Us Weekly has an interesting little tidbit in this week’s issue. Apparently, comedian and actor Jay Mohr gave an interview to Elle Magazine, and in the interview, he made an oblique reference to a former costar who, he says, was a major pill. Just FYI, Mohr did the interview to promote his supporting role in Hereafter, the Matt Damon film (directed by Clint Eastwood). So it’s good to see he’s still working, I guess, even though I used to think he was an a–hole. Here’s the relevant part of the interview:

ELLE: Tell me about your most awkward interaction with a female celebrity.
JM: Being on the set of a movie where the leading woman was unhappy with my presence and made it clear from day one. I hadn’t done many movies, and even though they screen-tested some pretty famous guys, I somehow snaked into the leading role. The actress said, “No way! You’ve got to be kidding me!” Loudly. Between takes. To other actors on set. I would literally go to my mom’s house and cry.

ELLE: As luck would have it, I happen to be on the Internet Movie Database right now. The only film that could possibly fit this description is 1997’s Picture Perfect, with Jennifer Aniston. That’s it, right?
JM: I will never, ever answer that.

[From Elle Magazine]

When Us Weekly contacted Aniston’s rep, Huvane had “no comment.” Interesting… I think if it wasn’t Aniston, Mohr would have said so, so now we know: Aniston was an unprofessional bitch to Jay Mohr back in 1997, when they did that towering work of filmdom, Picture Perfect. God, that was a horrible film. Not even Kevin Bacon could save it.

Actor Jay Mohr – who is the star of Gary Unmarried and had roles in Jerry Maguire and Saturday Night Live, – got married to Las Vegas actress Nikki Cox two years ago. No one really noticed because Mohr and Cox aren’t exactly A-list celebs. They probably get asked for autographs at Starbucks once in a while, and that’s about the extent of it. But now Mohr is getting some very rude attention for deciding to take Cox’s last name.

Jay is unwittingly looking to add Mohr laughs to his life.

Following in the footsteps of John Ono Lennon, the Gary Unmarried star filed a petition a week ago to legally add his wife’s surname to his own, thereby making his full appellation Jon (his birth name) Ferguson Cox Mohr.

Well, better than the other way around, isn’t it?

Seriously, though, it’s a sweet gesture—and a two-year anniversary present. Mohr swapped vows with Las Vegas actress Nikki Cox on Dec. 29, 2006. It was his second trip down the aisle and, per documents filed Dec. 19 in Los Angeles Superior Court, the one he’s looking to make stick.

[From E! News]

E’s take on the story is relatively gentle and fair. Several other websites have mocked Mohr not just for the narrowly avoided, unfortunate, “Jay Leno wedding announcement-esq” bad last name combination, but for his decision to take his wife’s name at all. TMZ described it as “emasculating,” and many commenters on other websites have echoed similar opinions.

I agree with E!, it is an incredibly thoughtful gesture. And Cox added Mohr’s name to her own – why in the world shouldn’t he do the same? It is unconventional – and good for him for not caring.

Ironically, here’s Nikki and Jay at Starbucks on December 22nd. They do seem overly worried about being recognized, what with the head ducking and all. Images thanks to Bauer-Griffin. Header of them at the People’s Choice Awards nominations in Beverly Hills on November 10th. Image thanks to WENN.