Actress Nora Zehetner

Nora Zehetner starred as Laura in a 2005 film called Brick, which happens to be widely regarded as one of the best independent films of the new millenium and ranks as #35 on Entertainment Weekly's round-up of the 50 best high school movies. Guest-starring on Heroes, she gave an acclaimed performance as Eden McCain. If that is not enough, she is starring as Rose in the upcoming indie comedy Spooner. Nora Zehetner is unstoppable, it seems, in the indie world (a sentiment with which the French, who are very fond of her, would agree). Furthermore, when I had the pleasure of interviewing her by email she made it clear that she has plenty to say. This interview took place three months ago, which comes across in certain answers, but the intelligence and personality she shows in the interview will never come across as dated. Enjoy the interview.

How did growing up in Texas affect the sort of person you became?
I can't really say how growing up in Texas affected my interests or priorities as I have nothing to compare it to. I grew up with a very liberal, loving mother and I think that had more influence on me than the state that I was raised in.

And how did you get interested in acting?
I always loved watching movies. I was a bit lazy as a teenager and preferred to laze about on the couch watching movies to running around outside. It still seems a bit of a fluke that I actually became an actress because I had and continue to have many other interests. I feel very lucky that I am able to do this for a living.

I've read that you had been studying math and science before becoming an actress, though.
I was attending the Texas Academy of Math and Science, which is a program that allows you to skip the last two years of high school and enter a rigorous math and science program at the University of North Texas geared towards future engineers and doctors, when I seriously started to consider moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. I had a wonderful advisor at the school that encouraged me to follow my dreams, when everyone else thought I was crazy. I dropped out at the end of the first year, saved my money and moved to Los Angeles.

You've been seen and praised on television too, although you've been focusing lately on film—which is a very different medium, is it not?
TV and film are very different! In film you have the luxury of knowing who your character is and what is going to happen to them within the context of the story, generally you also benefit from rehearsal time as well. In television you start off with some knowledge of your character but you have no idea who that character could become or what they are going to experience, you are entirely at the mercy of the writers. There are advantages to both mediums, everyone has a personal preference.

Most specifically, you're probably best known for your performance in Brick…
Brick still remains my favorite experience. It was fun to make, the other actors were great, the director [Rian Johnson] (who also wrote the script) is very talented, and I was very happy with the finished product. I think it is a great film and I am very proud to have been a part of it.

And you have the film Spooner coming up, in which you play a character named Rose. I haven't been able to find much about it…
Spooner is a quirky little film, I'm not entirely sure how to best describe it. I have not seen it yet but I loved making it. My character is named Rose and she is on her way to the Philippines to be a teacher when she gets derailed in a small town in California. Her car breaks down and a gentleman by the name of Herman Spooner (Matthew Lillard) helps her and they have a really sweet relationship.

Are there other actors you admire?
There are so many actors I admire, where do I start?! I am constantly being blown away by something. Honestly the list would go on and on.

What other than your work have you been up to lately?
I've just moved and that seems to be taking up all of my spare time! I only have a few boxes to go, thank goodness but there are still curtains to buy and rugs......I am spending a good deal of time looking at home design websites. I like apartmenttherapy.com and decor8.com and dominomag.com.

Those are your favorite things right now?
Actually, I have insomnia and I love this lavender room spray I just bought. It may sound silly but it really relaxes me.

In 2007 you were part of a USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour to the Persian Gulf region…
I went on a USO tour in Afghanistan a year ago and it was such a surreal experience. My grandfather was in the military but since I did not know anyone actually serving in the army, it was quite a learning experience. They are such brave men and women and I was happy to cheer them up and distract them even if just for a minute. I hope they get to come home soon.

Are there other causes you're particularly interested in at the moment?
Well, I think everyone's attention is caught by the upcoming presidential elections. I think it's really amazing that our democratic candidate is going to be a woman or an African American man; I never would have believed that a year ago! I just really hope that we will elect a president that is going to bring change and restore some dignity and humanity to our country.

I hope you enjoyed this interview! For more about Nora Zehetner, try visiting her IMDb page... and be sure to keep an eye out for Spooner.