Untold Boxing Stories and Conclusion

I'm excited to recommend an episode from the new season of the Talking Pictures podcast Talking pictures from TCM and HBO Max features TCM host Ben Menkowitz in conversation with iconic actors and writers as they discuss their earliest film memories, along with their favorite films, creative influences, and guilty pleasures. After all The biggest entertainers of our time are film fans at their core just like the rest of us This season, you'll hear from actors and filmmakers like Patton Oswald, Sally Field, Chloe Zhao, and more In today's episode, I'm excited to share an episode of Talking Pictures with you which features a conversation with Rosie Perez, star of modern classics such as Do the Right Thing, Night on Earth, Fearless, for which she was nominated for an Oscar And my personal favorite, men can't jump Without further ado, here's talking Pictures, featuring Rosie Perez Make sure to watch talking Pictures on HBO Max. Or listen wherever you get your podcasts. Father Ting in the way we work. Very well rounded. I like this. This is excellent. Yeah. because she couldn't get out of her way because of her principles. Couldn' get out of her own way. That's right. It didn't happen Are there principles Ho the the Rosie Perez does Barbara Streryand is probably going to make the beginning of this podcast. I point that out This is Talking Pictures, a movie meemories podcast from Turner Classic movies and HBO Max. I'm Ben Mankitz. Today's guest Rosie Perez Rosie got her acting start largely by accident was cast and Spike Lee's do the right thing after the two met in peculiar fashion at a nightclub In the film, she plays his character's girlfriend, Tina She also dances to public enemies fight the power in the movie's legendary opening credit sequence.ight the power. Rosie got an Oscar nomination for her work in Peter Weir's nineteen ninety three film Fearless. She has done Broadway and prerestige TV She's been cast in the upcoming season of White Lotus on HBO And Rosie is open really rough childhood. And how hard it is to find your way in Hollywood Eespecially if you're a woman. Puerto Rican woman. Puerto Rican woman who sounds like Rosie Perez Here's our conversation So who was the first person in this business to tell you to changed slightly who you are, whether it was your voice or your look. I would say the first time it was crriticized or talked about was in the press Um you know, and That shocked me because I didn't know I had an accident. You know, do you hear yourself? But then after that, it was I, you know, I had gotten this agent She was a top tier agent, but it was what I could get at the time. And, um She's the one that told me if I lose the accent Get a nose job Dye my hair blonde. As more for whyite I would get more rules And I was like, I'm not doing that. And she goes, Well, then maybe like if you get darker and then, you know, wear your hair frzzy, you could pass for black And I said, you f it Okay, I didn't remember that story. I think you told me a version of that story. I was not going for that at all um, Ething you mentioned in that made it progressively worse Like kept her wholeo kept getting That was Yeah, u I was really getting at your voice. I was thinking that it was Don Cornelius. I thought if I heard that right or read that right that that he didn't like your accent. Yes, he did it. You're right. I forgot all about that Yes, oh my God, he hated it. He told me, It sounds like you have a mouth full of marbles And u I was like Okay. And it was like, that's it. that I go Yo, what the fuck you want me to say? Say I fucking sound like I have a mouth fful of marvelles I u I think about you when I think about my brother sometimes. My brother, who's a dateline NBC correspondent. he's been doing that for thirty years. He's a great reporter, He's a great big brother And he, u when he has a bit of a nasy voice and he talks a little bit like this, but police tell a very different story. Right? And he's always sort of talked down. I know who you're talking about ' I Yeah. Yeah yeah. That's Josh Mikeawitz from Dayline NBC. Anyway, so he's the best. and he taught me how to be on TV, taught me all these things and I can sound like him sometimes. u without trying to, He went to like an elecution coach when he was at ABC and was working in New York. I think might have the times wrong, but he early in his career. They set him to a coach to try and get the nasal thing out of his voice. And he went for a bit and then he thought someome version of and this was in the eighties He thought there was some version of Hey, man, this is how I sound. And if this doesn't work, then fine, then this career won't work and Even whenever your agent said that and Don Cornelius, that was, Don Cornelius was the host of Soul trarain. You were a dancer around Soul trarain. That's when put that in perspective for people. That's when that happened And the business hadn't yet figured out that if you sound like you, if you sound like Rosie Perez And which means you don't sound like anybody else that That's not our weakness. That's not the thing to rub out. That's the thing to lean into Well, you know, I was just like, this is ridiculous, you know, And was I was still going to college. I was a biochemajor. so I was like, well, if this doesn't work out, I'll just go back school and then have a career in the lab You know, I didn't want to go in the water because it would mess up my hair. So, you know, so I always thought of myself in Spain and wearing a l coat. down a microscope Yeah, but like a marine I'm like a marine biologist who wants nothing to do with the water. By the way, where did I write that down? Oh yeah. So Rosie in twenty fourteen, was it or fif you did your memoir, right? Yes. Be you talked about your hair, Handbook for an unpredictable life how I survived sister Renada and my crazy mother and still came out smiling with great hair I obviously take to that title