Jeffrey Wright recently appeared as a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live, and he had some interesting stories to share. The actor, known for his roles in James Bond films, Wes Anderson movies, and Batman, is now receiving rave reviews for his performance in “American Fiction.” But before getting into his latest work, he reflected on his experience at the Golden Globes.
Wright revealed that it had been about 20 years since he last attended the prestigious awards show. However, this year was different as he brought his kids along. Despite not being able to attend the event in person due to the pandemic, they still had a fantastic time watching it from home. Plus, Wright even returned with a souvenir, an award for his role in “Angels in America.”
The highlight for his kids, though, was meeting the legendary actor Harrison Ford at the Golden Globes. Wright mentioned that Ford is someone everyone, regardless of age, gets excited about seeing. Interestingly, they had previously worked together on a movie back in 1989. Wright humorously challenged the audience to find him in the film and promised a reward of a nickel. He played a brief role as a bearded blur.
During their time on set, Wright was struck by the level of respect and decorum Ford showed towards director Alan Pakula. Ford’s response to being called by his last name, “sir,” left an impression on Wright and taught him the importance of professionalism. Although Ford didn’t recall the moment, Wright took the opportunity to remind him of it and express his gratitude.
Shifting gears, Kimmel asked Wright about his previous job before becoming an actor. Wright shared that he worked for the Washington Gas Company during one summer break from college. While he didn’t do any skilled work, he vividly remembered working with a character named Willie. Willie was a fellow gas worker who had a unique personality and gave Wright a Timex watch as a gesture of acceptance into their “Brotherhood of the Gas.”
Wright also revealed a funny anecdote about the working title of his latest movie, “American Fiction.” Initially, the film had a different, rather humorous title. However, someone with better marketing knowledge decided to change it, as searching for the original title on Google wouldn’t lead to the desired results.
Before concluding the interview, Wright couldn’t resist complimenting his co-star Leslie Uggams, who plays his mother in “American Fiction.” He confessed that he had a crush on her since the first day he saw her. To avoid any potential awkwardness during filming, he waited until their last day together to confess his admiration.
In summary, Jeffrey Wright‘s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live provided a glimpse into his experiences at the Golden Globes, his past job as a gas worker, and his current work in “American Fiction.” The actor’s stories showcased his appreciation for his colleagues and offered entertaining insights into his life beyond the big screen.
