Emmy-winning actor Alec Baldwin proved Wednesday night that he’s just as good making audiences think as he is making them laugh. In a conversation with Forum on Law, Culture & Society Director Thane Rosenbaum, Baldwin discussed a broad range of topics, including family law, nuclear power, animal rights, and of course, his upcoming job co-hosting the Academy Awards with Steve Martin.
“It’s a very metrosexualized kind of show,” Baldwin joked about the Oscars, after explaining that he and Martin will go through a number of wardrobe changes during the broadcast. Sensing opportunity, Rosenbaum presented Baldwin with a Fordham Law tie and encouraged him to wear it during the Awards show.
In his storied career on screen, Baldwin has played lawyer roles in various projects, including Ghosts of Mississippi, Nuremberg: Infamy on Trial, and The Confession. Clips of these movies were shown at the event, with Baldwin offering his commentary on the filmmaking business. He explained that characters like his Bobby DeLaughter, the real-life lawyer who prosecuted the man convicted of murdering civil rights leader Medgar Evers, are very desirable in the acting profession.
“All actors crave…the opportunity to do a social drama—something that is socially relevant in some way,” said Baldwin. “With this film [Ghosts of Mississippi], I was so inflamed with passion about doing this movie. … It was a great experience.”
Baldwin spoke at length about various political issues. Chief among them were his views on the risks and dangers associated with nuclear power. He advocated a commitment to renewable energy sources.
“Where is the Apollo project that will bring renewable energy to the fore in this country?” Baldwin asked. “I love my country, and I don’t want to see it go down. And we are going to go down if we don’t get on the renewable energy bandwagon in the next few years.”
Baldwin also addressed the need for reform in family law, the current state government in California, and the importance of term limits. Rosenbaum read from some of Baldwin’s articles that have appeared in the Huffington Post, as well as an excerpt from his book entitled A Promise to Ourselves (St. Martin’s Press).
Baldwin has appeared in over 40 films and currently stars with Tina Fey on NBC’s 30 Rock, winner of the 2007, 2008, and 2009 Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series. He has received four SAG awards, three Golden Globes, the Television Critics Award, and two Emmy awards for his performance on the show. In describing his success on 30 Rock, Baldwin said, “The show, like any comedy, is only as funny as the people who write it. And we do have the best writers, I think, in television comedy.”
Before becoming an actor, Baldwin considered attending law school. Rosenbaum broached this topic during the conversation, asking, “If you had decided to go to law school, would the Baldwin brothers have followed you there?”
“No, good God, no,” Baldwin answered swiftly. “I would be representing them.”
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Media coverage of the event included the following:
One of the best “Conversations” yet. Kudos to Thane who does his homework and makes for wonderful dialogue and unexpected revelations. Baldwin in law school? Who would have thought! Yet after the evening was done one suspected that Alec would have made a tremendous contribution to the profession, Who knows NYU for acting and possibly Fordham Law. Mr. Baldwin there is still time. On the politcal front I have heard that there could be an empty seat in Albany. It would be nice to clean up the ‘waste’ that permeates those who are supposed to represent the best interests of the people in this State. Dean Feerick has made his contribution. It’s time for a change and Baldwin clearly impressed with his knowledge and candor.