Alan Arkin: 'I Think I Get a Lot of Applause Because I'm Not Keeling Over'

What made you nervous about taking the role?

I just don't like to play people I don't like. It was originally written that he was a lot colder and cooler, and it just didn't appeal to me. I talked to Rebecca and I gave her some ideas that she got excited about -- they weren't mammoth changes but they made him a little more fun so that when he does his dirty work, it's more potent. It enabled me to enjoy him more, because if I'm not enjoying a character, I just can't do it.

Was there a role you had that crystallized that for you?

Oh yeah, Wait Until Dark. I hated it. I had never played a heavy before, and I hated being mean to Audrey Hepburn. I remember that a lot of people that I really admired said, "You gotta take the role." So I bit the bullet, even though it wasn't something I wanted to do.

Have you passed on some juicy villains?

I don't remember what I pass on. All I can say is if the part doesn't delight me in some way, or I can't feel any compassion for it, I just can't do it.

I was going to ask: It's the fortieth anniversary of Sesame Street, and you were on it for a little while when it first began--

This year's also the fiftieth anniversary of Second City, which I had a lot more experience with than Sesame Street. I don't remember anything about Sesame Street.

Did you ever think you'd see a fiftieth anniversary of Second City?

Well, I was at the fortieth anniversary, and...[He looks down at a stain on his shirt] That better not be blood. That better not be blood! [He rises, wets a cloth, and dabs at it] Do you know how to get blood out of things now?

You were in Sunshine Cleaning. I should be asking you!

[Laughing] Look at this wet spot. Now, that's attractive, right? I was reading about WD40. Is that the name? WD40 gets blood out of clothes.

I don't think I knew that.

And you thought this would be a normal interview. What were we talking about?

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