Dennis Quaid is no stranger to sports films. In his over 30-year acting career, the Texas native has played a quarterback (Any Given Sunday), a running back (Everybody's All-American), a cyclist (Breaking Away) and a pitcher (The Rookie). He can now add college football coach to his faux sports resume as he plays legendary Syracuse coach Ben Schwartzwalder in The Express: The Ernie Davis Story which opens in theaters on Friday.
I caught up with the actor recently to see why he can't say no to sports roles and if he might consider taking over the current Syracuse team -- in reality, that is -- to turn the program around.
Arash Markazi: How familiar were you with the story of Ernie Davis when you were offered the role of Ben Schwartzwalder?
Quaid: Not at all really. I was born in the '50s in Texas but I really never heard of Ernie Davis and I was really surprised at how many savvy sports fans I knew hadn't heard of him or his story either. It's certainly an inspirational one, that's for sure.
AM: You were in Any Given Sunday with Jim Brown, who played under Schwartzwalder at Syracuse, how instrumental was he in your preparation for the role?
DQ: Jim and I spent quite a lot of time together on the set of Any Given Sunday. We didn't start working until noon so every morning it was myself, Jim Brown, Lawrence Taylor and Jimmy Woods at Doral playing golf at sunrise. Then in between shots, Jim and I would play chess. Jim was really my main source for playing Schwartzwalder. I think Schwartzwalder died in '93 and Jim was close with him after playing for him in a very controversial time before Ernie Davis came along. He gave me great insight into Ben Schwartzwalder's character and the time period. I also watched a lot of film too that existed of him to get his mannerisms.
AM: You really don't have any physical resemblance to Ben Schwartzwalder. Was it hard to fully capture what he was about or play him with that going against you?
DQ: What I tried to do more than anything was capture his spirit. When I play a real person I feel like I have a responsibility to that person and his family to try to capture their spirit in a real way, not in an idealized way. That's why I think I'm able to play him even though I may not really look like him.
AM: The Syracuse football program, to put it nicely, isn't quite what it used to be these days. Would you consider maybe taking over the team and reprising your role as the team's coach for the rest of the season?
DQ: [Laughs] Oh, why not? Sure. I can get Jim Brown to suit up.
AM: When you take a role like this -- when you basically become a part of a school or team over a certain time -- how closely do you follow them after? Do you consider yourself a Syracuse fan now?
DQ: Well, hell yeah. [Laughs] I'm going to be wearing my Syracuse jacket around this week. I'm invested in the team. Unfortunately, I wish the team was doing better. We all do. You're also talking to a guy from Texas so I'm a big UT fan. They actually beat Texas in the Cotton Bowl in 1959.
AM: You know, some coaches still use Al Pacino's speech in Any Given Sunday to rally the team, especially if they've hit a rough patch. What was it like being in uniform in the locker room when he gave that speech? Were you ready to hit the field when he was done?
DQ: Oh, yeah, for sure. Al is just such a great actor and just to watch him role in the way that he rolled when he was given that speech was great theater.
AM: I heard he did it in one take.
DQ: Yeah, it was incredible. They had different shots, but he rolled with it. It was really something else.
AM: You and the cast were recently embraced when the film was premiere at Syracuse. What was it like having an on-campus premiere?
DQ: It felt great. I'm very grateful to have played this role and been a part of this film. Bringing Ernie Davis' story to others is important. I think it's an important story to be aware of for us as a nation. It's great to be able to give something back to that school and that community. I had a chance to spend sometime there with Jim and it was great. A lot of people don't know that Jim was probably the greatest lacrosse player to ever play the game and he's just as big in Syracuse for that as he was for being a football player.
AM: You've been in so many sports films, what is it about those scripts and those roles that attract you?
DQ: I've actually read a lot more sports scripts than I've done, but the ones that I've decided to do I've done them because they transcend the sport. They have to. Otherwise you might as well turn on the television and watch a game. It has to be about something else, something more than the game, something universal. The Rookie, for example, was about second chances in life and The Express was written by the same guy and it's really about meeting life's challenges with grace. Ernie Davis certainly did that and I think that's his legacy.
AM: What was your favorite sports role and which one was the biggest stretch for you?
DQ: The Rookie was the hardest because of the pitching. I hadn't been on a mound since Little League so to get up there you're almost naked in a way because I just wanted to look right. I certainly can't throw a 98 mile per hour fastball but I wanted to look like I could and I wanted to get the form right and that was easily the hardest. I never put myself on a radar gun on purpose because I didn't want to be disappointed.
AM: What was the easiest or which role did you enjoy playing the most?
DQ: I really enjoyed The Express to tell you the truth, and I'm not just saying that because it's the most recent. It was such an inspiring story and playing Ben was fascinating, He was such an interesting man. He was very flawed but he was really a complex softie underneath the rough exterior. He was one of those legendary old school tough football coaches.
AM: You know, the last time most people outside of Florida actually watched the Tampa Bay Rays before this season was when you played former Tampa Bay pitcher Jim Morris in The Rookie. Have you been following your former team's current run?
