Marie Claire and Movie Line Interviews + Various Articles(To read more, see below all of these articles for a URL)
Courteney Cox-Marie Claire 11/2002
I have the same problems as other women- relationships, love, work...
By Charlotte Moore
She may be one of television's most beautiful and highly paid actresses but Friends star Courteney Cox Arquette admits to the same hang-ups as the rest of us: body shape, man trouble, kareoke cringes. Here, she welcomes Charlotte Moore into her Hollywood home for a girlie chat over a cup of tea...
Arriving at Courteney Cox Arquette's home just off Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles is a bit like coming to the end of a Yellow Brick Road. Two days before the interview, her publicist's assistant had called me to give me her address- and strict instructions not to tell anyone (not even my Editor) the information that she is about to give me. I am told to tell the taxi driver that I am going to see someone called Alleta Kriack (Courteney's PA), should he ask. So, when I finally get there and the three metre high gates to the driveway whirr silently open, it's hard to believe that this pretty, rather than palatial, house is truly the home of one of the highest paid TV stars ($1 million per episode of Friends is the latest rumour) of all time.
"Hi", gushes enthusiastic Alleta, the doorbell barely rung out. "Courteney's actually sick. Would you like to come in though? Can I get you something to drink?" The news that the interview might be cancelled doesn't make me feel that well either. "But when she realized that you'd come all the way from England to meet her, she wanted to go through with it anyway", Alleta rushes on, ushering me speedily through the opulent entrance hall, through her office- laptops busy twinkling- and into a huge kitchen, where Courteney's cook is chopping mountains of challots, next to a bubbling vat of stock. Are Mr and Mrs Cox Arquette entertaining tonight?
A couple of minutes later, Courteney wanders in. Inevitably, she looks tiny, even in her bulky , sick person's Nike shell suit. "Hi", she says, smiling. "I'd like to hug you but, you know, I wouldn't want you to catch my cold". Now I know Hollywood stars have their tricks, but she really does (shiny suit aside) look fabulous. Even though she's having a duvet day and isn't wearing any make-up to speak of, her blue eyes literally shine out, and her hair is long, ridiculously glossy and looks expertly blunt cut.
"Do you have tea?", she smiles. "How long do we have? You must have tea". Instantly, I like her. Not just because of the tea, but because, despite the awesome surroundings in which we are sitting- a Thai style garden complete with stone Buddha water feature- she genuinely seems to want us both to enjoy this interview.
Curled up in the deep, weather worn cushions of her trendy garden sofa, she heaves a happy sigh and mutters, "It's so relaxing here. I don't know why I'm selling it". She and her husband, actor David Arquette, have another spectacular house, down the road in Malibu. Not that this place doesn't feel lived in. A tribute to maximalist living, there are paintings, photographs and objects everywhere- all slightly kooky and unique in style; most notably in the downstairs loo (I can't resist the excuse to go), where the walls are adorned with Ken (as in Barbie) dolls, seven plastic dwarves, an odd looking Snow White and a range of Mickey Mouses.
But, despite the comfort of her wealth, the last couple of years haven't been great for the 38-year-old star of the three Scream movies. In June 2001, she found she was expecting a baby. She'd talked openly to the press about how much she'd longed for children. When, two weeks later, she was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA with stomach pains, she was devastated when she miscarried. Later that year, her 71-year-old father, who'd been diagnosed with liver cancer, died, closely followed by two of her beloved dogs, and then there was another miscarriage of January this year (so I take it that was true then ...). "It was horrible being watched by the press while it was going on. One magazine photographer even followed me while I was holding my dog. I was like 'Come on, this really is private", she says, scratching her forehead in disbelief.
Not that any of this has made her any less open about her personal life. Although she's agreed to do a rare interview for Marie Claire as part of her support for Save the Children's 'One World, One Wish' campaign, it's her marriage to David, her soirees with the Friends cast and the benefits of therapy that really had those eyes glinting.
