Next Factor: Garrett Hedlund
Despite roles in high-profile films ‘Troy’ and ‘Four Brothers,’ 26-year-old Garrett Hedlund says he still remains anonymous when walking the streets of L.A.
With a starring role in “TRON: Legacy” and co-starring spot in the upcoming “Country Strong,” Hedlund should prepare himself now for the stalkerazzi and inevitable clusterf**k that will now be his new life.
Disney
The Arizona-via-Minnesota native first gained notice as Patroclus, student of Brad Pitt’s Achilles in “Troy” before landing the role of Jack Mercer in John Singleton’s “Four Brothers.”
Hedlund has since graduated from support characters to Sam Flynn, the “Legacy” lead and son of original “TRON” protagonist Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges). “It was great to see that maniacal, young Jeff [Bridges] running around,” Hedlund said about his first time watching the 1982 original, at age 18. “I so wish I could have hung out with that guy.”
We hung out with Hedlund to get the scoop on his burgeoning career.
What was your first acting gig?
It wasn’t really a gig, but I did a school play for a canned food drive when I was 10 or 11. I got to play the bully in the classroom with a bandana around my head and just kicking the seat in front of me. I remember being in church the next Sunday and this lady saying, “I really enjoyed your performance.” I was dumbfounded.
What would you be doing now if you weren’t acting?
I’m not sure but when I was in Arizona, I worked at McDonald’s and did door-to-door coupon book selling where someone knocks on your door and tries to sell you a pile of paper for $27. In order to sell them, you’d have to come up with a real convincing story depending on if a mother answered the door or a younger couple or whatever. You had prepared speeches for all of them. I think that really helped me in the world of improvisation.
Do people recognize you on the street?
No.
Be honest: Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
It’s a great thing, man. When I go onto a set, people say, “I’m sorry. I haven’t seen you in anything before.” I feel I succeed more out here by not being recognized. You have to hope people enjoy the projects before you start worrying about being recognized on the street.
What was the first thing you bought with your first Hollywood paycheck?
When I got my first project, I was sleeping on a couch and Warner Bros. gave me an advance on my contract to try to get my life together, so I got my first apartment at 18. It’s the same apartment I’ve been in ever since. I come home and my neighbors have been the same ones I’ve had since I came to L.A.
New York or LA?
L.A. because I love New York so much that I wouldn’t want to live there and gain any bad memories.
Punk or Daft Punk?
Daft Punk.
Beer or wine?
Beer.
Mac or PC?
Oh, Mac definitely.
Twitter or Facebook?
Neither. I don’t do any of them.
There’s a fake Garrett Hedlund on Twitter.
People keep asking me why I don’t respond to them on Twitter and nobody can seem to believe that it’s not me. And they say, “Yeah it is. It’s your picture” and I’m like, “You’re such a fool.” As long as people know it’s not me, they can finally realize that this person’s silly and psychotic.
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