My family makes me laugh, for openers. Different things make me laugh. "The In-Laws" makes me laugh.
How is that movie?
It's good. It turned out really nice. It's a great chance for me to do some very broad comedy, which I got a kick out of. Humor is an important part of my life. Catherine's got a great sense of humor and [she's] funny, and it's just amazing to watch Dillon, a kid 28 months old, to see his sense of humor. It just amazes you.
Your mother described some of the traits she believed you inherited from your father. Are you able to look at your father and see some things you believe you share with him?
No. What is so nice about my mother getting a little acknowledgement now is I see myself as a pretty even match between my mother and my father. But I think I have inherited some of his tenacity, his endurance, his stamina. I've inherited the ability to hold a grudge, if need be. I've inherited, I think we both agree, the use of anger as a false sense of energy. Anger kind of keeps you going sometimes. It [helps] you, as an energy source.
What has Cameron inherited from you?
I don't know yet, I just don't know. His talent as a DJ, I don't know where that came from. I like music but that's nowhere in our family's background, and he's really good at it. I think he's still defining himself. I think whenever you're the son or the daughter of a successful parent or parents, it just takes you longer. It certainly took me a lot longer to find out who I was. I think he's well on the way, but I can't say that I have a clear picture yet.
Do you think you've removed yourself from your father's shadow?
I think for me, probably winning the Oscar for "Wall Street" for me was the time I clearly thought, "Wow. I got a nomination from my peers for acting." And then to win it I think was, that was about the time I felt I was off and running.
What surprised you the most about working with your dad on this film?
The effortlessness. He used to have a habit of sometimes when he'd get nervous he'd get angry, and it's just, it's all gone. He's such a loving, supportive, generous person and did such a great job in the role. I thought he just acted his brains off. He made every moment count. I think for me it was just the reminder of the kind of discipline he has. It's just old school compared to the young actors now and the work that he would do daily. Looking over the script and the parts, and trying to change it.
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