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Showbiz Tonight
Brad Pitt-George Clooney Awards Showdown; Golden Globes Break News to Showbiz Tonight; Showbiz Special Report: Child Star, Lost Star
Aired December 15, 2011 - 23:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
A.J. HAMMER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT HOST: Big news breaking tonight on SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- the Brad Pitt-George Clooney Golden Globes showdown.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: George Clooney, "The Descendents" and Brad Pitt, "Moneyball."
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Golden Globes nominations revealed today. George taking on Brad, bracing for the remarkable red carpet showdown.
Tonight, Globe nominees break news to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. we are one-on-one with "Modern Family`s" Sofia Vergara.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SOFIA VERGARA, ACTRESS: I was fixing my, like, dress. And suddenly, I hear my name, like, I don`t know what to do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Plus, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogan on a night of must-see SHOWBIZ Golden Globe newsmaker interviews.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Real Star Stories: Child Star, Lost Star." Does being a child star always lead to disaster?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS, ACTOR: Hollywood takes its toll when you`re young.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Neil Patrick Harris, Kirk Cameron. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes one-on- one with the child stars who have beaten the odds.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York with big news breaking tonight -- the golden showdown between Brad Pitt and George Clooney.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is revealing the dramatic possibilities on the night of the Golden Globes after we learned today that both Brad and George were nominated for best actor in a drama.
Oh, this is going to be so good. The two former sexiest men alive and "Oceans 11" buddies are now battling it out for the big prize.
And can you imagine the red carpet on that night? I mean, come on. Angelina Jolie right there on Brad`s arm, of course. And by the way, she got nominated as well today. And George with his hot new love, former wrestler, Stacey Keibler.
Now, I`m thinking how appropriate to have a wrestler on hand for the ultimate red carpet showdown. What a night this is going to be, because SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is here to tell you it doesn`t get any better than this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over) They work so well together, plotting heists in the "Oceans" movies.
BRAD PITT, ACTOR: Why do this?
GEORGE CLOONEY, ACTOR: Why not do it?
HAMMER: But now, George Clooney and Brad Pitt are going from co- conspirators to friendly competitors.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Best performance by an actor in a motion picture drama -- George Clooney, "The Descendants" and Brad Pitt, "Moneyball."
HAMMER: At the Golden Globe nods announced today, Clooney and Pitt were nominated against each other in the best actor drama category. Clooney for his role in "The Descendents" --
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: What`s up, bro?
CLOONEY: Don`t ever do that to me again.
HAMMER: And Brad Pitt for "Moneyball."
PITT: I can`t start paying you first. You have to start (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HAMMER: And these two Hollywood heavyweights aren`t just Golden Globe competitors.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: George Clooney "The Descendents" and Brad Pitt, "Moneyball."
HAMMER: Yesterday, they were also nominated against each other for the Screen Actors Guild best actor award. And now, all of Hollywood is buzzing that these two pals may soon find themselves vying for big enchilada, the Academy Award.
It`s Clooney versus Pitt or Pitt versus Clooney in an awards season superstar face-off. Ever since they worked together on the first "Oceans 11" movie, Pitt and Clooney have been known throughout Hollywood as buddies and red carpet pranksters.
PITT: Love your work.
HAMMER: They often can`t talk to or about each other without cracking a joke.
CLOONEY: Look at that. That Brad Pitt -- you know, he`s still, you know -- he`s a struggling actor.
HAMMER: A rare exception, 2006, when Clooney shared some sincere praise for Pitt during an appearance on "LARRY KING LIVE."
LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": Good guy?
CLOONEY: A great guy. I mean a truly great guy.
HAMMER: Now, as Clooney and Pitt face off for the Golden Globes and possibly the Oscar, the big question now is, who will emerge victorious?
PITT: I`m saying he`s holding nothing better than a pair of face cards.
HAMMER: Maybe we could look to their movies for clues. In the poker face- off in "Oceans 11" --
CLOONEY: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) with the ace I think is pretty high.
HAMMER: It was advantage Clooney. In their face-off in "Burn After Reading," let`s just say advantage Clooney again. Not looking good for you, Brad.
But in the big Clooney versus Pitt Golden Globe match-up, both guys could come away empty handed.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ryan Gosling, "The Ides of March."
HAMMER: Nominated against them today for best actor is Ryan Gosling for "The Ides of March," where his costar and director was George Clooney.
And how would Gosling feel about competing with Clooney? Well, he recently told us he doesn`t even like sharing the movie`s poster with Clooney.
RYAN GOSLING, ACTOR: My worst nightmare is that my face would be compared to George Clooney`s face. He`s like the most handsome guy in town.
HAMMER: But for now, all eyes are on Clooney and Pitt. And while we don`t know who will win their Golden Globe match-up, we do know one thing -- their dates will look great on the red carpet, especially if Clooney brings his gorgeous reported girlfriend, Stacey Keibler.
