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'Law & Order' Star Out of Order Long Ago
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
By Roger Friedman
Vincent D'Onofrio, star of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," is so, shall we say, eccentric that this year he's alternating episodes with Chris Noth.
Stories of his, shall we say, eccentricity are regular features in the New York tabloids.
But it turns out D'Onofrio was always like this, according to the much, shall we say, less eccentric and more focused Matthew Modine.
The latter actor recommended the former for a role in Stanley Kubrick's now classic Vietnam film "Full Metal Jacket" some 20 years ago and lived to regret it.
Modine recounts his upsetting experiences with D'Onofrio in his wonderful new coffee-table book, "Full Metal Diary," published today by Rugged Land.
You've got to see this thing: It's got a full metal book jacket! Modine and Rugged Land have put together what I would call the ultimate holiday gift for fans of Modine and Kubrick and movie lovers in general.
It's the best production of this kind since Ringo Starr's "Postcards." (Shockingly, "FMD" is for sale on amazon.com for less than $20, too. Hurry, because it's a limited edition.)
Luckily, Modine kept a great journal all during this early, fertile period in his career. He also took lots of pictures.
I think because Matthew is soft-spoken and never in the tabloids (he's been with his gorgeous, smart, funny wife Cari for 25 years), people don't realize how talented and cool he is. But he's a natural writer, and it shows.
Unfortunately, D'Onofrio was unable to enjoy Modine the actor while they shot Kubrick's movie.
The first sign of real trouble came when extras witnessed them having an argument. D'Onofrio, who liked to stay in character, accused Modine of "joking around" too much. Modine agreed and said, "What are you going to do if I keep joking around?"
D'Onofrio replied: "I'm going to kick your a--."
Modine wrote that Kubrick's daughter Vivian was running messages between them.
"I don't like to use hate," Modine wrote. "Hate is powerful. Hate should be reserved for truly hateful things. But I'm almost there..."
From a diary entry on Jan. 24, 1986: "I am having to deal with [Vince] a lot since this started ... There is such anger and tension between us both. He looks at me with that moronic look and I want [to] slap him."
Things did not get better. To blow off steam, Modine had a punching bag installed in his trailer. D'Onofrio began lifting weights, making a big show of his new physique.
"Vince and I are ready to come to blows," Modine wrote. "We don't talk anymore about anything. Not even professionally. We are preparing for the fight that seems inevitable."
Want more? Buy the book.
P.S.: Guests at Modine's book party last night at the Vietnam Gallery on Greenwich St. in New York City included Elizabeth Berkley and artist husband Greg Lauren (nephew of Ralph Lauren), and former "ER" star/one time Tina Turner back-up singer Gloria Reuben.
Berkley wowed the crowd Monday night at the "24 Hour Plays" on Broadway (more on that tomorrow). Reuben has three new movies coming out in the next few months!
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