Classy Role For 'Old School' Star

In the new comedy "Old School" Luke Wilson plays the "godfather" of a post-graduate fraternity.

"That's what Vince Vaughn's character nicknames me, then all these college kids start calling me 'the godfather' around campus and it kind of becomes a tough name to carry," Wilson says in an interview on The Early Show.

The 31-year-old actor describes his role of Mitch as a slightly uptight, "by-the-book real estate lawyer," who comes home early from a business trip to propose to his girlfriend (Juliette Lewis) and finds her involved in kinky sex.

He moves right out of the home he shares with her and into a vacant house right off a college campus.

It doesn't take long before his two best friends - Beanie (Vince Vaughn) and Frank (Will Ferrell) - see the possibilities and encourage him to start his own fraternity.

"And everything gets rolling from there," Wilson says. "I guess you could say that Mitch remains the voice of reason; he's the guy who's got his finger in the dam, even while it's coming down around him."

The result is fun and profit. "Old School" came in No.2 to "Daredevil" this week at the box office.

"Sometimes you have a good time on a movie and it doesn't necessarily translate to the screen," Wilson says. "But this was one of those experiences where it really kind of came through, the good time we had. We did have a lot of laughs."

He says he has seen the movie three times with an audience. "That's really the way to see it, especially if you're in it because people really laughed throughout the movie. And they laugh at places where you might not expect it. So it's exciting," he says.

This year, he costars in sequels "Charlie's Angels 2: Full Throttle" and "Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde."

Wilson will also star in "Masked & Anonymous," with Bob Dylan, Penelope Cruz and Jessica Lange. He has just finished filming the romantic comedy "Loosely Based on a True Love Story," in which he stars opposite Kate Hudson, under the direction of Rob Reiner.

About Luke Wilson:

• Born in Dallas, Texas, Sept. 21, 1971. He is the brother of actor and screenwriter Owen Wilson
• In 1992, he co-starred with brother Owen in the short "Bottle Rocket," directed by Wes Anderson
• In 1996, he reprised role in the feature-length version of "Bottle Rocket"; feature acting debut; also directed by Anderson
• In 1997, he had supporting role of Calista Flockhart's co-worker in "Telling Lies in America"
• In 1997, he made a cameo appearance in the film-within-the film in "Scream 2"
• In 1998, made TV acting debut in a memorable appearance as a sheriff in an episode of Fox's "The X-Files." He also co-starred as Drew Barrymore's love interest in both "Best Men" and "Home Fries." And had a supporting role in Anderson's "Rushmore," co-scripted by Owen Wilson
• In 1999, Wilson acted alongside Martin Lawrence in "Blue Streak." He also had a leading role in the comedy "Dog Park," which was released theatrically in 2001. And was featured in the Sundance-screened comedy "Kill the Man"
• In 2000, he co-starred as Heather Graham's estranged husband in "Committed." Featured in "My Dog Skip" and "Charlie's Angels." And starred in title role in the indie "Bad Seed/Preston Tylk;" released direct to video
• In 2001, he had featured supporting roles in "Legally Blonde" and "Soul Survivors." He also co-starred in Anderson's "The Royal Tenenbaums" as a troubled tennis prodigy
• In 2002, he starred in the romantic comedy "The Third Wheel" (filmed in 1999)