Beautiful Felicity Guy, Supremely Crushable, Makes Comeback at 32
Scott Speedman, Canadian cutie, has a scary movie on screens, and a serious one at Cannes. Hey, look! Ben Covington’s all grown up!
Scott Speedman was late. At the time of his scheduled Observer interview, the 32-year-old actor was still in transit from J.F.K., coming in from Los Angeles on a nasty, stormy night. He had already missed one flight early that morning (he overslept), and since Mr. Speedman doesn’t have a publicist (was that a breath of fresh air we just felt?) a man from Rogue Pictures—the studio behind his new horror film, The Strangers—lurked in the lobby of the Regency, waiting to “tackle” the actor and drag him immediately to his interview. Forty-five minutes ticked by. When Mr. Speedman did eventaully arrive at the Library Bar, wearing a soft faded green T-shirt and jeans, looking sleepy and sheepish and cute, all was instantly forgiven.
After all, this is the man who played Ben Covington, the heartthrob of Felicity, that Keri Russell-helmed show about faux N.Y.U. students. Ben was the perfect late ’90s crush: WASP-gorgeous, damaged, mostly unattainable and seemingly always on the brink of uttering something emotive and profound. Mr. Speedman was the perfect crush, too.
Felicity ran for four years, and it seemed like a fait accompli that Mr. Speedman go on to a career in the movies. He co-starred with Gwyneth Paltrow in 2000’s Duets, and did the indie weepie My Life Without Me with fellow Canuck Sarah Polley. Later, he was the dreamy, well-behaved werewolf in Underworld and its inevitable sequel, Underworld: Evolution. But somehow, as the Jake Gyllenhaals, James Marsdens and James Francos of the world had careers shoot off like rockets, Mr. Speedman’s hit a lull. He has the look (those eyes! That jawline!), and he’s proven his chops, so … what happened?
“It’s a good question,” Mr. Speedman said, picking at the salted nuts in front of him, well into his second glass of Merlot. “I don’t know the answer. Don’t get me wrong—I get frustrated when I see people who I would say have lesser ability doing better roles, and because of those better roles go on to do well.” At the same time, he didn’t capitalize on whatever opportunities would have spilled over from Felicity. (“I didn’t embrace it. I closed the door,” he said.) Growing up in Toronto, he was a swimmer in training for the Olympics when he was injured and had to leave the sport, and still considers himself deeply competitive. “That’s why I get so nervous at auditions,” he said. “I don’t know where the competition is.” He looked to his left and to his right, laughing. “It’s me! It’s complicated.” When does one get to the point where they no longer have to audition? “I don’t fucking know, but I can’t wait,” he said. “The one thing I do know is that it never ends. … There’s always somebody better, there’s always somebody who intimidates you. You just have to say fuck it and have fun, keep trying to do a good job, and then if shit doesn’t work out, just keep going.”
Still, at the moment, Mr. Speedman is in pretty good shape. First up, there’s The Strangers, co-starring Liv Tyler, opening as a non-estrogen alternative to Sex and the City on May 30. The movie is really, really scary (“I got up and locked my door,” said Mr. Speedman, on reading it for the first time) and is actually pretty well written, with decent dialogue and actual character development. “That was always the key for me,” he said, of how The Strangers stood out among the numerous other horror scripts he has been sent. “Getting The Strangers was a big break. Getting Atom’s movie was a huge, huge deal.” Next Page >
How I would love to watch him on screen playing an "ANGEL" role. I think he would best fit in movie where is is the major character- the angel role thing. That would be great, I wonder when will that come anyway? Yes, He just have an angelic presence and has great stunning green eyes. WOW!!!
Hmmm, who's his girlfriend now, there is no news about that huh?
I haven't seen all of his movies, yet. I first say him in Underworld and had to go buy the extended version. I really can't get enough. the difference I see between Scott Speedman and other actors that have bigger careers at this point, who don't have the face, body and overall sexappeal that he has, is the conviction. When you watch those actors they are comfortable and understand the drive that pushes them to do what they do, you can see it in there eyes, no matter what character they are playing. Scott needs to not settle for being present but be the presence. Just command what is yours for the taking. He seems like acting is something he is doing now and he isn't sure that it is what he really wants. It is obvious what he wanted; a gold medal. He should now strive for a gold statue. I am waiting to see him in a role where I recognize the drive and desire for greatness. Almost any role can be a good one, if he is willing to step outside his comfort zone and stop hoping for the best and start demanding it of himself and everyone around him. He is adorable and sexy but that will only get you so far. I am waiting to see him work for it, really work for it. It isn't about fun, it's about work. He looks rough around the edges but you can tell he really isn't. I don't want to see play an angel I want to see him mad, mean, bad, determined, dirty and sexy. Well he has sexy down, and for that reason alone, I will watch him in anything.
I'm thankfull for the reporter for this great interview. I must say that Im a great fan of Scott Speedman and I'm always trying to find something interesting to read about him. I used to be a journalist in Macedonia (from where I come from) and we do our interviews much different, more question-answer. And here, I get a picture of Scott not only as a actor who knows his job realy good, but also as an ordinary man. So, thanks again and it was a great reading.
Wish you all the best!
I just miss seeing him on screen. I am an avid fan of Scott playing Ben Covington in Felicity. There is just something in him that draws in my focus to him. He is such a cutie and the way he talks makes him so sexy... :)I forgot that the way I see him play Ben was the way the director wanted him to play the character, and I must say, it worked for lady watchers like me...