Why did you get involved in Save the Children's 'One World, One Wish' campaign?
I'm approached by charities every day, so I try to focus on ones that are about kids- ones that touch me in some way. My father died of cancer and David's mother died of breast cancer, so cancer research is very important to me. But it seemed amazing to be able to help underprivileged kids around the world by wearing a campaign T-shirt.
Is is hard to stay in touch with the difficulties ordinary women face when you're an actress and a celebrity?
I don't think so. I have many of the same problems as other women. Relationships, love and work- whether it's about wanting to get a movie as a job as a waitress- all these things worry us in the same way.
Why were you so drawn to part of Monica in Friends?
Originally, there was interest in me playing Rachel, but I really wanted to play Monica for some reason. I don't know whether it was a good choice or a bad choice, but looking back I think it was because I identified with her neurosis. Being neurotic is a part of myself that I don't like, and I think playing Monica has helped me deal with that.
Because she makes being neurotic seem so funny?
Yes. But Monica has superseded any neurotic behaviour that I ever had.
What's been the best thing for you personally about doing Friends?
There are so many great things... But really it's the friendships that are the best thing.
So you're all actually friends?
Yes, we truly are. We all say it. Today, when I wasn't feeling well, the first person I spoke to this morning was Jennifer (Aniston).
Do you see each other a lot when you're not working?
Yes, we don't work on Mondays, so Sunday night is our Saturday night and they might come over to our house at the beach in Malibu. David and I are pretty social and we have this room in our house called the 'dining lounge'- it's got tons of games and a karaoke machine. It's really fun.
What's your karaoke tune?
Usually it's Waterfalls by TLC. That's the one I have most confidence in, anyway. I'm not a singer by any means, but I don't mind making a fool of myself.
Which movie did you enjoy making most?
Scream, because that's when I met David.
What were your first impressions of him?
I first met him when the whole cast had dinner at (Scream director) Wes Craven's house one night for the kick-off party. I thought he was just this cute, young, cocky guy. I didn't think I was flirting, but I found myself being very sarcastic with him.
So there was definately something going on?
Something? Yes! He was like, 'Why are you being so sarcastic? What happened to "Hi, how are you?"' I think he was a little wary of me. Then, the next time we met, it was at a script read-through in Calafornia and he sat next to me. Neither of us enjoy doing read-throughs and we were both extremely nervous- reading out loud reminds me of third grade. Anyway, we drove back to LA together that night and I thought 'Wow- this guy is too much'. He was crazy that night. He's changed now, but I was really attracted to him because he was real kooky. And then we worked together and that was it.
Has getting married improved your life?
I love being married, because I think if you marry the right person for you, it's so freeing. Now, I don't spend any time being jealous or wondering whether it's 'out of sight, out of mind'. I know it's right. David goes away all the time doing movies so we have a lot of freedom. But I have no anxieties about that. We are living together but can be totally seperate, and I think that is the most important thing. If you can't have that in a relationship, then I don't want to be in it. I like my seperateness.
What was the high point of your wedding day?
I didn't enjoy the wedding day as much as the night before, at the party after the rehersal. We got married in San Francisco- all my friends and family were from out of town, so it was really fun. My friends and I referred to that night as the Alabama Oscars, because I'm from Alabama and there were all these crazy speeches. I definitely drank too much. The next day, I was a little hung-over and nervous, and we didn't get married till six. But it was a beautiful day. The best part was walking up the aisle with my father. I cried so much, it was so emotional and very special because it was just before he found out he had cancer. It was wonderful, but very intense- what with David and my dad crying and me with a tissue to wipe my eyes, which I had to stick between my boobs
Did your families get on straightaway?
Yes, David's mum had already passed away, but David's dad was there and I love all my brothers and sisters-in-law.
With all the attention from the press that you and David have, was it odd having such a personal day made so public?
