Although Kit Kittredge takes place in the 1930s during the great Depression, in what ways can it be related to today’s society?

Unfortunately all the foreclosures in the real estate industry today mirror many parts of the movie surrounding the great Depression. Relative to my family, from the time my Dad was a little boy, he was always very conservative and frugal. He wore clothing until you couldn’t wear it any more. He was never flashy. He never forgot the values he grew up with, and as a parent he shared and implemented his values to all of us.

What was it like working with a young actor such as Abigail Breslin?

There is an old saying in show business; you don’t work with kids or animals. Abigail is a really talented professional. I’ve never had a bad experience working with kids … and as far as Abigail goes, the fact that she has been nominated for an Academy Award says it all … she is a great listener; she makes adjustments, and is outstanding at taking direction.

Did you see any similarities between her and your own young children, especially your daughter Lilly?

In the movie, Kit wants to be a reporter, in life Lilly claims she wants to be an actress, which only seems logical based on what I do. Time will tell.

Would you allow your own children to follow in your footsteps and enter into the showbiz world?

I’m not sure if they would all be interested. What most kids today do not realize is that it’s a different game when the camera shines.

You play Kit’s dad Mr. Kittredge who struggles to provide for his family and even leaves them for a while in order to look for work. Being an actor in Hollywood, how do you struggle between having a high profile career and being able to spend time with your own family?

For me it’s either feast or famine. When I’m away, I am away at times for long stretches, and I do really miss my family. But the opposite is also true. When I am home, I am home for long stretches at a time as well, and I have more time with my kids then one can imagine. I love it.

You’ve said that when choosing to play this role, you wanted to do something for your daughter. When choosing which roles you want to play, do you usually base those decisions on your family?

Now, I think about, am I OK with my kids seeing the movie. Prior to having kids, it was always about am I ok with my parents seeing the movie.

You’ve often been referred to as “The last boy Scout in Hollywood,” or “Mr. Squeaky Clean.” How do you think growing up on the North Shore has attributed to the way you act on as well as off screen, and what was the best part about growing up in Winnetka?

The rough and tumble streets of Winnetka have toughened me up for the real world. There is something very special about growing up in the Midwest and specifically Winnetka. There is a certain set of values one acquires I always felt so safe in Winnetka. When I got into town for the premier I dropped my daughter off at my sisters and went for a jog through Winnetka. It struck me how much freedom I had as a child growing up … being able to ride my bike throughout Winnetka and the various communities in the surrounding North Shore. I knew every nook and cranny of Winnetka, every alley, every backyard, every shortcut. During the car ride from the airport, my daughter asked how far we were from home, I said about ten minutes, this is where I used to ride my bike as a kid. She couldn’t believe how far I was able to go from home on my bike. Many times my parents had no idea where I was, but they always knew I was safe.

What was it like growing up in such a large family?

I loved it. Everyone has a different take on it. You know, with the first child, you can’t take enough pictures and you attend every function and every sporting event. By the time the last child rolls around it’s like I’ll drop you off at the game, and pick you up afterward.

One of your most notable roles includes Batman’s notorious sidekick, Robin. Now that the past two Batman movies have had significant filming in Chicago, do you ever wish the writers would somehow incorporate your character into the new movies?

I think my days of Robin are probably over. I’m glad that they resurrected the franchise. I think it great for entertainment; and it’s great for the movie.

You’re working on a new movie with mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis which seems to be a crime thriller. How do you transition from such a wholesome family type role to a darker dramatic one?

It’s really no different than any other role, in any other film. I look at my part, I study my role, I pick up the vibe and I go from there. Work is work.

Loyola Academy, where you attended high school, you were voted “Most Likely to Run off and join the circus” by your class. If you went to you high school reunion what would you want to say to them now?

I just missed my 20-year high school reunion. It was my daughter’s first communion. I loved going to Loyola and the experiences the school provided for me both academically as well as socially. The circus thing came about from a yearbook picture that had a basketball bouncing off the side of my head …I actually just got off the phone with a few of my high school buddies who provided me with a recap of the weekend’s festivities. I loved attending Loyola.

What would you say the biggest difference is between Chicago and Hollywood?

At first it’s just culture shock … different city, different people, different sets of values. I found what worked for me was focusing on my core values in life … which revolve heavily around family and community. If you hold on to those, regardless of what you do in life, you’re in good shape.