How did Schwartzman land the role in The Virgin Suicides?

Schwartzman had to audition for the part, even though the film's director, his cousin Sofia Coppola, had previously worked with him on a short film. Coppola gave Schwartzman the opportunity to prove himself as an actor, and he was ultimately cast in the role.

How did Schwartzman's role in The Virgin Suicides impact his career?

Schwartzman's performance in The Virgin Suicides helped him land another notable role as Michael Moscovitz in The Princess Diaries, as the film's director, Garry Marshall, saw Schwartzman in the earlier movie and had him read for the part.

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Rooney Frontman Reflects on Breakout Role in Cult Classic

Q: What role did Robert Schwartzman play in The Virgin Suicides?

Schwartzman played the character of Paul Baldino, the son of a suspected local mobster, in the 2001 film The Virgin Suicides.

29 Oct

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Summary

Robert Schwartzman landed role in The Virgin Suicides after auditioning for cousin Sofia Coppola
Schwartzman was able to watch the entire filming process as an aspiring filmmaker
Role in The Virgin Suicides led to Schwartzman's casting in The Princess Diaries

Rooney Frontman Reflects on Breakout Role in Cult Classic

In October 2025, Robert Schwartzman, the 42-year-old frontman of the band Rooney, is reflecting on his breakout film role in the 2001 cult classic The Virgin Suicides. Schwartzman, who played the character of Paul Baldino, the son of a suspected local mobster, reveals that he had to audition for the part, even though he had previously worked with the film's director, his cousin Sofia Coppola, on her 1998 short film Lick the Star.

Coppola, now 54, did not simply hand Schwartzman the role, but instead asked him to read for the part. "She said, 'Will you read for this part that I'm casting. I imagined you as this guy, would you read for it?'" Schwartzman recalls. He appreciated that Coppola gave him the opportunity to prove himself as an actor, and his audition ultimately landed him the role.