Yes, it was weird, but our wedding planner really protected us from all of that, so I felt very comfortable and free. Although we can all complain about it, you have to accept that it's part of the territory.
It must have been difficult when your miscarriage was reported.
Yes, it was awful. When you think you're going to the hospital to see doctors, you believe that it will be a secret- it's about your family and children after all. Then when someone comes up to you in the hospital and says "Hello", or "Congratulations!" or whatever, you believe that they mean it. But then when they call up the National Enquirer straightaway and tell them that you were in a hospital and describe what you are wearing, you just can't believe that they would do that. I was like 'Surely everything that's not happy should be kept private'.
Did the cast of Friends rally round you at that time?
Yes. They were very supportive of me when I was going through all that personal stuff.
The other thing that has been widely reported is that you and David went to therapy before you were married?
Yes, we did. We wouldn't be married if we hadn't. Well, maybe we would.
Why did you go?
I'd been smoking for a long time and me, David and his brother Alexis all decided to quit smoking on the 23 September. The next day, David asked me to marry him. Which I thought was very unfair!
Did you have any idea he was going to ask you to marry him?
No idea. My brother had just opened a patio furniture shop in Florida and we were celebrating that there. But David had organised it so that all my family were there too and for Alexis to film it all. I thought to myself- this is a bit extravagant for a shop opening, but hey. Then my whole family said, 'Let's take a walk'. We're a big family and we have fun together, but we never walk! Then, all of a sudden, David drops to one knee, suddenly fireworks are going off and Alexis is filming us. It was all such a shock that I really wanted to smoke. I was so hyped up, I didn't know what to do.
And then...
And then we got home and because we couldn't smoke, we fought like cats and dogs. We hadn't been together that long. OK, we'd been dating for two to three years, but we were'nt commited- we were still dating other people. He'd only moved in with me in the July, and in September he asked me to marry him.
So you went to therapy because...
We were fighting a lot. I think we replaced the cigarettes with fighting. Not that cigarettes themselves are good, but when you smoke, you go into another room, sit down, breathe in and take time out. It can stifle your feelings. I was just so used to stifling all my feelings by smoking. But when I gave up, I couldn't hold it in any more. I started to loose my temper and express myself in ways I'd never done before. I was more emotional. David and I had to learn ways to cope with all these emotions.
What did your therapist tell you?
He told us that we were'nt ready to get married. But we were willing to put the work in- which we did. And so, six months later, I don't remember what our therapist said then, but we just knew we were ready to get married.
Why do you think you were driven to acting when you were younger?
I wasn't driven to acting particularly, I was driven to make money. My parents were divorced and I wanted things my mum couldn't afford, so I knew I would have to work for them. I think my drive was to be independent and not have to ask anyone for anything. Money has enabled me to do that.
What were your dreams when you were growing up in Alabama?
I always thought I'd be a salesperson- my dad always told me that I'd make a really good salesperson. I didn't think acting was an option at all, because none of my family had ever been involved with the profession.
Describe Courteney the teenager.
After my parents were divorced, I was a bit of a rebel, but I never got into drugs or anything. I stood up for what I believed in. From the age of twelve, I replaced sports with a part-time job. I wanted money and although I liked exercising, I didn't enjoy exercising as a group.
Do you have a gym in your house now?
Yes, I have this great machine that is a bit like a stairmaster without having to work so hard. Cardiovascular exercise really raises my endorphins and helps me to relax.
You've never been interested in yoga?
I used to do it, but it's way too still for me. My mind begins to wander. I need to be active.
How did you respond when people said you're too thin?
I think that those people were right. At a certain point in my life, I was too thin. I was 103lb or 105lb. Although I was too thin at the time all I could think was, 'What is the problem with everyone? I like the way I look'. Since then, I've gained weight- I'm probably 10lb heavier. I don't know whether people are still saying it about me, but if they are it's because they definitely don't have anything else to talk about. I'm not too thin now. No one can say that. They can say that my wrists are too thin, but I'm sorry, that's just my bone structure. They were probably right at one point, but not now.
