During a recent episode of Conan O’Brien‘s talk show, Conan Needs A Friend, the host sat down with actor Jesse Eisenberg to talk about their experiences working with the enigmatic actor Woody Harrelson. O’Brien admitted to Eisenberg that Harrelson is an “unsolvable mystery” to him and expressed his fascination with the actor’s unique persona.
Eisenberg, who has collaborated with Harrelson on multiple projects, described him as a “truly eccentric Artist masquerading as an Everyman.” He believes that Harrelson is an unusual character with a penchant for eccentricity and unconventional taste. Despite this, Harrelson has been embraced by the American public, becoming an emblematic figure of Americana.
Reflecting on their recent collaboration on the film Now You See Me 3, Eisenberg revealed that Harrelson’s transcendent qualities had not diminished. In fact, he recounted a recent incident where Harrelson was involved in a motorcycle accident but showed up to the podcast recording only fifteen minutes late, having gone “ass over teakettle over the hood of a car” without any protective gear.
Amidst the laughter, Eisenberg expressed both admiration and frustration with Harrelson’s eccentricity. He mentioned that Harrelson had proposed co-owning a houseboat in Amsterdam, a proposition that Eisenberg eagerly accepted. However, to Eisenberg’s astonishment, Harrelson later asked another guest, Flea, if he wanted to co-own the same houseboat, leaving Eisenberg feeling betrayed and amused by Harrelson’s mischievous nature.
The conversation between O’Brien and Eisenberg then took a deeper turn as they discussed the authenticity of eccentricity in the entertainment industry. Eisenberg shared his observations that some celebrities manufacture difficulty or make excessive demands as a way to feel externally important. He contrasted this behavior with genuinely authentic individuals like Bruce Springsteen, who showed up to perform on O’Brien’s late-night show wearing a flannel shirt and later joined the crew for a casual beer.
Eisenberg acknowledged that while some eccentricities may be manufactured, the difference lies in the ability to recognize authenticity when it is encountered. He believes that there is an innate human instinct to identify realness and appreciate it when witnessed.
In the end, Eisenberg and O’Brien found humor in their discussion about Harrelson’s eccentricities, acknowledging that part of the joy of being in the entertainment industry is encountering and getting to know fascinating characters like Woody Harrelson. It’s an experience that Eisenberg sees as the “price of admission,” making all the challenges worthwhile.
Fans of both Jesse Eisenberg and Conan O’Brien will undoubtedly enjoy the lighthearted yet insightful conversation about their encounters with the enigmatic Woody Harrelson. As always, Conan O’Brien has provided an entertaining and engaging talk show experience that keeps viewers coming back for more.
