Premiere
(novembre 1997)

Article

Julianna Margulies, Nurse Hathaway on the immensely popular American drama series ER, is one of the most wanted new stars on the Hollywood block, but she's asking me for a ride around town - her clapped-out '91 Saab is in the shop. To make up for it she offers me a free beverage that she's earned from LA's Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. "I got my punch card," boasts the actress who's currently making her move to the big screen via the "small sweet" films Traveler and Paradise Road. "After 13 coffees you get one free." Wait a minute. Coffee coupons? A broken-down car? Is this any way for an of-the- moment star to cash in? "You have to do it slowly and smartly," Margulies says, raising her super decaf non-fat mocha for a toast. "I'm not going to burn out now and dry up by the time I'm 30. I want a long career."

Have you had to turn down roles because you're busy with ER?
I was offered this John Woo film called Face/Off and I really wanted to work with Nic Cage and John Travolta, but the producers of ER said I wouldn't get a storyline if I did it. They promised me this big episode with Ewan McGregor, so I would have had to give that up, and the part wasn't important enough in Face/Off. So I said, "Thank you, but I can't."

Isn't that frustrating?
Yeah, but I have to keep telling myself, "You wouldn't be getting these offers without ER."

Thrity-five million people watch you every week. What's that like?
Thanks for reminding me of how frightening my life is. Being in people's living rooms every week is different from being on the big screen, because people [who watch ER] assume they know you. They think that's who you are.

What do ER fans say when they see you?
"When are you and George Clooney getting back together?"

What kind of relationship do you have with George Clooney?
It sounds corny, but I feel like I have a big brother watching out for me. I go to George for advice. He's one of the smartest businessmen I know. He knows that all this goes away in a snap.

What's your film Paradise Road about?
It's based on a true story about the women that were leaving Singapore when the Japanese invaded and they were taken into these prison camps. I play an American socialite.

Did you have any stunts?
I jump off a boat 15 feet above the water. I'm afraid of heights and they said, "Does anybody want a body double?" I called my boyfriend [Ron Eldard of ER] and he said, "If Glenn Close is doing it, you have to do it." I did it.

Did you hold your nose?
Yeah, and I was the only one, and then my dress went over my head.

What was it like working with Glenn Close?
She is so down to earth. She was the backgammon queen. We'd have tournaments, and she would do a Cruella on me, putting a spell on my dice, so I would never get what I needed.

You're also starring in Traveler with Bill Paxton. What's that about?
Bill Paxton is a con artist who comes into my bar. I'm a Texas girl who ran away from her husband. We fall in love, and he says, "I'll do one more job." Then the shit hits the fan.

One of your first films was Out For Justice with Steven Seagal. Did you swap hair products?
I just went in, did my job and left. His trailer is around the corner from mine on the Warner Bros lot. I was walking by recently and he said, "Margulies, come over here and show me some respect." I said, "I can't believe you remember my name." I spoke to him for a minute, but he's not someone I keep in touch with.

You waitressed in New York before breaking into acting. Which famous person impressed you most as a customer?
Joel Schumacher made my night once. After Flatliners, he came in with Julia Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland, Bruce Weber, who were all prima donnas. Schumacher came back and gave me $150 because I handled them beautifully.

Has anyone ever mistaken you for a real nurse?
This woman tripped in front of me on the Warner Bros lot and broke her pelvis. These guys came running out and then they saw someone in scrubs over her, so they assumed she was being taken care of. I turned round and said, "No, I'm on TV. Get the paramedics."

What kind of role would you like to play?
I'd love to play a drinkin', smokin', raspy talkin' dame. I'm also dying to do an 18th-century love story. I tested for this film last year that Helena Bonham Carter got, but I'll tell you, during the two hours I spent in that corset with my little English accent, I had the best time of my life.

Have you been following how the stars of Friends are doing in their transition from television to movies?
I worry for them, but not too much. They're laughing all the way to the bank. But I do think you have to be careful you know, starring in your own movie and then suddenly becoming a vehicle that Hollywood uses to make money. It'sjust a different path than the path I'm trying to take. For me, it's who I want to work with. I'm doing A Price Above Rubies with Boaz Yakin because I thought his film Fresh was fantastic. I'd rather be doing that for scale - because I can, because I have a day job - than trying to cash in and then having someone say, "You failed!"

Have your exotic looks ever worked against you?
I was told by both an agent and a casting director that I'd never work in television. They said, "People don't know what to do with you. What are you?" I said, "I'm an American."

Wouldn't you love to run into them now?
I'm sure I don't need to.