Because if I write a memoir, I feel obligated to include my hair in the title. You got gorgeous here Thank you very much. We have great hair. This is a good hair podcast happening right now Thank God, it's video So let's go back to some of that early stuff thenve actually I won't drag you through everything with your with your mother and the and the Catholic home for girls, though I want to get a little bit on it because it is such a key component of who you are. But you're in LA at LA City College, right in the eighties when you You are seen dancing at a club and they ask you and some friends of your to come dance on Soul trarain or was it just you The talent scalf soldiering just came to me And I was like, Are you kidding me? Soul train, like on TV And he's like, Yeahah. And I said, well, can my friends come and sense Are they as hot as you? or you? And they were. And I introduced them to my girlfriends and he told us all to show up on, you know the following Saturday And we were so excited We was so excited. and he said, so show up at the gate and I'll let you in. And when I got to the gate, it was such a sad affair Everybody was pressed up are at the gate And I didn't understand what they were doing. Everyone was jocking to get in front. And he came out And he just started pointing you You You I was like, what And I looked at my girlfriend's ' he was picking like the regular dancers But it was such a The people waiting were so desperate to get in, and I just thought it was cruel. And I told my girlfriends, I said, let's get out of here. And my girlfriend goes, I'm not leaving. I want to be on sol trade. And I said, well, then I'm leaving. And I went I turned and the town guy goes, Wh whoa, wait,a, wait you no, no, no, don't leave, Don't leave. And I said, Well, this is mean And goes, No, I'm going to let youoin And I said, Well, then you have to let my girls in because you told me to bring them And he let us in. And that kind of set the tone for me at Soul Train. 'cause as I'm walking in, I'm like, I don't like the way this is being handled. I really don't. You know, d d. He's looking at like like I crazy. You you werere like the Norma Ray of Soul Train Yes. Y How much did you make for doing soul training You got a two piece Kentucky fried chicken lunch box. That everyvery week you got a new one, right? Yes. So they didn't pay the dancers. They did not pay the dances Um So It's a crazy story, a crazy story. So I'm going to jump around. I'm going to come back, but then so you're doing that You're on soul train. How long do you do that for? like eight or nine months, somethingomet like that a while, right? Yeah Mhm And Sooultin still drew a big number So you were getting seen by a lot of people including your father. He was he was living, he was in Puerto Rico It was important for us. Yeah And he saw you on soul trarain and what? He said no, no, no, no, no. I rememember that wagon is finging, no, no, no, no, no And he didn't like the way I was dressed. he didn't like the way I was dancing And, you know, I was just he basically told me In a nutshell, he didn't want me to be on the show anymore. and so I didn't retire the following weekend. So what I find really interesting about you is that you are the normal ray of Soultrain and you fired your agent. But your dad told you one time not to do sltin anymore and you were likeep Understood Puerto Rican You know what I'm saying? Son, it's like your father tells you, no, no, no, no, you say, okay, and that's it. It's end of discussion And as we're going to learn, later pretty soon about your dad. Uh, that's like the one time he told you not to do anything. And then other times when when when when riske stuff happened, like your dads was a huge I stood right next to you, big supporter of yours, right Yes, Yes. When I was when I did do the right thing was I didn't tell them there was going to be nudity involved was first of all, can we just pause for a second? That was Terrible mistake. Hh You know what it was, then is that I didn't think like, oh, it'll never get to Puerto Rico. You know what I mean? I got you I got you. I Becauseuse back then, you know, like movies took like years to you know A really long time to get to Puerto Rico and I'm thinking he'll never see it, you know O I'll have time later to warn him what Yeah, yeah, I'll get to that. Oh my Godd, he invited the entire town Bangadia, Puerto Rico and He stood up when the scene came, he stood up and grabbed his heart. And some people said that he was being melodramatic. He really didn't go into cardiac arrest. And some people were like, no, he really went into cardiac arrest. But knowing my father, I think it was a little bit of both. I think he probably had a panic attack and then milked it You know? And and so, you know, the ambulance came, of course and, you know, the willing him out anding if he milked it, he milked it enough to get an ambulance to go Oh yeah, my father was not joke My father was no joke And u Yeah, uh It was just hilarious. And then, you know, I called him, I was crying on the phone. And and You know, like I'm so sorry I should have told you and he says, it's okay. nexte time If you're gonna do it again, I hope you don't But next time if you do a list Tommy It's an artistic film I Little code. A little code father daughter. Yeah Yeah. Yeah. But I love that he didn't tell you not to do it again that he was like, no, you're a professional actor You've got to make these decisions on your own Um, I don't know, I those two stories about Don't dance like that on Soul Train, but supporting you. And then by the way, when you went and saw him in Puerto Rico, right? Was it in Puerto Rico? You went saw him and he carried your picture around while taking you to meet everybody. Oh my god, it was humili First of all, oh, I don't know if I told a story. First of all, when I went to Puerto Rico and we werere touching down in the Rimi Base in Aguaia and about to get off the