Kevin Smith, the creator of “”Dogma,”” “”Mallrats,”” “”Chasing Amy”” and the more recent “”Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back”” looks like his voice. This perplexing concept is not difficult to grasp considering that Silent Bob is the character Smith is best known for playing.
The multitalented Smith, who heralds from Red Bank, New Jersey, has been in the movie business since 1994 with the release of “”Clerks,”” for which he won the Filmmaker’s Trophy Award at the Sundance film festival that same year.
Smith’s latest work to arrive on DVD, “”Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,”” has followed a mainstream Hollywood approach. Unfortunately, this adventure is proving to be the duo’s last.
“”Sometimes you just want to leave the party before you’re the last one there,”” said Smith when asked about his decision to retire his two most popular characters. Smith also said he is done acting and will not appear in his upcoming movie, “”Jersey Girl.””
Removing himself from the limelight will force fans to get to know Smith on a more personal level. Most will be surprised to discover his vehement dislike for marijuana, given that Smith’s best-known characters treat a joint with reverence.
“”I could really count on one hand the number of times I’ve smoked pot,”” Smith said. “”I really don’t like the taste of alcohol, either. I’d much rather drink Yoo-Hoo or chocolate milk.””
While some may consider Smith a Hollywood heavyweight, Smith holds a more humble view of himself. When asked what it takes in order to create a successful Hollywood film Smith responded, “”A hom run movie should please you, the audience and the distributor.””
He went on further to add, “”A home run movie takes a commercial ability that I don’t possess. I’m not really a home run guy, I’m more of a double guy.””
With his ability to “”double,”” however, Smith has garnered a large following for himself. Among his less-avid fans, Smith is best known for his acting, writing and directing skills. It is little-known that he has also conducted many college tours around the country in the past several years. Some of the footage of Smith’s question-and-answer tours will be released the summer of 2002 on DVD.
Smith attributes the success of his college tours to students’ ability “”to laugh at a good dick or fart joke.”” Smith also pointed out that the shows appeal to students because “”they have a lot of time to watch movies.””
Smith has a relaxed, impartial attitude that he relays through his expressive eyebrows as Silent Bob.
As Smith’s public exposure increases, so does his public recognition.
Yet while the popularity of many of today’s top names in the entertainment industry such as Britney Spears depend greatly on their sex appeal, Smith believes he defies this principle.
“”There is nothing remotely sexual about me,”” Smith said. “”And my tits are bigger than Britney’s.””
