Jenny Stewart: Bio, Interviews, Articles, Etc.

The Susan Sarandon Interview

 Ask 10 people what word comes to mind when they think of Susan Sarandon, and you'll get 10 different answers: fearless, political, talented, formidable, nurturing, smart, down-to-earth. Sexy? Always. It's her contradictions that make her such a powerful presence on screen.

She's played the ingénue opposite sweet transvestites in the cult classic "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." She's been the object of Catherine Deneuve's lesbian lust in the '80s vampire flick "The Hunger." She was the no-nonsense half of a duo of women road warriors in "Thelma and Louise." She's even been a nun, though a tough and tenacious one, in "Dead Man Walking."

In her latest film, HBO's "Bernard and Doris," she's plays Doris Duke, the late megamillionaire philanthropist who forms an unlikely relationship with her gay butler, Bernard Lafferty, played by Ralph Fiennes. Gay fans are going to love Sarandon in this role: She's glam and gritty, and she may just nab an Emmy along the way. But it's her work off screen that elevates her to saint status in the LGBT world. A longtime advocate for gay marriage and other LGBT issues, Sarandon brings the same dedication to her personal causes as she does to her movie roles.

Given all that, where does one begin an interview? I only had 15 minutes -- and with "Bernard and Doris" coming up, Sarandon was obviously focused on her new film. But the ever-gracious actress granted me just enough extra time to squeeze in questions about "The Hunger," seeing "Rocky Horror" with her kids, her sexual relationships with gay men in the 70's and 80's and even a quick round of "Who would you rather sleep with?"

The Cloris Leachman Interview

While young celebrities are often eager to spill their dirty laundry in sordid bios, actors of Cloris Leachman's generation have tended to stuff their secrets in locked and closely-guarded hampers that'll travel well with them into eternity.   But in her new book, "Cloris: My Autobiography," Leachman reveals so much that you almost have to read it twice to let all the juicy stuff sink in. 

What makes Leachman's book even more interesting is that she reveals things that have never even been rumored, much less written about.  (Side note:  Leachman wrote the book with Hollywood impresario George Englund, her on-again/off- again husband of many years.  The couple had five children together, one of whom passed away in the 1980's.  Though now unmarried, the two remain extremely close.)

In "Cloris," Leachman outlines the evolution of her life from a simple, wide-eyed Midwestern girl to that of one of the most acclaimed, versatile and cherished actresses of her generation.  She includes as much detailed introspection on her personal life – regardless of whether the memories are good or bad.  In one especially painful excerpt, Leachman recounts one particularly painful night where her father beats her for no apparent reason.  It took place in the family bathroom when she was 17, naked and just about to bathe.

Then there are the Hollywood years. For instance, she describes a one night stand with Gene Hackman in 1970's San Francisco -- so animalistic that they practically tore each other apart. 

Cloris Leachman Plays "Who Would You Rather Sleep With?"

During a recent dinner interview with Cloris Leachman to discuss her new book and her new clothing line, Cloris agreed to play a quick game of "Who would you rather sleep with?"  Below is the full excerpt.

Would you be interested in playing "Who would you rather sleep with?"

What is that?

It's easy.  I name two celebrities and you have to choose which one you'd sleep with --

[Interrupts]: It wouldn't be Meryl Streep.  I love her, but I would never sleep with a smoker!

[Laughs].  Well wait!  I have to name the two people to choose from first.  Ok – Brad Pitt or George Clooney?

[Thinks] Oh, well that's a hard one.  Oh God, that's a hard one! But probably George Clooney because I think he's taller.  See, Brad always seems taller than he really seems to be…so probably Clooney.  Also because of his arms.  I imagine his arms would just be...the kind I'd love. 

Fun at Sundance with Colbert and "Strangers" Cast

Sprawled on one of the many plush, red couches in the back of a Park City restaurant, Amy Sedaris, Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello chatted with PlanetOut's Director of Content Jenny Stewart about their film, "Strangers with Candy." They also played a friendly game of "Who would you rather...?" which is not be missed.

Amy: Where are you from?

I'm from PlanetOut and Gay.com.

Stephen [in a British accent]: Why hello!

Amy: Gay, gay, gay, gay, gay gay, gay!

Yup -- we're gay. Is this your first time at Sundance? Are you exhausted?

Amy: Well, I've seen the catalog before, but yes, it's my first time, and yes, it is really exhausting. We're having a great time, though.

Stephen: I'm exhausted from the struggle of getting into all these parties -- even the ones thrown in our honor. "I'm sorry, sir, do you have a ticket?"