Local man makes good in Hollywood

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Editor's note: In this Mining Journal exclusive, Sports Editor Renee Prusi interviews Negaunee native Steven Wiig about his role in the new film, "Milk," due out this week.

NEGAUNEE - Negaunee native Steven Wiig has a role in another film that's gaining Oscar buzz.

Wiig, 35, who had a role in last year's "Into the Wild," is part of Gus Van Sant's "Milk," a movie set for release in early December that's receiving rave reviews from publications like "Entertainment Weekly."

"Milk" is based on the life of Harvey Milk, one of the United States' first openly gay politicians. It's set in San Francisco in the 1970s, with the role of Harvey Milk taken by Oscar winner Sean Penn.

Penn directed Wiig in "Into the Wild."

Wiig, who now lives in the San Francisco area, grew up in Negaunee Township and graduated from Negaunee High School in 1991. His mother, Judy Wiig, is a retired math teacher from Negaunee High while his late father, Raymond Wiig, taught at Westwood High School for many years.

A talented musician, Wiig's "day job" is working with the renowned band Metallica. He's featured in the documentary about the band, "Some Kind of Monster."

Through his work with the band, Wiig met and became friends with Penn, which led to his acting career's blossoming.

Wiig recently had an e-mail chat with The Mining Journal about "Milk."

Mining Journal: What was your role in "Milk"?

Wiig: I play Mr. McConnely, the straight-laced Castro Street liquor store owner ... who, in 1972, provides recently-relocated and out-of-the-closet Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) and his lover Scott (James Franco) with a not-so-warm welcome and some words of warning about opening up a camera store in a family-oriented old-school Irish Catholic neighborhood.

MJ: What was it like to work with Gus Van Sant?

Wiig: He was very casual - almost too casual! His only real verbal direction to me was "Don't get hit by the car." But it was exciting and an honor to work with Gus. He's really good at making you feel comfortable and letting you do your own thing. Shortly before we started shooting he just came up to me and said, "So what are you gonna do?" Meanwhile, I'm thinking: "Aren't you supposed to tell me what to do?"

MJ: You filmed in the places where Harvey Milk actually lived. How did locals react?

Wiig: They were thrilled! Many of the businesses on Castro Street willingly closed down for months to cooperate with the project and filming. I think a lot of them have been waiting for this story to be told for a very long time.

MJ: Another movie with Sean Penn. I have read strong Oscar buzz for him and for the film. Did you know something special was happening during filming?

Wiig: I think everybody - even, if not especially, the people that knew Harvey - felt that there was something special happening. I spent a lot of time with Sean during the filming of "Milk." Once the prosthetics and the hair was in place, I think he was able to channel Harvey pretty quickly. He did, however, put a lot of work and time into studying footage and tapes of the real Harvey Milk.

MJ: Walking the red carpet again: What did you feel doing that?

Wiig: I've spent a lot of time observing things like that with my "day job" (working with Metallica) so it wasn't that foreign to me. It was a bit of a strange experience being on the receiving end of it, but it is what it is: publicity.

MJ: Are you going out with Metallica on any tours?

Wiig: I'm currently in the middle of touring with Metallica at the moment.

MJ: Other future plans? More film? More music?

Wiig: I'm pretty into the idea of doing more film right now.

"Milk" debuted Nov. 26 in limited release, with wider release planned on Friday.