HOL Nina : Stay tuned for actress Bonnie Hunt!
HOL Nina : Hunt, whose latest role is as Laurel Boyd in the smash hit "Jerry Maguire," began her career as a stage actress at the acclaimed Second City in Chicago.
HOL Nina : She has also starred in "Jumanji," "Only You," "Beethoven" and "Beethoven's 2nd." Bonnie Hunt was the first woman to write and star in her own series, "The Building," produced in association with David Letterman.
HOL Nina : Start sending in your questions now for the talented and versatile Ms. Hunt!
HOL Nina : Welcome to Hollywood Online, Bonnie Hunt! We have plenty of questions for you already!
BonnieHunt : Hi, everyone!
HOL Nina : Here's one from Jim007ban about your start as a comedian... Question : Why do you think Second City has been such a successful launching pad for so many important comedians?
BonnieHunt : Because you have the best teachers in the world at Second City; the audience.
HOL Nina : Here's another one from Jim007ban about the semantics of comedy.. Question : Hi Bonnie. I once received a reply letter from Alice (*Bewitched*) Ghostley thanking me for calling her a comic actress instead of a comedienne. In your mind, what is the difference between the two?
BonnieHunt : I think people think of comedians as a person who stands up and tells jokes, something I've never done, and a comic actress is an actress who can deliver.
HOL Nina : Bonnie, since you've succeeded on both TV and screen, ScottMcKi is curious.. Question : Bonnie, will you ever consider another sitcom? Or are you strictly staying on the big screen?
BonnieHunt : Both NBC & ABC have made interesting proposals since my show was canceled by CBS. I continue to meet with them and would love to enter into the story-telling process on television again.
HOL Nina : Here's one from CHootchi (great name!) about "Jumanji"...
Question : What was it like to work with Robin Williams?
BonnieHunt : It was like being with all my six brothers and sisters at the same time, only it was just Robin. I fell madly in love with him.
HOL Nina : Here's a question from LOcchipin...
Question : Bonnie, how old were you when you started acting?
BonnieHunt : 18, I guess.
HOL Nina : Here's one from ADMATM...
Question : Hi Bonnie! I think you're very good and funny - is it hard being a woman in Hollywood?
BonnieHunt : I think it would be more difficult for me to be a man. I'd have to get all new clothes.
HOL Nina : You'd lose all those IQ points from the testosterone:)
BonnieHunt : But seriously, people are people and I guess it just depends on who you are dealing with. But I do know that in TV, I was the first woman to ever write, produce and star in her own sitcom. Lucy had Desi Arnaz, Mary Tyler Moore had Grant Tinker, Carol Burnett had Joe Hamilton. Seems all the women on TV who succeed have a strong male influence connecting them.
HOL Nina : Here's a heavy one from BOURK MD...
Question : What is the best and worst part of being someone famous?
BonnieHunt : The best part: great tables in restaurants. The worst part: loss of privacy, or in other words, "You look completely different without your makeup!"
HOL Nina : LOL :)
HOL Nina : Here's one from Guest73... Is working with Tom Cruise difficult?
BonnieHunt : No, not at all. He's a professional and really wants his fellow actors to be at the top of their form.
HOL Nina : Nooch01 wants the inside scoop on Letterman...
Question : Ms. Hunt- Was that true about David Copperfield? The other night on Letterman you said you were going to meet him, and he was winking at you. Is that true? And did you meet him or was he really fighting with Claudia Schiffer about a blow dryer?
BonnieHunt : Yes. Going to the show was true, his winking at me true, the blow dryer a joke.
HOL Nina : I read earlier that you started out as a nurse before entering into acting. How do your hospital days compare to now?
BonnieHunt : I know for a fact I wouldn't be doing this for a living if I hadn't been a nurse first. I was an oncology nurse, and my patients were truly inspiring and convinced me to venture out without fear of failure to follow my dreams.
HOL Nina : AKDS has a follow-up question to that..
Question : What made you decide to become an actress?
BonnieHunt : I loved the art of story-telling, every aspect of it, the actor, the writer, the director.
HOL Nina : Actually, here's an old hospital chum, ScottMCKi...
Question : Northwestern is my hospital. Do you still have contacts there?
BonnieHunt : Yes. Dr. Steve Rosen and the Lurie Cancer Center.
HOL Nina : Guest75 wants to know... What is your favorite talk show to do?
BonnieHunt : I love them all; I certainly feel a certain connection with David... Susskind...
HOL Nina : Very diplomatic :)
HOL Nina : What would you be if not an actress?
BonnieHunt : A big fat woman who sat in front of her TV set..
HOL Nina : Here's a blast from the past from MaudieG...
Question : Bonnie, my name is Martha McConnell Greer. My brother is Matt McConnell. You dated him in 1981. Do you remember him?
HOL Nina : Fess up!
BonnieHunt : What does he do for a living? I'm testing you! If it's the Matt McConnell that now works in Wilmette, IL, yes, I do remember him. He was always a gentlemen and very kind, and a helluva kisser!
HOL Nina : Here's one from Louisa852...
Question : Did you always make people laugh as a kid?
BonnieHunt : No. My older brothers & sisters were the funny ones. I had a great time being their captive audience.
