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By Paul John Caña, Contributor
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Harry
Connick Jr. |
I first knew Harry Connick Jr. as a cold-blooded
serial killer in the 1995 movie Copycat. Talk about first
impressions. In the years that followed, I found it difficult to
believe the cunning, methodical murderer was actually an
accomplished pianist and contemporary jazz musician in real life.
Other notable film and television roles followed
for the highly talented Connick Jr., including memorable roles in
the sitcom Will and Grace, an ace fighter plane pilot in the
blockbuster smash Independence Day, and as the bartender who tries
but fails to romance Hilary Swank in last year’s PS I Love You.
But the New Orleans, Louisiana native insists he is a singer and
musician first before being an actor. Connick, along with his Big
Band was in Manila recently to do a one night only show and here he
chats about growing up in a music-loving environment, who he’s
voting for in the upcoming US elections and how he really feels
about taking on the role of a serial killer early in his career.
MT: I understand your parents owned a record
store. What was it like growing up with parents who were really into
music?
I had parents who loved music a lot. And being
from New Orleans, music was everywhere and we just went and heard a
lot of music since the time I was a kid. And my parents were very
supportive of me. They really wanted me to learn as much as I could.
My sister was into languages, so they encouraged her to get the
proper education for that. That’s the most important thing, to
have really supportive parents.
MT: Is there a particular record you listened to
over and over again?
The only record I listened to over and over
again was “Kind of Blue” by Miles Davis.
MT: Who for you is the greatest artist of all
time?
Let’s put it this way. Who would be the guy or
girl who would close the show? You know, nobody would follow him. It
would have to be Sammy Davis Jr. Nobody would want to follow Sammy
Davis Jr. Now listen, there are better singers out there, there are
probably better tap dancers, better actors and all that stuff. Like
Louis Armstrong was obviously a great musician. But I dunno man,
following Sammy would be pretty tough.
MT: How did you meet your wife?
When I was 22, I was in LA staying in a hotel
called the Sunset Marquee. I was swimming in a pool. And I saw a
girl walk by. And I have never seen a girl like that. She [Jill
Goodacre was the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen. And I recognized
her because she was a famous model, and also because a friend of
mine knew her. And that gave me an excuse to go up and introduce
myself. I wouldn’t have introduced myself otherwise. I jumped up
from the pool, went up to her and said “Hi, I’m Harry.” And
she said “Hi, I’m Jill.” And I said, “You wanna go get some
lunch?” And she said “No not really. I’m late for a job.”
She was gonna do a modeling job. But eventually we had lunch and we
hit it off. And that was 18 years ago. And we had 3 children, 3
daughters, two of whom are with me here. Georgia who is 11, Kate is
10 and Charlotte is 5. She’s at home with Jill right now.
MT: Who are you supporting in the elections?
Barack Obama. I think he’s the most qualified.
I like his attitude. I think he’s got the charisma and the
education and the passion. I think he’s got it all. Very rare.
When he wins, I think it’s gonna be great. That’s gonna change a
lot of things.
MT: If you ever found yourself on American Idol,
what song would you sing for the auditions?
I would never, ever get accepted on that show! I
know I wouldn’t. I’m not what they’re looking for. They’re
looking for exactly what I’m not. They have some pretty talented
people that win. I don’t know what I would sing. I never know what
they like. Sometimes I like things that they don’t like. I dunno.
Maybe I would sing something slow. Like a ballad or something.
MT: What’s the greatest album ever?
There’s just so many genres … it’s so hard
to pick. I’ll give you three? I love A Night at the Opera by
Queen. That’s a great record. And Kind of Blue is a great record.
And I dunno, maybe Concert By the Sea, the piano record by Erroll
Garner.
MT: Do you communicate better with music or
through acting?
The thing about music is it’s my ideas. The
thing about acting is you sort of surrender everything to the
dialogue and the character. So it’s not really about expressing
myself. It’s being creative. If I really want to express myself, I
would probably be singing my own tunes. But I’m very much being
myself as an artist, when I’m acting.
MT: Tell us about your role in the movie
Copycat. Would you ever play something similar again?
There’s a movie called Bug that sort of
similar. I saw the guy who directed Copycat recently (Jon Amiel),
and I haven’t seen him in like 15 years. And I said, ‘Let me ask
you a question, why did you hire me for that?’ Cause I never
auditioned for the role. I just got it. What did he see in my
personality that led him to believe that I could do that? He said,
‘It’s just something about the look in your eye.’ And I said
man, Don’t tell that to my family and friends! [Laughter] Oh that
was a lot of fun doing that movie. That really was fun.
MT: You’ve accomplished so much. If there was
just one thing that would be your biggest accomplishment …
My family. Definitely my family. All the other
stuff, I love it, but seeing my children and my wife like that. This
thing right here is what I’m most proud of.
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