| To Die For: Mary Elizabeth Winstead |
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| Written by Jillian Gordon | |
| Friday, May 25 2007 | |
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Reading over actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s credits, you might notice a bit of an inconsistency. After all, the young ingénue made her film debut only a couple years ago in The Ring 2, and has since been on a swift and steady climb to the top with parts in Bobby, Factory Girl and Quentin Tarantino’s Grindhouse. Not looking to rest on her laurels, Winstead now goes head to head with Hollywood heavyweight Bruce Willis in her latest film, Live Free or Die Hard (Opening June 27, a full twelve years after Die Hard With a Vengeance) In the new installment of the popular Die Hard action film series, Winstead plays “Lucy,” daughter of police detective John McClane (Willis), who is kidnapped as part of a diabolical terrorist plot to dismantle the entire country’s technical structure. “Of course in classic Die Hard fashion, John McClane becomes the reluctant hero,” notes Winstead, and a wild, action-packed ride ensues. Upon learning she had scored the part, Winstead confesses she was a little surprised. After all, celebs like Jessica Simpson had come in to read for the coveted role of Lucy McClane. However, she barely had a moment to acknowledge the pressure that might accompany taking on a role in well-known film series with a dedicated following. “It was a whirlwind. I was literally cast at the last minute,” recalls Winstead. “I had to go to work basically the day after I signed up.” So how did this rising star jump on the fast track so quickly? The answer lies somewhere between a bit of luck and a whole lot of hard earned talent. While Winstead may be labeled as Hollywood’s newest up-and-comer, the 23-year-old actress is actually no stranger to the biz. A former Broadway baby and student of the Geoffrey Ballet School, Winstead was born to entertain. “I’ve been performing since I came out of the womb,” she jokes. “I’ve been dancing and singing since I was a toddler. Acting seemed like a natural progression from that. I just started getting roles naturally because it was something I was interested in. I didn’t plan on taking it out to Hollywood.” But to Hollywood she went, landing a role on the daytime drama Passions in 1999, followed by film roles in Sky High, Final Destination 3, and this past season’s Black Christmas. Winstead’s career hit a major high, however, when legendary director Quentin Tarantino asked her to take a role in Death Proof, his contribution to the recent delightfully campy double feature Grindhouse. Winstead, a huge fan of the director, was shocked when she learned Tarantino was, in fact, a fan of her’s. “He was so excited,” Winstead recalls upon meeting Tarantino for the first time. “He’d seen everything I’d done. My favorite director, my favorite film director of all time, to have him know who I was and to be a fan of mine was an amazing moment.” The actress’ modest nature prevents her from acknowledging that her talent and captivating screen presence may have had something to do with Tarantino’s fascination. The experience working on Grindhouse was far more than the actress could have imagined. “It was really an unparalleled experience,” says Winstead, who credits the director’s high energy for always keeping her on her toes. “It was basically a party on set everyday. There was constantly music playing. In between takes we’d all be dancing and singing. It was amazing fun.” Getting into the habit of being on a high-energy set shared with Hollywood A-listers was just something Winstead was going to have to get used to as she hit the ground running (literally) in Live Free or Die Hard. Luckily, this time Winstead had an edge. Having a fondness for action thrillers, she has always been fan of the Die Hard series. “I think they’re some of the best action movies ever made,” she says. “Bruce Willis just brings such a great character to life, and John McClane is someone we can all relate to and root for. He’s so much fun to watch on screen. It’s iconic the character he’s created and it’s so much fun to be part of an iconic series.” But when she met Willis for the first time, Winstead admits her inner fan got the best of her. After all, she had grown up watching Willis emerge from devastating explosions unscathed and do away with countless evil terrorists in the previous Die Hard films – and all without so much as breaking a sweat. Winstead learned the real Bruce Willis was about as cool as his alter ego. “He’s exactly what you would imagine him to be from watching him on screen,” says Winstead. “He’s the epitome of cool! When you sit next to him it’s just so intimidating because he’s so quiet in his own way, and he’s mysterious and cool and hip.” However, Winstead didn’t let getting a little star-struck