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ACTOR JEREMY ALLEN WHITE DISCUSSES PORTRAYING KERRY VON ERICH IN 'THE IRON CLAW' ON NBC'S LATE NIGHT WITH SETH MEYERS

Actor Jeremy Allen White, who portrays Kerry Von Erich in The Iron Claw, appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers on NBC on Monday 12/18.

Meyers noted at the top of the interview that he loved the 80s-tinged soundtrack of the film, which brought him back to that era and noted that he was a pro wrestling fan of that era, but a little after The Von Erichs.

White said he didn't have any real knowledge of pro wrestling until the film, so his introduction to that world was the Von Erich family.   They showed him a photo of Kerry and when he saw Kerry's photo, his first reaction was, "That's a large man."  He said he could try to act bigger and get in shape, but he didn't know if he could pull it off.  

Meyer asked him how much time was spent training as pro wrestlers.  White said that it wasn't enough time "for me", noting they had two months where they worked out and ate right and prepared.  They then shot the film in Baton Rogue, Louisiana.  They got there three weeks early and worked with Chavo Guerrero.  He showed them the moves and they worked hard.  White said that like any other skill, at some point, you just "jump and hope and pray."

Meyers asked if he's received any feedback from those in the pro wrestling world.  He said that he hasn't heard much yet so he's hoping that's a good thing that no one is yelling at him.  He said the story of The Von Erichs inspired all the "guys" doing pro wrestling today.  

Meyer noted it's a moving film but also incredibly tragic.  He asked about sharing the film with the Von Erichs today.  Allen noted that Kevin Von Erich is still around but wasn't incredibly involved with the process of filming.  He did give Sean Durkin the Director his blessing.  All Kevin asked is that Durkin make it clear in the film how much Kevin loved his brothers and how much they loved one another.  Allen said that he believes Sean delivered on that and it was something the actors were all aware of - that if they could forge a bond and make it true and honest, they'd have done a good job.

Allen said when they jump off the top rope, that's really all the actors and not CGI.  He said it's really frightening but it's like anything, at a certain point you have to jump and hope,  They had amazing real pro wrestlers in the film, noting the guys who played The Fabulous Freebirds as an example, who helped and protected them in the ring.    Meyers said that you had to show confidence when you are on the top ropes and Jeremy agreed.

The Iron Claw hits theaters nationally later this week.

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