Does being on TV make you anxious about your size?
No, I was just more hyper and anxious back then. I wasn't trying to be thin. Although, I've got to say, I do like to be slim. But there is a good point where what I think might look good may be too thin for other people.
What's the best bit of advice another woman has ever given to you?
Jennifer gives me good advice a lot. So does Lisa (Kudrow), but David gave me the best advice in my life when he said I should 'be true to myself- and be true to the importance of your wish or want'. Jennifer always encourages me to be like that, too.
How do you think you and David have changed each other?
I think I've given David a sense of security that he didn't have when he was growing up. He likes having that security. And as well as giving me trust and freedom, he has brought a lot of whimsical qualities to my life.
What sort of whimsical qualities?
Well, when you look around this house, although it's not all David's taste, there's a lot of his personality in this home. The lunch boxes above the kitchen cabinets, they're David's. The shoes under the pool table, they're David's. He's brought a lot of color into my life and he has a great heart.
What do you think of David's clothes?
He's a wacky dresser. Whereas I hate shopping, David loves to shop. I can't stop him. He has a closet triple the size of mine.
Does he ever try to buy you clothes?
Yes. It's always a good attempt, but they're not right for me. It's not as if they're crazy things. He buys me things that he thinks I would like and then gets it wrong.
Do you get on each other's nerves when you work together?
Sure. In Scream 3, we shared a trailer and that was tough. We like to watch different things on television. I like music and he likes wrestling!
Are you a pretty sociable couple?
Yes, I always thought I was a bit if a homebody, but we're very social. I feel pretty lucky that I have a lot of different types of people in my life.
What would you love to do if you had more time?
I guess I do have more time, but I procrastinate. I would love to take an art class. I paint a little, but I don't really have the technique behind it. And I'd love to take a cooking class and learn French because it's beautiful, although I guess I should learn Spanish because I live in LA. I should put all those things on my wish-list.
What are three more things that would be on your wish-list?
To have a healthy baby. World peace. Just three more huh? OK, to be happy.
INTERVIEW COURTENEY COX-MOVIE LINE/2000
When I arrive at Courteney Cox Arquette's Brentwood home, she gives me a warm greeting and tells me about her special hospitality that's in store: her new husband, David Arquette, has been assigned as our chef and waiter for the evening. When we've settled into chairs at a table in the backyard, sure enough, David emerges from the kitchen with a plate of hummus, salad, crackers, cheese, grapes and a bottle of 1996 Chateau Grand-Mayne. After he's arranged the impressive spread, the newlywed husband departs and his wife looks after him lovingly. Domestic happiness has been a long time coming to the new Mrs. Arquette. The parents to whom she was born 35 years ago in Birmingham, Alabama, divorced when she was 10 and remarried into larger families, so she wound up one of 13 siblings in two separate houses. She's had important relationships over the years, notably with Michael Keaton, but she never tied the knot until now. After leaving home at 18 to pursue modeling in New York City, Courteney got her first break when she was lifted onstage by Bruce Springsteen at the end of his "Dancing in the Dark" music video. Small roles in soap operas kept her busy over the next few years until she landed a regular gig as Michael J. Fox's girlfriend on "Family Ties." She acted in films now and then - like Cocoon: The Return and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective - but her career didn't take off into high gear until 1994. That's when she got the call. Would she like to anchor a group of almost complete unknowns - Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, and Matt LeBlanc - on a new TV show called "Friends"? Seven years
later, "Friends" is the most-watched sitcom on TV and Courteney's character, the sweetly neurotic Monica, is one of the most imitated and beloved personalities in America's living rooms.
All of the stars on "Friends" have now made major movies, but Courteney has been in the most successful ones - Scream and Scream 2. [In February] she and her husband will be starring in the third Scream installment and next year, she'll show up with David again in the slapstick romantic comedy they produced together, The Shrink Is In.
