Ron Livingston can do the movie-star thing. The 42-year-old—who played the dump-her-via-Post-it loser Jack Berger on Sex and the City and became a cult hero with Office Space—tilts his head 45 degrees, cocks his left eyebrow, and in a heartbeat, transforms into a matinee idol. But when he's not shooting that look, Livingston is back to being our favorite scruffy, soft-edged everyman.
Raised in Iowa, Livingston was schooled in regular-guyhood. With Midwestern self-deprecation, he talks about how he fancies himself a handyman around his L.A. home. "It's usually a two-step process," he says. "Step one: I spend three days working on whatever it is. Step two: I pick up the phone and call a pro who'll devote two days to fixing the original problem, plus the stuff I broke."
Livingston ditches the homespun charm for this month's The Time Traveler's Wife, based on Audrey Niffenegger's best-selling novel. Playing the lovestruck, if morally challenged, Gomez, he moves in on the wife of a friend. "I don't think Gomez is a bad guy," explains Livingston. "We don't plan to be good or bad. We just think, What do I want now? I want coffee now. I want the paper now. I want my friend's wife now."
Of course, when the casting was announced, the book's rabid fans—take a Twilight freak and add 10 years—started to nitpick immediately. The biggest complaint? That Gomez is supposed to be fair-haired. "I can't pull off blond, but I got some blond tips," Livingston notes. "Which is as close as I'll ever come to being in a '90s boy band."
Not that he wants for fame. "At a Sundance party, a bouncer let me in, but stopped Dustin Hoffman. I thought, How does he recognize me and not him? Dustin must have been thinking the same, because he said, 'Who the hell is he?'"
-
Fans Are Already Clamoring for Season 3 of 'Shadow and Bone'
Here's where the fantasy series could go next.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Liv Hewson Is Worth the Buzz
When the Aussie-born actor was cast as Van in Showtime’s hit 'Yellowjackets' the character was barely in the pilot. Now, Hewson’s the scene-stealing comic relief and one-half of the show’s It Couple—and they’re prepared to take on an even bigger role in season two.
By Jessica Goodman
-
I’m a Beauty Editor—Here’s What I’m Shopping During Ulta’s 21 Days of Beauty Sale
Prepare to stock up on Fenty, Kiehl’s, Stila, and more for 50 percent off.
By Samantha Holender
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
By Mehera Bonner
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
By The Editors
-
Who Is Next in Line for the British Throne, Explained
And yes—Harry and Archie are still in the line of succession.
By Andrea Park
-
The Metamorphosis of Mindy Kaling
The actress, writer, and producer has transformed Hollywood. But her most fulfilling project yet is happening behind the scenes—as a mother, mentor, and mogul.
By Neha Prakash
-
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Fiancé Riley Roberts?
AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.
By Katherine J Igoe
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
By Bianca Rodriguez