DQ: No, to tell you the truth, I'm an Astros fan, always have been. [Laughs] I hope they do well but I haven't been keeping up with them.
AM: You mentioned you're a big Texas fan. What's your take on this season so far and the big Red River Rivalry game coming up with Oklahoma?
DQ: I'm excited but I think the jury's still out on us. We have a great young quarterback in Colt McCoy who is playing really well and I think they have a chance to win it this year. We'll see. Last year they had a lot of trouble with the law so we'll see if they can stay out of trouble and take care of business on the field this year. They look good so far.
AM: Do you still get a lot of mileage off that Texas Rose Bowl win over USC for the national championship a couple years ago when you go out in Los Angeles?
DQ: That was the greatest football game I have ever seen. I was able to get tickets at the last minute. I was sitting in the USC section but it was incredible. It was the most amazing football game I've ever seen played. I'll bring that one up forever.
AM: Are you still a scratch golfer these days?
DQ: No, not anymore. I'm close.
AM: That's probably the one sports movie you haven't done. Is that next on your list?
DQ: Trying to. I'd like to do one. I've been trying to do a golf movie for a while but I've got to get a story that transcends golf. You got one?
AM: I'll get back to you.
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Comments (64) Add A Comment
Made/makes some good flicks.
Does to many drugs
Total Comments (3902)
solid, solid actor. loved him in The Rookie. Looking forward to seeing him in The Express. Was lucky enough to work on set as an extra...never spoke to Mr Quaid, but saw him in action. Was great.
Kiwicraig78
Total Comments (171)
Typical...a decent article, on a great actor, about a great sports movie...has 2 people comment on it, whereas all the non-story truth and rumours about Pacman, TO and other negative media targets get thousands of posts daily...what does that say about FanNation users...sigh...
Kiwicraig78
Total Comments (171)
Kiwicraig, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. But maybe you should spend a bit more time on here before you assume you know everything.
I certainly don't go to these SI writer blogs all that often, so I can't say that I know how popular they are.
But I can tell you that most users on here go to Truth and Rumors to converse with one another about everything, not just Pacman or Plax Burress.
These SI blogs are more for reading, not discussing as far as I can see. There's a lot of great information and insight, but what are we going to talk about? Quaid's role as Cap America on Any Given Sunday?
Oso Famoso
Palinville, AK
Total Comments (17990)
that's a fair comment - i should have thought about the different aspects of FanNation before making my post...it does seem that Truth & Rumours often become a general discussion about politics and other things, and when I had a peek on the actual Message Boards, most of those threads seemed to have less posts than the T&R stories...so I am sure you are right, that T&R is used like a message board by many...
I was just frustrated that it seemed the negative stories continually got responses, and positive stories or different ones, didn't....
Kiwicraig78
Total Comments (171)
If you want to talk off topic...start your your own blog...and title it "off topic crap to talk about"
There i said it!!
MATTUSA
Total Comments (5607)
i don't mean to be mean. but i made a promise to god.
MATTUSA
Total Comments (5607)
mean has two meanings? or did i spell one wrong?
MATTUSA
Total Comments (5607)
i looked it up. there are four different meaning for the word mean.
MATTUSA
Total Comments (5607)
When I was a newbie on here I was told by a wise user on here named Steelercooz that you don't expect many comments unless you make ridiculous or wild claims. Most times a blog will get views as long as people know how to get to it.
I also think there are many users on here who are boycotting SI blogs because they feel like these fine writers are being shoved down their throat.
But yes, the T&R threads can get crazy and sometimes demoralizing. But that's why it's usually on the negative threads. It's the same reason why news stations will run ugly stories because it's what brings viewers.
Oso Famoso
Palinville, AK
Total Comments (17990)
2 adjectives, 1 noun, and 1 verb.
who knew?
MATTUSA
Total Comments (5607)
I bet you wrote that by rote.
Oso Famoso
Palinville, AK
Total Comments (17990)
I did. I am the all knowing, all seeing master of time, space and dimentia....or is that dimension?
Oso Famoso
Palinville, AK
Total Comments (17990)
"steelercooz"
sounds like a wise man(m)
MATTUSA
Total Comments (5607)
There are several groups like that which are built strictly for chatting and banter. But they are exclusive. You have to find people to chat with otherwise it gets boring and the men in labcoats get you those tight fitting shirts with the sleeves in the back.
Why do they have them in the back? It's so uncomfortable.
Oso Famoso
Palinville, AK
Total Comments (17990)
i always have google on my 2'nd window. saves me lots.
MATTUSA
Total Comments (5607)
I would never join a club that would have you as a member.
MATTUSA
Total Comments (5607)
i ment me as a member
MATTUSA
Total Comments (5607)
He is. He's a sportswriter and avid Steeler fan. (Duh) You can catch his blog at diehardsteel.com I think. Let me get back to you on that last part. But you'd like the guy.
Oso Famoso
Palinville, AK
Total Comments (17990)
Steelers fans are an interesting lot.
MATTUSA
Total Comments (5607)
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