By Mike McCarthy
Jeannine Kaspar is a name that you are going to want to remember, because you will be seeing it a lot for years to come. You have seen her in small parts in films such as Iron Man and Runner Runner but she is now moving up the ladder to starring in several upcoming films. Her newest film Freeheld has released in theaters recently where she is starring in the film alongside Julianne Moore, Steve Carell and Ellen Page. This is only the beginning for Jeannine and we can’t wait to see where her career leads.
Wingman Magazine: You wanted to legally change your name to something a little different. Until what age did you want to be named Snoopy?
Jeannine Kaspar: How did you find that out? I was teased relentlessly as a child, but I did want to change my name to Snoopy, that is 110% true. It was probably until I was about five or six I wanted to be named Snoopy. It get’s brought up every once in awhile when around my eight siblings.
Wingman Magazine: Tell us about your part of Margaret in Freeheld and what the film is about?
Jeannine Kaspar: It was such an honor to be based on Joan Hervey (Garden State Equality Activist) she basically worked tirelessly opposite Steven Goldstein (Played by Steve Carell) to change the law to get pension benefits for same sex couples in Orange County in New Jersey. You will see the evolution of Steven and Margaret finding out about the case and wanting to basically make it national news and put pressure on the freeholders to change the pension laws.
Wingman Magazine: It is quite the A-list cast you are working with. Ever just stop what you were doing to watch in awe of your co-stars?
Jeannine Kaspar: Oh, definitely. I noticed too that they are just all around wonderful people. They are very kind to me and caring to each other. Julianne (Moore) was very caring towards me as well. I feel that it is mostly a film family really, and it’s a collaborative process. At one point we were about to start shooting a very intense scene, and Julianne noticed that I was wearing heels. On set you can sometimes be on your feet for ten hours or more. She came over and was like, “oh no, you’re in heels. You won’t see your feet in this, I would love to get your sneakers.” You would never think that someone going into playing this really intense scene that something like that would pop into your head. She is just that kind of woman. I got to hear her talking with Steve (Carell) as there was talk of them being nominated for awards that they were just enjoying the process.
Wingman Magazine: One of your first projects was the huge hit Ironman. What was the audition like for you?
Jeannine Kaspar: It was so much fun. It’s literally like you see on film. I was pouring drinks on a tray and it was very fun and light. Robert Downey Jr. was a very kind and respectful. Terrence (Howard) was really funny. It was filmed at the Howard Hughes airport in California. We definitely shot more than what you saw on film. There is a deleted scene (that you can see on the DVD or if you watch it on FX) where the stewardesses become a little less buttoned up. I definitely am not a graceful dancer, so that was really funny. I have two left feet and you would think that dancing around a pole would be easier, but not so much. But I had so much fun, and I hope they used the good cuts where I didn’t fall over.
Wingman Magazine: You also are working on the film Supermoto. What is it about and when can we see it?
Jeannine Kaspar: We just submitted the film to Sundance and we will find out what other festivals it will be shown at over the next month. I am super excited about it. With a supermoto motorcycle, it’s a dual port which means it has the body style of a dirt bike and the tires of a street bike. I wake up in a motel at the beginning of the film with a black eye and find out that I have been left pregnant and alone by my boyfriend with nothing but $5 and this supermoto motorcycle that belonged to him. I decide that I am sick of my life and that I want to leave everything behind and start the next chapter of my life completely on my own. It picks up from there in and around Fargo, North Dakota. I do all of my own motorcycle riding in the film. Without giving too much away it was a very interesting and intense project to be a part of. You know I am running from something, but not quite what. That is slowly revealed to you along the way.
Wingman Magazine: Where did your love for being on screen and an actor come from?
Jeannine Kaspar: It comes from the fact that I used to watch a lot of Saturday Night Live. I love to laugh and be entertained and rip on politics and current events. So watching Will Ferrell on SNL helped with my love of acting. After I decided that I wanted to go into acting, one of the first classes I took was method acting, which is what Marlon Brando studied. It is very intense and it draws on real life experiences. For me, for whatever reason it is something that really works for me. It really hit home and clicked with me and drove me to want to pursue it.
Wingman Magazine: What is the worst audition you ever had? Don’t have to name the movie or show.
Jeannine Kaspar: First day of filming with a really big creator/director/writer, probably my second big project. They call rolling and I am supposed to run to the door and ask this guy at the door, “why are you here?” And I kept calling him by his real name. It happened twice and I mean come on, I should know better but I was so excited and it got away from me.
Wingman Magazine: Is there one show on TV that you would love to be on, and why that particular show?
Jeannine Kaspar: I would love to be on The Knick. I like the time period of the show, it’s provocative, it’s edgy and naughty all wrapped in one. I love (Steven) Soderbergh and I just think it’s a really good show. It’s based on The Hospital.