I met Viggo a few years ago. I was a featured extra on the movie "G.I.Jane". He seemed a bit distant and quiet. He had a tendency to keep to himself. I later found out that his attitude had something to do with the fact that he is a "character" actor and therefore, he tends to stay in character throughout the production. He was playing a tough drill sargeant, so I guess that's what we all got. Don't misunderstand, he was not rude in any way, he just kept to himself. I really only heard him speak during the takes.

However, he did something really cool for me which I have never forgotten. In order for me to work on the production I had to take a leave of absence from work. I was only able to get six weeks. When my six weeks were up, I had to leave, but the production had not yet wrapped. Very often on big Hollywood productions, after wrapping, the production company will give the cast and crew something special to remember the experience by. In the case of GI.Jane, it was a lighter with the insignia of the NAVY SEALS engraved on it. Because I left too soon, I never got one.

About a month after the production had wrapped, I got a package in the mail, not from the production company, but addressed from Viggo Mortensen himself. At the time, I did not know the extent of his carreer experience, however, I did know that he was, unlike me, a high profile actor in a major speaking role. He did not have any obligation to send this to me. In fact, I would have expected this package to have come from some production assistant working for the company. Instead, this gentleman and fine actor took the time out of his busy schedule to send a souvenir of the production to a lowly extra like myself. Needless to say, I have since become a Viggo Mortenson fan. So I hope this gives you some idea of the kind of person that he is. He's definately a cool guy in my book.