I am Gina Gershon. Ask Me Anything!

I really enjoyed your role as Melanie Hawkins on Brooklyn Nine-Nine! I think you were the most compelling and formidable villain they had on the show.

Follow-up, what does Andre Braugher smell like?

i really had so much fun working on Brooklyn Nine-nine. To be honest, I'm sure he smells great, i just don't recall. Sandalwood would be a good guess! :)

Do other people confuse you with Gina Gerson or is that just me?

Eva Mendes?

people seem to get me and Eva confused. They often ask me if I'm Eva and they ask Eva if she's Gina. So we decided to just say that we're cousins. I really dig her.

How does it feel to be Jenna Maroney's nemesis?

Utterly fantastic.

Bound was a big eye opener for me as a 13 yo who was coming to terms with her sexuality. Did you experience a lot of backlash back then for appearing in a 'gay' movie?

As I answered earlier, I was strongly advised not to do this film, that it would destroy my career because I would be playing a lesbian. That being said, I felt very moved (and I still feel moved), when so many girls come up to me and share with me how it helped them come to terms with their sexuality. That makes me very happy.

Is The Borderlands movie going to be as bat shit insane as it deserves to be?

I certainly hope so! It was pretty bonkers shooting it.

What was dating Roy Kent like?

he was alright. I'd rather date Ted.

When working on Curb , is it true that everything is improvised?

Absolutely. You're basically just told what's supposed happen in the scene and you take it from there. I.e. "Walk into the cleaners and flirt with Larry."

What was working with Nic Cage like on Face/Off?

I've worked with Nick on several projects now and i always enjoy the process. I love and admire nick as an actor and as a human being. I love how bold his choices are and that he really goes for it.

Can you look at fried chicken drumsticks the same after Killer Joe?

Sadly, no. I was traumatized by that movie so it ruined my relationship with my beloved chicken drumstick.

Hi Gina. Love your work. Especially Bound. Checking out Rifkin’s Festival today.

Out of all the productions you’ve been a part of and characters you’ve portrayed, do you have a favorite and why?

I have several favorites for different reasons. Since you mentioned Bound, I'll talk about that. it's one of my favorites not only because it's a brilliant movie but i was proud of myself for not listening to any of the advice i was given, which was basically not to do the movie. Most people said it would ruin my career, I even left my agents because of it and I'm super happy that I did it.

Gina, you have played a number of confident, aggressive women in roles - someone who doesn't take any shit off anyone. I've noticed that Liev Schreiber has played similar roles, but out of character he seems very calm, reserved, and not like those characters at all.

How does your everyday demeanor compare with the characters you played in movies and TV like Face/Off (Sasha), Showgirls (Cristal), or Rescue Me (Valerie).

Do you bring your natural self to these roles and that's why we have seen you in that type of character frequently or do you think you had success playing those strong characters early and there may have been a sense of type casting - Gina is great at that so let's cast her?

the closest Ive ever actually come to playing "myself" is in Rifkin's Festival and it was a bit strange for me to be honest. Having said that, with every character I've played, something either attracts or repels me. In either case, it's interesting to me as an actor and as a human being to explore that. What I try to actualize is something universal - whether it's conscious or not. As human beings, we are all flawed and I'm lucky that I get to examine that through acting.

What’s your favorite crazy Hollywood story that you’ve been involved in?

oh my God, there have been so many. You'll have to buy my book after I write it!

How do you feel being referenced on NOFX's "Creeping Out Sara"?

that's cool

I’ve always heard you’re good friends with Bob Dylan, and that you visited the studio during the sessions of his last album. How did that friendship develop?

he was my sparring partner when I used to box.

How was working with Bobby Lee? Did you guys have any particularly funny or fun moments together in Hungary?

bobby lee and i just met on the set of Borderlands and since then, I'm happy to say we have had some funny times on set and off.

Hello! Big fan!

How was working on Eastbound & Down? Love that show!

any time they ask me to come and play, i say yes and I always have a great time!

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that would be my dream! i just finished a playboy podcast that will be coming out in a few months based on the playboy interviews from the 70's. Look out for it - you'll like it.

Hey there Gina!! I've been a huge fan of yours, ever since Cocktail!!! What's your best advice for keeping your memory sharp when you're on set? Do you do anything specific?

make sure you get enough sleep, meditate during lunch and pace your coffee intake.

Hi, Gina. First of all, thank you for all the great work. You’re probably one of the most risk-taking actresses of our time. Your auteur resume is incredible: Verhoeven, Friedkin, Schrader, Altman, Mann, Sayles, Assayas, Hill, Wachowskis, and now Woody. What other director would you want to collaborate with? Also there were some reports claimed you’re in “Don’t Look Up”. Did your scene get cut out or you were never in it?

Sadly, my scene with Cate Blanchett and Leo got cut out. The director Adam McKay said he had to cut out about an hour from the movie. The scene was great but that's showbiz! There are several other directors I'd love to collaborate with - to name a few: Guilermo del Toro, Paolo Sorrentino, Bong Joon-ho, Wong Kar-wai, Paul Thomas Anderson, Joel Coen and Ethan Coen just to name of few.

When you were ten years old, what did you want to be when you grew up? If you could meet yourself as a child, what advice would you give?

When I was 10 years old I wanted to be a hit lady. My advice to me would be, don't. Choose a different career.

Are you bingeing any good shows right now? Love your work btw!

finished squid game -- loved it. loved this French series called Marianne and now binging on the original Danish tv series, The Killing.

What is your favorite cheese?

mozzarella when i'm sitting next to the sea in italy.

Showers or baths?

BATHS!!!!!

Were you Beardo or Baddo? I’d love to hear about that album/those days…

I was Baddo and Leroy Powell was Beardo. we wrote that album around a kitchen table - we had a lot of laughs it was super fun!