may have fallen in love with on the set of 1993’s S , but Channing only felt “motherly” to the rising star, who was 23 and a newly married, first-time father at the time. Channing — who earned an Oscar nomination playing a
New York socialite who connects with a young con artist played by Smith in the film — opened up about working with the rising star in a new episode of . “He made a lot [of money] from his music, or even [ ],” Channing said. “Because I remember we talked about it.” Despite his massive success in
music and TV at a young age, “there was no big shot stuff at all” about Smith, she said. “He had a real survival instinct in him,” Channing added, “which was completely perfect for the part. [There was a] genuine charm and a lovely sweetness about him.” Prior to taking on the role of Paul — who convinces Channing’s Ouisa and her husband Flan (Donald Sutherland) that he attends Harvard with their children and is the son of Sidney Poitier — Smith flew to
London with the film’s director, Fred Schepisi, to see Channing play Ouisa in the stage version of . “We went out to dinner afterwards,” recalled Channing. “And that was it.” There was an instant “chemistry” between the two actors when filming began in
New York City in February 1992, Channing recalled. “[It was] just natural and easygoing.” In Smith’s 2021 memoir , the
Actor wrote of being newly married to then-wife Sheree Zampino and a new father to his first son, Trey, as production started up. “During
shooting I fell in love with Stockard Channing,” Smith wrote. “After the film wrapped, Sheree and Trey and I moved back to L.A. Our marriage was off to a rocky start. I found myself desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard.” For her part, “there was nothing that was between me and him. I felt very motherly towards him. I liked him a lot. He was absolutely adorable. Just a sweetheart,” Channing told host Seth Abramovitch. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The
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