February 2003

The Hot Seat

WIZARD: Playing Lex Luthor on "Smallville" must be kind of cool, right? You could use the line, "I'm not a billionaire, but I play one on TV," to pick up girls, huh?

MICHAEL ROSENBAUM: I've never used that line.

WIZ: Well, you should think about it, bro.

MR: I'll consider it.

WIZ: Who's the best Lex Luthor actor? You, [movie Luthor] Gene Hackman, or [TV's "Lois & Clark" Luthor] John Shea?

MR: I'm the best young Lex Luthor period, just because there is no other Lex Luthor. I've never seen John Shea's work. I have to be honest with you. Can you believe that?

WIZ: No, I can't! It's shocking! I'm flabbergasted! So, what's a tougher assignment for a role: shaving your head, or dressing as a woman like you did for "Sorority Boys"?

MR: Shaving my head. Dressing up like a woman is kind of nothing to me now. It's kind of old hat. I just did two movies in drag, and I dressed up in drag in college for talent shows and things like that and back in grade school.

WIZ: Ever do private parties? 'Cause I got a C-note and some free time.

MR: [laughs] Hold on, what?

WIZ: Never mind, sweet cheeks. I bet you get a lot of groupies being on a show like "Smallville", though, right?

MR: You know, fans are out there. There are a lot of great fans who have big hearts and really just embrace my character and really like me. And there are fans who send portraits of themselves and portraits of their family and what they'd like to do to me behind closed doors. It goes a little far...

WIZ: Maybe get you in drag?

MR: What's with you and drag? I was a crazed fan once, though, I love ["Hannibal" actor] Gary Oldman. And then I met him and I was like, 'Oh, hey. Gary, how are you? I love your work.' I felt like a dork.

WIZ: Speaking of dorks, who's your favorite superhero?

MR: I always loved Batman. Batman's got that brooding attitude, you know? He's really cool on the "Justice League" animated series; I only get to do the voice of the Flash, though.

WIZ: What are the chances of seeing you in the Lex Luthor battle armor from the cartoon?

MR: It won't happen.

WIZ: Are you sure? It could be a good look for you.

MR: Not in this lifetime.