamagello." That’s Walter.