keep her from diving into the over-the-top, can’t-believe-your-eyes, insanely crazy action scenes for which the film franchise is famous. Soon she was stunting with the best of them. “I got to throw some punches. It was fun to learn how to do a real stunt punch, and I got to head butt people,” she says. She was especially excited about the fact that Lucy McClane is “not just a damsel in distress.” Like Winstead herself, Lucy follows the McClane tradition of not letting the bad guys get the upper hand. “I’m a girl who can take care of herself and steer things out and kind of fight my way through it along the way,” she says. Funny how art imitates life. From Tarantino to Willis, Mary Elizabeth Winstead is a force to be reckoned with, and yet you rarely see the actress traipsing about the LA party scene or dancing tabletop at a trendy club. So how exactly does she manage to get killer roles without implicating herself in some scintillating gossip scandal? Winstead seems to follow the traditional rule of thumb that hard work will get you far. “It’s nice that the roles that I’ve got, I’ve been able to get them based on my own merit,” says the star. This may seem like a noble path in a town where success seems to be largely based on who you know. But whatever path Winstead is on, there’s little question that she knows where she’s going. “I’m just completely uninterested in it [the LA party scene],” she claims. “I do feel pressure every now and then from people I meet who are like, ‘You never go out? Are you crazy? This is the best town to party in and meet people!’ Sometimes you feel like, maybe I’d meet more people and make more connections? But at the end of the day, it’s not about connections for me, it’s just about doing my job and hoping that gets me far.” Seems like Winstead’s plan of attack is paying off. She’s already had an opportunity to work with some pretty major icons in the film industry, but she’s got her eye on a few more. “I’m always watching movies and researching people. Right now, I’m real into Paul Thomas Anderson and his films and the things that he’s done. He’s my current favorite person who I’d really love to work with.” (We hope you’re reading this, Paul). Winstead admits, though, that she has a tendency to be a workaholic. When she’s not taking on Hollywood heavy hitters, this North Carolina native enjoys traveling and spending time with her family (she’s the youngest of five). She also manages to keep up with her dancing, and she loves an occasional retail therapy session. “I’m definitely a vintage junkie. Everything I own is either from the 60’s, or a replica of something from the 60’s. The 60’s is kind of my era. I love everything about it --the hair, the makeup, the clothes. It was a fun time for fashion. That’s definitely my look,” explains Winstead. And while she may be sharing screen time with some of today’s hottest celebs, don’t expect to see her spending the big bucks on Rodeo Dr. like some other Hollywood starlets. “I’m a huge bargain shopper. I love Forever 21 and H&M. I’m there every weekend trying to figure out what I can mix with my vintage clothes. It’s been harder in LA to find the little hole-in-the-wall places. It’s like vintage couture! That’s not what I’m looking for.” From perfecting her craft to bargain shopping, it’s clear that Mary Elizabeth Winstead is one rising star who is refreshingly down to earth. So into keeping it real, in fact, that her idea of the perfect Saturday night (we just had to ask) is about as charming as the actress herself. “I’m such a homebody. I just need a good movie and good people. I love to have people over and just have drinks and play poker instead of going to a club -- doing stuff at home with people I really love.” So if your under the belief that being an “it girl” requires big-time connections, wild nights out, and stints in rehab, keep your eye on Mary Elizabeth Winstead -- she just might prove you wrong. Comments
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an adoring fan -- friend.
written by gabgab , April 17, 2008
hey, do any of you guys know her email address, surely she would not object to well meaning folks like us chatting with her as long as its decent. Of course, we dont have a chance to land her since only a famous celeb or billionaire would only suffice.
I was insaned at you Mary Elizabeth.. Muaaah
written by Hamdy , March 24, 2008
Oh Mary, what would I supposed to do now,? When I first saw you on your movie with my idol willis, it seems my heart fell on you right away. I can't even explained what a great feeling I have right now. Actually, I really agreed with Ruslan comment that I wish I never saw you, coz since when I was saw you I can't even forced my self to forget you, and that I tried to forget you ooz its really annoying my mind thinking of you Mary all day and night that you are so much pretty, sexy and very down to earth..