plane. Everybody's turning around and saying, whoo are you? And I guess what My father brought a whole brass band to welcome me to our hometown. I refuse to get off the plane. I'll say he look Please that don't do this pase, please And he, you know, he was like, what please. And then, you know, and he's telling the flight attendants because I'm watching him He goes, That's my ba, Rosid Pereres. Yes, yes, that's her. That's my daughter. That's my daughter. And I one two, three and the band starts going on. I'm going, o my God, oh my God. And yeah, but wherever we went, he had the eight byon stucked in his wallet. And one time, oh who went to the airport Um and And he he gives the his ID and with the ID, he hands the ticket C woman the eight byem. She goes, o no, sir, I don't need this. He goes, J do You know who that is That is my daughter. I'm like, I'm sorry I'm so sorry. We make Oh man, that is a proud father. That is so nice. That is so nice. Yeah. And it's the U so I want to get to two things. One, I want to talk about that nude scene a little bit. One because to me, it's such a great it's only I don't remember nude scenes. I don't care about them. I really don't. That's true U It has such a great line, right? I mean Yeah You're naked not yourre negative you're not to have sex. I mean, is the line that's too hot to fuck or is it too' too hot to have Yeah So That by the way, I got scared that I can't say that. It wouldn't have worked. Spike Ly knew wouldn't have worked if it was too hot to make love. That's not a good line. All right. And you guys had again, you standing up for yourself. You had gone over with Spike, the parameters of the news scene and it wasn't like You've never said that he did anything wrong, but It's one thing to go over the parameters of it but when you were shooting it you got uncomfortable And u because it just wasn't what you expected because How were you going to know it? How would you know what it was, rightight? until you until you do it? Um, And you guys are rolling and a guy who I've gotten to know a little bit, he's been a guest at TCM Classic Film Festival and the TCM Classic movie Cruise Wh's one of the great guys in this business, Ernest Dickerson, who's also a great cinematographer, now a really good director too. Uh he he stopped the sing, He right? because you were upset. and he was like, we're cutting, even though generally the cinematographer doesn't say when to cut Yes. and Ruthie Carter was the costume designer and she was waiting there with a bathlbe. and And I remember that. she goes, comeome here, baby that she just wrapped me up in the bathroom And it was just a beautiful moment. It really was. And Spike apologized. And you know, I don't like, you know we're li in such a cancel culture right now And I don't like when people try to criticize him for that. we were both very young. He was a very young filmmaker. It was a very young man And you know, he's learned and he's told people that, but what's the most important thing is that We've reconciled immediately. Yeah, right then, like right then and there Yeah. Yeah. And and And he was very respectful after that And, you know, and we're still really good friends to this day. So Now we'll bounce around a little bit more because we'll back up. So So you also buy from Had you already been hired as a choreographer when that happened Like 'cause that was from soul training that you offered a Core, right? Yes And how and you get offered to be a choreographer for who you don't know what it's time, but who to turn out for. U I did not know it at the time because it was top secret and when I went to the u record company The u the executive for A and R L Silas Julian. Please don't tell anybody, but this is for Bobby Brown. of new audition he's going solo. And I went, Oh my God. And he goes, ye. I was like, Oh my good so. And he says, Okaykay, so show me the routine. I go what routine It goes the wholeine that for my artist I went Right I had no routine made up Nothing. And just the mention of Bobby Brown's name, I was so excited. I made up a routine right there on the spot And he goes, Yeahah, that's great. but I want one little thing different. I said, what? He goes, you know how you pump down that soul chain line? I go, yeah, he goes, I want in the routine for Bobby Brown to like Yeah. And I went what did you say?? Yeah And he goes, you know, I just, you know, I'm just Hump it, just humup the air. And listen, okay So if you see my prerogative, all he's doing is humping on the stage. Because you know, he couldn't really get the entire routine. So I go just hp All right? whatever you don't remember, just honk Youver you lost. That trump the air The, uh That's and what was your training as a dancer The nuns taught me here How to tap. Yes Yes, picture it, picture it, pen. a n in a habit, the full gear going and a five, six, seven eight C that Yeah. So that that's it. those was that was the extent of your dance training Yeah. So You were with the Nuns for six years? Yeah, about about that Yeah, like three to nine or four to nine something around there Yeah. Why were you with the nuns Well, I was a love child. My mother and father were married to different people and they had an affair You know, Born And my father left my mother because she tried to shoot him Um, There's a reason why I like filming the wall so much.. He my p goes. She' know if she didn't tried to shoot me, I would have still stayed with her. I'm like dad, you're ridiculous. It's ridiculous where she also suffered GarusSol. She suffered severely from mental illness. She was Paranoorid schizophrenic and But you didn't know any of that at the time and I'm sure I'm not even sure how many people knew it. They knew she behaved erratically, but right noody knew And when I was born, when I was a wake old, she went over to My father's sister's house, my aunt. And u said, I'm going to go to the Bodega I'll be right back and she him come back for three years