ShareThisBy TERRY MORROW
Justin Kirk can pull a bit from personal history for his role as a charming pot smoker on the hit "Weeds" (10 p.m., EDT/PDT, Mondays, Showtime).
"I guess you could say that marijuana is paying my rent these days," the 36-year-old actor says with a laugh, referencing his pot-selling character, Andy Botwin. "Used to be a time when pot used to take away from my rent."
That was before Kirk became a highly successful actor. Long before he assumed the role of lay-about Andy Botwin on "Weeds," Kirk was a hit on stage.
He won accolades for his role as Bobby in the play "Love! Valour! Compassion!" His first major break came with a part in the play "Any Given Day." The "Day" job allowed him to quit his other day job _ as a bellboy at a New York hotel.
As Prior Walter in the hit production "Angels in America," he co-starred in HBO two-part miniseries of the play, appearing opposite Mary-Louise Parker, star of "Weeds."
Though he jokes about the use of marijuana, Kirk says it's not the attraction of the show for audiences.
"It's not really the subject matter they are coming back for," he says. "It's the characters and the plot they are following. I think what is unique about our program is that we go from completely broad comedy to deeply insightful moments for the characters.
"Yet, you don't feel jarred by it. You keep being invested."
Kirk even sees growth for his character this season.
"I had one cast member tell me they hated my character last season because he was so despicable," Kirk says. "I always thought he was a great guy from the get-go."
Well, he's as nice as a guy can be who takes advantage of his late brother's family by crashing at their home rent-free. He also tried to get out of his National Guard service by studying to become a rabbi.
And when he isn't scheming, he spends his days lounging by the pool, smoking marijuana and eating his sister-in-law's food.
There has been a price to pay. A dog bit off three of Andy's toes. On the upside, though, Andy doesn't have to worry that he'll be called up for active duty in the Gulf War, a predicament preoccupied him all season.
Also to Andy's advantage, he's been like a surrogate father to his nephews and an occasional confidant to his sister-in-law, Nancy, who secretly has a hugely successful marijuana business.
"He's just living the dream," Kirk says with a laugh. "That's all he wants to do."
