Every little thing that people know about you as a person impedes your ability to achieve that kind of terrific suspension of disbelief that happens when an audience goes with an actor and character he's playing.

In 1998 he took on the role of Derek Vinyard a reformed neo-Nazi in the film American History X. Fight Club premiered at the 1999 Venice International Film Festival. He also put time and money toward social activist causes including improving the quality of living in low-income communities.

In addition to this he performed uncredited work on the scripts for The Score Frida and The Incredible Hulk the last of which he also starred in. He made his directorial debut with the film Keeping the Faith (2000). He ran in the 2009 New York City Marathon to raise money for the Trust.