Thty four years Yeahah. She just left me there. So I always thought That my art was my mom And when she came back U She rips me out of my aunt's arms and only to Go on a train with her and take me upstate New York to a convvent to ny And and placed me there likeike a Catholic home for children That's right Um And I mean, you know, everybody who you tell this to us is the same reaction,ll have the same reaction. I mean, it's madness, it's madness. and you're obvious and it literally was madness. I'm sure that was through disease convincing her that was somehow in her way or was a threat to her in some way or she because she didn't even go see you much when she well she didn't she didn't take you to raise you. She took you somewhere else away from a family to sister Renata in the gang Yes, and that's when I discovered I had half siblings. I had no idea because she had put them there too And she had a lot of kids, your mom. had a lot of kids. And yeah, And so it it was horrible. It was really, really horrible. You know Most of my half siblings didnid't claim me. they they were like, she's not a real sister. It was it was it was a terrible, terrible, terrible time Um But it was also bitter sweet because I think I get these from my father on I always see the suy sideir. I always I will gravitate to the suouny side of the street every single time even in the depths of despair. and You know, I found my little pockets of joy. and there were a few nuns that were really, really kind to me and sweet. There were a lot of volunteers and counselors that were wonderful to me. U you know, but the abuse that went on in that place was literally U And I know things were tough and I invite everybody to read your book and it was really was it was worse than Rosie has laid out. And so as I was watched so then you We move forward to get your career launched I watched again last night feearless Um, That's you and Jeffridges. The two of you or two of a handful or twenty or so survivors of a terrible plane crash plane loses hydraulics crash lands Most people die including your Little baby that you were holding But that's a heavy character to play and Was that the first time a roll sort of took you back to some of the the manner in which you grew up and some of that loss and some of that aching need for love, which was not available to you Well, there was this movie for HBO called Criminal Justice Swing Fororest, Wudica and Jem for Grape And that movie was the first real drama, heavy drama. ' a little lost, obviously doing it because the directory He was really great, but was I didn't do my best, but I think I did it. fairly decent job. and it wasn't until fearless where I knew I was ready for a role like this. and They didn't want me. The studio didn't want me at all because it was Howard Fur, the casting director who kept insisting people aware that he see me And You know, everybody was like, no, no, no, she's not right for this. She's not right for this at all. And he goes, I think she is because Howard had saw had seen criminal justice that HBN will be. says she could pull this off And u Yeah, and I finally got an audition And howard just looked at me, he goes Calmed down because I was so Nervous And Peter Wir beforefore we Read any of the lines. Can you lay down and just be like in an extremely depressed canatonic state? And I went Oh, honey, I can do that with my eyes closeed. yeah Ipression, kindatonic yeah That was really easy for me. and I don't think I was surplaceed to anybody, Ben And in that audition when He goes, okay, that's enough because he saw that the emotion was starting And I sat up and he goes, you okay? And I remember I felt like that little girl once again And I just nodded my head, yes And he goes here and he handed me a tissue And the tears just came It just came and he goes, I have one last thing that you I go, Are we gonna read And he goes no no no He says I need to see you pray. Well, what All right. So I was raised in a Catholic churd. Okay, this is easy again. So without even thinking about it, you know, a true Catholic It doesn't go in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. You go father amen You know, like that, It's like and I saw a little smirk on him when I did that And when he said, I want you for the role, he was honest with me The studio doesn't want you Kevin Lvane call me first with Jane Belinner He says they don't watch you, so you have to audition again. and now you have to audition again for the studio Okay And he says, you go in chat They won' fly you out just Fly yourself out cult if you don't have the money This is your point and fight for it. And so I said, Okay, I will And, you know, and when I got there, Peter says, You know why I want you so badly? I said, whyy And he goes, You understand Moss like nobody. have ever met And he says, and the way you prayed, And said what do you mean? He goes t Be I never saw that you haven't met a Catholic You know, And he was like laughing and yeah, but I had to audition four times for the studio four times. And I remember Jeff R just goes, would you just give her the damn roll already? This is ridiculous And I just hugged him You know, and But I thought, I really thought I'm not I' going gonna move on. They're gonna move on, you know, and because their main gripe was They didn't want the interracial aspect becausecause what was original in the script was that there was a love scene The compromise was was that they took out the Lumpsy. Right. And instead, we get a almost love scene That looks good I' scare I mustca anything. Youta kiss me I just did kiss you. I mean for real. I remember I learned so much on that film Jeff Bridges I like, What are you doing? He goes I'm rehearsing. I said But you're just laring your hands. He goes, well what I do is that I rehearse the scene without the dialogue So then I understand the gesturing that goes along with it. and then I know whether I'm being too self conscious with the