Jesse Eisenberg Admits He 'Cried Every Day in First Grade'

Jesse Eisenberg, who helped lead The Social Network to eight Oscar nominations earlier this year, plays a man who’s strapped with explosives and forced to rob a bank in the comedy film (yes, comedy), 30 Minutes or Less, which arrives to theatres on Aug. 12.

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In an interview and photo shoot with GQ, the 27-year-old made some startling and truthful confessions, including not knowing that the movie was inspired by a true story and that he feels like Big Bird when fans approach him.

Here are a few highlights.

On the movie’s real life inspiration: "The truth is, our movie is so different,” he says. "Yeah. I didn't know there was a germ of a story attached to it. Um. I don't think anybody did, except the writers."

On how he learned to be comfortable displaying emotions: "I cried every day of first grade in class, which meant I ended up getting comfortable emoting in a place where it wasn't the norm."

On what he’d be doing if he wasn’t acting: "I'd probably be a bike messenger if I weren't doing this," Eisenberg, who rode his bike to and from the set the day of the interview, jokes.