After 10 seasons playing Ross Gellar on NBC's mega-hit sitcom "Friends," actor David Schwimmer knows all about being thrust into the spotlight. When the series debuted in 1994, Schwimmer was a virtual unknown, but soon became a household name thanks to the series' instant success. That year would also see the beginning of what would become known as "The Trial Of The Century," when sports hero and actor O.J. Simpson was arrested and tried for the murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.
It's a time that Schwimmer remembers vividly and admits helped form his portrayal of attorney Robert Kardashian (yes, the dad to many of the "Keeping Up With" clan) in FX's hit series "American Crime Story: The People v O.J. Simpson."
"I was living in L.A., so I was very aware of the tension here and I was as up to speed as any citizen would be, of current events," he says. "You could feel it, it was palpable in the city. And then this crazy thing of a career break of a lifetime happened. So I was in this strange space of the dizzying nature of, you know, the first kind of flush of celebrity and shooting this wonderful show with this wonderful new group of people. I remember paying attention quite a bit to the trial and during all of the season of filming "Friends."
In one episode you deliver a speech to the Kardashian kids - Kourtney, Kim, Khloé and Rob Jr. - about fame being fleeting. Here we are years later and their fame is not fleeting. How did you keep a straight face during that?
When I read that scene in the script of course it was the first thing that occurred to me, it's the modern context of what he's saying, but when I was actually working on it and doing it what I realized was that he was actually talking to himself. That scene is about Robert, a very private modest man inadvertently and suddenly becoming famous. Also not being comfortable with it. So when he's saying that to his kids he's really reminding himself that his life is about to change and to remember who he is.
Just as yours did with "Friends" that year?
I could identify with that moment in my life and the constant work that you do on yourself; it was the same with Robert. I think the purpose of that scene was to show this part of the character or new dimension to Robert and that unwittingly he was becoming a celebrity and not comfortable with it.
Has doing this reinvigorated your desire to act?
For sure, I'm looking at some other projects.
Are those projects comedies or drama?
I love both, but there is a drama I may be doing so we'll see.
Can you talk about James Burrows special the "Friends" cast reunited for?
We're there to talk about Jim and give him a hug. I just wanted to be in the room when he is honored because this man has contributed so greatly to our country's enjoyment of television over the last 40 or 50 years. It's lovely that he's honored and there were so many people that love him and whose careers were helped defined by him. This man is an incredible director and one who helped define situation comedies in this country. I love him and I'm just excited to have been a part of it along with the cast of so many shows like "Frasier," "Cheers," "Will & Grace," "Taxi"... The list goes on.
How do you feel about Matthew Perry not being able to be there?
He's working in London. I'm rooting for him and his new play and I'm just thrilled that so many people were there.
And you're becoming a "Funko Pop" vinyl figure! Are you excited?
I'm not sure. I think if it looks anything like me I'd be incredibly surprised. I haven't approved it.
