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Jim Caviezel Leaps Into Stardom with 'The Count of Monte Cristo'

© Heather Wadowski

Every man has his story, and actor Jim Caviezel is no exception. Despite starring in such successful films as "The Thin Red Line" and opposite some of Hollywood's biggest celebrities like Jennifer Lopez in "Angel Eyes," Caviezel never planned on being an actor. In fact, his dreams were set on the NBA.

A Washington native, Caviezel dreamt of becoming a professional basketball player until an injury ended any chance of him playing in the pros. With no back-up career in mind, Caviezel decided to use his talent for acting to make something of himself.

After he lied about being an Italian immigrant to land a cameo in "My Own Private Idaho," Caviezel turned down the opportunity to attend Juilliard to move to Los Angeles and accept a small role in "Wyatt Earp." Once in Los Angeles, Caviezel spent months waiting tables at local restaurants as he waited for his big break. Just as he was about to pack his bags and give up on being rich and famous, director Terrence Malick took a chance on the then unknown actor by casting him in the World War II epic, "The Thin Red Line." While the film received mixed reviews, it was enough to put Caviezel on the map... or at least was enough for his name to be recognized in Hollywood.

"I remember walking out of a theater one time after seeing "The Thin Red Line" and a guy walked out and said, 'worst movie I've ever seen,'" Caviezel recalls with a laugh. "He didn't know who I was since I had a hat on, so I said, 'would you say it's better than "Striptease?"' He said, 'it's about the same.'"

Caviezel's face may have not been recognized to those outside of the business just yet, but "The Thin Red Line" was enough for his acting career to slowly take off. He has since appeared in Ang Lee's "Ride with the Devil," opposite Dennis Quaid in the time traveling drama "Frequency" and with Helen Hunt and Kevin Spacey in "Pay It Forward." Now, with Touchstone Pictures' "The Count of Monte Cristo," another director is taking a chance on Caviezel, this time by casting him in the lead. That director is "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves"' Kevin Reynolds.

In "The Count of Monte Cristo" Caviezel plays Edmond Dantes, a young sailor who is stripped of everything when his best friend (Guy Pearce) frames him for a crime he knew nothing of. Trapped on the island prison of Chateau d'If for 13 years, Dantes' loving nature is replaced by hurt, anger and a quest for vengeance against those who took away his freedom and family. Upon his escape, Dantes transforms himself into the mysterious and powerful Count of Monte Cristo to plan out his revenge. While casting an actor who had never carried a film by himself before could worry some directors, Reynolds said he knew that Caviezel could take Edmond Dantes' drastic transformation with ease and was meant for the part.

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