Darren Criss on Portraying Real Person in 'Assassination of Gianni Versace' | Close Up With THR

Darren Criss ('Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story') joins Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter for this season's Drama Actor Roundtable. He discussed the weight of portraying a real-life character, especially Andrew Cunanan. "This particular person had very lasting effects" Criss told THR.
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[@XJLCA]

I am impressed by his vocabulary and how well he expressed himself. Darren is such a great guy, inside and out.

[@mikayocc]

I had no idea he was so well spoken. Very impressive.

[@jayshank-noel9782]

XJLCA he mentioned once that he has a fear of not being understood, which is probably while he is so well spoken. I find it very impressive

[@KaijaSchmauss]

He's an incredibly smart guy. I've been a fan since 2010, and it still surprises me sometimes.

[@dubbadekken]

Very articulate. I like how he presents himself.

[@Lihamou]

@The Hollywood Reporter, keep the moderator! She is the best moderator you have to conduct these roundtables! ;) Props to her!

[@inugome888]

I can listen him for hours, he is very smart

[@zacsbabygirlay]

He’s such an adorable, wise man and is so passionate about what he does & very articulate when he’s speaking I could honestly listen to him talk for hours on end for hours 😭😭😂😂💕💕. For real though, I am so proud of him. He did such an impeccable job on the show & definitely showed people that he is WAY more than “that guy who sang and danced on a show for 5 years” and I am soooo ready to see what the future holds for him!

[@volkaytno]

his jacket. that’s it. that’s the comment

[@gracemarcus2788]

MY EXACT THOUGHTSSSSSS

[@FerDeLaParra]

They better give that Emmy to this guy, he killed it!

[@manantial773]

Darren Criss and Matthew Rhys are the best actors this year, they both should win the Emmy, Darren in TV movie or Limited series and Rhys in Drama.

[@nikhilk_]

Ivo Stoyanov damn straight!

[@twilightsagalover360]

He was incredible in the show! Accolades do not define someone’s acting abilities or how well their portrayal resonates with the audience but he deserves them all. He was absolutely amazing 😊

[@lanathomas8866]

Athena, Darren is a good actor. He nailed the story given to him. However, I don't think he nailed it as playing the real Andrew Cunanan. The real Andrew was colder, not emotional like Darren was. I found empathy for Andrew (the abuse he was given as a child.) because of the way Darren portrayed him. I wish Darren would have played it a little closer to Andrew's vest.

[@lengramoga4200]

What a good actor he deserves the Emmy 100%

[@TonzLanggoy]

it is quite intimidating to be on that table with those guys... and be the only youngster...

[@channelchenes4541]

tonz lang Youngster? He's the same age as MB Jordan!

[@lucagiliberti2063]

Please give him the Emmy!

[@ayudone8673]

I want a relationship as strong & enduring as Michael B. Jordan's sweater...😐😑

[@yoongichi9557]

Omg

[@Olga_Efremov]

His jacket... 🙂 right! So representative for his character's sexuality. I love his subtle choice. I am so thrilled that so many people here in the comments support an actor by wishing him to win the award he deserves. It is heartwarming... His vocabulary is to be admired, indeed. We need articulate people on our screens.

[@andilengcizela]

I wish Lacey did all the roundtable chats. No shade intended towards the other hosts, Lacey's just the best at it. The discussion feels natural and less tense (as natural as a setting like this can be, anyway).

[@yoongichi9557]

Super interesting to hear him talk about this

[@diversegardener392]

Just want to say Darren, you're absolutely handsome, I love the beard.

[@aarondavis9178]

I love that jacket he's wearing. Anyone know the style & brand?

[@marcdavis2745]

Electrifying Performance By Darren Criss

[@ronnnnie]

will you post the whole interview? want to see how the actors are interact with each other.

[@pwajeumesmo]

ronnnnie they will. First there are the teasers, but getting closer to the awards they release the full roundtable.

[@jelenapauljev8142]

Darren

[@ng3954]

i. love. this. man. so. much.

[@shellypence5266]

What an amazing actor.

[@et-y6059]

I think everyone here can agree that we can listen to him for hours

[@yvankindt5784]

very impressed by his role in the versace killing,looks very sweet but so creepy!

[@lanathomas8866]

The Real Andrew wasn't portrayed by Darren. Don't get me wrong, he played a real pycho with amazing detail. But I wish they would have let him act like the real Andrew. .

[@Hi-qe9gt]

Lana Thomas he did, if you read the book that the series was based off of , you would know that

[@lanathomas8866]

@@Hi-qe9gt I did read the book and watch the movie several times. I still stand by my opinion. Darren came off with a softer side and you come away rooting for Andrew to at some point to redeem himself before it was too late. If he could have got help with his abuse issues, things perhaps could have turned out another way. The real Andrew seemed so self-absorbed from early on. He was meaner, cunning, dark.

[@Hi-qe9gt]

Lana Thomas oh i agree with you, but i think the real andrew was able to manipulate people in that way, some of his friends from high school /san francisco still couldn’t fathom how he was capable of doing such heinous things. i didn’t feel bad for the character portrayed by darren but i was able to see why he ended up being so narcissistic. i do wish they touched more on his use/abuse of crystal meth because that was a big factor.

[@Hi-qe9gt]

Lana Thomas i didn’t think his character was soft (and i think part of the reason they did things on a backwards timeline was to try and prevent that as much as possible) .

[@stupidboy385]

Actually, Darren Criss is sooooooo adorably talented 👍 ✌ 👏 💙

[@ellag5919]

“..and moving on” 👀

[@brvttiiorexxx6804]

The way he easily manipulated that topic tho... hes kinda scary :p

[@GoldenOwlEvents]

Darren slayed in 'Versace' but he'll still always be Harry Potter to me 😄

[@laurenstewart9883]

...and moving on

[@Dubmajicks]

In my humble opinion; We should not be saying that someone who murdered another human being is Famous, I think that justifies and furthers the destruction that these psychos commit. They should not be mentioned or discussed what-so-ever, Not even the slightest little bit.

[@yiselmonsalve9262]

I LOVER DESEO CONOCERTE BESARTE UN BESO

[@carrieeuckert7013]

Darren Criss is the best actor in ACS. He should win the Emmy. I hope he does. I would be very happy for him. When he does him and Chris Colfer can be together in public. They belong together. They make a great couple. They would take Hollywood by storm.

[@malekith3344]

Lol yea hes engaged to his girlfriend of like 8 years

[@brvttiiorexxx6804]

Update... hes married now...

[@kingshaw6576]

that old guy from dumb and dumber seems stuck up and gives me a really negative energy. BLEHHHHH

[@illyrianalbogoddessx2142]

Creepy eyes