And Brad Pitt`s likely date -- she`s no slouch either. The boys will probably look OK, too, as long as they can keep cracking on each other`s wardrobes.
PITT: I hope you were the groom.
CLOONEY: Ted Nugent called. He wants your shirt back.
HAMMER: Hey, keep it civil, guys. Clooney versus Pitt -- it is on.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Oh, yes. It is on indeed. And SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner did not waste any time getting with one of the top nominees just minutes after she learned that she was nominated for her role, in this case on "Modern Family." Nischelle, Sofia Vergara has got to be over the moon.
NISCHELLE TURNER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT: Oh, you know she is, A.J. I have to tell you. She seemed like she was almost jumping out of her own skin with the news that she had been nominated for best supporting actress for her role on "Modern Family." Let`s take a look at it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
(on camera) First of all, was that the Sofia Vergara happy dance when your name was --
VERGARA: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) it caught me off guard. I think I was fixing my, like, dress and suddenly I hear my name. I`m like, I don`t know what to do.
TURNER: So you were completely caught off guard.
VERGARA: Yes. I didn`t realize that it was the bad -- how do you say, the nominations for the supporting actress. So it caught me like a little bit off guard. I didn`t know what was happening.
TURNER: So this just like kind of been the ride of your life so far?
VERGARA: Yes, it is. Professionally, it has been -- I mean, I never even dreamed of being part of a project like "Modern Family." And being part -- being nominated to things -- I mean, it never occurred to me in my whole life.
TURNER: I know you got to go, but did you talk to Eric? Did you say anything to him?
VERGARA: I texted him immediately after I read his name, so he`s very happy. We`re on our way, all of us. We need to be on the set at 6:00. So, yes.
TURNER: So you`ve got to go then, huh?
VERGARA: Yes. I`ve got to go. I`m going to be late for work.
TURNER: All right. Congratulations.
VERGARA: Thank you so much.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TURNER: All right. OK, so we made her a little bit late for work today. I`m sure her bosses are going to give her a pass, right? Now, you know, the show, "Modern Family" was nominated as well for best TV series in the comedy category.
It does face some stiff competition though from shows like "Glee" and freshman show, "New Girl," as well as Showtime`s episodes and also HBO`s (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
"Modern Family" easily one of the best shows on television. SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Nischelle Turner, thanks so much for that.
All right. We have more Golden Globe nominees to bring you tonight. Now, earlier today, I spoke with a super-excited Octavia Spencer who was nominated for her supporting role in the spectacular ensemble film, "The Help."
Octavia is nominated alongside her co-star, Jessica Chastain. So I had to ask her how she and Jessica are going to handle the friendly competition moving forward. Here`s what she told me.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OCTAVIA SPENCER, ACTRESS (through telephone): The great thing about it is if it weren`t Jessica, it would be someone else. I`m thrilled that it`s her.
I`m thrilled that she`s being recognized for her brilliant work. She`s brilliant in this movie. But I`m going to make her buy me dinner. We`re having dinner in the holiday.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Of course.
SPENCER: And I`m going to make her buy me dinner.
HAMMER: I do believe you should place a wager, you know, as far as -- if you win, this will happen. If I win, that will happen.
But let me ask you the really important question. I know this is all new. It`s all flooding and washing over you at the moment. But, and be honest with me, Octavia --
SPENCER: Yes. I`m always honest.
HAMMER: Do you immediately feel at least a little bit of pressure realizing now I have to pick out something spectacular to wear?
SPENCER: Oh my god. There`s always pressure to pick out something spectacular to wear, especially when you`re a plus-sized woman.
My thing is this -- I don`t care if it`s uber-designer or not. I just have to feel good in it. So that`s what I`m concerned with. I`m only going to wear what I feel I look spectacular in.
And more than likely, it will be the people who have been giving me free clothes for the entire process of promoting our film.
HAMMER: Well, listen, again, I couldn`t be more pleased for you. I just can`t say enough how much I thoroughly enjoyed this film. And we look forward to hanging out with you and spending some time on the red carpet together.
SPENCER: Oh, thank you, A.J. And again, congratulations to my fellow cast mates and our ensemble. And thank you to our casting crew. We wouldn`t be here without you, guys.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And I mean that. If you haven`t seen "The Help," see it as soon as possible. All right. We`ve got many more superstars reacting to their golden moment.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT right there, bright and early in Hollywood at the Golden Globe nominations. Tonight, I`m going one-on-one with Brad Pitt`s "Moneyball" costar, Golden Globe nominee, Jonah Hill.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JONAH HILL, ACTOR: The goal shouldn`t be to buy plays. Your goal should be to buy wins. And in order to buy wins, you need to buy runs.
PITT: Who are you?
HILL: I`m Peter Brandt.
PITT: First job in baseball?
HILL: It`s my first job anywhere.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: And he did a great job. Jonah Hill is telling me how he`s feeling about the big nominations for him and for Brad Pitt. Plus, how it feels to be on a golden list with such big A-time actors.