gesturing and it also helps me with as well And I said, well, he goes, let's try it and I went U. You know, because I felt silly. and he goes, come on, let's try it. And we did it. and Then we started doing it at before every take. and then Peter Weir He said I said, That was a bad take. And he says, What do you mean? That was a great take. And I said, I know but I was faking it. And he goes Yes, acting I said Oh. And he goes, Well, that's your technique. I go, I don't have a technique. He goes,h, you have a technique You how to think that's right. Yeah Do you have technique? Would you say now you have a technique? I have a technique in the sense where I didn't understand it at the time And now I do understand it and now I have to really I allow myself not to be so conscious of it But it was to let everything go and us Oh. in the moment and I know that sounds trivial, but that's very hard to achieve. Ttally hard to do. Very hard to achieve. And so it's my technique is throw it all way just sold her away. now it would shake and shimmy and just throw her away. And it reminded me of my The lies and the pretending I would do when I was in the children's home outside We called kids that were not from the home that we went to outside school and the pretending I did and I would I would I I at a tender little age, creating enti brown scenario of my life And I played that role every single day I went to school and then I would get busted and then I would go into depression. It was just conant. so I knew how to do that Did you And where did that fantasy world come from? Was that just in your head? Was it informed by stuff Was it informed by TV shows you'd seen I'm going to guess there wasn't a lot of TV there at the monastery, whatever it was. And Had you gone to movies? Had you seen movies? H you seen I sort of don't see that as being part of your life. Yes, they would have movie nights. They would have movie night. Do you remember, is it the Bells of Stt Mary or one of the een Crosbay? And they have movie night for the boys and they have, you know, on the wheels and they're showing, the nuns would do that for us and I would be transported. I would be taken away and You know, when the other kids wanted to go outside and play, that's when the nuns or the councselors would stay inside and watch TV and I would sneak in and I would just watch. because do you remember the a Saturday afternoon movie Yeah, I mean I didn't grow up inework but I know they had it. And so they would they would watch those movies and when I would go home, and I love the movies. love the movies. and She would tell my cousins to always take me to double features And I would just be transported and I would fantasize that I was I was in those scenarios that I was that actress living out that life. And it first started with Shirley Temple U when she was playing the littleittle princess and there's all this food and everything like that. But I used to fantasize that I was Sully temple Um Alli, Rosie, we' take quick break. We're gonna come right back and I will talk a little more and we'll get to the super eightade eventually, Rosie Perez coming back momentarily on talking pictures So let's get back to the movies that that sort of made you too. So you when you go back home in the in into Brooklyn with your ant, then you go to see some double features Yes Did And did the nuns though, they ever was there ever going out to a movie there? Was it always movie and house Sometimes we go out to the movies Do you remember going to see? what do you remember going to see Oh, gosh I mean, from any time in this period, it could be yea Oh you yeah, that was Oh yellow. come back yellow Yeah U Did you try cried my eyes out. Of course you have. Oh my likeg smot you know type of crying, you know And I was just like, o my gos And I remember being so angry when I came out of the movie theater And I was like Why why why why? Why' they do that to the dog? I couldn't get over it could not get over it. What about as you got a little older, wereere you did you remember like, did you see Rocky in the theater? Did you see? Oh, yes, I did. Yeah becausecause my aunt would, you know, she worked any doubt today sixix days a week And so on the weekends, she would give my cousins mov in and her food money for me, for them to watch me And they would take me to the movies, but it wasn't PG And I remember one of my cousins, she goes, We're gonna go see a movie. It has your name in it. It's about you. I said, what is it She goes is call Rose Mary's baby And she's crggking up, you know, because of course that was back in the day and it was in Brooklyn at the Commodore on Broadway. There was a movie theater there. and you would go to the movies really for air conditioning, you know, because we were so poor, we didn't have AC and you know, it was so hot, too hot to be outside and go to the movies And I love the movies. And I remember seeing that like terrified and she' cracking up. She's smoking a joy inside the theater And I'm crying. And she can't stop laughing. And then there's other people going Shut your kid up. So you and I are close in age. that you You know, in nineteen seventy seven Star Wars comes W that a big deal? Is that the kind of movie that spoke to you or were you No to me that had the biggest effect on me when I was younger Believe it or not, is Saturday night fe were And it's because it was the first time I went Oh my god crossing bridge You know what I mean? Like I would I would sneak into the city on my own That's back in the day when they used to let kids just run a mok And um You know, my aunt would take me to the Ladisine Street to buy the Easter Cb And sometimes we would stand outside a radio city music hall couldn't afford to go in, you know, but we would say, I don't know why we did that. We just stood outside radio music hall And so the city to me was such a light And I didn't understand at the time how small town Broklyland was And when I saw a Saturday night fever I understood my angst I understood why I wasn't satisfied with what was going on You know what I mean? I love Brooklyn. I still live in Brooklyn, but I wanted to cross the bridge I wanted to cross the damn bridge. I wanted something else And I just didn't want to be the local hero on the block. And that's what Saturday Night fever meant to me. And just to see, you know That such a crush on John Travolta. Oh my God, with Vinny Barbarino Oh my go, forgota By. you know, and that was the only reason why I went to go see Sife fever. Re wasn't the dancecause're welcome back Cotter C a welcome back Cotter. and you know just has such a profound effect on me. 