In the eyes of many, Helen Hunt reached the pinnacle of her role in As Good As It Gets. But the 59-year-old actress and director is no ordinary person. When I chat with her on Zoom, she’s casually sitting on her bed, wearing her glasses, munching on her dinner. She jokes about the countless photos of herself in khaki pants and a yoga mat, but she knows these photos mean nothing in the grand scheme of things.
Hunt is currently in London preparing to star in Eureka Day at the Old Vic. The play, written before the pandemic, explores themes such as misinformation, deeply held beliefs, and the challenges of bringing communities together amid the vaccine debate.
Cultivate a love of theater
Hunt’s passion for theater began at an early age, when he went to see performances with his father, a theater coach and director. She vividly remembers seeing the original work of “Godspell” in a church basement and immediately falling in love with the art form.
She didn’t know if she wanted to act, sing, or direct. All she wanted was to be a part of the magic of theater. Although her father passed away in 2016, her love of theater lives on in Hunt. She thinks of him every time she looks in her room and remembers his excitement when the lights go out. She cherishes these memories and continues to find solace and inspiration in the world of theater.
From TV success to iconic movie roles
Although theater holds a special place in his heart, it was a television show that launched Hunt’s career. Mad About You, a sitcom about newlyweds in New York, premiered in 1992, at a time when television was still considered inferior to movies. However, things are changing, and shows like Seinfeld, Frasier, and Friends are proving that television can be both critically acclaimed and commercially successful.
Suddenly, you have more options for hunting. She remembers being offered her role in the blockbuster action movie Twister, and then getting noticed for her role in As Good as It Gets. This film not only won her an Oscar award, but also welcomed her into the circle of Hollywood legend Jack Nicholson.
Jack Nicholson: Acting man
Against his expectations, Hunt found Nicholson to be a detail-oriented and dedicated actor. He approached her own work with the same seriousness she did, asking the same questions about her stories and character dynamics. She felt more like she was taking a drama class with a friend than an iconic movie star.
Hunt’s decision to prioritize her fulfilling personal life over the trappings of movie stardom proved to be very beneficial. Although this may have affected her opportunities in the industry, she values her role as a parent and friend above all else.
The challenge of reconciling career and family
After finding her success in 2000 with four films, including Cast Away and What Women Want, Hunt deliberately took a step back from the spotlight. She wrote, directed, and starred in two films and became a mother to daughter Makenna Lee in 2004. Even if her people had questions about her not appearing on screen, she ignored them. For her, the rich experience of motherhood and creative projects were more than enough.
Hunt’s journey as a manager hasn’t been easy. Her first film, Then She Found Me, took 10 years to make. Even after its completion, it suffered setbacks such as the bankruptcy of its distribution company. But she persevered and raised money for her next film, the 2014 surfing drama The Ride.
If you raise your voice, you will be met with resistance.
Ms. Hunt extends her willingness to express her own ideas and take risks beyond her own projects. She talks about the concept for the Twister sequel, which features all-black and brown storm chasers. Despite the importance of this topic in the context of race relations in the United States, Hunt, along with his colleagues Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal, decided to organize a conference to discuss the idea.
I had a hard time. It was sobering and highlighted the current challenges facing underrepresented voices in Hollywood.
Although progress has been made with movements such as #MeToo, Hunt acknowledged that change will take time. She is grateful for the growing number of people willing to talk about their unpleasant experiences, despite people’s impatience to expect things to change quickly.
Embrace a fulfilling life
Helen Hunt continues to build a career and personal life on her own terms, avoiding the pitfalls of her fame and maintaining her sense of normalcy. She cherishes her time in theater, her role as a mother, and the opportunity to pursue projects she truly loves. In a world obsessed with her fame and luxury, Hunt finds satisfaction in living her life in line with her own values.
Hunt with the cast of the sitcom Mad About You.
From September 6th she can be seen on Eureka Day at the Old Her Vic in London until October 31st. Join her on stage and discover her talent and passion.
