She was the object of Ben Stiller’s desire in “The Heartbreak Kid.”
She was the object of Dr. Manhattan’s desire in “Watchmen.”
And she was the object of a lot of people’s desires in her infamous threesome scene in a 2006 episode of HBO’s “Entourage.”
All things considered, one wonders how the tall, blond Malin Akerman got cast as the quiet suburban housewife with the stable marriage in the new comedy “Couples Retreat,” which opens Friday?
That was the first of many burning questions we asked during a recent chat at the Four Seasons hotel in Los Angeles.
In the new film, which was written by Jon Favreau of “Swingers” fame, Akerman plays Vince Vaughn’s wife. They are among four couples who embark on what they think is an island vacation, but turns into an extended and unconventional marriage counseling session.
Akerman, 31, was born in Sweden but her parents moved the family to Toronto when she was 2. She began modeling and appearing in commercials when she was 5. At 17, she won a Ford Model Search, and later dropped out of college to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles.
In addition to her acting, she fronts a band called Petalstones, which includes her husband of two years, Italian drummer Roberto Zincone.
ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: I’ve got to be honest with you. If I were to read the description of your soccer-mom character in “Couples Retreat,” the actress Malin Akerman doesn’t immediately come to mind.
MALIN AKERMAN (laughs): After “The Heartbreak Kid,” you didn’t think of me?
Q. Not to mention the ménage-a-trois bedroom scene on “Entourage.”
A. Oh yeah, that too.
Q. And the skin-tight leather outfit as Silk Spectre II in “Watchmen”?
A. Hmmm.
Q. And the flirtatious sister in “27 Dresses”?
A. I get it. I usually play wild women.
Q. It’s just that you’re known for these characters, and I was wondering if you were intentionally trying to show a different side with this movie?
A. Not really. They (the producers) said that they always wanted me for this role. And I appreciate their faith in me. But I don’t think anyone really knows who Malin Akerman is. Is she the “Heartbreak Kid” girl or is she the girl in “Couples Retreat”?
Q. Good question. Who is the real Malin Akerman?
A. I’m pretty much down-to-Earth. I’m pretty calm. I’m married.
Q. To a crazy Italian drummer.
A. He’s not a crazy drummer. Our marriage is not what people assume because I’m an actress and he’s a musician. We stay home at night, and I cook dinner. My husband does session work so he’s home a lot. He doesn’t have crazy fans following him around. It’s a pretty calm life.
Q. But we’ve seen your films and your Maxim photo spread. Who’s that Malin?
A. That’s my alter-ego movie person.
Q. And what is she really like?
A. I’m still trying to figure that out. But that’s why I love this business. I can play all the different sides of me. Films are like my therapy.
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