HOL Nina : What was it like growing up as the youngest of six?
BonnieHunt : I don't know because I was six out of seven! But to answer your question, I feel very fortunate to have grown up in a crowded house. That certainly prepares you for the world.
HOL Nina : JulieannZ has one about your career..
Question : What was your favorite role to date?
BonnieHunt : I loved the opportunity I had to play Kate in "Only You." I really can't beat playing a 3-dimensional character for two and a half months in Italy and getting paid for it.
HOL Nina : Che bella! What part of Italy did you film in?
BonnieHunt : Rome, Tuscany, Venice, Positano.
HOL Nina : DiTerlizz has one about location shots for "Jumanji..."
Question : In "Jumanji," was it difficult to act when some of the characters were not computer added yet?
BonnieHunt : Yes, it was something very different, but you know how it is when you just tune out when someone else is telling you a very boring story. It's as if they are not there, but you still have the look of listening on your face.
HOL Nina : Since you have worked in both theater and film, RAY BROWE wants to know..
Question : Excluding the money factor, Bonnie, what is more gratifying, stage or film?
BonnieHunt : If the story is great, I really believe there is no difference.
HOL Nina : Here's another question... What is Tom Snyder really like?
BonnieHunt : Somebody's lovable uncle at a wedding. I really love Tom. He gave me my first job on his radio show in Milwaukee.
HOL Nina : OneDones wants to know...
Question : Bonnie -- what are your projects for the future? I'd love to hear them.
BonnieHunt : I've written a screenplay, which is being seriously considered by several studios, and we'll know more the first week of January. I continue to read scripts, looking for interesting roles.
HOL Nina : What is the screenplay about? Tell us more!
BonnieHunt : Are you crazy? In this town?
HOL Nina : Oh well, we'll have to wait until it's in theaters :)
HOL Nina : An ardent fan, J H W 11, is curious...
Question : Bonnie, are you married ?
BonnieHunt : Yes.
HOL Nina : How did you meet your husband?
BonnieHunt : Blind date.
HOL Nina : That sounds romantic!
BonnieHunt : My sister-in-law set us up. She said, and I quote, "this guy will probably never get married, but you can meet great guys through him. He has very handsome friends."
HOL Nina : Here's one from HHHose about your TV show...
Question : Will "The Building" ever come back? It's different and very cool.
BonnieHunt : In my dreams. Recently, though, I've seen a promo on NBC for a new show that is a direct rip-off, complete with Wrigley Field across the street in scenes.
HOL Nina : OneDones has another one about "Bonnie"...
Question : Bonnie -- is there any way we can get copies of the lost episodes of "Bonnie" that never aired and the aired episodes before the hiatus?
BonnieHunt : Actually, I'm planning a video package of the unaired episodes of "The Building" and "The Bonnie Hunt Show." We have quite a cult following, and, hopefully, legally we can make this happen.
HOL Nina : Here's a touchy one from StephKenn...
Question : Hi Bonnie. Do you feel frustration that both of your shows were highly critically acclaimed, yet were canceled?
BonnieHunt : Yes. That's what makes it so scary to go back to TV; the politics are draining, but the work is incredibly fulfilling, both as a writer and as an actress.
HOL Nina : Here's one from Sander499 about "Jerry Maguire"..
Question : Bonnie....What was it like to work with Renee Zellweger... she seems like she has real potential to be a big star.
BonnieHunt : I think she'll be a big star because she has big lips, and she's very talented.
HOL Nina : How did it feel when the film made 17.5 million on opening weekend?
BonnieHunt : Well I get 50% of that, so I was very excited...
HOL Nina : You must have a great agent! :)
HOL Nina : Guest68 is curious... Why did the TV show change name midstream?
BonnieHunt : Because the network changed presidents. I guess Les Moonves needed to feel creatively involved. So the name was changed.
HOL Nina : A big fan, Grant 030, wants to know...
Question : I adore you and think you are a great talent, comedically. Would you ever like to do serious drama?
BonnieHunt : As opposed to comedic drama? Yes... I believe that all of my roles are grounded in drama. The comedy comes from being able to relate to the characters' situations, not from jokes. So, I consider that dramatic acting, in a way.
HOL Nina : And FGARJR is curious about "Beethoven"... Question : How was it working with the St. Bernards?
BonnieHunt : No different than working with Charles Grodin..
HOL Nina : LOL :)
HOL Nina : OneDones wants to know if you have a fan club..
Question : Bonnie, I'd love to get an autographed photo of you; is there any way in which I can contact you to send you a letter? Do you have an e-mail address?
BonnieHunt : No, I don't have any of that stuff.
HOL Nina : But you can download Bonnie's photo from Hollywood Online!
HOL Nina : We have time for one more question from Bad PUNS...
Question : Who is your major comedic influence?
BonnieHunt : Groucho Marx and Claudette Colbert, Jack Benny, and Jackie Gleason.
HOL Nina : Thank you for joining us tonight! We hope you can come back again!
BonnieHunt : Thank you, everybody, for making me feel like a big movie star. The happiest of Holidays to all!
HOL Nina : Goodnight all! If you missed any part of the chat, the transcript will be posted within 24 hours!
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