Q & A With Leelee Sobieski
Leelee Sobieski has slowly—over the past decade—become one of the greatest young actors of her generation. Emerging in Hollywood at the tender age of 11 in hit films such as Eyes Wide Shut with Tom Cruise and the television mini-series Joan of Arc—for which she earned a Golden Globe nod for the title role (even more, she was the first actress to have played the virginal warrior who was really a virgin at the time, she has said). Even though the native New Yorker has partied in the hip-hop circles of the big apple with the likes of Damon Dash and calls several Oscar-winners—such as Al Pacino and Diane Lane—by their first names, she is actually the non-Hollywood type. She has a good time, but it’s in—yikes!—moderation.
I caught up her with her recently and talked fame, paparazzi and being an actual princess (no, really she is).
What do you think about the recent writers strike?
I wish it would get resolved soon. I think the writers are the most important, so I understand. I think the Golden Globes being cancelled will make people think harder about the strike.
Do you think The Oscars were affected?
No. Not at all.
You live in both New York and Los Angeles? Which do you prefer?
In Los Angeles, everyone has the same dream, but they all think it’s possible. In New York, everyone has different dreams, but they feel they are impossible. Not as optimistic. A place is really about the people, and I have some really great people in my life, including my best friend who lives here. So, I am happy here and I am happy in New York. If I had to pick one place, I would pick New York.
Al Pacino is known for playing over-the-top New York types. How was it working with him in your next film, 88 Minutes?
It was great. He is so larger than life in everyone’s mind, but he is very human. Obviously, so talented. He tried to psyche me out sometimes. I would run around and yell, “Don’t let him talk to me, he’s gonna psyche me out!” If we would have a scene when our characters would have to be mad, he would be super-friendly to me. I would be like, “I am supposed to be mad at him!”
Do you think he has fallen into the category of playing the same character in every film?
You cannot compare Scarface to Serpico.
Not in his early films. Some people say that now he constantly plays one recycled character.
I will leave it to them to judge. 
Okay, is it true that your great-great-great-great grandfather was King Sobieski of Poland?
Yes, it’s true. But, it’s so far back in the past. It’s true, but its wayyyy back when. But, supposedly my great-great-great-great uncle was the King of Poland. I don’t really find it all that interesting because it’s so far back. If it was my grandpa or my great grandpa then I would be like, “Oh!” Everyone goes back in the past to something interesting.
So, what kind of childhood did you have?
We were not wealthy. Even when I got into this business, my parents made sure I had a pretty regular childhood. I went to school and went to regular classes. I got my GED at 15, but I still went back to high school when I could and actually graduated with my class. I had down time. It’s like any child who plays basketball, swims or plays the piano. Your time gets taken away from regular kid life. I had time to be a child.
You went to Brown University during the middle of your career. How was that?
I would have been a Visual Arts major. It was a really positive experience. I made great friends and I enjoyed being in Providence. I enjoyed being around other smart, interesting kids. It was great.
You left before you graduated. Why?
I left and went back to work. I missed working.
Do you go clubbing?
I go to clubs. It depends on whether I am working or not and which friends I am with. I have so many different types of friends and they all do so many types of things. I have friends I club with and other friends where I just stay in and order ribs.
So, how are you able to avoid the paparazzi parade in Los Angeles?
You can go to those places where everyone takes your pictures, but I just go through the back. I think the paparazzi are crazy, but I think [some celebrities] ask for it. You don’t have to go to those same places to have a good meal or a good time at the club. Good friends and family and love keep you grounded. If you have those, you are set for life.
Do you have a boyfriend?
No. But, I am dating.
Is it hard to find a good guy nowadays in your opinion?
It’s not hard to find a good, sincere guy. I believe that there are good men in the world. There are so many great women in the world. I think you have to switch your perception up on how you expect a great guy to look. I think there are incredible things to discover everywhere you look. On street corners, everywhere. I don’t think there is one perfect something. I think you can make life as interesting as you want it to be as long as you are open to that.
Interview by Isoul H. Harris, an entertainment journalist based in Atlanta, GA. (writeboy08@gmail.com)