RAY NICHOLSON Talks Borderline and Beating His Demons

"I had to leave the table read to do jumping jacks and slap myself in the bathroom!" Ray Nicholson is the first to admit his initial days on the set of the dark comedy Borderline (on demand now) were anything but smooth.

- KAT PETTIBONE

But after a heart-to-heart with costar Eric Dane and an unfortunate bathroom experience that involved Hot Pockets - the actor, 33, nailed his role as Paul Duerson, an escaped mental patient stalking a pop star (played by Samara Weaving) in hopes of making her his bride. His stellar and nuanced performance is anything but surprising; the son of Jack Nicholson has become known for his knack of playing unhinged yet lovable bad boys-with Borderline being his most impressive feat yet. He dishes on the movie and more with Us.

Paul is as hilarious as he is terrifying. How much of what made the final cut was improv?

With [director] Jimmy [Warden], we just got each other. So a lot of it was improv, but a lot I just, like, walked by Jimmy and said something, and he'd be like, “Yes!” He gave me permission to take the character and run with it.

character to scarf down the Hot Pockets, though.