Kate Hudson co-star to premier ‘Something Borrowed’ in Morris
By Jeanne Millsap For The Herald-News April 29, 2011 3:32PM
Updated: September 24, 2012 6:25AM
MORRIS — The dashing man who holds the affections of both Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin in the romantic comedy “Something Borrowed” likely will be stealing the hearts of women in Morris this week.
Thousands of miles away from the bright lights of Hollywood, actor Colin Egglesfield will be hanging out with family and hundreds of adoring fans when he makes an appearance at the Orpheum Cinema on Friday, the day his film, “Something Borrowed,” opens in theaters nationwide.
Egglesfield will attend the sold-out 7:15 p.m. show and then sign autographs at a meet-and-greet planned after the movie at The Pub, just down the road from the theater, inside the Quality Inn, 200 W. Gore Road.
Egglesfield’s parents, Kathleen and Dr. Bill Egglesfield (a physician with Toussaint Obstetric and Gynecology), live in Morris and convinced their son to attend the Morris premier of his movie and a charity fundraiser meet-and-greet afterward. Admission to the meet-and-greet is $5, and proceeds will go to Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice.
‘Borrowed’ experience
“Something Borrowed” stars Egglesfield, Hudson and Goodwin and is based on the popular book series by author Emily Giffin. Egglesfield’s movie character is a little different than the one in the book, he said. He’s a little warmer and less calculating.
“It’s a really great movie,” he said. It was a fun role, too, he added.
The movie is about a young woman (Goodwin) who falls for Dex (Egglesfield), her best friend Darcy’s (Hudson) fiancé.
Egglesfield said Hudson was very professional on the set — never arrived late and always knew her lines and just what was going on.
He said he loves being an actor, but it can also be a difficult and frustrating career.
“The auditions can be an adrenaline rush,” he said, “but they can be very overwhelming. You have 5 minutes to do the best job possible, and if you get the role your life may change forever.”
Once he lands a role, he researches the character’s career and works on getting the personality just right.
“It’s all about being truthful,” he said of playing a role. “With acting, I feel creative. You have to bring this character to life ... Scenes are usually about one person trying to get something from another person. There’s something fun in that — and an escapism.”
Ties to Will County
Born in Michigan, Egglesfield was raised in Crete.
He played baseball and football in Crete and got his first taste of acting with the Illinois Theatre Center’s productions of “Tom Sawyer” and “Amazing Grace.”
After high school, Egglesfield attended Illinois Wesleyan University to play football for a year. He then decided on a different direction and majored in biology, with a pre-med course schedule, at the University of Iowa. He had intended to follow in his father’s footsteps.
After earning his degree, Egglesfield took a break. A radio announcement for modeling auditions sparked his interest in travel and adventure, and he went for it.
Runway in his resume
A top U.S. fashion photographer, Bruce Weber, recognized Eggleston’s good looks and abilities, and soon afterward Eggleston found himself working for the likes of Versace, Calvin Klein and Armani and living in Milan, Paris, Tokyo, London, and New York City.
Knowing modeling careers fizzle quickly, Egglesfield began pursuing an acting career, taking lessons and working in commercials where he could. Advertising spots turned into television drama roles, and he got his big break in 2005 when he landed a role in “All My Children.” In this case, he sort of followed in his father’s footsteps: his soap opera character was Dr. Joshua Madden.
Over the years, he had roles in the television shows “Melrose Place,” “Hawaii Five-O,” “Brothers and Sisters” and “Nip/Tuck,” as well as in the movies “Beautiful Dreamer,” Vampires: The Turning,” “The AuPairs” and “Must Love Dogs,” among others.
Egglesfield also has a Hallmark moving coming out in May titled “Carnal Innocence.”
No paparazzi — yet
A life of fame and tabloid headlines have yet to hit the actor.
Egglesfield said he gets recognized now and then around town, but mostly he’s able to do what he does normally without any fuss.
“I don’t have paparazzi following me around,” he said with a laugh.
Egglesfield visits Morris often, even taking in the Grundy County Corn Festival last year.
In his free time, Egglesfield said he is a marathon runner and also enjoys riding his bike, playing tennis and being outdoors. He will take scripts to the beach to make an afternoon of it in the sun.
As far as his private life, Egglesfield is not married, and he said he’s not currently in a relationship.
