Ellen Pompeo Blames Kate Winslet for Her Role Cut in 'Eternal Sunshine'
Ellen Pompeo Spills Tea on Career Near-Misses and Kate Winslet's Sizzling Performance
In a candid conversation at the Tribeca Film Festival, Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo let it all hang out about her early days in Hollywood. The 55-year-old actress dished on two major films that almost made her a household name - but ultimately didn't. And, surprise! She's got some choice words for Kate Winslet.
Pompeo recalled her time working with the legendary Steven Spielberg on Catch Me If You Can, where she played a small role alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. But it was her experience on Michel Gondry's Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that left her feeling... well, not so spotless. The actress jokingly referred to Kate Winslet as "the reason" she got cut from the film.
"I did Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," Pompeo said with a chuckle, "which I got completely cut out of because Kate Winslet is in the movie, of course." When asked if it stung, she quipped, "If you have Kate Winslet, you definitely don't need me."
For those who may not remember, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a critically acclaimed sci-fi romance that follows Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet's characters as they undergo a memory-erasing procedure. The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2005, with Kate nominated for Best Actress.
But Pompeo wasn't just basking in the glory of her near-miss; she also reflected on another major project that didn't quite pan out - the 2002 drama Moonlight Mile. Starring alongside Jake Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, and Susan Sarandon, the film failed to attract an audience and left Pompeo feeling... well, not exactly disappointed.
"It was the best thing that never happened," she said with a sly grin. "And I love that phrase because it really is. The universe comes in and takes over for you at certain moments and not everything you think should be the next thing you should do."
Pompeo hinted that her career might have taken off too quickly, leading to a series of missteps. "Had I gotten all that attention and had all the things that they told me were going to happen for me, had they happened in that moment, I may not have been ready for them," she mused.
The actress, who's known for her wit and candor, didn't mince words when discussing the challenges of fame. "I don't necessarily think fame and attention are the best path for any young person," she said bluntly. "It's a really slippery slope."
As for Moonlight Mile, Pompeo blames its marketing woes on the film's somber tone. "They didn't know how to market it," she said. "I think they felt it was too sad and so they sort of didn't really give it a chance."
While Pompeo's career has had its ups and downs, it's clear that she's learned from her experiences - and isn't afraid to share them with the world.
Sources:
- The Scholarly Note (thescholarlynote.com)
