ALIEN GUN MORTAL BASHING COMBAT WITH PVT. JENETTE GOLDSTEIN by Greg Tiderington

Mainstream versatile supporting actress Jenette Goldstein was remembered on the big screen in her first motion picture with Sigourney Weaver, Bill Paxton, Lance Henriksen and Michael Biehn as the tough bodybuilder tomboy combat trainer Pvt. Vasquez in the 1986 smash blockbuster sci-fi horror flick 'Aliens' as she very much stood out in the film blowing those creatures away and acting fresh to find out where they are on that planet.
She has played many different types of roles throughout her career and was never typecast. Not only that, her appearances looked very different in each of her gigs that you would think these were different people alltogether if you've seen her other work like the foster mother Janelle in 'Terminator 2: Judgement Day' and the loving Irish mother in the romantic drama 'Titanic' which were both directed by 'Aliens' director James Cameron since he was impressed with her work in his film he had to cast her in these two films as well and pulled these roles off so differently too.
She studied theatre acting for many years since her parents acted on the stage and performed in regional theatre down in London to show her versatile work in shows.
She also was famous for a role in another horror film titled 'Near Dark' as a vampiress named Diamondback in which she teamed up again with Lance Henriksen and Bill Paxton in the film which was her second film to date in 1987 but then started acting in non horror films as mentioned as well as guest spots in TV shows.
Recently, she returned to horror acting by appearing in the film 'Autopsy' soon to be out.
Let's hear what she has to say about her career in the horror business and check out her official site at:
www.jenettegoldstein.com


 


At what age did you see yourself as an entertainer?


I decided to be an actress while in high school.


Did you see yourself acting in horror films?


Not specifically horror films, although 'Carrie' is one of my favorite movies.


What was your first taste in acting?


I trained at the Circle in the Square Theater School in New York, then in London at the Webber Douglas Academy.


Now you stood out greatly in 'Aliens' as you had a good supporting role as a bodybuilder soldier named Vasquez. What did James Cameron ask you to do to audition for the role?

Thank you. Pvt. Vasquez was an exceptional opportunity! I'd been working in the theater in London when I landed the role and had never worked in film or television. During the audition process, Cameron had me read the role of 'Hudson' (Bill Paxton's role). His idea was that, Vasquez and Hudson were the inverse of each other. Everything that Hudson blurted out, Vasquez kept in - but she still had to have that kind of wild energy underneath. Pretty smart guy.

What was your reaction when you got the part?


I was flabbergasted. I was also relieved for my parents that I would finally have a job before turning  30.


What was he like to work with?


Jim's a tough taskmaster and a perfectionist and exactly the kind of person I love to work with.


Which moments will you cherish doing the most while working on set?


Since it was my first film, I just tried to soak up everything I could. I believe it's called Earn while you Learn.


What was the toughest scene for you to do?


The toughest scene was the last sequence in the air duct, shooting the Aliens while retreating. The blanks were slapping around and I was trying not to wince. That wouldn't have been very Vasquez-like at all.


I remember your line well screaming LETS ROCK!!! Then you went on a killing spree with the creatures. What made your adrenaline race through you to react like that as it looked very good?

Pure fear of getting hit by one of those flying blank shells! And the noise.

Who did you like working with the most?


I had so much fun with everyone, but especially, Bill Paxton, Mark Rolston and James Cameron. It's been a long relationship and I really value their friendships.


How many years have you been weightlifting?


Weightlifting was never my sport - that's always been a sort of urban myth that I was a bodybuilder turned actress or something! The truth is, I was a gymnast as a young girl and always a bit of a tomboy. I started working out at a bodybuilders' gym in London to get back into shape after drama school when I wast cast as Vasquez. I looked pretty good, huh? I only wish I still was in that kind of shape now!


Now there are films being made called
'Aliens Vs Predator'. Will you ever
try to be a part of an upcoming sequel to one?


I'm not sure how that would work. But if they could clone Ripley....


Now your appearance looked so different in 'Near Dark' what was it like doing that film as you got to work again with Lance Henriksen from 'Aliens'?

I'm a character actress, so getting to change my appearance and play wildly different people is the fun.


How could you relate to your character Diamondback as it was very different than your role as Vasquez?


Diamondback, first and foremost was a wife and mother willing to kill for
her family. I found that a very compelling reason to suck blood.


What kinds of feedback did you get?


My future husband was managing a small movie house in San Francisco that screened 'Near Dark'. He thought I looked really hot and now he can't believe he's married to both Vasquez and Diamondback!


What kinds of stuff would you like to share with us while being on set of the film?

Working with Lance and Bill again was as fun and crazy as ever.


Did you feel these films were promising for you to act in future horror films?


I enjoy genre films and working with anyone who's got a good story to tell.


Now the rest of the films you acted in were actions, dramas, thrillers and sci-fi like in
'Lethal Weapon 2', Terminator 2, 'Star Trek: Generations', 'Touch Me', 'Titanic' and 'Clockstoppers'. Which movie out of these did you enjoy doing the most and why?

Two of my favorites were 'Titanic' and 'Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas'. It was a dream of mine to work with Johnny Depp, Benicio Del Toro, and Terry Gilliam.


Did you miss acting in horror films?


I always miss acting in any film.


Now you did just finish playing a role in an upcoming horror flick titled
'Autopsy'. Who do  you play in it?

I play Head Nurse Marian Burrows.


What is this film about?


An carload of young people have an accident on their way back from Mardi Gras and are taken to an abandoned hospital run by the brilliant, bizarre Doctor Benway (played by Robert Patrick) and his loyal partner, Nurse Marian -- "This will only hurt a bit..."


What was it like shooting this piece?


Very cool. We shot it outside of Baton Rouge, LA  at a State Mental Hospital. We worked in the empty unit, across from the active wing were the inmates lived. Needless to say, it was very creepy and realistic!


What kind of a release will this one get?


I believe it will be released in theaters this Spring.


Are you going to be appearing in any upcoming horror films?


I will be appearing in a play in Los Angeles called 'Frozen'. It deals with the mind of a serial killer, so I think horror fans would find it fascinating. It runs February 15 - March 22 at the Lillian Theater.

Now here's some fun stuff: What are your favourite horror films?


Well, I already mentioned 'Carrie'. But 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre' is pretty horrific.


If you were a horror film actress whether she was alive or dead for one day who would she be?


Hmm. Hard to say, but I loved this quote by Julie Strain where she said, "I'd rather be a bad actress and look like me, than be good and look like that 'Fargo' chick." Now there's an artist with her priorities straight!

What is your idea of perfect happiness?


Watching my kids sleep. They're pretty good awake, too.


If you had a choice of an acting gig you were in that you'd like to change what show would that be?


I would erase myself completely from 'Fair Game' - but keep the money, of course.


What are your ambitions in life?


Getting my kids to school on time - we can always dream.