And later, on a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Real Star Stories: Child star, Lost Star." TV`s "Doogie Howser, M.D.," Neil Patrick Harris reveals how he survived after being the most famous kid doctor on television.
This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views. More Golden Globe nominees revealed today. Johnny Depp`s "Rango" got the nod for best animated feature film.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: I`m fatter than you. I`ll kill you. I`m will strangle you.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: No, wait. I was just kidding.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PITT: Tell him I`ll pay for one. When I sell him back the toys, (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the money.
HILL: OK, so Billy says he`ll pay for (UNINTELLIGIBLE) himself, but when he sells it for more money next year, he`s keeping the profit.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That is Jonah Hill along with Brad Pitt, of course. They are together in the Golden Globe-nominated "Moneyball." Such a great flick. They are undoubtedly two very, very, very, very happy guys tonight.
Both of them have been nominated for their role in the film for the Golden Globes. Tonight, Jonah Hill reveals what it was like to get his first ever Golden Globe nomination.
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York. All the talk tonight, of course, is about the Golden Globes. I think this is going to be a very exciting show.
And one guy who was literally speechless about his best supporting actor nomination today -- I mean, he had no speech. I`m talking about "Moneyball" star, Jonah Hill.
Can you imagine being Jonah Hill? About to turn 29. Already did a movie with Brad Pitt. And now, he has his first Golden Globe nomination.
Well, I spoke to the now Golden Globe nominee about the big moment and if he could ever even imagine winning this thing.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILL (through telephone): It`s been a pretty incredible two days back to back to get a SAG Award nomination and then a Golden Globe nomination. I really am finding it hard to speak. I really kind of don`t know what to say.
HAMMER (on camera): Will you indulge me a second? I would just like to read the names of the men in whose company you are, OK? Kenneth Branagh, Albert Brooks, Viggo Mortensen, Christopher Plumber. What do you say? I mean, I don`t even know -- I can`t even imagine what`s going through your head.
HILL: I don`t know. You know, I`m obviously the rookie in a group full of veterans, and I`m just so honored, you know. And I`m so honored that the movie got nominated and that Brad got nominated and I got nominated and Aaron and Steven got nominated.
I don`t know. I just -- I don`t know. It`s pretty overwhelming. I really kind of -- I wish I had better words, but I kind of am speechless.
HAMMER: And listen, I`m somebody who`s loathe to give advice. But I don`t -- I want to help you out here. I don`t want you to all become complaisant just because you see all these veterans thinking, "Oh, well, I`ll show up. I`ll enjoy the party. And you know, when they call the name, obviously, it`s not going to be me."
Oh, no, there`s a chance, Jonah Hill, they could call your name. So I need you to start thinking about -- maybe tell me now who is the first person you`d thank if you get on that stage to accept the award?
HILL: I can`t even imagine a world where I would win over any of those amazing actors. But I would thank my parents, my family first, obviously, if I ever were to win.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s so great. You can totally feel his excitement. Well, Jonah`s on-and-off-screen buddy, Seth Rogen is just as thrilled about his Golden Globe nomination today.
They`re already, of course, talking about how they`ll party together on awards night. And you know they`re going to party together big time. Seth produced and costarred in the movie "50/50." It`s about his real life best pal who learns that he has cancer.
Well, today, the film was nominated for best picture in the comedy or musical category. And I asked Seth if he`s freaking out about the big nomination.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SETH ROGEN, ACTOR (through telephone): Yes, it`s really exciting, honestly. It`s weird. It`s weird to get nominated for, like, yes, one of these awards that people actually pay attention to.
HAMMER: Of course, you know, I imagine it has to be particularly gratifying, "50/50" based on the story of your friend, Will, who had cancer and he wrote the screenplay.
So this is something a little different from you as we`ve come to know. Is it particularly gratifying?
ROGEN: It`s particularly gratifying that we didn`t take Will`s horrible experience and make it into a bad movie. That, to me, would have been terrible.
The fact that -- you know, we knew it turned out pretty good a long time ago and the fact that people, you know, seem to keep liking it and we`re getting nominated for awards. I mean, this is all really the icing on the cake, and it`s more than I ever expected.
But I mean, again, more than anything, I just keep thinking of the alternative, which was we took Will`s cancer experience and made a really dumb thing out of it, which would have just been terrible.
HAMMER: Well, and it`s great seeing you getting honored for that, so congratulations, man. Enjoy this time. I`m just over the moon for you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Well, Judd Apatow, another one of Seth Rogen`s friends who`s celebrating tonight. Judd produced the very successful, very funny "Bridesmaids." It was nominated today for best picture in the comedy or musical category.
And, now that "Bridesmaids" has received the nods from the Globes, I had to ask Judd if he thought that maybe it was time for the Academy to nominate a great comedy like "Bridesmaids" for an Oscar. Watch what he said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JUDD APATOW, PRODUCER, "BRIDESMAIDS": I think it would be great if the movie was nominated. And in order to guarantee it, I`m going to re-release the movie without sound.
