IN CONVERSATION WITH HEATHER GRAHAM

interview by JANA LETONJA

Heather Graham most recently led ‘Chosen Family’, a film she wrote, directed, and starred in. Next up, she will be seen alongside Nicolas Cage and Stephen Dorff in Western ‘Gunlingers’, and has also joined Zazie Beetz, Patricia Arquette, and Tom Felton in thriller ‘They Will Kill You’.

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You’ve had such an incredible career, from ‘Drugstore Cowboy’ to ‘Boogie Nights’ to ‘The Hangover’. Looking back, what do you think has been the biggest turning point for you as an actress?

I went on so many auditions when I first started acting. I used to drive around with different outfits in my car so I could change before each audition. A turning point for me was when I started to get offered roles without auditioning. I’m so grateful that I get to do what I love.

What initially drew you to acting, and when did you realize it was something you wanted to pursue professionally?

As a kid, I acted in school plays and I loved that. I played Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz’. I would play pretend dress up games with other kids who lived on my street. I loved watching movies. I went to see ‘Peter Pan’ at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Sandy Duncan played Peter Pan, and she flew over the audience on wires. I became obsessed with Peter Pan. I used to dress up like Peter Pan and pretend to be him. I really wanted to fly, and in high school I was a drama geek. 



You’ve worked with some of the most iconic actors and directors in Hollywood. Is there a particular collaboration that stands out as the most memorable or transformative for you?

I loved working with Paul Thomas Anderson. He’s very passionate about what he’s doing, and he empowers you to do great work. He makes you feel really confident when you’re working with him, and I loved playing Rollergirl.

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Your latest film ‘Chosen Family’ is one you wrote, directed, and starred in. What inspired this project, and how did it feel stepping into the director’s chair again?

Growing up in this business, I wanted to see more stories told from a female point of view. I loved watching stories about women. I wanted to play the protagonist and tell a story that meant something to me, about something that was painful, but also to find humor in the situation. I wanted to explore how having a dysfunctional family can sometimes lead to people choosing the wrong partner, and I wanted to celebrate my friends who are my chosen family. That’s why I made ‘Chosen Family’. Also, I wanted to learn more about the behind-the-scenes aspects of making a movie. 

You’ll next be starring in ‘Gunslingers’ alongside Nicolas Cage and Stephen Dorff. What can you tell us about the film and your role?

I was excited to be in a movie with Nicolas Cage and Stephen Dorff. ‘Gunslingers’ is a classic western with some fun characters. My friend Randall Badinkoff is the producer, and he also plays one of the outlaws. I like that my character, Val, is feisty.

Also coming up, we’ll be seeing you in ‘They Will Kill You’. How do you prepare for darker, more suspenseful roles compared to comedy or drama?

The preparation for comedy and drama is pretty similar for me. I work with an acting coach named Warner Loughlin. We make up a whole backstory for each character I play. In the movie ‘They Will Kill You’, there are a lot of action scenes. The vibe of ‘They Will Kill You’ is ‘Kill Bill’ meets a horror movie. I rehearsed for weeks with the stunt coordinator and the stunt performers. They were all so talented and I learned a lot. I would love to do more action. The script for ‘They Will Kill You’ is very fun and unique. I’m excited I got to work with Patricia Arquette and Zazie Beetz. I’m very excited to see that movie. My character has some surprising moments, and Andrew and Barbara Mushcietti who did the ‘It’ franchise are our producers.

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necklace and bracelets ALEXIS BITTAR
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Hollywood has evolved a lot since you first started. What are the biggest changes you’ve seen, especially for women in the industry?

I think today there is more of an awareness that Hollywood is sexist. There is more of a desire to change things, but I don’t think we have been fully successful in changing things yet. It is exciting to see more female story tellers get a chance to direct movies. I’m excited to watch feminist movies like ‘Barbie’ achieve box office success. I think there is a big untapped market of people who want to watch women’s stories.

You’ve expanded into writing, directing, and producing. What motivated you to take on those roles, and how has it changed your perspective on filmmaking?

I want to tell stories that I care about, from a female perspective. That’s why I am a filmmaker. Movies and TV shape how we see the world, they shape how little girls see themselves, and what little girls think they can grow up to be. I feel like I grew up in a culture where men’s feelings were more important, and I needed to retrain myself as an adult to see that my feelings are important. I think stories told from a female perspective help women see that how they feel matters. 

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When you’re not working, how do you unwind? Are there any hobbies or interests your fans might be surprised to learn about?

I love doing yoga, hanging out with my friends, relaxing, getting craniosacral therapy, and being in nature. I really love the ocean. Anytime that I can be near the ocean, I’m happy. I love dancing. Mainly, I love being around people I care about. I love cooking for friends, and I love when they cook for me. I love food. I’m a foodie and I spend a lot of my time thinking about what I’m going to eat. My friends always tease me about that.

Looking back at your career, is there a role you’d love to revisit or a character you’d play differently now?

I’m excited and looking forward to my career. I optioned a book by Liane Moriarity, called ‘The Hypnotist’s Love Story’, and my friend Deb Fisher is going to be the showrunner. I’m very excited about that. I’m writing some new stuff, and I’m just grateful I get to keep doing what I love. I’m grateful that I am in movies that some people think are iconic. That’s really cool.

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necklace ALEXIS BITTAR
ring DUNIYA JEWELRY
shoes LOUBOUTIN

TEAM CREDITS:

photography DYLAN PERLOT for EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS
styling JORDAN GROSS for THE ONLY AGENCY
makeup JESSICA AHN for TRACEY MATTINGLY AGENCY
hair TED GIBSON for EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS
styling assistant RACHEL OLSON
location FD PHOTO STUDIO LA
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial direction and interview JANA LETONJA