CUTTING IT UP WITH 'THE RIPPER!'

One of Arnold Schwarzenegger's most sinister adversaries he ever had to face on screen was in 1993's "The Last Action Hero." If it wasn't for THE RIPPER, an axe-wielding psychotic slayer of children, "The Last Action Hero" may have been considered a G-rated film. Well, The Ripper, played by actor Tom Noonan, couldn't be all THAT BAD since he agreed to give The ARNOLD FAN an exclusive interview.

Mr. Noonan has appeared in over 30 feature films such as "Manhunter," "Wolfen," "Robocop 2," "Monster Squad," "Mystery Train," "Last Action Hero," "Heat" and the soon-to-be-released "Knockaround Guys." He has also starred in numerous TV movies, miniseries, and episodes, most recently in the "X-Files" ('Paper Hearts'.)

Tom Noonan was delighted to talk to The ARNOLD FAN to reminisce on Arnold's "Last Action Hero" as his role of THE RIPPER!

TAF: Did you have any memorable moments shared with Arnold between filming takes? Was it a professional acting relationship or maybe a more of a silly and joking atmosphere?

TN: Arnold is a very professional actor. And I like to think of myself as someone who is mostly business on the set. Arnold always knew his lines perfectly and he had a real commitment to doing his best that was truly impressive. But at the same time Arnold is very youthful in spirit and I found his light-hearted nature very relieving on the set. He does not take himself too seriously while at the same time taking the work very seriously.

TAF: How long did "The Ripper" make-up take to apply before you could begin filming AND could you elaborate what appliances were used (wig, facial prosthetics, contact lenses and so on?)

TN: "The Ripper" make-up took about 4 1/2 hours. As with all special effects make-up, it takes less time toward the end of the shoot as the makeup artists get better at it. The most difficult thing about the make-up was that I wore full sclera contact lenses (the huge kind that covers your entire eyeball). It took two people to put them in and they were very uncomfortable. My eyes water just thinking about them. And to make matters worse, since the most irritating thing about contact lenses is having some foreign matter under them, I had to put them on before I had the make-up applied because once the make-up was on, there was no way to apply the contacts lenses without getting junk under them. So in the end I had to wear the
contact lenses (which are recommended to be worn only
for short periods since they don't allow much oxygen to
the eyes) for 14 or 15 hours a day.

TAF: Were you able to hold onto any of your "Ripper" props such as the axe, raincoat or any other props?

TN: Unfortunately I have no props or make-up effects from the film. I have a few pictures - that is all.

TAF: How easy was it to land the part of "The Ripper?" Did you perform a screen test or did someone already know you were the right man / maniac for he job?

TN: The part of the "The Ripper" was offered to me without the process of auditioning. In fact, when I showed up on the set to meet John McTiernan the first day, they looked at me when introduced and said, "So, this is what you look like." I was at first a little taken aback but I grew to have great admiration and affection for John. He is one of the hardest working and most well-prepared directors I have ever worked for. And he has no pretensions or airs of self-importance about him in the least.

TAF: Were you pleased to have your very own Tom Noonan action figure of "The Ripper" made by Hasbro Toys?

TN: Yeah, I have a about eight or ten of the figures. I can't wait till my kids get a little older and I can give them each a doll. I hope they get a laugh and a bit of a charge out of it.

TAF: Are you an admirer of Schwarzenegger and do you have a favorite Arnold flick?

TN: I have to admit that I am a huge fan of Conan the Barbarian. It was a great movie and Arnold was wonderful in it. I thought the cast and the script was wonderful and I remember getting teary eyed in the scene when the girl gets killed - by James Earl Jones I believe - long distance. I may have that wrong but I still think the movie is a classic.

At the end of "Last Action Hero," The Ripper's last words were "I'LL BE BAAAAACK!" We at The ARNOLD FAN were please to see he kept his promise.

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Randy Jennings