February 12, 2012

Patton Oswalt is a Big Fan

by Mark Sells | Published August 31, 2009

(Page 2)

PO: You mean meeting someone and they were a hero of mine and it kind of went ewww? (laughs) Yeah, that happened a couple of times but I don’t want to name names because I might still run into them now!

MM: How about on the receiving end?

PO: Yes, but that happens so rarely. For the most part, fans are so nice. I think that’s just the exception to the rule. There are as many people that don’t understand fandom and cross boundaries as there are celebrities that are in it for the wrong reasons. It goes both ways.

MM: This particular role would be a dream come true for many—playing a sports fan, doing research, tailgating, etc. Are you a big sports fan? How did you prepare for the role?

PO: No, I’ve never followed any kind of sport ever. I approached it more from the angle of how it would be to have something overtake your life; something that’s outside of yourself. I think we’ve all had, to a lesser or greater degree, that kind of impulse. And I took it from that perspective rather than trying to learn about sports.

MM: Did you have any favorite moments from the making of Big Fan?

PO: I really liked the scenes I got to do with Marcia Jean Kurtz, who played my mom. She was amazing and getting to riff with her, on my character’s life, it was so lively and fun.

MM: I really enjoyed your work on “King of Queens.” What do you miss most about the show? How did it impact your career going forward?

PO: I miss the people I worked with. They were all really, really fun. And as far as impacting my career, it gave me lots of exposure and I was able to do more clubs and sell more seats, which was all very positive!

MM: You’ve done a lot of voice over work—“Kim Possible,” “Aqua Teen” and, of course, Ratatouille. What’s been your favorite voice and why?

PO: Definitely Ratatouille, because I got to work with Brad Bird. And I got to visit Pixar, which is an amazing place. It was just so much fun for so many reasons. I absolutely loved it!

MM: Where did “Wackity Schmackity Doo” come from?

PO: I have no idea. It just kind of happened on stage one night. I have no idea where my bits come from! Something just happens in my life and I talk about it.

MM: I read that you were somewhat of a fanboy—Star Wars, Dungeons & Dragons, Batman, etc. Have you ever had a complete geek out moment, where you just kick yourself because you’re standing next to the cast of Twilight?

PO: (laughs) I’ve actually never seen Twilight, never read the books and never met those guys. But I guess my big “geek out” moment was becoming friends with Harlan Ellison and visiting his house. That was geek nirvana for me and I don’t think I can do anything to top that!

MM: Talk to me a little about your writing process. What have you learned as a writer in the business and do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

PO: My saying in stand up is “do it every day.” Don’t read books and don’t think about it. Just do it every day and you’ll get better. It’s really that easy!

MM: With all that you’ve accomplished, what are your current aspirations?

PO: I’ve actually let myself go blank for a little bit. I don’t know what my next aspirations are, I’m just gonna keep doing what I’m doing right now instead of trying to make plans. And just see what comes along next for once.

Also, I just had a daughter and I’m way more into that than anything in my career right now.

MM: Out of all the work that you’ve done, what are you most proud of?

PO: I probably wouldn’t pick just a single thing. I’m really proud that I’ve gotten to do stand up; I love the albums that I’ve put out. And I’m proud of stuff like Ratatouille and “King of Queens.” So many things, I could never pick just one!

Big Fan is in theaters now. Visit http://www.bigfanmovie.com for more information.