The Late Show Transcript

David Letterman Interviewing Reese Witherspoon

LETTERMAN: Our next guest is a lovely and talented young actress whose movie opens on Friday. The title of her movie is Cruel Intentions. Here she is ladies and gentlemen, Reese Witherspoon.

(Paul and the Band play music)
(Reese comes out, kisses Dave on the cheek and sits down)

LETTERMAN: Welcome to the show. How are you doing?

WITHERSPOON: Very nice to meet you. Thank you.

LETTERMAN: Nice to meet you too. What should we know about you? Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from?

WITHERSPOON: I’m from Nashville Tennessee

LETTERMAN: Music City USA

WITHERSPOON: That’s correct. And I should say hi to my parents coz’ they watch you every night.

LETTERMAN: Of course. Where are they right now? At home?

WITHERSPOON: Hopefully at home in bed. Hi Mom! Hi Dad! Betty and John.

LETTERMAN: Hi Betty and John! How are you doing? Its Reese. What do you think, huh?

(Audience laughs)

That’s an interesting name, Reese. Is that a family name, is that what it is?

WITHERSPOON: Yes. It’s my mother’s maiden name. I was named after my maternal grandmother shortly after I was born.

LETTERMAN: That’s a sweet family story. It’s cute. I think its nice. Its better when -- they’ll say peanut butter cups!

WITHERSPOON: Right.

LETTERMAN: And you’re just a kid. You’re 22 or something like that? And you’ve acting in the big leagues since when?

WITHERSPOON: Since I was 14.

LETTERMAN: Wow! Really? How did that begin? Since you’re supposed to be 14 and like you’re in high school, you’re a sophomore --

WITHERSPOON: Actually a friend of the family saw an ad in the newspaper in Nashville looking for extras in a movie. I went out there to be an extra in this movie and I ended up getting an audition to play the lead. Then I took a screen test. Then I went to Los Angeles and I ended up getting the lead.

LETTERMAN: No. You went after the ad to become an extra and ended up playing the lead?

WITHERSPOON: Yeah, isn’t it great? I expected to be somebody walking in the background or eating an ice cream cone and I ended up having lines.

LETTERMAN: My God! What was the film?

WITHERSPOON: It was called the Man in the Moon

LETTERMAN: And now, you’re gonna have a baby.

WITHERSPOON: That’s right.

LETTERMAN: Good for you.

WITHERSPOON: That’s right. How did you know that?

(Audience applauds)

LETTERMAN: What do you mean, I’m not suppose to know?

WITHERSPOON: I don’t know. It’s supposed to be a big secret. I don’t know how you found out.

LETTERMAN: Did I screw something up coz’ that’s all everybody’s been talking about.

WITHERSPOON: Well I guess now my grandmother knows! Thanks a lot Dave!

(Reese and the audience laugh)

LETTERMAN: I’m sorry. Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl?

WITHERSPOON: No. Not yet.

LETTERMAN. You know you don’t look pregnant.

WITHERSPOON. Thank you. I’m trying although I’m not far along the way though yet.

LETTERMAN: You and your husband must be very happy.

WITHERSPOON: I have a fiancé; I’m not married yet.

LETTERMAN: Oh!

WITHERSPOON: Hey this is America land of the free.

LETTERMAN: Exactly this is America. This is what Patrick Henry is talking about.

WITHERSPOON: (Laughing) Exactly.

LETTERMAN: This is none of my business. Should we go into something else?

WITHERSPOON: No, no, no. We are engaged and we are getting married, SOON. Ah --

LETTERMAN: Do you want to get married?

WITHERSPOON: I’m thrilled to get married. Obviously I’m very much in love and --.

LETTERMAN: Well obviously you’re very in love.

WITHERSPOON: Yeah.

LETTERMAN: Don’t take this the wrong way. I was married once myself.

WITHERSPOON: You were?

LETTERMAN: I was about your age. I got married when I was 21. I was drunk and I was married by the Justice of the Peace in Indiana.

(Audience laughs)

WITHERSPOON: Yeah. Most people just get tattoos but you got married.

LETTERMAN: That was 10 years.

WITHERSPOON: How did it go?

LETTERMAN: Well it ended in a really ugly divorce.

WITHERSPOON: Oh no! That’s not good.

LETTERMAN: 10 years -- hey that’s not a bad run. Its no blue ribbon but its gonna get you on the podium.

(Audience laughs)

WITHERSPOON: That’s not bad. Yeah

LETTERMAN: Ah…who’s your father….ah, who’s the baby’s father?

WITHERSPOON: The baby’s father is Ryan Phillippe.

LETTERMAN: Now that’s the guy who’s also in the movie.

WITHERSPOON: That’s correct.

LETTERMAN: Cruel Intentions.

WITHERSPOON: Right.

LETTERMAN: Now --

WITHERSPOON: Now. …. it really is the name of the film.

LETTERMAN: This is the modern version of Dangerous Liaisons.

WITHERSPOON. It’s like a modern day retelling with a very young bunch of rich bored socialites living in New York.

LETTERMAN: Did you meet on the film?

WITHERSPOON: No we have been living together for a year apart while doing the film. I promise he’s a good guy!

LETTERMAN: No --.its just that -- I’m happy to see you. Good luck. How soon will the baby be here?

WITHERSPOON: Early Fall.

LETTERMAN: Oh early fall so you’re going to be away in the summer. I hope everything goes nice and smooth. And if you had the baby, if you want, comeback and say hello to us.

WITHERSPOON: Thank you so much.

LETTERMAN: And Good luck! Reese Witherspoon Ladies and Gentlemen.

THE END

Late Show With David Letterman Webpage>

Reese Witherspoon
The Late Show

March 15th 1999

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