A new Queen of Quirk is in town. Greta Gerwig is quickly conquering the indie film world with her laid-back look, goofy persona and Everygirl roles. She’s also drawn comparisons to another of Hollywood’s more oddball leading ladies, Diane Keaton. Check them out side by side.
KEATON
STRESS OF DRESS: Quirky. Known for wearing men’s suits and ties and bowler hats, as in “Annie Hall”.
MUSE OF: Woody Allen, whom she dated in the 1970s after being cast opposite him in a play because she wasn’t taller than the 5-foot-7 comedian.
GOT HER START: On the New York stage in “Hair” (1968), where she became known as the one actor who refused to disrobe during the finale.
BIG BREAK: “The Godfather” in 1972
DESCRIBED AS: Someone who has “already earned an industry reputation for her eccentric leanings” by Yahoo
KOOK FACTOR: Keaton told CBS she’d fail to get parts “because they would always say to me, ‘You’re too kooky.’ ”
AWKWARD ON- SCREEN MOMENT: Gets caught completely bare by Jack Nicholson in “Something’s Gotta Give” (2003).
GERWING
STRESS OF DRESS: Quirky. In “Arthur”, she dons a sundress, straw hat and a hipster scarf.
MUSE OF: Current boyfriend, writer-director Noah Baumbach. The two met on 2010’s “Greenberg” and co-wrote “Frances Ha.”
GOT HER START: Writing plays and performing improv on New York stages while studying at Barnard College
BIG BREAK: “Greenberg” in 2010
DESCRIBED AS: “A winsome cocktail of insecurity and guilelessness with a dash of awkwardness” by Elle
KOOK FACTOR: “Is Greta Gerwig too kooky to be a main-stream leading lady?” asked Movieline.
AWKWARD ON- SCREEN MOMENT: Stiffly receives oral gratification from Ben Stiller in “Greenberg,” asking mid-act, “Do you hear a train?”