Ask David Strathairn

Oscar-nominated actor David Strathairn was online Wednesday, July 2 at 10 a.m. ET to take your questions about his new movies, "My Blueberry Nights," and his work in such films as "The Bourne Ultimatum," "Good Night, and Good Luck," "L.A. Confidential" and more.

A transcript follows.

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Davidsonville, Md.: You're one of those actors who are so good that you disappear into the character and the movie ... where the viewer is watching and says "hey that's that guy!" Up until, of course, the starring role in "Good Night, and Good Luck" ... so, do you prefer being the working actor getting all the meaty roles but hanging in the background, or do you aspire to be ... well, a Clooney-like star complete with paparazzi and daily gossip about whom you're dating today?

David Strathairn: The former. It's always an honor to get into a project like "Good Night," but as long as I'm getting an opportunity to work with people like John Sayles and Clooney and whomever, I count my blessings. To be the character actor people can count on to fill the bill, to be a substantial piece of the tapestry, that's what I aspire to do.

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The District: David, Congratulations on taking only the most intelligent questions from the biggest fans.

What is your professional life like, post-Oscar nomination? Do you feel you have more input on projects you're involved with?

David Strathairn: No, the input seems to be about the same, depending on the project, it's size, if it's an independent film or a large studio picture, how early I am included in the process -- is the script still in development, or is it a week before a character goes to camera. But it's fairly organic as far as how much input you have. It's always fun to be involved in the creation of it. There's always some kind of input that's expected of you.

For the better part of a year or so after the nomination, things felt a little different, but it' back to where it was before that now.

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Fairfax, Va.: So what did YOU think of the last Sopranos episode?

David Strathairn: I thought it was pretty great. I know a lot of people were looking for a much more cathartic completion to it, but I thought it was brave and very apropos of the journey those characters were taking. In terms of serialization, the technique of keeping the audience hanging and wanting more, it was perfect. And I like that it ended kind of on a quiet note.

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Arlington, Va.: Mr. Strathairn, this is such a thrill! You are one of my favorite actors and I deeply enjoy your work. Your filmography is undeniably impressive, yet one of my favorite films of yours remains "Passion Fish." What do you remember about making that film?

David Strathairn: The experiencing of Louisiana, the bayous, the people, the food, the weather, the whole flavor of that geography was great. And working with Alfre and Mary McDonnel was wonderful, but I just loved being down there. It's a very particular terrain, and I was very lucky to be able to spend some time down there and to find out what that whole culture is about.

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Bethesda, Md.: My best friend loves your work, and has followed your career for quite some time-- she introduced me to your work.

I think you're wonderful in everything I've seen you in, but I've never seen any of John Sayles's films. I just can't figure out where to start. Of the films you've done with John Sayles, do you have a favorite?

Thanks, and Yay, you!

David Strathairn: A couple of them -- I love "Brother from another planet" because it's such a whimsical, wonderful little film based on a little piece of American history. I think "Matewan" is a very special film also -- like "Passion Fish" I got to go to a piece of America people dont know much about, and it was a real understanding of the culture of the mine workers. And "Eight Men Out" is one of the best baseball films ever made.

There is one film of his I wasn't in, but that's a real favorite -- "Men With Guns." It's a real sleeper, not many people have seen it, but it's pretty special.

I think John is, as a filmmaker, in many ways a social anthropologist and historian, in that he unearths these moments in American history which are sometimes not as readily known by the general populace, like with the United Mine Workers or the Black Sox scandal. He's like a Howard Zinn, in that he peeks behind the common knowledge and tries to tell the story of the common man behind these moments in American history.

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San Francisco: I was a big fan of the television series you were in, "The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd." Is it ever going to be available on DVD?

David Strathairn: I don't know. I wish I could say, but I don't know.

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Alexandria, Va.: Oh, wow, this is so exciting -- you're one of my favorite actors. You were especially brilliant in "Good Night, and Good Luck." It wasn't just a mere impression, but a fully realized character. What kind of research did you do for the role, and how hard was it to avoid just doing a straight imitation?

David Strathairn: Good question. I read several of his biographies. We were fortunate to have people in and around the set who had worked with him, including the characters Robert Downey Jr. and Patricia Clarkson played, so we had first-hand experience in how the news was told and what went on in the studio.

There's been tons of stuff written about him because he was such a standardbearer. It was somewhat difficult to figure out how to portray him, it's always a big challenge to play a historical character, especially one as much in the public eye as he was and is.

So it was a question of replicating the look, which the credit for goes to our producers.

There are recordings of his voice, which I went over to try to get the cadence and tone, as he was known by the ear, being a radio broadcaster. And in my reading, I tried to figure out what kind of a man he was and to internalize that and go with my gut feeling about what kind of man he was.

It was also a leg up that there was so much film and documentation about him, but it also made it difficult to do it respectfully and memorialize the guy. I was constantly asking George Clooney and anyone else who was there for help to keep it in the range of a respectable and valid personification.

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Los Angeles, CA: I always enjoy your performances, and your movies are always high quality. Just wondering which actor and actress you have most enjoyed working with?

David Strathairn: I can't think of one that I haven't. I've been really fortunate to work with some extraordinary artists.

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David Strathairn: Before I go, I just wanted to say a few words about my new film. "My Blueberry Nights" was a great experience, working with Wong Kar Wai. His aesthetic is something you don't see too often in mainstream film, the way he uses the camera, the setting, the pace as a character itself, in such an evocative and sensual way.

For his first English-language film, we were worried about communicating with him, but his command of the language was terrific and his direction was very poetic.

I found it difficult and challenging to work with him, but incredibly rewarding. I think it's a very beautiful and compassionate story, and I think he searches for that beauty and compassion in his films.

Plus there are some great actors in the film in Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Rachel Weisz, and Norah Jones is a terrific presence and a great surprise. You can see why he choose to have someone like her play that part.

Thanks for your questions today.

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