December 4, 2006 Issue

Newsmakers: Matthew Broderick

By Nicki Gostin, Newsweek

The stage and screen star has a new film called "Deck the Halls." He spoke with Nicki Gostin.

I'm going to ask you something and you have to tell the truth.

OK.

How much do you hate Nathan Lane?

[Laughs] Very, very little.

You aren't sick to death of him?

We're both sick of each other. No, I swear to you we love each other.

So no Jerry and Dean?

Not yet. Honestly, after all these years I still see him every week or so. But there's a lot of potential there for hatred.

Your movie is all about Christmas decorations. Any inflatable Santas outside your house?

No, they're hard to come by in New York City. People would get angry and stab it.

You're half-Jewish. Do you also do dreidels?

Our house is very mixed up. You're very likely to see dreidels on the kitchen table and a wreath on the door.

Do you limit the number of presents for your little boy?

I try to, but we don't have a number. I've actually seen him get tired of opening. It's horrible when you think about what's happening elsewhere in the world.

Is it weird that your wife, Sarah Jessica Parker, is this international icon?

Yes. It was nothing like that when we first got married. I think it's because of me.

I've seen you at Mets games with Jerry Seinfeld. Is it depressing being a Mets fan?

No! No, it is not.

Come on. Game 7 was shocking.

We were right there. I thought Jerry would have to be carried out on a stretcher.