Fast five  with Edgar Ramirez

Jan 06, 2016 06:00 am

Get to know the sensitive Venezuelan hunk who plays Jennifer Lawrence's husband in Joy

Fact File

Name Edgar Ramírez Arellano

Born March 25, 1977, Caracas, Venezuela

Filmography The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), Vantage Point (2008), Wrath Of The Titans (2012), Zero Dark Thirty (2012), The Counselor (2013), Deliver Us From Evil (2014), Point Break (2015), Joy (2016)

1 BRAINS AND BRAWN

HANDS OF STONE - Official US Trailer - The Weinstein Company

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A multilinguist who speaks English, German, Italian, French and Spanish, Edgar Ramirez wanted to be a diplomat in international relations after getting his degree in journalism and politics. But after watching Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's acclaimed Amores Perros (2000), he decided to pursue acting and found work in Venezuelan TV soap opera Cosita Rica.

2 DREAM GIG

The 38-year-old Venezuelan actor recently told Latin Post that being able to act alongside Hollywood star Jennifer Lawrence, 25, in Joy was a "delight" and a "privilege".

The dramedy, which opens here tomorrow, is loosely based on the life of Joy Mangano (Lawrence), the inventor of the Miracle Mop. Ramirez plays her ex-husband Tony Miranne, a struggling singer and Joy's pillar of strength.

"(Jennifer) has this very deep understanding of the human nature that goes beyond her years," he said. "It's incredible how she can channel and navigate such intense emotions and be able to deliver."

3 JOY RIDE

Ramirez found Joy an eye-opening experience as he was directed by David O. Russell, who is known for constant improvisation on set.

"Suddenly, David says to me, 'OK, Edgar, you are very angry - now cry,'" Ramirez told The Hollywood Reporter. "I said, 'OK, give me a minute.' David said, 'No, we don't have a minute. Fake it! If you fake it, you'll be able to bring yourself to tears. Cry! Go, go, go! Do it!'

"Everything was always moving and swirling... I didn't know it was possible to feel so free on a movie set."

4 WOMAN'S MAN

For one who usually stars in action-packed movies, playing a house husband in Joy was a departure from the norm.

Tony, who dares to go against society's macho rules, was the bravest character he has ever played, Ramirez told Remezcla, a website that promotes Latin culture.

"He's willing to stand by, to support, and to celebrate the determination of the woman he loves and the mother of his children. That is something that I found very courageous," Ramirez said.

"He doesn't feel that his masculinity or manhood is compromised in any way. He's very comfortable in being the great man behind the great woman."

5 NATIONAL PRIDE

Ramirez is also getting attention playing extreme sports fanatic Bodhi in Point Break, the remake of the 1991 action flick.

Shooting Point Break, now showing in cinemas, took him to many countries, but Ramirez was most happy when they filmed a pivotal scene in his home country, at Angel Falls, the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall.

He told Latin Post: "I grew up dreaming of going to the Falls, but it is very difficult to go there, let alone to shoot on top of it.

"That was a once in a lifetime opportunity because I don't think I will be there again."