I met Eugenie Bondurant 12 years ago at an art event in Tampa shortly after she married her husband Paul Wilborn. Paul at that time was the City of Tampa’s Culture Affairs Director; I was writing my “Scenes” column for Weekly Planet, and Eugenie was a marvelous addition to the Tampa Bay social scene.We both loved fashion and great art- so we sort of hit it off. Friends ever since, seeing each other often over the years especially since Paul and Eugenie moved to St. Petersburg when Paul became executive director at the Palladium Theater. Bondurant was a well-known on-camera and Meisner acting coach at the prestigious Patel Conservatory in Tampa. But it’s not every day one of your friends ends up in one of Hollywood’s greatest film series franchises. So I recently chatted with Eugenie, whose extraordinary journey has taken her from the runways of the Big Apple and Paris to a featured role as “Tigris” in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2.
When The Hunger Games’ director Francis Lawrence went looking for that special actor to bring“Tigris”, the vital role that is both feminine and feline in the fourth and final installment of The Hunger Games film saga The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 2. Based on Suzanne Collins’ wildly popular books. Bondurant’s agent sent a video audition to the Mockingjay’s casting agent, who invited the actor to a callback interview with the director. Weeks later, she got the part. Her first movie since playing Cherry in 2008’s Patsy and her biggest, exceeding her billing as “Weeping Woman” in 1999 Fight Club with Ed Norton.
Bondurant was discovered after surviving non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 30 years ago. The chemotherapy not only turned her into a flourishing cancer survivor, but the loss of her hair in the early aftermath of treatment also accentuated her androgynous features and catapulted her into a modeling career in the US and Europe. With angular features, classic cheekbones, Bondurant can appear both willowy and seductive or exotic and gender-neutral. Setting herself apart from the norm is Bondurant’s comfort zone. Then a modeling trip to Los Angeles led to an acting career. .
Watermark: The role of Tigris is about beauty and image. Have you always been comfortable in your own skin?
Bondurant: Sometimes yes and sometimes no.When I was a teen in Junior High School, being the tallest and youngest in my class was challenging.Once I realized that being tall has many advantages, and I would be tall no matter what I do, I have owned it.Beauty and Image…when your career starts as a model in New York and Paris, one figures out quickly that what one designer doesn’t like, the next one loves.I’ve learned to love what I have.The image challenges that cause me to lose a booking are the same ones that help me book a job.
You’re just finishing your class at the Patel Conservatory in Tampa where you coach acting. What did your students think of your role as Tigris?
Seriously, they were over the moon.I had to keep the news quiet for 9 months.I booked, fitted and filmed over those months and then had to wait until the lovely people at Lionsgate found the perfect time to announce the role of Tigris. I told my class to wait for a big announcement the next week.Being teens, they took what was going to be announced with a grain of salt, UNTIL one of my darlings saw the announcement on Facebook, jumped up in the middle of Spanish class and then proceeded to spread the word.
What did you share with them about persistence-hanging in there?
One thing that I’ve learned that I’ve shared is that this career ebbs and flows.When it’s in an ebbing phase, we must surround ourselves with things that we enjoy.We must work on our craft, maybe thinking outside the box. Always look for the opening doors.
How was it working with Jennifer Lawrence?
She’s an incredibly talented woman.She is smart and funny.She’s a joy to be around.After having the privilege of working with her, now I understand why she won the Oscar.
Tell me about your husband.
Paul is another smart cookie.He’s funny and always making me laugh.When I’m going through a slump, his best phrase is “Your life is a living hell.” (in jest of course).We play together.We sing cabaret together.He writes a radio comedy that we both perform with The Radio Theatre Project.We work and play together but we also lead independent lives in certain areas.I have to wake up early in the morning to keep up with the guy.
How was this whole Hollywood thing for him?
Are you kidding me?That is where we met – he was ALL OVER IT! At the L.A. premiere he was taking photos of people taking photos of me.,
What’s next? Are you working on anything now?
Just finished a role in a tremendously talented local filmmaker Victoria Jorgensen’s short film.
Are you happy?
Tremendously…except when my back hurts.