'cause I was like, yeah Yeah because I related to the girl more than I and I related to John Travolta's character, but I also related to the girls' character because I also used to see so many girls like so pretentiously like, I'm a city girl and they weren't. They were from Queens, like, Shw, you're from Queens. You can't haveite that accent. you know. And you know, but it was just It was just so impactful to me, you know. but He still loved Brooklyn, you know, when he's down by the water and he traces the Barzano with his finger. That's love for the bow Yeah, and that's still because it's still his home, right? That's your home. Yeah still home. And you can want something else and still love home and still love home. That is that that's that's it, you know. And u That was When I was younger, that was probably one of the most impactful movies and the other One was double and dinly Blew me away. Where did you see double indemnity I saought double indemnity at somebody's home I was invited. I used to have a volunteer They call them big brothers, big sisters And they were like rich people that, you know had philanthropic hearts and cared about, you know, the less fortunate and they would take you on trips and I remember she took me to radio city music all I saw the Rocket and the Christmas show and you know she would take me to a lot of different places. And I remember she took me to this person's House in Pound Ridge in Westchester County. And They had a, you know, the old fashioned movie reel And they played double indemnity I loveved it What' you love? Do you love Barbara I love the audacity of Barbara Stamwick's character. You know what I mean? I was like, o my goodness And it was just That's when I fell in love with Philm the Walk. because the intelligence and the ruthessness that she portrayed Just How's Oh my Goodness was just ammazing to me. and Fred McMurray, like what a sap. You know,, you know, he played so well. Oh so well. and I think it helps enormously that he knows it. likeike he's narrating it as the He's like Hey, man, you're about to hear a story told byasat Exactly likeike this is how I got played Yeah He's a crazy sort of guy quick tempered I kept hammering into him that she was with another man so I'd go into one of his jealous rages and then I'd tell him where she was And you know what he would have done to her, don't you Yeah. And for once I' bed it because it's just rotten enough We're both right. I hear a little more, Ruck And it just it just of my fancy because That was one thing that the nuns wouldn't stand for was Audacity They would not stand for an individuality Yeah, well, you so you you bring both those to the table even at an incredible young age, right Yeah, I guess And then. Cheaty little devil. And but I was, you know, I just I just remembember that it's like Yay evenven though she was vile and ruthless and just Oh yeah, no, you're on you're you can't you you're on her side even when you don't want to be on her side. And But yeah, but it showed me strength That's right. She was right So When you start thinking to yourself that I'm going to be a professional actress I started thinking that when was the premiere of Do the Wite Thing And I went And I was very intimidated by the red carpet. I did not like it at all Do you still hate it It's pretty terrible. Yeahah, it's pretty So very artificial Yeah And u I sitting in the theater and All of a sudden my scientificific mind gets fund 'cause now I'm saying, o This is the magic of movie making. Now I see it like everything put together moovie brought me to tears And I sat there and everyone's like Come on, call, we gott to go to the O the party but iton I just sat there and I just said to myself Dions out This is This is what I was meant to do. Spike was right and I tried to go back to school. My head just wasn't in it And that was a very difficult conversation I had to have with my aunt cried and cried and cried And I said, No, I'm going to do this. And she saidays, but I don't want you to be poor like we are also poor. And I said, I am not gonna be poor There was no way. And I asked my dad, you know, and I was scared to tell him too And And he went, wonderful, Yes, justes. Oh my goodness You know, and he was just ecstatic about it and that gave me A lot of courage to move forward because I had his support Yeah, of course it did. That's u, you know, and you'd craved that your whole life, right? And you're fine and at least you get it. but I know the mistake to make is that if you you You're like, I getting I'm getting this now from my father, my aunt's here and my father this here and they're both supportive and I got cousins who love me and and You're still those things still happen and you're still fundamentally broken. And even though you start having a pretty big career and you're landing the HBO movie and you get fearless and you get white men can't jump, I'll ask you about that in a second. But you're still Those things still happen and you're still not dealing with it Yes, I felt veryery empty. I felt Very, very empty light I remember after the Oscars It was such a crash especially my manager at the time said, Now you're going to have the Asar Jinkes I said What's that She said, Well, you didn't win, so you probably won't get any rolls anymore