Josh Hartnett learns journalists are people, too

A ‘reluctant hunk’
If Hartnett were the kind of guy who was hanging out at bars every night and accumulating DUI convictions, he might be a little more newsworthy. But he’s one of those guys who enjoys evenings at home in his “hopelessly cluttered apartment” strumming his guitar and watching movies. And according to his “Champ” castmates, he’s just a cool dude with a passion for his work.

“I had a good time hanging out with Josh and just kind of talking with him, because that’s the younger generation of actors,” said Jackson. “It’s another level of the entertainment business that I don’t normally get involved in because Josh is still one of those club guys. It was cool getting a look into what that new generation of actor does and how they carry themselves. He and I had some great conversations and actually kind of became really good guy friends.”

Alda concurred.

“He’s a very serious guy about his work,” Alda said. “And he doesn’t coast on being a hunky guy. He could and I’m sure there’s pressure on him because sometimes he gets hired because he looks so good.”

His rugged good looks have been an issue. Radha Mitchell, Hartnett’s costar in “Mozart and the Whale,” said he’s kind of a “reluctant hunk.”

“He’s just naturally charismatic, I think,” Mitchell said. “I don’t think he’s unconscious — I don’t think he doesn’t know he’s got sex appeal because there are always girls hanging out in the lobby. He’d be really stupid if he didn’t know he was sexy but he’s not sitting in front of the mirror preening. I think he’s aware of his affect on people, definitely.”

After hearing those assessments Hartnett smiled, rolled his eyes and let out a soft sigh.

“I think I’ve actively — in some respects to my own detriment — tried to move in the opposite direction,” he said. “I can’t tell you how many freaking comments have been made about me not plucking my eyebrows! I’m like c’mon man. So, I’ve purposely stayed out of that whole scenario. I don’t like to look at it that way because it’s a big detriment as an actor if your persona overrides what your characters could be.”

It’s kind of like being a reporter, huh?

“Yeah, it’s that same kind of balancing act,” he said. “You want people to like you as a person so they’ll go see your films, but you don’t want it to get in the way of those films as well. As a reporter or columnist, you want to use your words to draw people to your work, but you never really want to make yourself the story.”

Spoken like a great on-screen journo in the making.

Miki Turner is an entertainment columnist for MSNBC.com. She can be reached at .

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