An exceptional young player from a family of Hollywood royalty, Jason Schwartzman wasn't looking for an acting career, yet as the star of Wes Anderson's comedy "Rushmore" (1998), he proved not only a capable performer, but a powerful screen presence with a promising future. As enterprising lovestruck Max Fischer, the diminutive (5'5"), dark-haired Schwartzman (who possesses expressive eyes, thick brows and a generally snarky demeanor) delivered a sensitive, engaging and remarkably funny debut performance. Given the daunting task of making his film debut in a starring role, the actor's performance was strong, not overwhelmed, but rather perfectly complemented by co-star and comedy legend Bill Murray as Max's best friend and chief rival for the affections of Rushmore Academy's first grade teacher, the luminous young widow Miss Cross (Olivia Williams). Schwartzman proved a natural, with impeccable comic timing and deadpan dry delivery. The son of late producer Jack Schwartzman and actress-director Talia Shire, he can count among his clan such notables as cousin Nicolas Cage and uncle Francis Ford Coppola(both of whom have won Academy Awards). It was his cousin, actress/director Sofia Coppola (Uncle Frank's daughter) who noting the similarities between him and the character of Max (described as "a playwright, horrible in school [who] loves older women") introduced Schwartzman to the casting director of "Rushmore". Nervous about embarking on a career in the movie industry (accurately labeled "the family business" by Schwartzman), he often consulted his experienced mother for advice during filming. Whatever the method, his highly acclaimed performance in the critically touted film serves as a testament to its success. Although he had auditioned for the role of Tom Hanks' matchmaking son in 1993's "Sleepless in Seattle" (which went to Ross Malinger), acting was not Schwartzman's primary focus. In 1994, he formed a band called Phantom Planet, serving as a drummer and songwriter, hearkening back to another familial influence, his grandfather, Oscar-winning composer Carmine Coppola. Phantom Planet was signed to Geffen Records, and released its debut album, a heartfelt rocker entitled "Phantom Planet Is Missing" in late 1998, shortly before "Rushmore" was released to rave reviews. While he has insisted that his career in the L.A.-based pop-rock outfit comes first, Schwartzman has signed on to do another movie with the Wes Anderson/Owen Wilson filmmaking team, this time playing one of a family of zany geniuses in a New York City set comedy. Even Schwartzman's decidedly un-WASPy looks befit both his real-life roles as a rock star drummer and a thoughtful actor. His unique screen presence and unquestionable talent for acting added to his creativity and determination as a musician just might equal a thriving career in both fields. Schwartzman chose his next roles carefully, and appeared in low-budget, low-profile films which kept their integrity as individual expressions, while not neccesarily being seen by a wide audience. He appeared in Roman Coppola's directorial debut "CQ" (2001) and the anti-high school comedy "Slackers" (2002). He ended that year appearing in the more mainstream "Simone" (2002), which starred Al Pacino In 2003, after "California," a song he wrote for Phantom Planet became widely known as the theme song for the hit Fox melodrama "The O.C.", Schwartzman starred to great effect as a speed freak in the critically acclaimed "Spun," then headlined the little-seen drama "Just Like Mona," directed by actor Joe Pantoliano, as a 60s teen living with his foul-mouthed, eccentric mother. The young actor attempted to foray into series television with the sit-com "Cracking Up" (Fox, 2004) as a student who moves into the guest house of a seemingly picture-perfect but apparently crazy Beverly Hills family. Despite the pedigree of creator Mike White and a healthy dose of critical raves, the series failed to catch on. Schwartzman's gift for portraying quirky characters seemed far better suited to edgier big-screen fare, as evidenced by his turn in writer-director David O. Russell's fouth feature "I [Heart] Huckabees" (2004) as a troubled foe of the superstore Huckabees who hires a husband and wife team of "existential detectives" to help him solve the problems that are plaguing him. He next popped up in a supporting role as Will Ferrell's intensely focused, truth-impaired Hollywood agent in the big screen remake of the classic '60s series "Bewitched" (2005) before co-starring in the big screen adaptation of Steve Martin's bestselling novella "Shopgirl" (2005) as Ray, an uncultured, not-so-successful bachelor who competes with a wealthy sophisticate (Martin) for the affections of a Beverly Hills glove salesgirl (Claire Danes). YahooMovie