"Sahara" actor revels in sidekick roles

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/arts...794_zahn03.html

"I like being the sidekick," says Steve Zahn, a much-admired star whose supporting roles in "You've Got Mail," "Happy, Texas" and "Safe Men" helped create his niche in films as a slightly glazed, easily excitable second banana. "I'm proud of being a character actor."

Well, that was easy. On my way to meet Zahn, 36, at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel, I had resolved to be delicate about his status as the go-to guy for groggy best-friend or chummy associate parts, as well as the occasional, wigged-out reprobate ("Out of Sight," "Driving in Cars with Boys"). Some actors chafe at the suggestion, intended or not, that they can only play certain roles.

But he beats me to the subject, delighted with his fortunes as a constantly working, recognizable performer who has been directed by the likes of Tom Hanks, Steven Soderbergh and Richard Linklater.

(read the rest at the URL)