Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS

Her Departed Character Captured, Kristen Dalton Cannot be Stopped

By StudentFilmmakers.com Staff
posted Jul 3, 2011, 18:12

Kristen DaltonKristen Dalton finds "The Perfect Family," a far stretch from Whitey Bulger and her past role in The Departed.

(Los Angeles, CA) Kristen Dalton has been anything but "departed" since her role in the famous Academy Award-winning film. With her career quickly on the rise, Dalton is recently reminded of the challenges that her Boston-born character presented as “Gwen” (Catherine Greig) to boyfriend “Costello” (Whitey Bulger, played by Jack Nicholson) in The Departed. The capture of the real-life mob boss and longtime girlfriend is a definite feat for society and although she is already juggling a handful of projects this summer, Dalton takes the time to reminisce. Dalton says, “Working on this set was a bit like the life 'Costello' and 'Gwen' portrayed-exciting, unpredictable, and unforgettable. Jack’s awe inspiring ability to elevate us all into better actors was an experience I will never forget.”

With Jack Nicholson along her side, Dalton definitely felt the pressure of delivering a top-rated performance sans Catherine Greig for approval. However, she pulled it off and contributed a powerful performance, holding her own against the legendary Nicholson and a male dominated, A-List box office hit cast. Her on-point deliveries didn’t stop there, however; she since expanded into producing and has completed a variety of projects since, including a short stint on CSI: NY as Det. Quinn Shelby-Gary Sinise’s peer from the Jersey crime lab, Finding Hope, Last Day on Earth, and The Perfect Family starring Kathleen Turner, Emily Deschanel, and Jason Ritter where she meets the task of portraying a Protestant manicurist involved in a religious debacle of a blooming relationship. The film tells a hilarious, yet charming tale of a devoutly Catholic wife and mother who has been nominated for one of the church's top awards. She then goes about trying to prove she has the "perfect" family, refusing to accept them for who they are.

Although her new "Perfect Family" is far from that in The Departed, Dalton is excited for audiences to see her in a different light. Dalton explains, "What a breath of fresh air it was to play a quirky, fun, light-hearted character. The environment Director Anne Renton created really enabled me to feel right at home. Anne, along with Jennifer Dubin and Cora Olson brought together a great team that made the whole cast and crew feel like a big family on set." In this recent role, Dalton had a far less dangerous beau, playing the love interest this time to Jason Ritter. Dalton adds, “Playing love interest to Jason Ritter, the sweetest, kindest, guy you'd ever want to meet was a real treat.” The pair’s on-screen chemistry shines throughout the film conveying Dalton’s irrefutable ability to endearingly depict a variety of characters.

Slowing down is obviously not an option for this rising star, having just wrapped Diane Namm's film Finding Hope, Kristen Dalton and producing partner Bettina O'Mara are moving right into Dalton's next project- The Cottage where she's starring alongside David Arquette, Ken Baumann, Lorraine Nicholson, and Bellamy Young. Clearly this powerhouse talent can't be stopped.

Kristen Dalton began her acting career in television, landing the infamous role of reporter Dana Bright on USA Network’s Steven King’s Dead Zone of which led to many guest roles on acclaimed shows like Stargate SG-1 and CSI: NY. She quickly became a charming, comedic actress and a vibrant force to be reckoned with. Her dramatic side surfaced in the movie of the week Gleason, starring Brad Garrett, which was based on the life of Jackie Gleason as well as in her most notable role to date, The Departed. Dalton is not only an accomplished actress and producer, but also a gifted artist-the total creative package who has only just begun.

 

Resources:

www.kristendalton.com