Hollywood for Grownups: Why Jude Law Was So ‘Happy’ When His Latest Film Wrapped

It’s always interesting when celebrities step out of their comfort zones — or step up to the plate for great causes​​.

Hollywood for Grownups

Hollywood reporter Merle Ginsberg has written about celebrities, film, TV, music and fashion for publications including The New York Times, Hollywood Reporter, Rolling Stone, The Daily Beast, Cosmopolitan and more. Each week she’ll cover celebrity news for AARP’s Hollywood for Grownups column.

Woody Harrelson, left, and Ted Danson.

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Ted Danson cheers about Woody Harrelson

Ted Danson, 76, always has a kind (or even humorous) anecdote to share about his Cheers costars. Take Woody Harrelson, 62, for example. At last week’s Environmental Media Association’s Impact Summit in L.A. (also attended by Hillary Clinton, 76), Danson of course addressed his longtime ocean activism with group Oceana. But he also hawked his new podcast: Where Everybody Knows Your Name: Hosted by Ted Danson — and Woody Harrelson (Sometimes). Why sometimes? “He’s a whimsical man,” laughed Danson of Harrelson. “I’d see him maybe 10 minutes a year. We decided if we did this, we could hang out more — I love the guy. But here’s a story: When Cheers was on fire, we could stroll into rehearsals a little late — maybe half an hour. Woody might be 45 minutes late. One day we’re waiting for him, and someone runs in: ‘Woody’s in Berlin! He had to see the wall come down!’ That’s Woody! At least he made it for the taping.”

Jude Law as Henry VIII in "Firebrand."

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Jude Law loved losing that fat suit

Next time you see Jude Law, 51, on film — perhaps in Firebrand, which premiered last weekend — you will not recognize him. As Henry VIII, he’s swathed in a fat suit, bald cap, limping from gout (plus hours in the makeup chair). In the movie, the perennially charming actor had to beat sixth wife Catherine Parr (Oscar winner Alicia Vikander) repeatedly; she then suffers a miscarriage. “It was hard work, hard physical work,” he told AARP. “We talked it all out. Luckily Alicia really trusted me. But I was happy when this film wrapped. I don’t usually feel that way. But at this part of my career, I’m trying to challenge myself — and I am. The thing is, Henry’s one of the most captivating characters in English history.” And as far as you can get from Law’s handsome cad Dickie Greenleaf in 1999’s The Talented Mr. Ripley. His thoughts on the recent Netflix Ripley series? “I’m enjoying it — great material, wonderful actors, such an interesting character. It brought a lot back to me.”