Interview: Chris Lowell on playing Clooney’s assistant in ‘Up in the Air’

I had the opportunity to talk with Chris Lowell recently. You might know him as Dell on ABC’s “Private Practice,” but he also plays George Clooney’s assistant in “Up in the Air.” He’s fun, cute and humble!

What was it like working on “Up in the Air”?

It was a blast to shoot. [Director] Jason Reitman is a genius, because he can create work as good as he creates, and also make it just fun to be a part of. It’s one of the best work experiences I’ve ever had.

What role do you play?

I play George Clooney’s assistant, so I’m getting really used to answering phones a lot because I’ve basically done it on like the past few jobs. On “Private,” I play the assistant, and I played Clooney’s assistant in “Up in the Air.” And in the Coen brothers movie “Intolerable Cruelty.”

More after the jump…

You’re pegged as the assistant guy, the assistant boy.

I’ve got to break that mold.

Is Clooney as goofy as everybody says he is?

What a total scumbag! No, he’s not. I mean, the guy is a legend, and he’s also one of the nicest people I’ve every worked with. The last day I was shooting, he didn’t have to be there for it because he’s not on camera and they usually have somebody come in, like a stand-in or an extra will come in and read lines. But Clooney came in on his day off in his street clothes and sat behind the camera and read all these lines with me for hours.

That’s very cool.

Yeah, I mean, I’m not Zac Efron. I’m no big somebody that needs to impressed. You know, I’m like the friggin’ the surfer dude on that show “The Practice” or whatever they call it. So here’s this number one celebrity going out of his way to do his part. I was very impressed. He’s a very, very good person.

I’m really looking forward to seeing that movie. Thanks so much for your time.

Thank you!

Read my full interview with Chris Lowell at AOL’s Inside TV.

Image: ABC; Paramount Pictures