Alec Baldwin has wooed some amazing screen love interests in his career —Meryl Streep, Jennifer Aniston, Geena Davis, Kim Basinger (his one-time wife) — but none quite like Russell Brand, the 37-year-old British comedian.
In Rock of Ages, the two play honchos of a L.A. rock club called the Bourbon Room who eventually discover their love for each other.
Offscreen, the two had "this fantastic bromance going on," says director Adam Shankman. "They adored each other."
In fact, during their Rock kissing scene — played for laughs while the two sing REO Speedwagon's Can't Fight This Feeling— Baldwin says he didn't even notice Brand's itchy beard.
"I didn't really even think about it. I was just so in love with Russell," says Baldwin dryly. "When I kissed Russell I had to stop myself from crying, actually. Because I was so in love with him."
He concedes that Brand sent him for a loop.
"Before we kissed. Russell said, 'Alec, think about it. When you and I kiss in this scene, we'll each be kissing all the other people we've ever kissed. I'll be kissing all the people you've ever kissed. And you'll be kissing all the people I've ever kissed.' ''
"I started to get a bit tense," says Baldwin. "And (Brand) said, 'Alec, that could be hundreds of thousands of people.' It really gave me pause. It's clear that Russell has had a very full life. I thought, 'My god, there are women strewn around hotel rooms around the globe who I now have a bond with.' ''
