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	Printed Articles & Interviews USA Today February 9, 2001

February 9, 2001

Versatility makes Greenwood a bankable star By Scott Bowles, USA TODAY LOS ANGELES - Bruce Greenwood is making a career out of living in the past. After his critically acclaimed role as John F. Kennedy in Thirteen Days, Greenwood leaps back further in time for Haven, the CBS movie about Ruth Gruber, a Jewish woman who led nearly 1,000 Holocaust survivors to America in 1944. The miniseries, which begins Sunday, puts Greenwood in a familiar setting: a period piece, surrounded by a formidable cast. "All period, all the time. I'm milking this for all it's worth," Greenwood jokes. "If I don't get to wear a funny hat or a narrow tie, I'm not interested." The Canadian-born actor says he was drawn to Haven for much the same reason he jumped at the chance to play Kennedy: to tell the stories of real-life heroes.

"When you get parts like these and see what they accomplished, it's amazing," says Greenwood, who in Haven plays a local merchant who discovers firsthand the plight of Holocaust survivors.

Not that Greenwood limits himself to biopics, or even noble characters. From his villainous turn in Double Jeopardy to his role as an unscrupulous national security adviser in Rules of Engagement, Greenwood has built a reputation as a Hollywood changeling.

"He's a bit of a chameleon," says Days director Roger Donaldson. "It doesn't take long before he takes on a character's personality."

And appearance. Greenwood, 44, looks different in each role, even though he changed only his accent and haircut for his JFK portrayal. It does allow for some anonymity. At a recent lunch, Greenwood drew several "aren't you that guy?" stares from passersby. He wasn't fully recognized until actress Sharon Lawrence, formerly of NYPD Blue, grabbed him by the arm and declared herself a fan of his work.

He has a few. His role in Days has earned him glowing reviews and generated some Oscar buzz. But the actor says he stopped paying attention to the hype. He admits being disappointed that he wasn't nominated for a Golden Globe or Screen Actors Guild award.

"It's completely out of my hands, so it's silly to get worked up about it," Greenwood says.

Besides, he's quick to point out, the movie has paid other dividends. Days was the first film viewed in the White House by President Bush, and it will be screened next month for the United Nations.

It's also made him a contender for other roles.

"It doesn't open the door wide open, but it gets your foot in it," he says. "I'm reading for parts I might not have had a chance at last year."

Among them is the leading man in Basic Instinct 2. While the production isn't off the ground yet, Greenwood says he's still in talks to play opposite Sharon Stone.

"It's hit a few snags, but that's not uncommon," he says. "You learn to adapt to every movie."

Spoken like a true Renaissance man.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/enter/tv/2001-02-09-greenwood.htm