 Sorry for this ' I don't know English ' of mind, I'm just a Filipino Avid fan of yours ryt now Mary...hehehe  I know even it's impossible to wish to see you personally, it's enough for me to see all of your movies that you had and more upcoming movies and yet I'm happy at all. My only wish for you is, don't change in what you are right now, I didn't mean that don't change your clothes or whatever you have right now hehehe  . Anyway take care, hope you can read this little comment of mind. Salaam... 
wow
written by bran , January 05, 2008
mary is cute/hot inside and out. i bet everyone in the world my college fund (100k) that she will never turn out to be britney spears or lindsey lohan
unforgetable
written by ruslan , September 29, 2007
i wish i never knew her, because since i saw her i can't forget her (i can' forget her because she is very beautifull) Shall i suicide?
...
written by Ales , September 27, 2007
Mary Elizabeth Winstead wow how great feeling is to say that name! I mean when God created that girl He was really happy. When I see her the first question in my head is: From where I have to start to like her. From her lovely smile, beautiful face or hot body. I'm serious The God was really happy and fun when he created that Girl. Mary Elizabeth Winstead, repeat that again, repeat it twice, now I'm sure that you feeling better.
Wow
written by Jon , July 30, 2007
It's cool to see an up and coming beautiful star not fit the stereo type of most of Hollywoods a-listers, its not really easy to guess that a future star like that would be so down to earh, that gives more meaning to the fact that a person should be themself, like Winstead is with her taste in clothes and home activities and what not. When I first saw her in Grindhouse I thought that she was a model getting a career in hollywood going, i did not even know she was in those other films, she did play very well in most of them. For the future actrosses in the biz, Winstead is probably a good role model, showing that you could be both beautiful on the inside and outside, by just being, none of you stars have to show off and be someone that your not to make it to the top, you can just be u, and thats what Winstead is an example of, good for you Mary, don't change yourself, good luck in the hollywood future
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written by nik , July 29, 2007
I REALI LIKE MARY she is beatiful giril and I LOVE HER with all of my hart .
FOR THOMAS
written by nik , July 24, 2007
Thomas I want YOU to know,that Mary is mine.You have no bussnes with her
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written by nik , July 23, 2007
I REALI LIKE MAREY she is beatiful and i wanth to be more than frends
THE BEATIFUL MARY
written by thomas , July 22, 2007
Oh, for god, you are a divine woman, do not have comparison to a human being, for that you inspire in a man, well at least in, my you inspire a way of seeing the life with a few eyes of satisfaction to live in tranqulidad, I write to you again(afresh), you habia written before, to see if you can answer this time to me, my mail is
This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
, I am of colombia, and am called thomas and if you answer me, that good to know of the woman that it(he,she) inspires me to live, for his(her,your) beauty, good-bye, you look after yourself, and always beatiful.chao
love
written by fan , July 20, 2007
i'm agreed with nik.She really cool.I want have a date with her
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written by nik , July 19, 2007
i am in love with MARY
opinion:mary elizabeth winstead is drop dead gorgeus
written by josh , July 13, 2007
ive been a fan of mary for quite a while now keeping up with her magazine and movie appearances i really like mary because she someone we can all relate too at some point.i still can't find the magazine but looking at the pictures makes me love her even more.but like faith(above) im so proud of her succes and i too love that you put her on the cover.mary is so stunnigly gorgeus and beutiful,smart,wise,and funny
Mad Love
written by Carlos , July 12, 2007
I miss her so much it hurts sometimes
I LOVE MARY
written by nik , July 12, 2007
I LOVE MARY and i woud like to become more than frends
i reali like her
i love MARY
written by niki , July 12, 2007
I LOVE MARY WINSTEAD
Not too sure
written by Mona , June 08, 2007
Isn't this supposed to be a college magazine? The cover looks like a bad edition of Teen People. Good work? Not really.
mary is the best!!!
written by carlos , May 31, 2007
i love mary she is such a great actress and she is beautiful!!!! im so happy that shes on the cover cuz she is amazing!
I love Mary Winstead!! She is the coolest!!
written by faith , May 31, 2007
I've never heard of this magazine before, probably because it's not sold where I live, but I love Mary Winstead and i think you all are so smart for putting her on the cover of your magazine!!! I've been a fan of Mary's ever since I saw her in, "Sky HIgh" and I've basically seen all of her other movies since!! She is a great actress, she's is drop dead gorgeous, she's funny, she can be dramatic, she can get scared, she can be goofy, she can do it all!! and now, she's an action starlet!! I so proud of her success and I love that you put her on your magazine, there's is no better choice than Mary Elizabeth Winstead!!
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