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Art Over Fame? Shaw Enough!
by Larry Worth
New York Post
June 17, 1998
Fame isn't necessarily the name of the game, at least for the likes of Robert Sean Leonard.
"Part of an actor's creative death is their fame," Leonard says matter-of-factly. "Of course, it's a double-edged sword, because it also gets you roles.
"If I hadn't been in "Dead Poets Society,' I couldn't have called Roundabout Theater Company artistic director Todd Haimes and asked about putting on this George Bernard Shaw play that I happen to love."
Sure enough, a Shaw comedy of manners, "You Never Can Tell," opens Sunday at the Roundabout, thanks largely to Leonard. Not so coincidentally, he's among its ensemble cast.
But if Leonard has celebrity clout, one wouldn't know it from talking to him. The 29-year-old New Jersey native is as down-to-earth as they come.
"Maybe it's growing up and always getting your butt kicked as "the little brother'" he says. "My family always kept me grounded. My parents saw the play the other day and we went for dinner afterward. They said: "The show's good. You were charming. And did you hear that your nephew went to his first carnival yesterday?' It's perfect."
So it's no surprise to hear that the laid-back Leonard has lived in the same Greenwich Village apartment for 10 years, dines mostly on pizza and constantly uses his New York City Public Library card. And his idea of a really romantic evening? Making a big pot of coffee and watching all 12 episodes of "Brideshead Revisited."
That's not exactly a dream date for girlfriend Gabriella, a graduate student at Columbia University (where Leonard also attends classes). But the two agree on their preference for dumpling eateries over celeb-soaked hangouts such as Balthazar.
Leonard has a history of avoiding hot spots, even when he dated Gwyneth Paltrow in '94. The pair kept a consistently low profile, right through their parting of the ways.
"It was the funniest breakup I've ever had," he laughs. "We were in her apartment, figured we shouldn't see each other anymore, and within five minutes she was saying, "You know who you'd like? I have this friend'... Gwyneth's a bit of a yenta, but she's a great, great friend."
So is Ethan Hawke, Leonard's co-star in "Dead Poets Society." The New York-based pals formed a theater company in '89, still attend basketball games on a regular basis and get together at occasional social events - such as when Hawke recently tied the knot with Uma Thurman.
"I was sort of dreading their wedding," he says. "But they only had about 40 people. It was so peaceful and beautiful - like having a really nice dinner with friends."
Leonard's avoidance of premieres and the like means he's rarely recognized on the street. And his professional choices - at least after "Dead Poets Society" - also have helped maintain anonymity.
Specifically, he's taken one stage role after another. In addition, his taste in films hasn't proven commercial.
"I'm attracted to work that doesn't get a lot of attention or sell a lot of tickets," he says. "My favorite movie last year was 'The Ice Storm'. What does that tell you? If I read the scripts for 'Ice Storm' and "Titanic,' it wouldn't be a tough decision."
Leonard actually did read the "Titanic" script, having auditioned for the boyfriend role that went to Billy Zane. He walked away when realizing that he couldn't make the character three-dimensional.
"Don't get me wrong," Leonard says. "If I had a wife and child and had to pay my bills, I'd do 'Titanic' in a second. But if I have a choice, I'll always go with the work over the possibility of money and fame."
