Jennifer Tilly
IFQ: Right now you are starring in a television show, Out of Practice, alongside Henry Winkler [The Fonz]. The rumor is that he is the nicest man in Hollywood. Is that true?
Jennifer Tilly: You know, I used to get really star struck when I was little and write letters to all the celebrities. I used to fire off so many letters–putting stamps and pretty stickers on the envelopes. He was the only one who wrote back, with a little note and a Happy Days postcard.
Since then, I found out that he is known as the nicest guy in Hollywood.
I loved Happy Days and I loved The Fonz. I used to think, I am going to Hollywood and [going to] make out with The Fonz. It’s so funny how things turn out because I have to kiss him every week now [laughs].
IFQ: How is it making out with Henry Winkler?
JT: He smells good [laughs]. It’s fun. He is always willing to try something different. He’s the kind of person who is very positive. Like if you say, “Let’s try this,” he never goes, “Oh well that’s idiotic.” He will always be like, “Wow, that’s great idea. Let’s try it.” Which is good and I think we have great chemistry and you know he’s The Fonz, [so] what’s not to like [chuckles].
IFQ: Out of Practice is a new show. Can you tell us a little bit about the great writers and cast you have on board?
JT: Oh my god, it’s really fun to work on.
The writers are the guys who wrote for Frasier, which was a huge success. They are super smart. They are the best in the business. Stockard Channing [Rizzo in Grease] is just an amazing actress. That was one of the main reasons why I wanted to do the show. She’s lovely to work with, professional and has impeccable comic timing. It’s just so much fun bouncing off all the actors. I love going to work everyday. It’s just one big love fest.
IFQ: What made you get into the poker world?
JT: I really like it. You know in Hollywood and in the real world, you have to be nice all the time and you get tired of being nice all the time. In poker, you get to indulge a little bit. I mean you can lie. You can steal people’s blinds. You have to sort of channel your inner competitiveness. It sounds mean because you have to want to try and knock people out and lie all the time, but I love it.
IFQ: Where do you earn most of your money, from poker or from acting?
JT: This year I’ve earned more money from poker. I won the World Series and won $158,000. Then you get website deals and you get paid to make personal appearances. There are lots of different ways you can make money from poker. Well for me, anyways.
IFQ: Now that your dating a “Poker Player,” how do you know he’s being honest with you?
JT: I said on Jay Leno, “Everything he say’s is a lie,” and his feelings were hurt.
He said, “No, once I enter a casino, then everything is a lie, but in real life I don’t lie.”
[Chuckles] But honestly, he is a very honest guy and in real life one of the most trustworthy people I know.
IFQ: Have you ever been to the Playboy mansion?
JT: I did once. My boyfriend wanted to go. They wanted me to be in Playboy magazine, actually. But I think that everyone is intrigued by what goes on in the Playboy mansion. It is funny because it is so much smaller than you imagine. You imagine those wild parties that Hugh puts on and all the girls’ tongue kissing and dancing, but really there are 30 girls to one man. The men are old and the girls are bored, sitting around filing their nails until the camera comes around, then they all start gyrating and licking each other’s nipples [laughs]. Once the camera passes, they go back to filing their nails. It’s sort of an illusion. Well, all of show business really is an illusion.