Beuse you got nominated for that role we were talking about in Farless. You got best Bring actress nomination, Yeah And I was so angry at her. and I was so tired of the racism and the prejudice and the sexism that you have to deal with as a person of color in Hollywood. and just didn't know if I could keep doing it. And I went home to Puerto Rico I sat on the beach with my father And I, you know, he was so proud of me, and he was so happy for me. and I said Would you be okay if I'm not rose for us anymore He goes, what I said, if I just stop for it just st turn and he smile he goes. What J are all secrets You always be roy puts. And whatever you do like action. you know, if you want to stop, stop I don't think you should Yeses, but It doesn't matter to me I love it. And we just sat there on the beach. I remember on Crashbast Beach and aguiler and we watched the sunset, we went and got an ice cream. U n' I couldn't stop crying and You know, he he just rubbing my back and just telling me then starts telling me funny jokes or his You know, his many affairs went in to make me laugh, you I remember this one woman Oh my God, her feet was so stak. You know, he was like that You know And um You know, just just as I knew that it would be okay if I moved forward or did not move forward. And basically he was telling me, it's your choice, whatever you want to do, do it. you know And He was also telling me them way Don't let this this You know, all the obstacles that you have to go through it pales in comparison to all the obstacles that you had to go through and as a child All right, we're gonna takeaking one more quick break with RZper. we'll come back with Super eight. Stick around, right back Okay, so Rosie Perez, Sper eight, what's your most memorable movie watching experience? Cool hand lookp Okay, Yeahah, that's a good one. It's a good one because it's a b. Do you see it in a theater I saw it in a theater First one, So like you saw it when you were like seven years old orr was it would have been like? No, no, no, no. I was older Okay I was older when I sold it. and I saw it with couple of the girls that were in the group home And I remember just sitting there. watching it and understanding This is about control This is about being institutionalized. This is about power And this is about killing the individual spirit. And I it was so impactful. It was so impactful to me and you know, What's that famous line So we got have what we have here is a failure to communicate Yes Iish you'd stop being so good to me, Kevin Don't you ever talk that way to me L L! we've got here is Failure to communicate. And I was like, do I understand that line, You know? You know, then when he gets shot in the end or that. You know, decide And then this when he's driving away, and that hint of smile And the car goes over the sunglasses You know what I mean? It was just like Wow. And I remember it brought me to tears, but it wasn't Theers It was tears of like, yes Yes very end, you know? Well, I mean, this is you felt seen in that movie, rightight? I mean, that was okay. He's in prison. He's this white guy in a southern prison You're this Puerto Rican girl kept in the same kind of prison, right where you try to crush your where your individualities being crushed So that makes sense to me that that would speak to you. It really does by me it's Come on, that was that was a layup G, I didn't know. I wasn't trying to get a no That wasn't an intended layup. that was like Anal you f Allm glad I was able to complete the AllyU. And there was defense there. so that was good. Okay, so you have to get a Do you have tattoos Um You have to get a tattoo of a movie line or a movie title, anything something having to do with a movie, but think about a line maybe. what would it be From sunlight get hot the end Nobody's perfect. Joey Brown Joey Brown, Yes, Joey Brown. Oh my gosh. Well, nobody's perfect. Yeah. Yeah. And that cracked me up, you know? and, you know I just love that I love that line and You know, I actually use it in my life when I something, you know, that you' like well, you know nobody's perfect. All right, N noody's perfect. Yeahah. That's that's a great line. It's a great ending to that movie. greatreat little ending to that movie. U what movie would you show a date or somebody you're interested in I would show them lot Oh, sure. Because if they don't get it or they don't stay with it That's that's Edgar Almers Classic like seventy five minute noir Is it seventy five minutes? It's not long. It's not ninety. It's not ninety. I dont know. I'm struck. It's one of those movies like like Kubrick's Pass of Glory where I I feel like I've watched I feel like I've watched a three hour movie. Like I've been hit with a good three hour movie and then you realize the whole thing took eighty nine minutes. You know Yeah Um Is there a movie villain you relate to or you think is misunderstood Almost anything that item L pino has been in U she's a very good complicated villain where she also comes off as the victim as well which is crazy to play. U let me think. And she was directing movies as a woman in Hollywood when basically nobody else was Yeah All right, for this question, you're a thief is a warehouse, big vast warehouse, props and costumes for every movie ever. You can steal one thing. What do you take The sunglasses of Bara Stanwor and double indemnity. That's great answer. quuick. I like it. What movie makes you cry without fail Nhing makes me cry bit unfail There's so many fans. The onene that makes me cryd without fail that went right into my head. is u Barb was Tracon in the way we work. Look at you, you're very well rounded. I like this. This is excellent. Yeah. ' she couldn't get out of her way because of her principles C couldn't get out of her own way. That's right. It didn't have to come. Are there principles hine D the the Rosie Perez does Barbara Streryissand is probably going to make the beginning of this podcast. If