Lawrence Grobel: You and David went from shooting The Shrink Is In to getting married and going on a honeymoon to shooting Scream 3. Ever get sick of him?
Courteney Cox Arquette: Are you kidding? I'm so lucky to have someone I can be with every single day. I can't believe it - it's amazing.
Q: Is the reporter Gale as bitchy in Scream 3 as she was in the first two Screams?
A: You bet. I love the idea of playing a character that you love to hate. In Scream 2, I was booed by the audience, which made me happy. If it was up to me, Gale would be bitchy from top to bottom and never be sweet.
Q: You were very smart to get involved with the Scream franchise.
A: I knew it was a safe choice. To be honest, I didn't read anything else that made me feel, "Wow, I've got to sink my teeth into this." There's only been one thing offered to me that I knew I had to do, and that was The Shrink Is In.
Q: What was it about The Shrink Is In that grabbed your attention?
A: I'm not a big romantic-comedy person, but this one isn't sappy. It's about a girl who doesn't want to fall in love because she has too many phobias.
Q: Do you think you and David has chemistry together on-screen?
A: We're really comfortable with each other, and I think we've had good chemistry in the past - I love our characters Dewey and Gale from the Scream films.
Q: Is it true that in real life you and David are in therapy together?
A: I was in separate therapy, but when David and I got engaged we started therapy together. I'd heard that the first year of marriage is the hardest, so we decided to work through all that stuff early.
Q: Is it true that David once said therapy is the glue to your relationship?
A: I don't know. I know he thinks it's important and we love it. I learn so much from him when we're in therapy. A lot of the time we'll go in and he'll just talk about himself, about his childhood, his life in general. he next week maybe I'll talk about me. It isn't just our "issues."
Q: Couldn't the two of you do this together in your bedroom at night without a third party?
A: We don't do a lot of analyzing at home. That's when we have lighter times together.
Q: Where did you find the therapist?
A: I heard about him through Jennifer(Aniston). He's great. He doesn't take sides, he's really honest. Last week he let me have it, then later he called me up to make sure I was OK. He's very nurturing.
Q: Why did he let you have it?
A: I hope I'm not going to regret saying this. He said, "Courteney, you're not very special to many people." It was like, "Whoa! What are you talking about? I'm special to my friends, my sisters." I was getting my feelings hurt really easily and he was trying to let me know it's OK for certain relationships to disappear, not to be special to these people. It's more important to give the time to the people who I am special to, and who are special to me. I don't have to spread myself thin.
Q: It must be challenging to have such a high-profile job and to want everyone to like you.
A: I remember when TV Guide did a poll four years ago that asked, "Who are your favorite characters on 'Friends'?" I opened it up and saw that Monica was the lowest-rated "Friend." This was when Monica had nothing going on, she wasn't dating Chandler. People weren't relating to her because she was just a clean freak and no one cared. But I couldn't make myself understand that they were rating Monica, not Courteney Cox. Man, it hurt me. I lived with that hurt. It was so bad.
Q: Did you discuss how you felt with the others on the show?
A: Oh yeah, I'm not one to pretend I'm OK. I'll tell anybody I'm hurt. I'm an open book.
Q: We'll come back to "Friends," but first I want to talk more about David. When did you first look at him with unusual interest?
A: When we first started doing Scream, I remember thinking, "Oh, he's so cute. I wish he would take those headphones off." He's really into his Al Green.
Q: So that's what did it for you, that he was ignoring you?
A: That little bit of hard-to-get was good, because I wasn't ready to be in a relationship when I first met him. Plus, I thought he was too young for me and too crazy.
Q: What was it that you finally saw in him?
A: Someone who had the best heart of any person I'd ever met. Somebody who was just pure goodness. Never heard him say a bad word about anybody, to this day. There's nothing manipulative about him. He really has fun and knows how to live.
Q: Did the eight-year difference in your ages matter at all?
