Jason Schwartzman
Career Highlights
- Made his motion picture acting debut in Rushmore opposite Bill Murray in 1999
- Nominated for “Most Promising Actor” from the Chicago Film Critics Association
- Former drummer for Phantom Planet
- Nephew of Francis Ford Coppola
- Currently working on pop/solo act Coconut Records
Career Overview
Jason Schwartzman, American actor and musician, was born with a love for film in his genes. With an uncle like Francis Ford Coppola, a cousin like Nicholas Cage, and many other family members involved in acting, cinematography and more, Schwartzman has been surrounded by TV and film his entire life. At the age of 14 he became the drummer for the band Phantom Planet but left the group to pursue acting full time. While focusing on his acting, Schwartzman composed music for films and TV shows and has appeared in music videos for various artists. He made his motion picture debut with Bill Murray in Rushmore (1999). His other films include Spun, Slackers, I ♥ Huckabees, Shopgirl, Marie Antoinette, The Darjeeling Limited, and 2009’s Funny People.
Schwartzman has had small roles on TV shows like Freaks and Geeks and has appeared in spoofs on the MTV Movie Awards. HBO cast him in the lead role in their 2009 original series “Bored to Death” where he has found success. 2009 also brought success for Schwartzman’s indie rock solo act Coconut Records. Their second album was released and the single “Microphone” was a hit. He also performs the musical score for Funny People and the theme song for “Bored to Death.” Schwartzman’s most recent project was 2009’s The Marc Pease Experience in which he played the title role of a former high-school musical star who's stuck living in the past.
Claire Danes
Career Highlights
- Dropped out of Yale to pursue acting career
- In the fall of 2008 Danes succeeded Drew Barrymore as the exclusive model for Gucci
- Appeared in many off-broadway plays
- After completing Brokedown Palace Danes was banned from the Philippines for making derogatory remarks about the country
- Started studying modern dance at the age of six
Career Overview
Actress Claire Danes began studying modern dance at the age of six and went on to attend the Professional Performing Arts High School in New York City and the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute. She spent two years at Yale University pursuing a degree in psychology but dropped out to focus on her acting career. But her career started long before her first year at Yale. At the age of 15 Danes played the lead role in the TV series My So-Called Life. For portraying 15-year-old Angela Chase in the series, Danes won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Emmy. She then went on to star in numerous films including Romeo & Juliet, Igby Goes Down, Little Women, The Family Stone and the critically acclaimed Shopgirl written by Steve Martin.
Danes has also appeared in many off-Broadway plays including Happiness, Punk Ballet, and Kids On Stage, in which she choreographed her own solo dance. She made her Broadway debut in October of 2007 in the revival of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, starring as Eliza Doolittle.
Our Interview
The stars of Shopgirl, Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman, sit down with ThinkTalk host Zack Sherwood to discuss their film and their own career path that led them to where they are today. They also answer questions from George Mason students such as how their personal life affects their career and if success happened overnight.
