‘Capote’ screenwriter humbled by Oscar nod

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Thrilled for Hoffman
Now, even though Futterman isn’t the odds-on favorite to win in his Oscar category, Hoffman is the front-runner in the lead actor competition. So Futterman could see a longtime pal win for uttering the words he wrote.

“It’s a pretty great thrill,” Futterman said. “I’ve always been impressed with his acting. In fact, as an actor, I’ve found it almost shaming at times that I’m trying to do the same thing he’s doing.

“Whatever it is he’s doing, I’m not near that.”

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Futterman compares Hoffman’s work in “Capote” with Robert De Niro in “Taxi Driver” or “Raging Bull,” saying it’s “one of the great film performances” of all time.

Futterman’s own performances include playing Robin Williams’ son in the 1996 film “The Birdcage,” the title character’s brother in the TV series “Judging Amy” and Karen’s cousin on “Will & Grace.” And he was the cute pastry chef Charlotte dated in a 1999 “Sex and the City” episode in which she wondered: Is he “gay-straight” or “straight-gay”? More recently, he’s had a recurring role on the WB’s “Related.”

While he intends to continue acting, he has an idea for a political thriller, and he’s written a romantic comedy with his wife — whose brother happens to be Theo Epstein, the general manager of the Boston Red Sox.

Raised in a Westchester County suburb north of New York, Futterman says he doesn’t have to be a Sox fan to keep peace in the family; custody of his daughters is another issue, he joked.

“I did give my first daughter, Sylvie, to Red Sox Nation. I’ve claimed my second one (newborn Eve) as a Yankee fan, much to Sylvie’s chagrin. We’ve been arguing over her. But she’s mine. She will be a Yankee fan.”

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