Throughout his career, Tommy Lee Jones clearly took his own approach to acting and fame. Jones tried to make films that Hollywood wanted no part of, and in addition, he wasn’t always easy to deal with. That was the case during Men in Black as the actor was deemed a nightmare on set.
It seems as though promoting the film wasn’t any easier for the veteran star. Looking back at his interviews, Tommy Lee Jones was a man of few words, and really didn’t push himself to go over the top in terms of his responses. We’re going to reveal what took place during his interviews, and why Tommy Lee Jones might be the hardest act to sit down with for a casual chat.
Tommy Lee Jones Was Difficult To Deal With At The Start Of Men In Black
Tommy Lee Jones bolstered his career thanks to Agent K in Men in Black. Clint Eastwood was initially pitched the role and once he passed, Jones was the next in line. Although playing a serious character seemed to be a good fit for Jones, director Barry Sonnenfeld revealed that wasn’t exactly the case early on as the actor struggled with the role.
The director revealed Tommy Lee Jones’ struggles with the lack of comedy, “It took a long time for him to feel comfortable with it. I don’t think he ever did,” Sonnenfeld said of Jones alongside Insider. “I don’t think he understood that comedy. In fact, I really sat on his performance. I never wanted him to acknowledge anything Will said was funny or was a joke.”
On the flip side, Jones did thrive alongside Will Smith, and it is said that the pair immediately connected off-camera.
“They both thought each other was funny,” Sonnenfeld said. “For me, personally, the very first time we shot with both of them together is that pawn-shop scene with Jack Je ebs (played by Tony Shalhoub) and they both were perfect.”
Despite Tommy Lee’s success in the film, promoting it was quite the task. In truth, that was a theme that followed the actor throughout his career.
Tommy Lee Jones Didn’t Give Away Much During His Men In Black Press Interviews
In fairness to the interviewers, Tommy Lee Jones generally doesn’t give away much during interviews. When asked about his success with Texas Monthly, Jones refused to give a firm answer. He said, “Haven’t thought about it. No, I haven’t thought about it,” he said. “Do you really think I sit around and ask myself questions like ‘How does success feel?’” Although the answer might be deemed as harsh, he is a straight shooter in fairness…
As for his questions promoting Men in Black, it followed the same theme as the actor really didn’t have much interest in thinking deeply, or giving out too much information.
Nonetheless, fans on YouTube still had a blast with the hilarious responses that were given. One fan writes, “He’s a realist. He’s not out of touch. He’s not trying to overcomplicate what’s going on. It’s the simplicity of portraying a designed character and being himself, and separating the two. It’s exhibiting common sense and grounding himself in reality. This is pretty hilarious.”
Another fan also agreed that the actor is all about simplicity, and wishes to do his job and basically clock out after that.
“He’s an intelligent and brilliant actor! He does his work and goes home. Period! If a movie comes out with Tommy Lee Jones, I’m going to see it because I know I’ll get the best performance and my money’s worth. It’s that simple! The man is a legend!”
It really isn’t only the interviewers that have seen this side of the actor. In fact, A-list star Jim Carrey probably got the worst version of Tommy Lee Jones…
Jim Carrey Saw The Angry Side Of Tommy Lee Jones During A Very Unpleasant Encounter
Appearing together in Batman Forever, Carrey and Jones had a problematic relationship. According to Jim, the fact that he was the star did not sit well with Jones. Things reached a boiling point prior to a major scene during production. The two were at the same restaurant, but let’s just say Jones wanted nothing to do with his co-star.
“The maitre said, ‘Oh, I hear you’re working with Tommy Lee Jones. He’s over in the corner having dinner.’ I went over and I said, ‘Hey Tommy, how are you doing?’ and the blood just drained from his face,” Carrey said.
“And he got up shaking — he must have been in mid kill me fantasy or something like that. And he went to hug me and he said, ‘I hate you. I really don’t like you.’ And I said, ‘What’s the problem?’ and pulled up a chair, which probably wasn’t smart. And he said, ‘I cannot sanction your buffoonery.’”
Carrey also mentions that the veteran actor might not have been a fan of his acting style either.