I think it`s sad that more comedies and more comedy actors and actresses are nominated because it`s really hard work. I mean, it`s just as hard to make "Blazing Saddles" as it is "Lawrence of Arabia."
I know that sounds weird, but the gas at the campfire is difficult to figure out as a giant desert war.
HAMMER: I`m thinking it`s like a modern day Woody Allen film.
APATOW: I was just excited to make a movie with Kristin. We didn`t think about what type of movie it was or what it meant. I just thought Kristin Wiig is one of the funniest women I`ve ever seen.
And then it evolved into this thing that seemed to have more meaning for people. But you know, at its core, it was just -- you know, what should we do with her?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: I think it has a real shot of taking home the Globe that night. Well, tonight, we`re one-on-one with George Clooney`s Golden Globe nominated co-star in "The Descendants," Shailene Woodley.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLOONEY: You were supposed to be getting your act together.
SHAILENE WOODLEY, ACTRESS: I have gotten my act together. I was just drinking. I`ve been doing really well, actually. Nobody ever seems to notice that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Shailene reveals to me how George Clooney took her under his wing for her Golden Globe nominated performance.
And coming up at the bottom of the hour, you will not want to miss a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Real Star Stories: Child Star, Lost Star."
You remember the cute kid from "Jerry Maguire," Jonathan Lipnicki, right? Well, he`s all grown up now and he is spilling the secrets of how he survived the pitfalls of early fame. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
More Golden Globe nominees revealed today. "New Girl" star, Zoey Deschanel nominated for best actress in a TV series, comedy or musical.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Instead of doing claps, I like to do a peck, because it`s more realistic.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: No chicken dance.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: We`re not trying to be mean. We just don`t want you to be yourself, in any way.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: OK. Suppress the (UNINTELLIGIBLE). Got it.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CLOONEY: Hung over? Why am I not surprised. I thought you were supposed to be getting your act together.
WOODLEY: I have gotten my act together. I was just drinking. I`ve been doing really well, actually. Nobody ever seems to notice that.
Grades are better. I was in that stupid play that you guys didn`t even bother to see. Do you even remember the name of it?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s of course George Clooney and Shailene Woodley in the Golden Globe nominated "The Descendants." Now, both Clooney and Woodley got Golden Globe nominations for their roles earlier today. And tonight, Shailene reveals to me how George took her under his wing.
I can tell you Shailene Woodley was so excited about being nominated in the best supporting actress category. Just after the nominations were announced, I spoke with the 20-year-old actress about what it was like to work with one of the biggest stars on the planet, George Clooney.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WOODLEY (through telephone): He definitely took me under his wing. And not only did he give me, you know, like a few words of advice about this industry and other outlets in life.
But he just taught me so much by example. He`s the most generous, down-to- earth, grateful man I have ever met, and his generosity has blown my socks off. I just feel like a sponge when I`m around him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: She really enjoyed that experience. And it`s anybody`s guess, of course, who`s going to take home the Golden Globe for best supporting actor.
Competition is seriously stiff this year. But just after the nominations came down, I caught up with the great Kenneth Branagh, nominated for best supporting actor in a motion picture for his role in "My Week with Marilyn."
Now, Kenneth tells me after 30 years on screen, win or lose, he`s still just humbled to have his name on the list. I asked him if he plans to show up to the big Golden Globe celebration with a speech in hand.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KENNETH BRANAGH, ACTOR (through telephone): I think you show up with an absolute determination to enjoy and relish what is really a rare occasion.
Experience tells me that, you know, really love every single second of these moments, when these films that, you know, work hard to make are being helped to get an audience by this kind of attention.
That`s what is so fantastic about being recognized here by the Golden Globes is that as this movie starts to expand, you`ve got a chance for an audience to see it that in this really competitive world of filmmaking, it`s hard to find.
So that being the case, I don`t think you go with a speech. I think you go with a big smile on your face and a determination to enjoy the evening.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: A man with great perspective. Now, coming up at the bottom of the hour, a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Real Star Stories: Child Star, Lost Star."
Does being a child star always lead to disaster? Well, TV`s "Doogie Howser, M.D.," Neil Patrick Harris reveals how he survived after being the most famous kid doctor on TV.
The original mean girl. Not Lindsay Lohan, Nelly, from "Little House on the Prairie." Tonight, Alison Arngrim`s surprising take on growing up onset. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And more Golden Globe nominees revealed today. The FX hit show, "American Horror Story," earned a nomination for best television series drama.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HAMMER: Now, on a special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Real Star Stories: Child Star, Lost Star." Does being a child star always lead to disaster? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT goes one-on-one with the child stars who have beaten the odds. The remarkable success of "Doogie Howser, MD" star, Neil Patrick Harris.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HARRIS: Hollywood takes a toll on you when you`re young.
WYNTER: When that series ended, he made a fateful decision.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, Harris` shocking revelations to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about how he survived fame as the world`s most famous kid doctor on TV.
