Hollywood Report:
Talent Show
By April P. Bernard
Teen People.
August, 1998.




"Leading man means the guy who gets the girl, right?" asks 20-year-old Ethan Embry. "I like doing movies where I don't have to kiss girls. I had a kissing scene in Can't Hardly Wait, and it was just weird." Not many young actors would bemoan having to lock lips with a star like Jennifer Love Hewitt. But then, the artist formerly known as Ethan Randall (to honor his grandfather, Ethan adopted his surname in 1995, just as his career was taking off) is not like most actors.

Known for his odd-but-riveting roles in such movies as Empire Records; White Squall; That Thing You Do!; and Dancer, Texas Pop. 81 (and coming this month, the spooky Disturbing Behavior with Katie Holmes and James Marsden), the Long Beach, Calif. native has traditionally sought out show-stopping-but strictly supporting-work. Untill now, that is. Ethan's recent star turn as the tender-hearted hero of Can't Hardly Wait could very well elevate him into the ranks of Young Hollywood's Romantic Leading Men. Which means that Ethan (and his girlfriend of three years, actress Heather Porcaro, 20) will have to learn to cope with all the smooching scenes that come with the territory.

Despite his talent-and enegry level that borders on manic-Ethan insists that he doesn't take acting "superseriously." The only strategy the sometime snowboarder and death-metal guitarist will cop to is this: "If I can let out a big laugh before they say 'Action,' then the take is beautiful."