Who the hell is this gorgeous, otherworldly being you might ask?! Well many people haven’t heard of him so I thought I’d take the opportunity to explain here.

WHY IS THIS GUY SO COOL?

1. Can’t you see?! He’s gorgeous & has the most lovely hair. (Me? Being subjective? Never!)
2. He has a soft, well-spoken voice.
3. He’s one of the few actors that actually sounds intelligent but also has healthy signs of wit & slight madness. (He does a great "muppet walk")
4. His looks aren’t boring or stereotypical (unlike Brad’s / Leo’s / Robbie Williams'), so you don’t feel like punching his face in. [You want to punch people who look boring? That's scary - (z)Ed]
5. He does the films he likes rather than the ones with the best pay cheques or the ones that will make him the most famous. This does mean that he has made some risky choices about what films he does (like "Anaconda" - whoops!) but has more than made up for it with nearly everything else he’s been in. Respect is due to one so talented yet so down-to-earth.
6. His personality is pretty appealing too. He seems very independent-mindid (but not stroppy) & knows what it's like not being the popular, cool kid in school because, in his own words, he was "funny-looking . . . awkward and shy and obnoxious at the same time." He doesn't try to be Hollywood's idea of perfect & doesn't expect other people to be as well. Quite apart from that, he comes across as sincere & at times daft as a brush (but silliness is part of his humour). I think he'd be an interesting people to spend an evening with because he's also very cultured. [But even if he wasn't, I'm sure you'd love to anyway. I know, I'm evil - (z)Ed.]
7. The word sophisticated was created his honour! (or should’ve been)
8. (last but definitely not least!) He's a talented actor. And versatile too - his range includes writers, poets, disabled people, lawyers, members of the Resistance & various types of criminals.

If you do end up fancying him, it is likely that you will do so after watching him in "House Of Mirth" (in which he plays the lovely Lawrence Selden) and/or Mr Jealousy (as Lester Grimm) and/or 80s teen film "Some Kind Of Wonderful" (as Keith Nelson). He also looks pretty fine in "Memphis Belle" (1990) too, methinks. Oh, and if you want to see as much of him as possible (ahem :)), I've heard that you should see "Naked In New York" (1994) or "Haunted Summer".

OK, you’ve read the propaganda - now read the facts

ALL ABOUT ERIC

Name: Eric Stoltz

D.O.B: 30th September 1961 (which makes him a Libra [and too old for you - (z)Ed])

Birthplace: Whittier, California

Height: 5ft 11"

Occupation: Actor, producer, director

Family: Parents - Jack Stoltz (1st grade teacher) & Evelyn Stoltz (violinist and school teacher, died of cancer in June 1994). Two older sisters - one of which is Catherine Stoltz (an opera singer)

Love life: Dated & lived with Ally Sheedy (1980-1983)
Dated Jennifer Jason Leigh (1985-1989)
Dated Lili Taylor (1990)
Started dating Bridget Fonda (1990), married her (1996) & got divorced (1998)
Dated Rachel Griffiths (1999)
Rumoured to be dating "House Of Mirth" co-star, Laura Linney (2001)

Education: Graduated from San Marcus High School, CA
1979-1981 Was at University of Southern California in L.A, CA where he majored in theatre.
Studied acting with Stella Adler, William Traylor & Peggy Feury

Awards: 1985 - Sho West Award: Male Star of Tomorrow - won
1986 - Golden Globe: Best Supporting Actor (Mask) - nominated
1988 - Tony Award: Our Town - nominated
1995 - Independent Spirit Award: Best Supporting Actor (Pulp Fiction) - nominated
1998 - L.A Independent Film Festival: Indie Supporter Award - won

Trivia: Director Cameron Crowe has promised him a role, however small, in every film he makes.

He was the original Marty McFly in "Back To The Future" but was sacked 1/3 of the way through filming for "not acting enough like a teenager" & so Michael J. Fox was hired instead. In the scene where Marty punches Biff (at the 50s café), it’s Eric’s fist that flies through the frame.

He’s listed as one of twelve "Promising New Actors of 1984" in John Willis Screen World, Vol.43.

He’s a vegetarian (or so he said in an interview)

He plays the piano.

He’s lived in American Samoa.

Quotes "Terry is a whirlwind of passion. He’s a Tasmanian devil crossed with Doris Day." (on Terrence Davies, director of "House Of Mirth")

"I love onscreen nudity, especially if it is someone else that is nude. If it is integral to the story, and to the character then, to me, it is a litmus test of an actor's commitment to a role and ability to rise his or her or society's hang-ups about the human body." (on on-screen nude scenes he did in 'Naked in New York' & 'Haunted Summer')

"I must say I get a little bored seeing actors who have really great bodies and actresses with perfect measurements. I'm becoming more interested in odd shapes and imperfections. On the other hand, I might just be justifying my laziness because there's nothing I would hate more than having to exercise."

"I know a lot of rich and famous actors who aren't necessarily happy. I'm taking a different road . . . I'm fairly pleased with my life at this point . . . I wouldn't say I've suffered because of any of my decisions." (on his choice of films & being sacked from "Back To The Future")

"It's filled with little things that I find amusing and fun, touching and goofy. I guess the target audience would be 14-year-old girls. We have the same sense of humour apparently." (on his directorial debut, "My Horrible Year", shown this summer on Showtime)

"It was important to me to tell a story about teenagers that were, in my point of view, normal. They weren't sexual objects, they weren't buffoons. They were smart, confused, searching & struggling to remain hopeful & optimistic . . . they are not cynics & they are not clichés." (on "My Horrible Year" & how teen movies nowadays are not representative of the life and personality of the average teenager)

BEST ERIC FILMS