All right. You remember this little guy? He stole the spotlight in Tom Cruise` film, "Jerry Maguire."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JONATHAN LIPNICKI, ACTOR: Jerry, did you know a human head weighs eight pounds?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Wait until you see him now. Jonathan Lipnicki is all grown up. And wait until you hear what he tells us about how he escaped the early pitfalls of fame.
Kirk`s shocking "Growing Pains" confessions. `80s heartthrob Kirk Cameron speaks out about SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about growing up on set and the toll his early fame took on his family.
TV`s most provocative entertainment news show breaks news right now.
(MUSIC)
HAMMER: Hello. I`m A.J. Hammer coming to you from New York City with this special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT -- "Real Star Stories: Child Star, Lost Star."
We are digging deep into the risky world of young fame. And right now, begin with the child stars done right. You know, out of the countless cautionary tales of kids who got famous when they were young only to head down the wrong road, we can now reveal the real stories of child stars who have beaten the odds. Tonight, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT with the secrets straight from former child stars who are now celebrating success in Hollywood and beyond. Here`s SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KAREEN WYNTER, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Lindsay Lohan at 12.
LINDSAY LOHAN, ACTRESS: I can`t believe it`s you.
WYNTER: Lindsay Lohan at 21. Another child star gone off track. There are more than enough to fill a police lineup. Dana Plato, Gary Coleman, Mischa Barton, Tracy Gold.
SHOWBIZ TONIGHT wants to know, is every child star doomed to live troubled lives? Doctor of psychology Wendy Walsh says there is hope.
WENDY WALSH, DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY: Because it`s a hard road to walk. Remember, these are children, and they suddenly enter a very adult world where there are partly adult pressures, but a lot of adult pleasures. They enter a land of no-no`s.
NATALIE PORTMAN, ACTRESS: It feels very, very dream-like right now.
WYNTER: Natalie Portman is living proof that a child star can escape the land mines of being a child star. She reached Hollywood`s summit this year with an Oscar victory, fulfilling all the promise she showed as a 12-year- old in "The Professional."
PORTMAN: What exactly do you do for a living?
WYNTER: SHOWBIZ TONIGHT uncovered this long lost interview with Portman where she talked about that first movie experience.
PORTMAN: I liked watching, you know, the camera and figuring out what it was doing and what different shots were on, even though that`s not my job.
WYNTER: In her teens, she kept on the straight and narrow, earning straight A`s in school, even as she built her career.
PORTMAN: Do you have any idea who is behind this attack?
WYNTER: By the time "Star Wars Episode 3" came out in 2005, she was studying neuroscience at Harvard. We talked with her back then and she knew just who to thank for keeping her grounded.
PORTMAN: I`m really lucky to have an incredible family and friends who would never let me, you know, get out of line. They would kick me in my booty before, you know, they would let me, you know, get too high on myself for anything.
WYNTER: Anna Paquin had every reason to be high on herself after winning an Oscar at age 11 for "The Piano."
ANNA PAQUIN, ACTRESS: My mother was struck down.
WYNTER: But young Anna kept it real as she told us back in 1996.
PAQUIN: When I`m not working, I get up. I go to school. I come home. I do my homework. I go to bed. Oh, my god.
WYNTER: Now, at 28, Paquin is the successful far of "True Blood." At the premiere for the she`s new season, Paquin told SHOWBIZ TONIGHT how she avoided becoming one of those wayward child stars.
PAQUIN: I`ve worked with some people that really inspired me to want to be good at my job and being good at my job didn`t mean being out until 4:00 in the morning.
WYNTER: Neil Patrick Harris admits it`s not easy for child stars.
HARRIS: Hollywood takes its toll on you when you`re young.
WYNTER: He was 16 when he became the star of "Doogie Howser, MD."
HARRIS: OK, are we getting some circulation?
WYNTER: When that series ended, we made a fateful decision.
HARRIS: I moved back to New Mexico for about a year and a half and lived in a little adobe house with brick floors and climbed rocks and just sort of calmed down a little bit.
WYNTER: Wendy Walsh tells us Harris got it just right.
WALSH: I think what Neil Patrick Harris did was genius. He didn`t forget his roots. He went back to New Mexico. He lived in a middle class way when he didn`t have to and he stayed in touch with extended family and friends. So he was, again, back in the real world.
WYNTER: Walsh has got a piece of advice for moms and dads who don`t want to see their child star turn into a train wreck.
WALSH: Parents, make sure you maintain the chain of command. The parents are still king and queen. The family support is so important.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So what are the other secrets to success after having been a very popular child star? Well, I spoke with someone who knows just how that goes.
Jonathan Lipnicki was the glasses-wearing kid who kept Tom Cruise on his toes in "Jerry Maguire." Wait until you hear what he did to survive being a child star.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(on camera) You`ve had such a great career in Hollywood and, of course, had you some of the most memorable movie lines when you starred opposite Renee Zellweger and Tom Cruise in "Jerry Maguire." Let`s flash back, shall we? Roll that out.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TOM CRUISE, ACTOR: Did you know Troy Aikman in six years has passed for 16,303 yards.
