New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

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‘Gossip Girl’ star discusses playing Jeff Buckley in new biopic

Isabel Jones for WSN

Penn Badgley, perhaps best known for his role as Dan Humphrey on “Gossip Girl,” spoke with WSN at a roundtable interview about his upcoming film, “Greetings from Tim Buckley.” An unconventional biopic, the film chronicles guitarist Jeff Buckley’s life leading up to his father’s tribute concert.

After playing “Gossip Girl’s” tortured artist Dan Humphrey for six years, Badgley was able to combine his passions for music and acting in his role.

“I was playing my own music and writing my music more than I ever had, while also kind of taking the role on,” he said. “It’s influenced me in a lot of ways. Even ways that are non-musical, as an actor, creatively. It was a really wonderful thing.”

For Badgley, the music never stopped.

“Music has always been, first and foremost, my creative passion,” he said.

Badgley said he might release an album at some point in the future.

“Maybe when I’m like 35, or maybe tomorrow, but I just can’t tell you,” he said.

The action of “Buckley” flashes between the lives of father and son. Badgley had to familiarize himself with Jeff ’s father as well, and found him in some ways more compelling than his own character.

“I felt like I sort of understood Jeff in a way, I intuited,” he said. “But when I read about Tim, that really gave me the kind of sympathy that Jeff needed to develop for his father, that he is developing for his father. It’s a father-son story, and the relationship between any father and son is a potent one.”

Badgley went on to explain his creative process in bringing back to life the iconic character of Jeff Buckley.

“I was aware of the qualities he had. I had this mental list — he was sort of feral, and feline, and feminine and kind of agile in a strange way even though he wasn’t athletic,” he said. “I just took those qualities and tried to endow myself with them and evoke them.”

Playing a well-established character also had its challenges. Badgley cited the complexities of Buckley’s personality as a significant roadblock.

“He could melt into the wall and people would hardly notice he was there, but he also had the ability to shock a room with a single utterance,” Badgley said. “Sometimes I feel like he was just a kid, this ratty kid. Other times I feel like he had no idea what he was doing … and so I would always battle with that.”

Isabel Jones is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].

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