James Marsden – who was forced to hide his striking blue eyes by wearing an energy-shooting visor for his role as Cyclops in “X-Men” – is open about his preference in underwear.
“I can’t wear boxers. They just don’t fly with me,” says the hunky 27-year-old actor. “I need the support of good old-fashioned briefs. If you’re going to wear boxers, why wear anything at all?”
This from a guy who was so shy as a high school student in Oklahoma that his mom, who worked in the school cafeteria, suggested he take a drama class to release his inhibitions.
Little did she know where it would lead him.
Marsden eventually dropped out of Oklahoma State University and made the aspiring-actor’s pilgrimage to Los Angeles to try his luck in show business.
He appeared in a Versace ad and snagged his first role, as a waiter, in the hit sitcom “The Nanny.” His TV work continued with guest roles in “Saved by the Bell: The New Class,” “Blossom” and “Touched by an Angel.”
Marsden made his feature-film debut in “Disturbing Behavior,” which led to “Gossip,” “X-Men” and his latest, “Sugar and Spice,” which co-stars “American Beauty” star Mena Suvari and is now out in theaters. He also just wrapped “Interstate 60,” a road-trip movie in which he has his first lead role, opposite Gary Oldman and Amy Smart.
The chiseled heartthrob lives in L.A. with his wife, TV actress Lisa Linde Marsden. They’re expecting their first child this month.
Q: What is the funniest thing that happened while filming “Sugar and Spice”?
A: I was so excited to play a high school quarterback ’cause I was never big enough to be one in high school, and my interest lay more in music and theater. I lived out a childhood fantasy in a way, I guess. But when we were doing the football scenes, it was like 12 hours from one end of the field to the other, and by the end of the night, I was vomiting in my trailer.
Q: What’s “Interstate 60” about?
A: I’m the main guy, and it follows my experiences. It’s also full of cameo appearances, like Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, Ann-Margret and Kurt Russell. Every week there was a new actor coming in, so I felt like I was on a TV series and I was the regular and they were all guest stars.
Q: Do you see yourself as a heartthrob?
A: I don’t see it, but I’m flattered. I’m not at the front of all of that. I stay home and relax. I’m the only cast member that didn’t get recognized after “X-Men,” and my life didn’t change dramatically.
Q: What do you do to relax?
A: Stay at home and play with my dogs. Photography and music are hobbies of mine. I play and collect guitars.
Q: What can’t you live without?
A: My wife – we’ve been together for five years and just got married last July.
Q: Any tips for sustaining a relationship?
A: Spending time together. It’s an absolute must. You have to allow yourself time together or else it won’t work out. Also, be each other’s best friend over anything else. At our wedding, her aunt told both of us, “Be a soft place for each other to land on.”
Q: How do you stay in shape?
A: I play recreational sports – football, basketball, things like that. I used to go to the gym all the time, but I can’t do it anymore because it’s stuffy and sweaty, and everyone brings their resumes.
Q: What are some of your favorite things?
A: I like nice weather, green grass. I couldn’t live in New York because there’s too much concrete. I love sushi. Going out with friends for dinner or a beer. Staying at home, watching movies.
Q: Favorite clothes?
A: Calvin Klein, Prada and thrift-store clothes.
Q: What would you never wear?
A: Really short shorts, like jogging shorts.
Q: What do you wear for a big night out?
A: Classic clothing. I’m not too funky. I like the stuff that’s still going to be in style 20 years from now.
Q: What would you wear for a big night tonight?
A: I am going out tonight, actually, to the “Snatch” premiere. Because of the movie, I’m going to wear a pair of Diesel jeans, Justin brown suede cowboy boots, a thrift-store button-up cowboy shirt and a leather jacket.
Q: Where do you like to go out at night?
A: Maybe a restaurant or a pub. We need more pubs and cozy places to hang at out here in L.A.
Q: Anyone you want to meet or portray in a movie?
A: Bobby Darin. I love that old, vintage music. Or a young Frank Sinatra.