Thursday, July 31, 2014

David Schwimmer: 'My plan is to demonstrate that we're good neighbors'


[Photo from last August via EVG reader Marc]

East Village resident David Schwimmer is directing "Sex With Strangers," a two-character production now underway at the Second Stage Theatre.

He discussed the play and his return to his theater roots in a Wall Street Journal article yesterday. (Subscription required.)

Writer Lizzie Simon doesn't let him off without bringing up his newish home on East Sixth Street. It's also the first time that Schwimmer has discussed his move to this neighborhood in the media, as far as we can recall.

As it turns out, Second Stage isn't the only place in New York where Mr. Schwimmer feels pressure to prove himself. He bought and in 2011 demolished a historic townhouse in the East Village, replacing it with a six-story mansion, angering preservationists. "Ross is not cool" was spray-painted on a construction board outside his home, photos of which went viral.

"I never responded. I haven't talked about it," Mr. Schwimmer said. "My plan is to demonstrate that we're good neighbors."

This next portion of the article did not appear in the print version of the Journal.

A recent crime-fighting assist might have aided his case. In May, security footage that he shared with detectives helped them catch the assailant in a stabbing that happened on his street. "I had it on three different cameras," Mr. Schwimmer said.

The East Village was the New York neighborhood that most closely resembled where his wife, Zoe Buckman, was raised in east London. "She fell in love with it when we were walking around," he said. "It's incredibly diverse economically, racially, culturally. We really hope that in time we'll just be accepted totally by everyone."

Previously on EV Grieve:
Report: David Schwimmer's surveillance footage helps NYPD in male prostitute stabbing

7 comments:

JAZ said...

"She fell in love with it when we were walking around," he said. "It's incredibly diverse economically, racially, culturally. We really hope that in time we'll just be accepted totally by everyone."

He does realize that every time a filthy rich person prices up property in the neighborhood, it helps further damage the economic, racial, and cultural diversity of the area, right?

Also, could he HAVE any more security cameras?

Gojira said...

So his wife "fell in love" with the East Village and then helped to destroy a small, historic part of its fabric by insisting on having a whole new edifice built where the 150-year-old original had stood? Oh, priceless.

Anonymous said...

The best way to get to know your neighbors and your neighborhood is to get a friend...which means....get a dog. Walking your dog will make you many more friends and you will become part of your block.

bowboy said...

How to demonstrate that you're a good neighbor: DON'T DESTROY OUR HISTORIC BUILDINGS. There are some things in life that you can't make up for and can't rectify. Ross is forever Not Cool. Please leave.

PeterG said...

Big difference is, in East London they wouldn't have let him tear down an historic building. In NYC, anything goes as long as have the money.

Anonymous said...

"My plan is to demonstrate that we're good neighbors."

Outside of tearing down a historic building and putting up a box, I don't think anyone here thinks of David Schwimmer as being someone who's going to be a pain in the ass once he moves in. He doesn't seem the type to throw loud obnoxious parties, or pee of the top of his building...

Anonymous said...

He may have made a bad choice in most peoples eyes by tearing down the building but I think he adds to the neighborhood.
I will be the first to say it!
WELCOME!