Garrett Hedlund in an interview
Newcomer Garrett Hedlund traveled around the world for the movie "On The Road" - and fell in love with his colleague Kirsten Dunst.
Blond beau with Swedish roots
JOY: They play the lead role in the movie adaptation of Jack Kerouac's famous cult novel "On The Road."
Photo: Getty Images
How did you react when you learned that you were getting this much sought-after part?
Garrett Hedlund: I'll never forget this day! Already in May 2007, I spoke for the film. On my 23rd birthday on September 3rd, I was on my way to L.A. after attending the premiere of my thriller "Death Sentence" in New York. I had to stop in Chicago, had a cold and felt miserable.
During the stop, my dad called and sang a "Happy Birthday" serenade. After that I already felt better. At the gate I got word that I got the role in "On the Road". The whole flight from Chicago to L.A. I beamed from ear to ear. When I arrived at the destination, I learned that my father had suffered a heart attack shortly after our phone call. These 24 hours were a single ascent and descent.
What happened next?
Luckily, my dad survived the heart attack and I had the role, but filming did not start until 2010 because the funding was not up. Fittingly, I too was broke. But the wait paid off, because the shooting turned out to be a trip of my life! We filmed around the world from Montreal to Argentina, Chile, New Orleans, Arizona, Mexico and San Francisco. The last word fell on my 26th birthday. So I was busy with this movie for almost three years.
In love with Kirsten Dunst
Your stamina has paid off twice. On set you got to know and love your colleague Kirsten Dunst. How did it happen?
The shoots welded us together incredibly. My co-stars were my family for six months. This is of course the case with almost every film and after a month, the next project will be released, including a new crew family. But the relationship between Kirsten and me was of a different quality.
In the music film "Country Strong, " co-star Gwyneth Paltrow said, "Fame and love can not co-exist." Do you agree?
When I read the script in 2010, I immediately asked myself this question. I hope you can make a career in Hollywood and still be happy with your dream girl. But if I had to choose, I would love 100%!
How did your career get started?
As a kid, nobody would have predicted a Hollywood career for me. My parents divorced when I was two years old, and I grew up with my brother Nathaniel and my sister Amanda at my father's on a Minnesota farm - two hours' drive away from the nearest town of Wannaska, a village with only two traffic lights,
Our neighbors lived three miles away. My siblings and I were the first in the school bus and got out the last - the ride lasted forever. After school, I usually jumped on the tractor immediately, because field work, hay harvesting and feeding cows, pigs and turkeys were part of my daily duties.
Collaboration with Brad Pitt
What influence did this lonely childhood have on you?
I developed a very lively imagination and even had imaginary friends (laughs). Exciting books and films have always fascinated me. At the age of 14, I moved to Phoenix with my mother - with Hollywood within easy reach: only one and a half flight hours away.
For three years I flew to Hollywood for job interviews and returned to school in Phoenix the next day. I worked as a waiter and invested all my salary in a drama coach.
When did you first succeed in the casting?
2004 for "Troy". I played the cousin of Brad Pitt's movie character Achilles. While my friends were graduating, I was in Malta at 18 and did my first movie - and a huge Hollywood production.
How was Brad Pitt to you?
Very nice. He told me how lucky I was with my acting debut, because few films are so elaborate. After the great success of "Troy" I was prophesied that I was the next Steve McQueen or Robert Redford. In fact, I was sitting on my couch in Hollywood, waiting for offers next to a dumb phone. I still own this sofa today (laughs). It should always remind me that you have to work hard for success and nothing is given to you!
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