A: We got married when I was 34, and three days later I turned 35. So I'm thinking we're really seven years apart, but there are three months where it's eight years. But it's seven! Let me make that clear: seven years. That's a lot to me. But the only thing that will bother me is if I start feeling like, wow, I look older than him.
Q: How did David propose?
A: I had no idea he was going to do it. We flew to Panama City Beach, Florida, where my dad and brother live. That night we went to have lobster at my sister-in-law's house. A big barge that was setting fireworks off pulled up, and everybody said, "Let's go down to the beach." My whole family was there and David's brother Alexis had a video camera and was filming it. David said, "Wow, look at the fireworks," and I still didn't understand what was going on. Then David dropped to his knee and asked me to marry him in front of my whole family. It was wild. And they all knew he was going to do it because he'd asked my dad for my hand in marriage.
Q: Did you cry?
A: Yeah, I cried. I was in shock. Then I said, "David, you mean I can't smoke?" You see, we had just gone to a hypnotist together to stop smoking and I was so nervous when he proposed that I wanted a cigarette.
Q: How long had you been smoking and how many packs a day?
A: I'd been smoking since I was 13. Never over one-and-a-half packs, but for sure one. When I dated Michael Keaton he didn't smoke, so I snuck for about four years in that relationship.
Q: Ever get the urge to fire up again?
A: I want to smoke right now. It hurts.
Q: Getting back to you and David, I've heard there's an engraving inside your wedding ring - what does it say?
A: "A deal's a deal."
Q: Why?
A: My maid of honor told me her father said, "Tell Courteney and David, a deal's a deal." Her parents were married until her mom died, and it was the best, most loving relationship I'd ever seen. So anything coming from that man in regards to marriage really meant something to me. And when I heard what he said, I thought, yeah, that's true. It's a deal. You make a commitment, things change, but you work on it to keep the commitment. A deals' a deal. Let's always make this our priority.
[At this point, David comes out to pour us more wine.]
Q: How much do you love your wife?
David Arquette: I love her beyond belief.
Q: How did you know that she was the one?
DA: Because ultimately when I really, like, looked at what I wanted out of a relationship, she was it.
Q: You're only 28. How did you know what you ultimately wanted?
CCA: That's what I kept asking him. How do you know, David?
>DA: I knew for a long time what I really wanted - a caring, loving person who's open with her feelings and communicates, a nurturer.
Q: How did you recognize it in Courteney?
DA: It's a feeling you know in your heart.
[David exits once again.]
Q: During your six years with Michael Keaton, did you ever contemplate marriage?
A: Michael was my longest relationship and most important before David. David is my dream, but, yeah, I'm sure when I was with Michael I thought he was someone I would end up being with.
Q: Is it too personal to ask why your relationship with Michael didn't work out?
A: I'd love to one day talk to him about it, because we've never done that. He's really private. But I got burned once by People magazine when I spoke maybe two sentences and they wrote on the cover that I discussed "My sad breakup with Michael Keaton." And I hadn't. Your question was why did we break up? I just think we weren't right for each other ultimately.
Q: Was it a mutual breakup?
A: It was mutual. I was too young to know what it was that I needed in a relationship.
Q: Did he send you a wedding gift? A congratulatory note?
A: No.
Q: Do you find that sad?
A: It's weird. When I got engaged I was wondering how that works. Like, do you call? I didn't know what the protocol was, so I figured it was best not to do anything.
Q: Besides gossip about your breakup with Michael Keaton, there has been gossip about your weight. Has that bothered you?
A: There's so much [gossip] that goes around, I'd like to start a file: Who Gives a Shit. People [magazine] asked me, "Are you bulimic?" I said no, but then they wrote on their cover: "She talks about her bulimia!" I wouldn't throw up if you paid me. I thought the rumors were so stupid. I eat so much, but I just have the metabolism of a hummingbird.
Q: How did the rumors begin?
