OAN Media Exclusive: Efren Ramirez on Pedro Sanchez, Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

June 8 - Open All Night caught up with Efren Ramirez, better known as “Pedro” from Napoleon Dynamite. Between building cakes for Total Request Live and Good Morning America, singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game at a Phillies game, winning MTV Movie Awards, starting up his “Vote for Pedro” charity, recording albums and DJing, Efren also found time to fit in a role in Mr. & Mrs. Smith. While strolling through Central Park, the California native revealed the big secret about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to OAN.

OPEN ALL NIGHT – You have a band?

EFREN – Yeah. My group is called the Nocturnal Rampage. The first album is all techno, and the second album is from music scores and so forth; it’s like, ambient. The third album is a combination of - my older brother’s teaching me New Wave, right, like Echo and the Bunnymen, Depeche Mode and the Cure, I’m learning about that – so, our third album is a combination of techno and new wave put together.

OAN – You’re only 21. How did you learn acting and music and all this other stuff so young?

EFREN – [Laughs] I have my identical twin brother. And we used to breakdance, you know, like 12, 13 years old. And we just enjoyed having to create stuff. We had a big backyard, and we used to have this giant avocado tree and underneath it, he and I used to create a whole city. And just to be able to create, and create and create some more, since we weren’t able to play Nintendo or watch TV – my father banned us from doing any of that stuff. So we had no choice but to play all these imaginary games. And you know, especially when you’re younger, you’re like dang, I want to play Nintendo like everybody else. But now it’s different, everything has changed, and I look back at my father, and say, “Thank you very much, man. Thanks.”

And I D.J. [Laughs] I don’t know where that came about.

And I’ve also got Mr. & Mrs. Smith with, of course, Angelina Jolie. She’s pretty cute. When I was on the set, I said, “Angelina, can you adopt me and name me Oedipus?” I thought that’d be perfect

OAN – What’s your role in Mr. & Mrs. Smith?

EFREN – My character, his name’s Jose something; I can’t remember the last name – Martinez, Sanchez, Rodriguez, Ramirez? And I’m, like, the comedic relief guy in the film. I had read for Doug Limon before. So, you know, this film came about; after they watched Napoleon Dynamite, they called me up and asked if I was available for the role. And I’m like, well who’s working? “Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt.' Oh, those up-and-comers? Sure, I guess. Why not?

OAN – Is there an anecdote from the film set that everyone doesn’t already know?

EFREN – Yes, there really is. And here’s secret number 1.5 on the Richter scale. The rumor with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, it is not true. It’s just to overshadow the real rumor, which is Pedro and Angelina Jolie. I mean, you know how computers are nowadays, right? There’s a picture with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie on the beach. No, that’s all CGI! They took my head off and they put Brad Pitt’s face there.

OAN – Were people gossiping on the set that they were having an affair?

EFREN – I’d like to speak for all the rest of the people, but everybody has so many voices in their heads. So, in my head, I’ve got to tell you that they were very platonic. They were very professional. I mean, when it came down to what was working through the camera lens, you could see the connection with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. And they really were bonding. But that’s their job. They’re both professionals, and you could feel that, you could see that, you could tap into that and connect to that.

OAN – So you saw them both on the set together?

EFREN – They were on the set together, you know, and they were just talking, as human beings, as professional actors.

OAN – You mean in between takes?

EFREN – Even in between takes, you know, they would be talking, but that was always cool. And you could feel that vibe; they’re very…they’re, again, professional about that. And I thought, I want to be like that. And it’s funny, but that’s where I got a chance to be with Brad Pitt and talk to him, and I got a chance to be with Angelina Jolie and talk to her.
You know, and Brad Pitt was, “Here’s my advice: Picture where you want to be, and just go there.” That’s it. Thanks Brad!

Unlike Angelina Jolie. Now, she was telling me about the difference I can make in the world, you know, all these things, that she studied so many years, and worked on her craft, and humanity and being a human being. And I thought, “Wow, this is so much information!” It was like a book, like bigger than the bible. And she said, “Well, you can make a difference in the world”. And I told her that’s why I throw raves. You get connected with music. And she said, “No, no, no. You’ve got to think bigger, outside the box.”

It took me a while to, actually, really think what she said. And then I started really looking at her lifestyle and her life. You know, I must admit, she is the biggest influence on me in having to create something for the community. What I’m trying to do now is create something called the 'Vote for Pedro Scholarship' for high schools. I’m trying to work with the [film] studios where they [students] write a term paper, and submit it into the Web site, once it gets built.

OAN – How did you come up with this 'Vote for Pedro' scholarship idea?

EFREN – Um, you know, I’ve got to say it was Angelina Jolie. Her saying you can make a difference. If I didn’t work with her, if I didn’t have that chance to speak with her, it would never…I would never see that, see that big image of, um, as Pedro in Napoleon Dynamite, how can I carry it where I can pull people, and persuade big studios to help promote high schools and education.

OAN – How do you feel about the whole “Vote for Pedro” phenomenon? Paris Hilton is wearing the t-shirts.

EFREN – I love Paris and Nicky, you know? Before I came here to the east coast, I was with Nicky, and she goes, “Hey, I want to introduce you to my friend.” And there was Nicole Richie. I thought, “Wow!” And she was like, “Oh my god”; she was so excited to meet Pedro. And I thought, “Are you kidding me? This is great, standing there between Nicky and Nicky.

OAN – How did it happen? People just started wearing the shirts?

EFREN - When the movie started to screen, everybody started walking around with 'Vote for Pedro' t-shirts, the lunch pails, the different kinds of posters. You know they’re actually making an action figure of me. I’m still waiting for the Napoleon Dynamite Monopoly board game.

OAN - You mentioned that you’re writing. What kinds of things are you writing?

EFREN – I’ve got some short screenplays that I’m creating, as well as a couple of feature-length films. And now I’m writing poetry. I think it’s important; if you’re not expressing yourself through writing or reading or martial arts or musical instruments, you’re going to find it somewhere. We all need an outlet.

OAN – Do you do martial arts?

EFREN – Yeah, I do Tae Kwon Do. [Lifts his leg straight out]

OAN – A few weeks ago, Jet Li was here in New York.

EFREN – You know, that’s a guy I’d like to fight.

OAN – Did you ever see Jennifer Aniston come on the Mr. & Mrs. Smith set? For instance, to have lunch, or to pick Brad up at the end of the day.

EFREN – No. When you’re a character actor, in character, it’s so intense, I wouldn’t want my wife on the set. And especially with that heat between them [Pitt & Jolie], he wouldn’t want his wife on the set.

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