Cool Character

Benicio Del Toro's unique combination of effervescent charm and coolness was apparent as the tall, lean actor with sleepy-eyed exotic good looks prepared himself for an interview with Back Stage West. He was promoting his latest project, the Steven Soderbergh-helmed Traffic. The current "buzz" around Del Toro is that his ambitious performance in the film is positively Oscar-worthy and most likely his best work to date. As an auspicious portent to this possibility, he recently received the Best Supporting Actor Award from the New York Film Critics Circle for his performance.

Del Toro pulled a cigarette from the inside pocket of his leather jacket and positioned himself comfortably in his chair. It's all too common for Hollywood's current crop of young actors to light up without concern for any nonsmokers in the room. As evidenced by his acting ability and presence on screen, he is not typical of the crop. He apprehensively asked, "You don't mind if I smoke, do you?" giving me the impression that he wasn't merely being polite but would actually have disposed of the cigarette if I said yes.

Del Toro's off-screen charisma and coolness has obviously filtered into his performances. Not surprisingly, these characteristics led to his being one of the first actors director Soderbergh asked to be in this latest film. In Traffic, Del Toro rounds out a stellar ensemble cast that includes Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michael Douglas, Don Cheadle, Luis Guzmán, and Dennis Quaid.

Soderbergh is, of course, not the first to recognize the attractiveness of this performer's unique persona. Del Toro has worked with some of Hollywood's most exciting directors, including Terry Gilliam in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Christopher McQuarrie in The Way of the Gun and The Usual Suspects.

"I like to work with anyone who wants to work with me," Del Toro admitted about choosing a director. "If they're good," he added with a coy grin. "I like to work with people?actors and/or directors?who can relate to the story they are trying to tell, such as Steven and this amazing cast."

Caught Up in Traffic

With a resumé comprising in equal measure mainstream and independent projects, Del Toro is uniquely positioned to become a major draw at the box office. His performance in Traffic, a contemporary thriller set in the world of drug trafficking?in which he portrays Javier Rodriguez, a Tijuana policeman?could push him to the forefront of Hollywood's young leading men. Rodriguez's story is one of three intricate plot lines dealing with the theme of drugs over the course of the film. Del Toro's character differs refreshingly from the familiar stereotype of Mexican males in stories involving drugs?in other words, bad guys.

"He is a good man caught in a bad world where he might not have a choice," said Del Toro. "The 'bad guy' is the system and the corruption around the illegal drug trade."

Del Toro professed he has grown more as an actor with this film than with any of his others, due in large part to his relationship with his director. "I think the reason people are reacting so positively to this character and this movie is because I really understood how important it is for the actor to be a storyteller," he said. "Although a lot of credit must go to the people I work with, my character is responsible for telling the story. Steven gave me free rein. I was able to bring this character to life in my own way. Sometimes you do a film and you really don't understand the purpose of your character or what it is your character wants. Soderbergh really understands every aspect of filmmaking. He really nurtures the fact that every actor has a different approach, instead of saying, 'Well, that's a nice way to do it, but I want it done my way!' He constantly encouraged me, watered me, allowed me to bring whatever I wanted to the table. He completely understood what I was trying to do with this character. He really helps you find your best work. I would love to work with him again!"

Soderbergh's abbreviated list of directing credits includes the recent blockbuster hit Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts, and the Jennifer Lopez starrer Out of Sight, which collected three of the National Society of Film Critics awards and was voted Best Picture and Best Screenplay by the Boston Society of Film Critics in 1999, in addition to receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing. Other film credits include The Limey, which earned five Independent Spirit Award nominations, Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Kafka, and King of the Hill. If Soderbergh were to establish a directing credo of sorts, it would be to infuse realism and honesty in films that nevertheless aim to entertain the audience.

Traffic is an excellent testament to that credo. A majority of the film is set in Mexico. To emphasize "ethnic authenticity," Soderbergh elected to film in Spanish all scenes in which the Mexican characters speak with one another. Del Toro found this "refreshing." Having never acted in a Spanish-language film before, the Puerto Rico-born actor noted, "It wasn't easy for me. It was serious work. I really had to work with the Mexican accent. However, it was a great idea. I think it adds a special dimension to the movie. The audience can't help but feel like they are in the same place as the character?as though they are really looking in at this world."

Long and Winding Road

While he seems to be on the cusp of stardom, Del Toro's career path has not always been clear. His decision to pursue acting did not go over well with his family. His initial career plans were to enter the family business. His parents, grandfather, godmother, and uncle have all been practicing attorneys at some point in their lives. His family moved from Puerto Rico to a southern Pennsylvania farm after the death of his mother. Following high school, Del Toro was admitted to the University of California, San Diego where he intended to study business. As a freshman, however, he enrolled in an acting class, and his desire to pursue a career in performance blossomed. Subsequently, he dropped out of college and spent the following years dedicating his life to acting. He studied his craft on both the East and West coasts. In New York, he attended the Circle in the Square Acting School and performed at the Lafayette Theatre drama festival, where he won a scholarship to the famed Stella Adler Conservatory. He later studied with the Los Angeles-based Actors Circle Theatre, which jump-started his television career.

Del Toro landed several guest-starring roles on such television series as the short-lived O'Hara and Shell Game, as well as Miami Vice. He also appeared in the NBC miniseries Drug Wars: The Kiki Camarena Story, Showtime's Fallen Angels, and HBO's Tales From the Crypt. Although his television career progressed rapidly, his transition to the big screen wasn't as smooth. His debut feature-film role was as Duke, the dog-faced boy, in the ill-contrived Big Top Pee Wee. Other roles followed?a small part in Sean Penn's directorial debut, The Indian Runner, and a thoroughly detestable rapist in the cinematic debacle Christopher Columbus: The Discovery. Undaunted by these potentially career-stalling efforts, Del Toro remained focused and determined. His perseverance paid off with respectable supporting roles in China Moon, Fearless, and Basquiat, in which he played the artist's friend Benny Dalmu. However, it was Del Toro's turn in Bryan Singer's critically lauded The Usual Suspects?in which he played the unintelligible Fred Fenster?that brought Del Toro to the attention of the American public. Most impressive was that the young actor stood out among many of Hollywood's acting heavyweights: Chazz Palminteri, Gabriel Byrne, and Kevin Spacey.

Del Toro continues to make strides in his career, and though his efforts may eventually place him at the apex of the entertainment business, he is content with his recent accomplishments. His upcoming feature films include director Lee Tamahori's Basic, opposite Catherine Keener, and The Pledge, starring Sean Penn. In addition, he will assume the role of Franky Four Fingers in the Guy Ritchie feature Snatch, with Brad Pitt, to be released this winter. His role is similar to that of Fred Fenster in Usual Suspects but sans the mumbled speech.

Through it all, Del Toro maintains a low profile. He vows to never be daunted by his increasing celebrity and public exposure, and, for once, you believe it. "I am really OK with my career right now," he said. "I feel really lucky to be doing what I do." BSW