Comments about Kevin Gage

We've collected some comments about Kevin Gage from people in the film industry, from screenwriter to stuntwoman to director to critic.

Chaos: Comment from Roger Ebert  «9-Nov-05» - The noted Chicago Sun-Times film critic responded as follows to an email from the KevinGage.net webmasters regarding Ebert's review of the controversial film, Chaos:

Well, I have to say this: Kevin Gage was certainly effective, and I was reminded of my feelings about Michael Rooker after seeing Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer. Hate the film, respect the actor.

See links to Roger Ebert's review on our Chaos page, or visit www.rogerebert.com.

Chaos: Comments from co-star Stephen Wozniak  «12-Nov-05» - Stephen Wozniak, who played Frankie in Chaos, was kind enough to email the KevinGage.net webmasters these comments about Kevin Gage:

[Kevin] is a wonderful person and it shows through clearly in his great work as a performer. Amongst the most heinous and aggravated characters Kevin has played in film and on television, he is incredibly compelling to watch, despite any ostensible or obvious violence and menace that may typically be revealed or associated with such 'bad guys,' because he shows the promise of some relevant transformation, no matter how dim a chance those characters might seem to emerge as sympathetic. Some strange hope, I guess.

He also has the genuine performance ability to emotionally 'turn on a dime,' as they say. This is, in a certain sense, a defense mechanism that such wounded characters as the type Kevin plays, must rely on to survive. We often watch him so closely because we inherently understand this instinct and in some way want to see him come out on top. We again sympathize with such a character that would seem utterly in conflict with such warmth and human support.

Kevin is also an incredible talent to work with. His total presence and honesty only make any other actor he works with step up their own level of performance.

You can see a photograph of Stephen as Frankie in our Chaos gallery, or visit his web site at www.stephenwozniak.com.

G.I. Jane: Comments from stuntwoman Leigh Hennessy  «12-Nov-05» - Leigh Hennessy was one of the stunt doubles for Demi Moore in G.I. Jane. In an email to the KevinGage.net webmasters, she had these comments about Kevin:

Thank you for your interest in Kevin's career. He's an incredible talent that deserves recognition ... and many more roles. ... Kevin added so much color to the set. He's a dynamic and charismatic character that draws people in. He's fair, caring and a gentleman.

See a photograph of Leigh with Viggo Mortensen and Kevin Gage at www.leighhennessy.com or on our G.I. Jane page.

Gunshy: Director's commentary on the restroom scene  «9-Nov-05» - Gunshy director Jeff Celentano and screenwriter Larry Gross talk about Kevin Gage's role in the restroom scene. In Clip 1, Celentano points out that "the ... violence here was never in the movie.... I thought about it one night and wanted something to happen here." Gross replies:

It's Kevin Gage. He has this tremendous pent-up violence. You were inspired by the reality. You wanted to use Kevin.

In Clip 2, Celentano and Gross agree:

[We] just hope we see a lot more of Kevin Gage in this career of ours. He's wonderful.

Clip 1: Quicktime video 320x240 (00'20, 1.5MB)
Clip 2: Quicktime video 320x240 (00'06, 500KB)

Knockaround Guys: Filmmakers' commentary  «9-Nov-05» - Audio clip in which filmmaker Brian Koppleman discusses why they cast Kevin Gage in Knockaround Guys.

[Gage] is one of the best character actors alive. His performance as Waingro in Heat is one of the definitive bad-guy performances of all time. When we were trying to cast this role -- which is a small role, but a crucial one. Because it has to be someone you believe will stand up to Vin Diesel and will incite him. And it has to seem fair when Vinnie beats him up. It was very tough to find a guy who could do it. We auditioned huge bouncers, and they all had this scared look in their eyes, or they couldn't act at all. One day we were riding in the van, and we decided ... we need someone like Waingro.

Listen to Brian's delightful impersonation of Kevin answering their call.
WAVE audio (01'13, 1.5MB)

Lightning Bug: Excerpt from "Making of Lightning Bug"  «9-Nov-05» - In this DVD extra, film director Robert Hall talks about the importance of Kevin Gage's contribution to Lightning Bug:

Kevin Gage was one of the main catalysts that made me want to make the movie.... I'd never met a guy that I thought could play Earl until I met Kevin Gage. He wound up being this amazingly gentle soul, who could pull off these extreme baddies.

Ashley Laurence, who played Jenny Graves, speaks of the high level of trust she developed while working with Kevin:

Those scenes in particular where there's a lot of physical abuse, ... you look into his eyes and you know he's going to have your back.

Both commentaries are illustrated with clips and outtakes.
Quicktime video 240x180 (00'53, 1.1MB)
Quicktime video 320x240 (00'53, 3.9MB)