'Leatherheads' extras includes local resident
By JOE L. HUGHES II Ledger Staff Writer joe@gaffneyledger.com

Jerry Humphries

The opportunity to take part in a feature film rarely occurs during a lifetime, requiring a pinch of perfect timing and several cups of luck to achieve.

For Gaffney resident Jerry Humphries, he is happy the ingredients were at his disposal.

Humphries was used as an extra for crowd scenes in the movie "Leatherheads," which is to be released in theaters nationwide Friday. The film features several of Hollywood's elite including George Clooney, Renee Zellweger and John Krasinski. Clooney was also the movie's director.

The romantic comedy, which is set in the world of 1920s football, highlights the struggles of players to make sense of their lives off the field while trying to make money in a sport that at the time was considered "second rate."

"It was one of the best experiences I have had in my life," Humphries said. "A regular person just doesn't get the opportunity to do this often. I'm glad I was one of those people, because for once work was really fun."

Humphries spent almost two weeks last February working on the motion picture, being used when scenes were filmed at schools in Boiling Springs and Ware Shoals.

According to Humphries, it was a coincidence he was even chosen for a role in the movie.

"To be honest, I do not know what they were looking for, but I''m happy they chose me," Humphries said. "I was merely sitting at home on the couch due to being between jobs when I got the call."

Dressed in clothing appropriate for the time period, Humphries' role was to cheer on a certain team specified by directors. He also was used as a fan seeking to get an autograph from one of the players.

Actors spent up to 12 hours on the set each day with temperatures dipping as low as the 20s. However, he said the weather did not affect him at all.

"I was rather warm with what I had on during taping, while I saw others bundling up," Humphries said. "I really felt sorry for the players due to the constant wetting of the field. It was cold and with multiple takes I know a lot of them did not feel too good."

Though able to work in close proximity to several well-known celebrities, chances to speak with them were slim to none.

"We were told not to hound him with questions or ask him for autographs in order to help him keep his privacy," Humphries said. "Helicopters did not grant him his wish though, as they would hover over the place we were filming trying to take his picture."

Humphries was able to hold a brief conversation with Krasinski, which he said added to the experience.

"I probably would have done this for free," Humphries said.