Tommy Lee Jones has a face you can’t forget easily. His deep-set eyes and craggy features makes him both scary and funny at the same time.
Over the years the actor has rightfully achieved his place in film history as the legendary star of hit movies like No Country for Old Men and Men in Black.
He has also earned a reputation for his frankness and ability to bring life to whatever movie he takes. According to filmmaker Bill Witliff during an interview with Texas Monthly “Jones has an intensity that's all his own. You watch other actors on-screen, and you know they are having to invent their intensity. Tommy Lee does not."
Everything about Tommy Lee Jones screams intensity. Here are some deep secrets you probably didn’t know about the actor.
Also Read: An American Actor Tommy Lee Jones: A Hollywood Icon's Legendary Career
He didn’t like his Men in Black role
You can’t speak of Tommy without mentioning Men in Black. In fact many has argued that the franchise is his best. However, Tommy didn’t feel this way at first.
According to Barry Sonnenfeld the screenwriter of the movie, he wanted Tommy from the start, recalling that, as soon as he finished the script, he turned to his wife and said, Tommy Lee Jones. But playing the straight man didn't come naturally to Jones. "It took a long time for him to feel comfortable with it," Sonnenfeld told Insider. I don't think he understood that comedy.
Some production staffs in the movie also noted that Tommy wasn’t really comfortable with how the movie was progressing and often mentioned that he wanted it to be more overtly comedic.
But like we all know, Tommy killed his role in the movie regardless of his earlier doubts. In the end Sonnenfeld told Insider that Jones loved his performance, and would say in interviews, The secret to being funny is to stand next to Will Smith and to do whatever Barry Sonnenfeld tells you to do.
Also Read: Harrison Ford And Tommy Lee Jones Movies Together: Silver Screen Legends
He did not get along with Jim Carrey in Batman Forever
Like everyone knows, Tommy is very simple and says whatever he feels it’s the truth whether it is hurtful or not. However, he raised his attitude a notch when filming “Batman Forever." Late director Joel Schumacher told Express that he called Jones a huge critic in the pages of People magazine, adding, "He was not kind to Jim Carrey when we were making 'Batman Forever.'"
In 2017, Jim Carrey also spoke about his experience on set with Tommy and how the old actor openly told him he disliked him.
When he appeared as a guest on Norm Macdonald Life, Carrey recalled that, during the shoot, he approached Jones in a restaurant. He went to hug me and he said, 'I hate you. I really don't like you, said Carrey. "And I said 'What's the problem?' and pulled up a chair, which probably wasn't smart. And he said, 'I cannot sanction your buffoonery.
According to most people on set, it was deduced that Tommy didn’t like Carrey very much because he was uncomfortable with the storyline and how Carey’s hotness drew so much attention.
He's an award-winning director
Tommy Lee Jones although is best known for his acting, he has also worked on-and-off as a director since 1995, when he directed "The Good Old Boys" for TNT. Since then he has gone on to direct/star in several award wining movies.
To fans Tommy Lee Jones will always be a king in Hollywood and his movies will always be entertaining to see.