Ben grew up in Manchester and always dreamed of being a famous actor one day. He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, and went straight into his debut film, “Madisonville” opposite Liv Tyler, at just nineteen. His second film was “Libertad” alongside Claire Danes and Jay Hernandez. His current film, “Switch”, sees him as Will Cole, a charismatic “date-doctor” helping guys less fortunate in the dating department with getting the girls of their dreams. He is set to start filming his next two films, “The Valentine Story” with Jessica Alba and Josh Holloway, and “Sleepless in Soho” later on this year. What a year it looks for him!
The drinks arrive and we sit in silence for a moment, sipping the fantastic Columbian-ground coffee. Suddenly he chirps to life with rediscovered purpose. “You know what really gets me?” No Ben, pray tell. “Lip-gloss. It’s extremely irritating and sticky. Quite frankly I’d rather it was never invented”, he says with a cheeky smile. Ladies, take note- throw all traces of the sticky stuff away! So we know that he hates the lip-gloss on a girl, but what really gets on his nerves in people? “People being a bully- they’re just cocky, arrogant gits.” Guess he has strong views on bullies, then. And this isn’t the first time he has gotten angry on a subject. He admits to me that he got angry last Wednesday night at a competition at Connexions nightclub. He didn’t go into much detail but simply said that he just got rattled up and walked out. Ben is obviously a man of many opinions, and when I ask him who he thinks is a real-life villain, he says “I know I should probably say somebody like Hitler or something, but to me, it’s my old deputy head teacher, Mr Dawson. There’s something about him that I never liked. I just don’t think he understood me.” Trying to dig deeper into the psyche of a man so used to being adored and having everything he wants, I ask, “ what’s your idea of Hell?” Again he pauses to think for a moment. He takes another sip of coffee and tells me “ seeing people I care about suffer, and not being able to do anything about it.” He reflects for a moment. I get the feeling that perhaps he might have experienced past family heartache and was just about to probe the question when his PR gives me the evils and tells me to stop.
Sensing a need to lighten the atmosphere, I ask him what his favourite possessions in the world are. He breaks into his infamous Cheshire-cat grin. He likes this question, I can tell. “I think my bed, my punch bag and my collection of Rocky Balboa films”. Ooh, a keen boxer, I take it? We like. Being the fashion forward magazine we are, I wonder what his favourite outfit is. “My Armani pinstripe suit. No tie. White shirt with sleeves rolled up halfway. It looks stunning”. Oh, we bet it is, Ben! He offers me, nay instructs me, to take a scone from the cake tray on the table. Well, who am I to deny myself cake offered by such a famous gentleman?! I quite happily nibble away (no need to let him think I’m some underfed gannet chomping away like I’ve not eaten in days- delicately does it).
As I resume my correct role of interviewer- reminded by a surprise phone call from the editor-eek!- I ask him to name five CDs he would take with him if left on a deserted island. “I wouldn’t take CDs; I’d take my Ipod. You get more songs, and don’t have to worry about finding any electricity to use it!” he laughs. He’s sexy and smart- ladies we’re onto a winner! How in the worlds did we manage without him?! What else couldn’t he live without? “Probably the T.V. programmes “Friends” or “Frasier”” Ah, so he’s a comedy kind of guy.
Right, so we’ve established his favourite sitcoms, but what about his favourite film? Is that a comedy too, perhaps? No. In fact it’s quite the opposite. “It would have to be Red Dragon- the prequel to Silence of the Lambs. It has an interesting character. I mean the guy is shown as a monster, but he’s just a normal guy really. I think it’s brilliant, anyway!”
Ben has been linked to numerous women since his rise on the Hollywood scene. From his co-star Liv Tyler (even though she’s married!) to other celebrities such as Mischa Barton and Nicole from the Pussycat Dolls. So is there any truth behind the rumours? Apparently not. He says if he was linked to all the girls the press have said he has then he wouldn’t have had time to do anything else this year! So there’s still hope, girls!
Since it’s time for me to head off as the interview comes to a close, I ask him one last random question. “If you could come back as an animal, what would you be and why?” “The biggest lion ever! - I like to lead!” In that case we’ll let you do all the leading you want in your films!
Catch Ben Murray as “date-doctor” Will Cole in “Switch” at cinemas nationwide from October 2nd.
