Dazzling, Dynamic Diane Louise Salinger, Interview
Posted by Tommy Garrett on Dec 20, 2009 - 6:57:07 PM
HOLLYWOOD HILLS —There are some actresses when you meet them you feel like they are destined for greatness, their aura, their presence and their stature simply astounds the senses. Leggy, gorgeous beauty Diane Salinger is one of those '40s style beauties that simply holds herself in a manner that makes you notice and you come away saying to yourself, wow, she’s a star. Diane is starring as Vivien Cooper, the eclectic, carefree, loving mother in Henry Jaglom’s sophisticated stage play, “45 Minutes From Broadway.” Salinger is one of the most stunning women in Hollywood and a person who makes a difference not only in the entertainment industry but also in this world.
Salinger is an award-winning actress who has worked with such preeminent directors as Clint Eastwood, Woody Allen and Tim Burton. “I really loved working with all of the great directors over the years, also lets not forget Henry Jaglom. He and Clint Eastwood have an amazing ability to communicate with actors and that makes them fun to work for,” said the actress. Diane is also recognized for her portrayal as Apollonia, the fortune teller mother in the HBO series “Carnivale” and as Simone, the waitress in the cult classic “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.” Diane also played the Penguin’s mother in Tim Burton’s “Batman Returns.” When asked about her current leading man, Jack Heller, who also stars on stage in “45 Minutes” at the Edgemar Theater in Santa Monica, she laughed and said, “We met many years ago, we were both very young and in the class of Bobby Lewis, who later became the head of the Yale Drama Department. We really didn’t know each other back then but now we feel like best friends and I love working with Jack. He’s such a gentleman and such a great performer. He and Tanna and everyone are wonderful to work with,” said Diane.
Salinger admits to having studied with the most influential acting teachers and mentors of the last half of the twentieth century. "I have worked with them all, including Stella Adler, Uta Hagen and Bobby Lewis, whom I have learned a great deal from. The Diane Louise Salinger Acting Academy is very close to the beauty's heart. She not only teaches the great acting techniques of her renowned mentors, but also brings in highly respected professionals in entertainment, including casting directors, directors, producers and others to showcase and work with her actors. Salinger says, "I am also introducing my students to an on-camera audition series where they can make their own audition tapes. That's the wave of the future."
Diane received the LA Drama Critics Circle and Dramalogue Awards in the 80s for her performance in "Standing On My Knees," which the actress is very proud of. This is perhaps the highest award of its kind in the industry, and after decades of dedication to her craft, it's no surprise to those who know her work that she would receive the honor. Diane is a truly living performer. Whenever she's on stage, she's not Diane, she is in character, and you feel the life force of her alter-ego. In "45 Minutes" Diane has two lines that are her favorites. In one Henry Jaglom quotes George Bernard Shaw, and the latter is by her on-screen daughter, the sublime Tanna Frederick. "The two lines I love so much in our play, and they are both so true are: "Families are tyrannies run by the sickest member" and "There are no small parts, only small penises," Diane laughed. In "45 Minutes From Broadway" the actress is the matriarch of a very dysfunctional family that truly does love each other. "What I enjoy the most about this family is that there is love. Vivien believes in her family and stands by them throughout it all. She's a wonderful mother who is filled with admiration and respect for each member of her family," said Salinger. Even Betsy, I asked? "Especially Betsy," responded the actress. Betsy is the controlling older daughter who is played brilliantly by Julie Davis.
Salinger was honored in 2007 as President of the Jury and Mistress of Ceremonies of the Monaco International Film Festival. She directed “Anna Karenina” for Oprah Winfrey and her Book of the Month Club. Diane has also performed, directed and filmed in Europe and throughout the United States. Salinger had the great pleasure of recently completing “Queen of the Lot,” a film by Henry Jaglom, as well as “Dark House” for Darin Scott.
One of the great beauty's loves is her Diane Louise Salinger Acting Academy, where she trains and coaches actors from around the world and filmmakers such as Catherine Hardwicke, director of the hit movie “Twilight.” She wants to make sure those who attend are able to succeed in whatever they wish to do in the industry. "I want to make sure our actors walk away able to compete and succeed in their craft, to become great working actors equipped with the skills to become prolific in their work. We just had Alan Jacobs, who directed and wrote the film "Down for Life" starring Danny Glover, at our academy, and it was an amazing asset to all of us. Alan gave a screen-test workshop which was extremely helpful and significant. Everyone including myself learned from his direction," said Salinger.
Salinger's new focus in the academy is to also work on one thing that actors seem to have a problem with most. " I continue hearing how they have fear, whether they will succeed, how to nail an audition, how to deal with stage fright, you name it. I'm developing exercises and techniques to conquer fear and blocks to success. I do like to live what I preach, and I explore and fine tune these new techniques in my own work before I pass them on to my students," concluded Diane Louise Salinger.
The beautiful actress, director and writer is making her academy a top priority for 2010. For updates and to learn how you can become a student at the esteemed school go to dianelouisesalinger.com. Actors working with Ms. Salinger can expect to be coached and trained on-camera. Her unique coaching style helped one student get cast in the new Martin Scorsese TV series for HBO titled "Boardwalk Empire," while a second student has recently been hired by David Lynch for an upcoming movie role. Other students are booking some of the most popular television shows on air today. Diane enjoys directing her students on-camera and building their portfolios with audition tapes and demo reels from which they will be cast.
There are some actors who are performers and others who are stars who love to help others. Rarely have I seen both embodied in one soul. Ms. Salinger is the exception to the rule.
