MY HUSBAND, THE DIRECTOR
Felicity Huffman likes following Macy’s orders — on the movie set, at least
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — While Felicity Huffman has been directed by husband William H. Macy is many theater productions over the years, having Macy helm her in a movie was a very different kind of experience. The former “Desperate Housewives” actress co- stars in “Rudderless,” playing the wife and then ex- wife of Billy
Crudup’s character. “I’m really glad I can hold true to the old Hollywood adage: ‘ You can sleep your way to the top.’ I certainly slept with the director and got the part,” said the actress with a laugh.
Turning serious, Huffman said it was “wonderful being directed by Bill. While he had directed me in a bunch of plays before, this was a different rhythm. This was an indie movie, where you’re making it for like $ 2.50 and on your first day of shooting, you’re two days behind.
“So, as you can understand, there’s a different kind of pressure on everyone involved, including Bill and me.”
Because of her relationship with Macy— they’ve been married for 14 years— Huffman understood that “as the wife, you are allowed to ask for the extra take [ of a scene], because you need it and you have that kind of access. But in independent filmmaking, that’s like asking for someone’s blood, because the budget is so incredibly tight. ‘ You want an extra take?! Are you kidding?! An extra 10 minutes?!’ ”
While “Desparate Housewives” has been behind Huffman for a couple of years now, the actress lights up at the mention of the long- running TV drama. “The show still has such a loyal fan base. Young girls who back then were like 12, 13, 14 years old were crazy about the show.
“So now, those girls are like 21- and 22- year- olds, and they are constantly coming up to me and going, ‘ Me and my mom watched it every Sunday night!’
“I get such a kick out of that.”