I point that after that probably That probably gets itself into the first minute U That was good. What movie makes you laugh without fail? Young Frankenstein. Me too. Uh, okay, this one let's go, you know, this is suppos to your mom and dads favorite movie but I don't care what your mom'savorite movie U So what's your what about your aunt? Do your aunt a favorite movie Oh, she was a lover of movies. Um She's the one that turned me onto Barbara Standwich. she would Bab done with She never pronounced a K at the end Um, My father's favorite movie was Uh, One, I don't remember the movie. It's the one with the Nicholas Brothers when they come down the stairs Oh where they do the where they do the dance that you would think would make them unable to father children Exactly.ight. I mean, it's it's insane. It's insane. What is the movie It's in stormy weather I kept allallways in nut Cap Cow Cap is that scene in that scene. He's like begins that scene that ends with them coming down the stairs and doing the splits. So like, you know, look man Fred us there He was a great dancer. Genean Kelly, obviously, Ginger Rogers, Eleanor Powell. These are great, great Anne Miller. These are great dancers. But you're insane if you don't att a bare minimum include the Nicholas brothers in every one of those conversations and probably them like they're right there with Gean Kelly and Fred Astair like their first or second men. that they were unbelievable. Yes. So my father was a jazz lover and a music blava And Cap Callaway was one of his favorites. And so He said Nicholas brothers upstate Cab Callaay. He always s that he watch the movie totally the upsted upstay won the whole movie over. It It's an amazing thing. It's unbelievable, unbelievable. All right, last question is it's the Rosie Perez Wildcard question As a boxing fan And this is not so much a boxing movie fan, but as a boxing fan A serious boxing fan, and no messing around boxing fan Is there an untold box because When it comes to sports movies They're more good Boxing movies than anything else.'s not close. It's not close. There's so many great boxing movies U Is there an untold story? an untold boxing story that you'd like to see told H here Lon, I can't believe you asked me that question. Leden hate Whatood and hate? Whatood and hate Yes, blood and hate. It's about my favorite box in the whole wide world. U Marvelous, Marvin Hagwell W He was a reluctant civil rights hero because of his fight. against Alan Mintter. The UK, the British worldld Champion, he went over to Britain to fight him to win his title. and Al Menta was a member of the National Font, which was a white supremacist organization. And he said into the de press something to the effect of There's no way that that black man's going to beat me. Ain't no black man's going to beat me And Marvin Hagla handled it with such dignity would not respond to it. All he's did was lift up his faceig goes I'll let these do the talking He went over there to the UK to Wembleley Stadium. It was sold out M primarily built with members of the national Font just national Font guys Yes audience. Yeah. And Marvin Hager went over there with his family and his manager and boxing trainer that he had all his life and He wins that the referee stops the fight, I think in the fourth or fifth round because he was beating Alan Mentter so badly. It was horrific. And when he finally went to have his moment of glory and he snk down to the canvas with his arms raised in victory bottles and everythingvery just starts being hurled at him in the rain and there was a riot ensued a rider suit and they had to sneak him out And what did he do? He went out He went went back to the his dressing room would not say one disparaging word about Hen Mitter I didn't know that story at all, and you're right, that is a great, great story that ought to be told. It all be tolered Prouc, produced by Rosie Perez. Yeahah. Pre prettyty good. Yeah, come on Yeah Rosie Perez, as always, this has been a thrill. Thank you so much for talking to me. taking so much time and sharing so much yourself. You're the best Oh sorry I could talk to you for hours All right, thanks so much. Thanks, Rosie Proably. I have interviewed Rosie before on Turner Classic movies, and I was in the audience for a live conversation she had with TCM's Noir Alley host, Eddie Mueller She is exactly the kind of person who gets me excited about movies. I mean, her expertise is vast, but it never comes across like she's teaching a class It is all passion with Rosie as if whatever movie she's talking about, she just saw for the first time I hope you guys felt what I felt when she told the Saturday night fever story She like leaned toward me Even though ye, I get it, we weren't in the same place She said out made her want to cross the bridge into Manhattan. Tmorrow I've never had strong feelings about Saturday night fever, but now because of Rosie I'm thinking about it in a totally different way. I don't know if what she said made me love Saturday Night fever, but it sure made me want to defend it going forward thing is the impact Rosie Perez has on a person James Kim is the showrunner of talking Pictures. The managing editor is Darby Maloney. Video editor is Andrew David Lewis, Doy Steigman is our talent producer. Additional Talent Booking by Noea Murphy Glen Mutillo mixes every episode Set designed by Rapfael Laurier and Leanne Reagan Barnes. Angela Carone is our director of podcasts at TCN team at HBO Max Podcasts. that's executive producer Michael Gluckstad senior producer Allison Cohen Serokach, and producer Kenya Reyes the HPO Max Ccept and Design Studio. Marta Duwart Di Karen Guan and Kindall Thomas Production support from Jako Friedman, Liz Winter, John Renault, and Kristen Hassesel And special thanks to Julie Baton That's our show. You can watch this podcast on HBO Max and YouTube, as well as listen to it wherever it is, you listen to podcasts I'm Ben Mans. See you next time.