tonight a conversation with acclaimed actor willem dafoe. he's best remembered for his portrayal of jesus christ, the green goblin, and the only green vampire character ever nominated for an oscar. we'll talk about his newest turn as a motel manager named bobby in "the florida project." we're glad you've joined us. a conversation with actor willem dafoe coming up in just a moment. ♪ >> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ >> so pleased to have willem dafoe back on this program. the appleton, wisconsin, native is best known for "spider-man," "the last temptation of christ" and oscar nominated roles in "platoon" and "shadow of a vampire." he's getting high prize and oscar buzz -- i hate to embarrass him -- for his role as bobby in a project called "the florida project." before our conversation, a clip from the film. >> yeah. >> i got a videotape of the kids illegally entering the utility room. >> okay. [ whispering ] did you hear what i said just to her? >> i got it. i'm going to talk to him. >> you're o

tonight a conversation with acclaimed actor willem dafoe.n just a moment. ♪

willem dafoe. >> jimmy: uh huh. >> kevin bacon. [ laughter ] bryan adams. >> jimmy: really? >> jane lynch. [ laughter and applause ] ellen degeneres. [ laughter ] ♪ >> jimmy: really? >> and christopher walken. >> jimmy: there you go. that's not bad. >> i'll tell you something. the great thing about it is, people love me, wherever they see me. on the street, in the airport. people just needed to love me. because they think i'm somebody else. you know what i mean? >> jimmy: all those people have great fans. >> i know. it's amazing. it's amazing. >> jimmy: do you ever answer as the person? >> i do. you know, i got to the point where sometimes it's just so difficult to explain who i am when they think i'm somebody else. and the worst one i ever did was this summer, it was like 190 degrees in new york. i was leaving the office going home to the apartment. it was only going to take me, like, you know, 15 minutes. and i called an uber driver. and i get in the car. and maybe a block and he goes, "hey, you." and i go, "yeah." and he goes, "footloose!" [ laughter ] s

join me next time for a conversation with actor willem dafoe about his film "the florida project."e. we'll see you then. ♪ ♪ ♪ >> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ >> be more. pbs. ♪ -today on "america's test kitchen"... bridget shows julia the secrets to a spectacular cheese and tomato lasagna, jack challenges julia to a tasting of jarred anchovies, and keith makes bridget unforgettable garlic bread. it's all coming up right here on "america's test kitchen." "america's test kitchen" is brought to you by the following -- fisher & paykel. since 1934, fisher & paykel has been designing

join me next time for a conversation with actor willem dafoe about his film "the florida project."e. we'll see you then. ♪ ♪ ♪ >> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. ♪ >> be more. pbs. >>> good evening from los angeles, i'm tavis smiley. tonight we remember legendary rocker tom petty. just days ago he and his band, the heartbreakers, closed out their 40th anniversary tour here in los angeles to three incredible soldout shows. best known for his roots-infused rock music, petty was a widely lauded songwriter, singer, and multi-instrument multi-instrumentalist. he leaves a legacy that will never be forgotten. we're glad you've joined us. a reprise of our conversation with tom petty coming up right now. ♪

>> johnny gep, michelle pfeiffer daisy ridley penelope cruz willem dafoe, derrick jacobi you name themon't have to. you got them all. [ cheers and applause ] i know you've worked with a few of those people before had you worked with johnny depp before? >> i had not worked with johnny. he was just a gent fun. totally sort of obsessed with the business of building a character. he flew in three months before we started and just spent days walking up and down trying to different clothes, getting the walk right, getting the hat right, getting the sideboards right. kind of obsessed with the part drinking it all in it was very terest love an actor taking that it seriously? >> oh yeah.n he can come on the day, we had a very enjoyable scene do together which we improvised lavishly. it was partly because he was so secure in the character. in the look of the character and everything. that he was able to sort of playit. be very free. what was really impressive about him and michell and penelope and all of themm, was their freedom in front of the camera. they'ry come with their game already prepare

. >> brown: this time baker shot on 35 millimeter film and cast a big supporting name in willem dafoe, as the motel manager. he found one of his leads, bria vinaite through social media-- he thought she looked the part. she'd never acted before. that made the seven-year-old brooklynn prince, who had done some acting, the veteran. >> i would be a little bit nervous, but sean, willem, brooklyn, everyone on set just always made me feel really confident and comfortable. and because of them i just felt like i had the confidence to do it. >> brown: did you, once you got to know each other, did you feel like you were creating the scenes yourselves? >> yeah. it felt like we didn't even need to be an actor, we just were ourselves the whole movie. and sean was very honest about improvising, he's like, "let's stick with this line." or, "that's a good line but maybe we should do this word instead of this word." and it would be just really fun, it's like another world. >> i really love mixing it up. i love combining seasoned actors with first timers, and with non- professionals. three different gr