The Facts

Name: Muse Watson

Birth Date: July 20, 1948

Birth Place: Alexandria, Louisiana, USA

His Big Break: Played Ben Willis in I Know What You Did Last Summer [1997]

Sharlene Hartley: You’re mostly known for your role as Ben Willis in the horror flick I Know What You Did Last Summer. How did you get the part?
Muse Watson: I think they may have been down to the wire. Originally, it seemed real important for the actor playing Ben to show both sides of Ben. That would have made it more difficult to cast. Ben, the father of a daughter he loved very much, and Ben, the man over the edge after his daughter was killed in a car driven by a drunk teen. I auditioned in Los Angeles, playing a piece of both sides of Ben. It was fed-xed to North Carolina, where the production company was set up, and within a week, I was cast. As the filming progressed, it seemed to me to be less important for Ben to show both sides, but I played him as originally planned in my mind.

Did you have fun playing the role of Ben?
I had a blast. I practiced everyday with the hook until I was like a surgeon. The boat was great fun, because I have always liked shrimp boats better than yachts. I spent alot of my time on the set, because the producers and the cast thought it would be nice to have me on the side lines as a menace. That gave me lots of time with everyone.

Did you have fun with your cast and crew members?
I did. I spent a lot of time with the cast. It was very exciting to work with an entire cast of actors who were moving up. The crew was very familiar to me, because I had made my start in the business in North Carolina and I knew a lot of them, so that was very nice.

What did you all do for fun?
We went to movies, walked on the beach, and went to dinner.

Did you do film all of the scenes or did you have a stuntman for some?
I had some of the best stunt guys in the business, Stunts Unlimited. We were able to share the scenes so well, it looks as if I am doing it all. For instance, [in I Know...], on the boat the fight sequences are mine, the ride on the accellerator up the mast was mine, then Bobby Brown does a free fall, hanging by one foot. I was then put in the rig to swing by one leg back and forth across the boat. Then the fall in the water was back to the stunt team.

Were the special effects hard or easy to create?
They were hard for me on the first one. It seemed like I was turning my hands and body in side out so that the camera could get some weird angle to create the effect. Sometimes it was difficult to stay anywhere near the character for the technical requirements of the camera. The second one was easier.

I heard that some of them made you guys jump, like the lightning for example.
I made them jump. Lightnin’ smightnin’.

[Laughs] Where exactly did you all film?
The first one was in North Carolina and northern California, the second was filmed on the Sony lot and in Mexico.

If I can get a character’s music, I can get the character.

Mexico. Were there a lot of bugs? I heard that Matthew [Settle] kept playing with them.
That may be true. Every time they landed on you, they would pee acid on you. They were gross. If one was dead, they ate it and they flew into your face while on camera. I thought they were gross.

Disgusting. What about the first one?
No Mexican beetles, but plenty of no see ums.

That’s good. Did you like making this sequel or the first one?
The first one was harder. The second was under very nice conditions, location, and so on.

Isn’t there going to be another one called I Still Know What You Did Three Summers Ago? I heard Jennifer talking about it.
It’s not my call. If the script is good and Love agrees to do it and they ask me, I’ll be there. Somehow, I doubt it. The second one died suddenly. But, if enough fans want it…

I bet they will. What do you like doing in your spare time?
I have a wonderful ranch in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. White water stream, mountain views, trails, cliffs, caves, a big John Deere tractor, a shop that would make Tim The Tool Man cry…I have no ’spare’ time.

Do any actors and actresses out there inspire you?
Tom Hanks, Bridget Fonda, Raymond Cruz…

What’s your favorite film?
I used to have a favorite. I think being in the business my take that away. I like a lot of movies — The Princess Bride, Man From Snowy River…

Good picks. What kind of music do you like?
Almost all of them. I listen to classical, blues, jazz, rock, new age. If I can get a character’s music, I can get the character.

Thanks for your time and I wish you the best of luck with your career.
Thank you. And to you and your readers, all my best.

The Facts

Name: Liesel Anne Pritzker

Birth Date: March 14, 1984

Birth Place: Chicago, Illinois, USA

Her Big Break: Played the title role in A Little Princess [1995]

Did You Know: "Matthews" was taken from her brother's first name; her uncle is Hyatt Hotel chain founder Jay Pritzker

Liesel's Advice: "Have fun, keep it real, support your local ska band and believe in yourself."

Sharlene Hartley: From what I heard about Physical Graffiti, it sounds good. Did you have fun making it?
Liesel Matthews: It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed making it! It was the best experience ever…it’s a fun comedy. I’m sure it’ll do great!

Did you do anything fun with your co-stars?
Yes! Blake Heron and I had a lot of fun. He was always pulling pranks and making me laugh. I got along really well with the other co-stars [Ed Lauter, Adam LaVorgna, Tracey Walter, to name a few.] We went out to lunch and hung out on the set.

Are you working on anything now or are you taking a break?
I think I’m going to be taking a break. I’ll work on more projects in the future.

Did you have fun with your co-stars on the set of Air Force One?
I had fun doing the action scenes, but there weren’t really any kids on the set.

What about A Little Princess?
Yes! I loved A Little Princess. It was my first movie. I really connected with the other girls. A Little Princess was so wonderful. I’ll never forget it.

What do you like doing in your spare time?
I just like relaxing, watching TV, and talking to friends. I like music, too. Tennis is pretty fun, but I’m not very good…

[Both laugh]

I would faint if I ever saw him.
(on Tom Hanks)

Do you have any regrets on becoming an actress?
None. Becoming an actress is beyond words.

Have you done any commericials? If so, which ones?
I did a few when was I young. They were local commercials, not national.

Aren’t you friends with Kirsten Dunst?
Yes! I love Kirsten.

How did you two meet?
We met a couple of years ago, at a preview party.

Do you get to see her often?
I don’t see her that often, but she’s a beautiful person. I admire her so much. I’m so proud of her career. She’s come so far; she’s going to be very successful.

Are you friends with any other teen stars?
I’ve been friends with Vanessa Lee Chester since A Little Princess. We had so much fun together. She’s an exceptional actress.

Do you have any favorite actors or actresses?
I really love Tom Hanks. He seems cool. I would faint if I ever saw him.

What’s your favorite TV show?
I like Dawson’s Creek and TRL.

Do you have a favorite band?
Buck-O-Nine is way awesome!