LIPNICKI: Do you know bees and dogs can smoke beer.
RENEE ZELLWEGER, ACTRESS: (UNINTELLIGIBLE). He doesn`t smoke, does he?
CRUISE: I don`t know. Do you know the career record for most hits is 4,356 by Pete Rose who is not in the Hall of Fame?
LIPNICKI: Do you know that my next door neighbor has three rabbits?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s fantastic, man. Look at you.
LIPNICKI: Yes.
HAMMER: And obviously, you look so different now. You`re working a lot. But I`ve got to ask, were you ever afraid, because of how big that movie was, that maybe people in Hollywood would only see you as the kid from "Jerry Maguire"?
LIPNICKI: Well, A.J., I was five years old so I don`t even really think it was part of my thought process. I just was having the most fun, you know, that I had ever known. And I just was moving forward positively, and I never really, you know, feared anything like that.
HAMMER: And after that moment when you starred in that film and you saw all the attention that you were getting, did you say at that point, at any time, "Man, this is all I want to do with my life. This is really, really cool"?
LIPNICKI: You know, I think I realized I wanted to be an actor before then. I think I realized I wanted to be an actor when I started doing acting classes. It was not -- you know, it was before I got any attention for it. I just loved doing it.
HAMMER: Seeing right there, the exact perspective that has kept you on the right track and the perspective that is lacked by so many child stars who didn`t stay on the right track.
LIPNICKI: Thank you.
HAMMER: And of course, the great Cuba Gooding, Jr. also starred in that movie. And I don`t know if you remember this, Jonathan, but CNN was right there on Oscar night with you and your family when Cuba won the Oscar for best supporting actor. Do you remember that?
LIPNICKI: I do remember that actually. I do, you know. Being that young, there`s stuff I do forget, but that`s something I remember pretty clearly.
HAMMER: All right. Well, let`s flash back to that moment because we`ve got it right here. Roll it out, Charles.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
LIPNICKI: Yes!
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Show me the money! Yes!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Look how excited you are. I thought he was going to drop you there for a second. So much glitz and glamour around you at such a young age. And obviously, you`re sitting there at home watching. But what do you remember about that day?
LIPNICKI: For me, you know, Cuba and Tom and everyone who worked on it -- they were really special to me. I loved all of them. And I was just so excited to see someone I worked with, you know, really triumph that night.
HAMMER: And one of the things you did that obviously helped you stay on track, I`m sure, is you took a break from acting. You wanted to go to high school. You wanted to be a normal kid.
LIPNICKI: Yes, yes.
HAMMER: Did you feel that that was important, or did somebody push you in that direction?
LIPNICKI: My parents definitely were amazing. They felt that whatever I did as a child was more important. And they always told me, "You can always work." So I did -- I turned down a lot of projects for Little League Baseball, for Youth League Basketball, for different things, so going to school was a no-brainer for me.
I really thought that, you know, I`m going to come back later, but I need these experiences for me. I need to go to prom. I wanted to play water polo in high school so I got to do all that. And now, I get to come back as a completely different person and I think that`s such a blessing.
HAMMER: Total blessing.
LIPNICKI: Yes, definitely. I feel like I`m just very well adjusted because of it.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: So great to see Jonathan all grown up. He also told me he felt so honored to work with James Caan and Edward Furlong in the movie, "For the Love of Money." Be sure to follow Jonathan on Twitter. He wants to hear from you.
Well, we have Kirk Cameron`s stunning confessions about his growing pains. The `80s sitcom star speaks out to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT about severing ties with his mom-mager.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WYNTER (voice-over): When he was about 18 years old, Cameron says he decided to end that part of their relationship.
KIRK CAMERON, ACTOR: For me, it was, like, I don`t like treating my mom like a business associate. She`s mom.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Tonight, how Kirk Cameron came to terms with his childhood stardom. The original mean girl -- no, not Lindsay Lohan. Nellie, from "Little House on the Prairie." Alison Arngrim`s surprising take on growing up on the set.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ALISON ARNGRIM, ACTRESS: So I had this enormous creative outlet and this outlet for my rage that really most people in my situation don`t get.
HAMMER (on camera): Sure.
ARNGRIM: So that`s when people said, "Did Nellie Oleson save your life," I have to go yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views. And now, a SHOWBIZ child star flashback to 1999. Eighteen-year-old Christina Aguilera reveals how she felt when she got her first number one hit with "Genie in a Bottle."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHRISTINA AGUILERA, SINGER: Seeing my name in the number one spot on a Billboard chart was a dream of mine forever. And to see it there on the chart, it`s like, "Wow, `Genie in a Bottle,` Christina Aguilera." Wow, that`s amazing.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Could you just say your name for me.
