This is my chat with Skye McCole Bartusiak, who I've admired since she played Pippa in the Stephen King mini-series "Storm of the Century". I am still honing my interviewing skills, but hope you enjoy it.
Houston native Skye McCole Bartusiak first wowed me as a fan when she was five years old and played Pippa in the Stephen King original miniseries "Storm of the Century". Of the child actors who played the (potentially) ill-fated children of Little Tall Island, off the coast of Maine, Skye's performance had the most impact – literally, in a horrifying scene where her character slaps the face of her mom, and utters a word usually not used by a five-year-old, period, much less to her mother.It was an amazing performance by a five-year-old girl, and Skye hasn't looked back since. With a list of over thirty roles already on her resume, this consummate professional – at the ripe old age of thirteen – can count on Drew Barrymore and Brittany Murphy as friends … recalls fondly her eighth birthday party, which she celebrated with Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger in attendance … and yet still calls Houston, where she's from, her home (though she maintains a place in L.A., when working). An amazing and gifted performer, it was a real pleasure to speak with Skye, who radiates a common sense and maturity that many grown-ups three times her age could only hope for.
You don't realize just how young she was in "Storm of the Century," for instance, until she admits not even remembering how she got the role. "I'm not sure – either we sent in a tape, or I auditioned for it in L.A.," she says. Her mother, a film acting coach, had gotten Skye into modeling from an early age, somehow knowing her daughter had what it took in the industry – and when Skye landed the role of Pippa Hatcher, her first acting gig, she proved to be a natural. Better still, there was no stage mothering going on; Skye adored the work, and does to this day.
More work followed – Hazel in The Cider House Rules, and featured parts on shows like "JAG" and "Judging Amy" and "Frasier" – but to this day Skye still cites her favorite role as the one she portrayed in 2000's The Patriot. As Susan Martin, Skye received accolades for her emotional performance – and had the best time of her life on-set as well, creating it:
"We were on the set maybe 5-6 months, had all become like a really tight family … I loved everyone, and we all really bonded. I really loved it. Remember that whole 'Poppa' scene, where I break down? We did that the last day of shooting, so it was easy to get emotional; I knew we'd all be separating soon."
When asked, later in the interview, about the most fun she's ever had on a set, Skye again remembers – with real enthusiasm in her voice – the Patriot set:
"Oh, it had to be The Patriot – because we were all kids! I remember one day, Trevor (Morgan) and I were playing soccer, in costume, and the wardrobe people were going crazy, running around trying to get him to put a smock on so that he wouldn't get his costume dirty. Being a guy, though, Trevor wouldn't do it … and when he fell in the mud, he almost gave the costume people a heart attack!"
Eating with corpses proved cool, too: "We loved having lunch with the dead guys – they looked great in their makeup … and Mel (Gibson) gave all of us kids nicknames. He called me 'Rat' 'cause I was running around all the time. It was great – my eighth birthday was on the set, and Mel Gibson came to my party. Him and Heath Ledger, everybody was there, it was awesome!" Skye adds here that she recently ran into Ledger ('the nicest guy I've every worked with") in Los Angeles, and at first he didn't recognize her –
Further proof that little Susan Martin had grown up into an accomplished and beautiful young woman.
When asked about her overall preference of medium to work in – as Skye's already done film and TV (as well as stage, playing Helen Keller to no less than 2-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank, as Annie Sullivan) – Skye admits to having her heart for film, where "everything is very personable and social. I'm the kind of person, I like to get comfortable with my surroundings - and when you do a movie, you have more time to get comfortable with everyone and everything on the set."
2001 brought Skye a project that would have her playing the daughter of a Hollywood legend – Michael Douglas – in a suspense thriller that would also see the young actress forming a deep and long-lasting friendship with another of her co-stars – Brittany Murphy. The two remain close to this day, Skye still remembering one of the best pieces of advice she's ever received from her friend and fellow actress: "Brittany always said, 'Never look back on something you've said or done – always move ahead, and go forward.'" The actress taught her not to take time for self-criticism, or for regrets, and indeed Skye has pursued this since – one reason, most likely, for her continued success.
