Interview

Nicholson: Not messing up—that’s what you think of as confidence?

Jones: Is that bad?

Nicholson: No. [both laugh] How’d you feel the first time they called you up and said you got the part in All the Rage [1999]?

Jones: Well, euphoric. It wasn’t even a speaking role. But being on a set with a trailer, it felt like things were starting to happen. It felt good. But then, slowly, you start all over again. I always thought that at some point in my career I would feel safe. I would feel like, “Okay, now I’ve made it, and I don’t need to fight anymore.” And now I know that the fights just get harder.

Nicholson: Well, chance is always a factor.

Jones: But you’re always fighting for something. There’s always a struggle. And I guess that’s good. It shouldn’t be easy. But I thought at some point that maybe that it would feel easier.

Nicholson: And things don’t?

Jones: Not quite yet. I mean, with the success of Mad Men, I get more offers. But a lot of them are for the sad housewife.

Nicholson: Do you see your career in terms of having a strategy?

Jones: I never really thought of having a strategy. I probably should have one. I mean, I’ve already been doing this for 13 years and I still feel like a newbie.

Nicholson: A what?

Jones: A newbie—someone who is new at this.

Nicholson: So, now, here you were, being in Anger Management [2003, which starred Adam Sandler and Nicholson] and then you have this film, The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada [2005], that goes to the Cannes film festival and . . . Boom! You’re across the ocean in France.

Jones: Going to Cannes was probably one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. It felt like I was in To Catch a Thief [1955] or something. I went to dinner at . . . I can’t remember the name of the restaurant, but it’s where they have the good bouillabaisse. And they were playing Fellini music, and I was sitting among all these people that I admire. I felt like, “I could do this. I’m in it.” And Three Burials did well at the festival.

Nicholson: Good movie.

Jones: Tommy Lee Jones directed it. He’s probably my favorite director I’ve worked with so far. The experience really made me feel like I was an actor. Also, at the end of the day, you’re going to Cannes, you’re among photographers wearing an amazing dress and diamonds . . .

Nicholson: Did you do any interviews?

Jones: Yeah, we did a lot of press, but there was a very respectful tone to everything. It was mostly about the filmmaking. It wasn’t, “Tell us about hijinx on set!” But there was a bit of a language barrier, so a lot of my answers were very short.

Nicholson: So you didn’t get a chance to say that you hated doing interviews?

Jones: [laughs] No. I think people kind of feel that from me, though. This one is fun. I don’t feel like I’m getting trapped into saying something.

This is an excerpt of the August cover story. To read the full January Jones interview pick up a copy of Interview.

Acclaimed actor Jack Nicholson is the recipient of three Academy Awards. He holds honors from the American Film Institute and the John F. Kennedy Center.