Who'd have guessed rocker Ozzy Osbourne--he of the infamous bat beheadings, copious alcohol and drug consumption and purported satanic alliances--would end up, at 51, a sobered-up family man who's devoted to his three kids and wife (and manager) of 20-odd years, Sharon? Well, Ozzy's days of debauchery might be behind him, but he's still going nonstop, with a work schedule that includes the worldwide Ozzfest tour and a top secret role in Adam Sandler's devilish Little Nicky.
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BARBRA DANNOV: So tell me about your role in Little Nicky.
OZZV OSBOURNE: The devil has two bad sons and Adam Sandler is his one good son, Nicky, I help Adam deal with one of the bad sons.
Q: What had you heard about Adam Sandler before Nicky.
A: I saw The Wedding Singer and I thought it was a good, funny film. What I didn't realize was how in control he is. He's a sweet guy...and he's a fucking good guitar player!
Q: Have you been surprised by how Hollywood folk have reacted to you?
A: I've been blown away! I don't mix. I don't drink or get stoned anymore, so what's the point? I like to stay home and play with my dogs and my kids. But I went to an after-shoot parry and they're all talking about cars and wine and the next project and I'm thinking, "Fucking hell, man, this is wild, this is a different world for me." That guy who was the Fonz...
Q: Henry Winkler?
A: Yeah, the Fonz, man! He was there and he is the nicest man I've ever met in my life, I met Nicolas Cage and had dinner at his house. I met Jim Carrey and he's a guy that goes, "If you like me, great, if you don't like me, great." He's a lot like me in that respect.
Q: Aren't you making a documentary of Ozzfest with director Penelope Spheeris?
A: No one's ever filmed a rock festival from the stage looking out. So this film is more about what the fans get up to...there's some wild shit! There's a guy that drills a hole in his head then whacks a six-inch nail in his face. It's like Caligula--I love it!
Q: Other than Caligula, what are some films that you like?
A: I thought Gladiator was amazing. I saw it the first day of release because when I was a kid I'd see all that stuff, like Spartacus, nine times. I don't like slasher films-- they're just bullshit. I liked Saving Private Ryan. My all-time favorite comedy is Life of Brian. And The Green Mile. Why that didn't win an Academy Award I just don't know.
Q: Speaking of good stories, your life is a fascinating one.
A: We've been talking about that for a long time. Behind the facade there is a very human story. I act a role when I'm doing my thing--walking around with fangs eating bars all day--but I wouldn't want my real story glorified.
Q: Would you ever think of taking a leading role in a film?
A: No. If I were going to take up acting, I'd study it seriously. But I'm 51 years old-- by the time I'd finished acting school, I'd only be able to get cast as a dead janitor.
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Barbra Dannov