Skye also speaks highly of her other great friend – and Riding in Cars with Boys (also starring Brittany Murphy) co-star – Drew Barrymore, calling the former child star "Amazing – one of the most down-to-earth people I've ever met. I love her to death." And lest anyone reading this interview still believe that successful and professional actors can't be fans, as well … ask Skye, who admits, to this day, that she still has the Charlie's Angels doll Drew autographed for her. Co-star, friend, and fan – Skye can do it all.
Indeed, Skye seems poised for a lifelong career as an actress – and wouldn't have it any other way. Her father, now a chemical engineer, was a scenic designer when he met Skye's
mom, a film acting coach. So was Skye's path destined?You'd think so, especially when asking her what advice she would give to other kids her age, who've thought of pursuing acting:
"You always have to say 'next' – get to your next project. You have to work hard, and really, REALLY have to want it – and love it. (In order to succeed) you really have to want to do it for the rest of your life. I know this is what I want to do with the rest of my life."
Serious words from a serious actress. But then again, who said all had to be serious?
"I want to do a kid's movie!" Skye replies, when quizzed about the kind of character she'd most like to play, but hasn't. "A kooky Christmas movie! A NickTeen kind of movie, or something! Don't get me wrong, I love the dramatic roles – it's what I really love – but it'd just be nice to do something silly, and I think everyone thinks of me as a dramatic actress."
When asked who she is a fan of, she is quick to name "Brittany Murphy and Hilary Swank. I've worked with both, but they're also just amazing actresses. Heath, for sure – and Drew!" When asked about who she'd like to work with – but has yet to – the conversation goes quiet, as Skye thinks. Ultimately unable to name anyone (possibly, this interviewer thinks, because she didn't' want to favor any specific actors), Skye finally admits she can't think of anyone – although would seriously love to work with Heath Ledger and Brittany Murphy again.
On her own opinions of fans, what fans mean to her or her career, Skye's answer comes must faster, and with real conviction. "I really love them, 'cause they help me to be where I am. I have no problem at all with fans." She readily admits to still happily signing autographs for fans in person – and, indeed, still signs all her own autographed photos via mail, as well (no secretaries or autopens for this girl!). Ever appreciative of her fans, Skye's website (www.skyemccolebartusiak.com) even outlines the best way for fans to request her autograph through the mail This is a girl serious about "giving it back" to those who enjoy her work.
But she's equally adamant about "giving it back" when it comes to charities, as well. Benefits for Ronald McDonald House, Kim Basinger's Nuts for Mutts organization, the Special Olympics in Houston – even a cancer run she and her father do every year – show Skye's commitment to helping those less fortunate … and also her commitment for using her celebrity to raise awareness, and funds, for these and other causes.
Amazingly grown up work, for a young woman who still vividly remembers how – at the age of five – she freaked out (to the point of crying) over having to utter the "B" word and slap her mother in a Stephen King miniseries. Seemingly, a grown up woman resides in the 13-year-old child actor – .
But not too grown up, though – for, when asked about the internet rumor floating around that Sandlot 2 actor Cole Evan Weiss is her boyfriend, Skye is quick to reply, "I am not dating Cole; we've been friends for years, and I don't know how that rumor that we're dating got started. It might have been when he took me to an event, or something. My dad says I can date when I am 30 … mom says 16, which I like better." At thirteen, Skye admits that even she thinks she's a bit young for dating, much less to have a boyfriend.
The young actress seems on firmer – and more comfortable – ground when discussing her new work. She plays the daughter of a psychiatrist in the upcoming drama Kill Your Darlings, as well as appearing in another heavy drama, Pineapple. She also has a short film, Razor Sharp, currently "doing the festival circuit," in which she plays a superhero named Isis.
Maybe it's a good thing she is only thirteen – at her age, she has the strength and youth to actually keep up with her busy schedule. But either way, it truly seems the sky's NOT Skye's limit, as in eight years she's established herself as one of the brightest young actors in film and television today. Committed, talented, driven – and yet down to earth enough to keep a sense of humor about it all – the charm and charisma of this young performer can be summed up best when you learn about the little Maltese dog she fell in love with and adopted in 2001 – a dog she named "Pippa."
She'll never forget her roots – or all she's learned from them. And little does she know – that's what makes an actor a true star.
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