TATYANA ALI, ACTRESS: Tatyana Ali. Tatyana Ali.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: That`s legendary musician, Herbie Hancock, on "Sesame Street" making music with a very young and talented Tatyana Ali, one of the child stars from the 1990 hit TV show, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
Welcome back to SHOWBIZ TONIGHT. I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
And tonight, secrets of a child star. Tatyana Ali is a child star who became famous alongside superstar Will Smith when they were together in the hit TV show, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."
In my interview with her, Tatyana revealed to me how important her days on "Sesame Street" were for her career. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ALI: Everything that I learned about -- you know, first learned about being on a set and following directions and learning lines, it all happened there first. It was the perfect learning environment, very safe place for a kid.
HAMMER: Yes, and I imagine you were such a joy on that set, and you brought all that energy to "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" years later.
But when you were on "Fresh Prince," did you even realize how big of a deal it was to be on such an enormous hit show?
ALI: You know what? At first, no. I knew that it moved me and my family to California. I knew that I loved the people that I worked with. I knew who Will Smith was as, you know, Deejay Jazzy Jeff on "The Fresh Prince."
But you never really know that something is going to have such an impact on so many people and just be around forever. I don`t think -- I don`t think any of us were prepared for that.
HAMMER: Well, here`s what I love. I mean, look, you had a positive experience as a child star, and you started out so young. Who do you give the most credit to for helping you really stay on the right path whereas we well know so many child stars do not?
ALI: I think that it takes -- with child stars, sometimes we forget that they are children, that they are just children because they make us laugh and they entertain us.
But it really takes a large group of people to raise a child. So first of all, I`d absolutely credit my parents because they told me no.
You know, they had the same boundaries. I had the same boundaries, the same chores, the same -- I had to have the same level of respect for them as I would have if I wasn`t in this business as all.
But I was also very blessed to work with people throughout my career who were more interested in me as an individual and as a person than in my career or what I did or what I could do for them.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And she`s doing great. Tatyana not only has her own production company, but she stars in the BET Web series, "Buppies" and the TV 1 sitcom, "Love that Girl."
We`re moving from `90s TV star, Tatyana Ali, to `80s teen heartthrob, Kirk Cameron. Kirk, of course, starred as Mike Seaver on the hugely popular show, "Growing Pains," from 1985 to 1992, quickly became a household name.
So just how did Kirk handle fame at such a young age and come out virtually unscathed by it? SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Kareen Wynter found out when she went one-on-one with Kirk Cameron.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
WYNTER (voice-over): Kirk Cameron had a lot to smile about as a kid. He was one of Hollywood`s most successful teen heartthrobs and star of the hit sitcom, "Growing Pains." But now --
UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: You have grown up.
KIRK CAMERON, ACTOR: I have?
WYNTER: He certainly has. And nearly 20 years after his role as the wise- cracking Mike Seaver came to an end, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT can tell you that Cameron succeeded where countless others have failed, by not getting consumed by drugs, alcohol and rehab during his transition from childhood fame to adulthood.
Now, the 40-year-old devout Christian lives with his family 30 minutes north of Los Angeles and out of the Hollywood spotlight.
(on camera) You were such a big star on "Growing Pains." It really made you famous. At what point though did you realize you were becoming famous and you were a part of something truly special?
CAMERON: I think everybody else had a view of me and my role in "Growing Pains." That was much larger than what I had myself because I was, in my mind, one of three kids on a family sitcom.
Alan Thicke was the star. I was going to school in a little trailer behind the set. I`d wake up, go to work, come home, and that was my life. It wasn`t until I would go to the grocery store and I would see my face on the cover of some teeny bop magazine.
WYNTER: That must have been so bizarre.
CAMERON: It was weird.
WYNTER: That you have the fame, you have the money -- that is a lot for a kid to handle especially at such an early age. So how did you manage to stay grounded?
CAMERON: There were probably three very crucial factors in me being able to keep my head through all of this. One would be my parents. My parents were very grounded.
They didn`t see me as their ticket to mansions and limousines. And I had a very strong faith in Christ when I turned about 17 or 18 years old, while my friends had their faith in beer.
Christ leads you in a whole different direction than beer does, you know, or drugs or something else. And then thirdly, when I turned 19, I met the most amazing woman in the world. And she --
WYNTER: Chelsea.
CAMERON: Chelsea. Getting married to an amazing wife who loved the Lord and loved the concept of being a wife and a mother first above all things grounded us as a family.
WYNTER (voice-over): Family has always been crucial in Cameron`s life. His mother served as his manager during his rise to fame on "Growing Pains." But when he was about 18 years old, Cameron says he decided to end that part of their relationship.
CAMERON: For me it was, like, I don`t like treating my mom like a business associate. She`s mom.
WYNTER (on camera): So nothing personal about that. It just felt it was the right thing to do?
CAMERON: Well, in a way, though, it was personal. I wanted my mom to be my mom.