A: I lost weight and people thought I was too thin. They still think I'm too thin.
Q: Does your mother think so, too?
A: Oh yeah. She would like me to be heavier. But it's weird - we don't see ourselves right. I don't think I'm too thin at all. I understand when people say, "Well, your face gets gaunt," but to get your bottom half to be the right size, your face might have to be a little gaunt. You choose your battles.
Q: What does David think?
A: If I gained or lost 50 pounds, he would notice, but he doesn't care about stuff like that. He doesn't want me to be some big whale, but who knows, maybe he wouldn't mind that either.
Q: Magazines are always covering what you wear and what makeup you have on. Does this seem strange to you?
A: Like, who cares? If you could really believe magazines and believe that this makeup artist actually uses this product, that would be great. If someone has a great product that actually tightens up the skin under your eye, tell me. I'd like to make a newsletter about really great products.
Q: Let me put you on the spot: what product would you endorse as really working?
A: For the most part, products don't work, but you can find certain ones that do. Something that really works is Phytomer - their whole line, from the body to the face. It's French and very hard to find.
Q: If their sales rise after your endorsement gets out, what do they owe you?
A: If they want to throw me a bone and send me a night cream, I'll take it, because it's pretty expensive. But that only happens when I, like, say my favorite candy bar is Butterfinger, then I get a big box of Butterfingers. It doesn't happen with the good stuff.
Q: Speaking of good stuff, how much was the new Jaguar in your driveway?
A: Considering it's a Jaguar, it was inexpensive. They start at around ,000 and you can add to it. I got the navigation system, which is really cool, plus the premium sound system, the bigger wheels. For all this I wrote a check for ,000. Not bad.
Q: Because of your "Friends" character, people assume you must be neurotic. Are you?
A: Yeah. But I'm not as neurotic as I am obsessive. I think a lot. I have a very active brain that doesn't shut down easily. I'm not saying everything that comes out is smart, I'm just saying it works overtime overthinking.
Q: How important was your virginity, since you held it till 20?
A: I wanted to make sure I was really in love with someone and it was going to be a lasting relationship. And it was, it lasted a long time.
Q: Were you still a teenager when you became a model?
A: Yeah, 18. I went to New York before I graduated from high school. The Ford Modeling Agency sent me out on an interview and I got the job.
Q: What did you get out of modeling?
A: Not much. I hated it. I didn't feel like a model, ever.
Q: Did modeling make you more self-conscious about your flaws?
A: Probably, yeah. I'm so self-critical. I know I'm very lucky, but I see flaws everywhere. And that's my flaw.
Q: You've complained about having no rear end and that you don't like your freckles.
A: I'd like to have porcelain, milky, creamy skin or olive skin - you always like what you don't have. But I'm learning to love my freckles. I wasn't born with the most rounded rear end. And if I wanted it, it would take a lot of work.
Q: Since you're now married to David, do you spend much time with his sister Patricia and her husband Nicolas Cage?
A: Patricia and Nic are really good hosts and the most thoughtful people. At Easter and the 4th of July they put on the big family thing - they always have special-occasion things.
Q: Didn't you have a party at your house for Rosanna's 40th birthday?
A: Yeah, it was a Woodstock theme. This place was so decked out. I was working on "Friends" the day they were setting up and I came home at midnight and there was a huge tent and sofas, lights, incense everywhere. It was wild.
Q: What makes a successful party?
A: Good people, good music, good food. We had a book wedding shower before we got married - probably the most fun I had at a party. Everybody brought a book.
Q: Any fiction?
A: I got two books by John Fante from Beth Henley, the playwright. David read one on our honeymoon.
Q: Do you have a favorite artist?
A: I'm obsessed with Ken Williams - I have six of his paintings. He's from the South, like me. I commissioned him to do a painting for above the fireplace, that's how great I think he is. There's another artist I really want to buy a painting from, Robert Williams. I saw a painting of his for ,000 - wow! My sister-in-law Patricia has a lot of his work.