WYNTER (voice-over): But at the same time Cameron believes parents of young stars should still stay involved in their children`s careers, especially as they navigate their way through Hollywood.
CAMERON: That`s why we have families, to raise our kids with values and to shape them so that when they enter into the world, you`re right there alongside with them. You`re not handing them over to other people to raise.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And as we move on tonight, you remember Nellie from "Little House on the Prairie"? Well, before Lindsay Lohan`s "Mean Girls," Nellie, she was the original mean girl.
But despite her incredible fame, the actress who played her, Alison Arngrim, didn`t end up going down the same troubled path as Lindsay.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARNGRIM: So I had this enormous creative outlet and this outlet for my rage that really most people in my situation don`t get.
HAMMER (on camera): Sure.
ARNGRIM: So that`s when people say, "Did Nellie Oleson save your life," I have to go yes.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Why Alison says "Little House" saved her life. More of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s real star stories, "Child Star, Lost Star," next. This is SHOWBIZ TONIGHT on HLN news and views.
And now, a SHOWBIZ child star flashback to a young Jodie Foster. Jodie was 13 when she played a pre-teen prostitute in the 1976 movie, "Taxi Driver." She was even nominated for the Oscar in 1991.
Before Jodie became a mom, she revealed to us how being a child star affected her view on kids. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JODIE FOSTER, ACTRESS: Played complicated children, children with problems, children with little pieces of them that were ugly, little doubts about themselves, not just this sort of prop that you stick in a chair and go, "OK, be innocent now, and now, we`ll see the movie through your eyes."
So I don`t really feel that children are kind of like dolls, I guess. And I guess that`s the kind of parent I`ll be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ARNGRIM: Stay away from her. Don`t touch my horse.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: I`m not hurting anything.
ARNGRIM: I said stay away from her.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: Don`t do that.
ARNGRIM: She`s my horse and I`ll do as I please.
UNIDENTIFIED ACTRESS: You won`t get anywhere being mean to her.
ARNGRIM: I know how to handle a horse.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HAMMER: Ouch. That`s why we like to call Nellie on "Little House on the Prairie" the original mean girl. But how did that character save Alison Arngrim`s life?
Alison, who played Nellie Oleson, is right here. And she reveals to me the surprising story behind her troubled child star past. Tonight, confessions from the prairie.
It`s now been 37 years since "Little House on the Prairie" made its debut on the small screen. And I`ve got to tell you Alison Arngrim, who played Nellie -- she`s come a long way since then.
As a child star she endured a horrible home life despite her massive TV success. I asked her about that and how she liked playing TV`s first mean girl at that time. Watch this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ARNGRIM: I always liked the villains. When I was really little and I saw "Peter Pan," I really liked Captain Hook. I thought the villains were cool.
I liked horror movies, the villains. And in fact, when I read the script at the audition, I was so excited because so many parts for child actors, especially in the `70s, were, "Oh, yes, Mother. Oh, gosh, Daddy." And it was kind of revolting.
And here was this girl who just said what she thought and really didn`t care and told everyone to bugger off. And I went, "This is great. This is insane. She`s a bitch."
HAMMER: Yes. Yes.
ARNGRIM: And I was so thrilled and I read it with my father who was with me and he said, "Just read it that way." And they hired me on the spot.
I was the bitchiest girl they had seen all day. And as soon as I did it, I mean, the reaction the second it aired, it was so strong that I just hit some kind of nerve in people`s psyche. Everybody knows someone like that, and I was it.
HAMMER: So you`ve had all of this great success, but you`ve been very candid about the fact that home life wasn`t always terrific.
ARNGRIM: True.
HAMMER: You write about it in your terrific book, "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch." And quite frankly, could there be a better title than that?
ARNGRIM: Thank you.
HAMMER: One of the things you talked about though, which obviously had to have been difficult to talk about and certainly to endure was being abused by your brother.
Did being a star at that age, at that very young age -- did being a child star sort of help you escape that situation?
ARNGRIM: In my case, it did. I mean, on the one hand, it could be more difficult. Here you are, going through trauma and having this situation that you can`t talk about to anyone.
And now, you have the pressure to be famous and to work. But I was so lucky being on "Little House." I was around this really great group of people who were very supportive and very kind to me.
And because I was playing this bizarre character who yelled and screamed and vented all of her hostility and rage, this gave me an outlet for all of this pain and all of this anger that had like nowhere to go.
So I had this enormous creative outlet and this outlet for my rage that really most people in my situation don`t get.
HAMMER: Sure.
ARNGRIM: So when people say, "Did Nellie Oleson save your life?" I have to go yes.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HAMMER: And Alison does such great work these days with the National Association to Protect Children to change laws to better protect children who are being abused.
Well, that is it for this very special edition of SHOWBIZ TONIGHT, "Real Star Stories: Child Star, Lost Star." I`m A.J. Hammer in New York.
Thanks for watching. Remember, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT is now seen exclusively Monday to Friday at 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific.
END