Q: What's your favorite film?
A: Fargo is one. Oh man, I loved that movie. Those characters were so interesting. I didn't care about the murders, just keep me in the bedroom with the couple. I also love The Way We Were - it still makes me cry. I want to tell Barbra Streisand not to try so hard when she's cooking Robert Redford pot roast - you're pushing yourself on him, can't you tell he's aloof? I saw that when I was 10 years old. I cried so hard that I had to be ushered out.
Q: So you're into movies that make you sad?
A: Give me a movie that makes me cry and I'm happy. I wept so hard at The Full Monty I thought there must be something wrong with me. It was uncontrollable. I went back two days later with my brother and I did the same thing.
Q: What scenes made you weep in The Full Monty?
A: When the lead guy showed up when we thought he wasn't coming. When the wife said, "I love you the way you are." That type of thing. When they threw their things off and everybody saw them naked. I just love friendship stuff. People who stick up for each other. It's so rare.
Q: Were there any actresses you were particularly attracted to as a child?
A: I always loved Audrey Hepburn. When I got a little older, Bette Davis.
Q: Among movie people you've met, who has most impressed you?
A: Billy Bob Thornton and Laura Dern. Morgan Freeman.
Q: If you could choose some movie star's career, whose would that be?
A: [Thinks] Maybe Michelle Pfeiffer. She's played such interesting roles. She's been able to do so many things.
Q: What do you remember about working with Jim Carrey on Ace Ventura?
A: I met my husband on Scream, but I laughed my ass off every day on Ace Ventura.
Q: Who's your best friend on "Friends"?
A: Jennifer and Lisa are two of my very closest friends. I love them so much.
Q: Is it difficult to make new friends at this stage in your life?
A: Guy friends are easy, I have a bunch of them. With girls, it's harder to come by. I recently became great friends with a girl who's worked on my house.
Q: Ahhh, your house. I hear you're a pro at buying a house, remodeling it, sometimes with your own hands, then selling it. What got you into carpentry?
A: I'm impatient. If something breaks in the house, you can call somebody, but that might take a day or longer. I'd rather try to fix it myself. I fix my own sprinklers. When we had the party for Rosanna the back lights wouldn't go on. I can't tell you how much it annoyed me. I had to fix it through the first hour of the party. I'm tenacious.
Q: How many houses have you remodeled?
A: Five. I could never decorate my house in one style because I change so much. I drive David crazy. He loves stability. I need change, I live for it.
Q: Do you have a favorite style?
A: Modern Moroccan. I like to mix modern furniture with Moroccan. I like layers.
Q: Did you ever want to be an architect?
A: I took drafting courses during my first year at college, Mount Vernon in Washington, D.C.
Q: What tools should everywoman have in her toolbox?
A: A Phillips head, a flat-head screwdriver, a hammer, an electric drill and a pipe wrench - if something is leaking it's nice to have one of those big monkey wrenches.
Q: What about a tape measure and a level?
A: Yeah, you're right. I have four tape measures all over the house. And a level is brilliant for a woman because we care so much about leveling.
Q: What's your goal for the millennium?
A: It's good to write out your life's goals, then you get closer to getting them. I haven't done that and I don't know what mine are other than having a great family, being a great mom. That's a priority. And I really want to work. But I'm a control freak, I love to be in control, so I'd love to produce things, or at least have an equal voice.
US Magazine
David's Sexy Something For Courteney
So what does David Arquette, 31, give Courteney Cox, 39, the woman who has everything? He recently presented his wife of four years with a painting by an artist named Shag. "He's got a real unique style," Arquette told 'Us' at a party for the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team. "The painting is of this really cute girl in a negilgee shot from behind, and she's got this wrench in her hand. She's got black hair and blue eyes, and it just reminded me of Courteney." So how did the missus like her gift? "She loved it," said Arquette. "Right now it's in the entryway of our house."
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