In the last 35 years, John Cusack has amassed a set of film credentials that most actors can only dream about.

Small roles in "Class" (1983) and "Sixteen Candles" (1984) led to bigger parts at a time when Hollywood was making movies with a stable of young actors. By 1988, Cusack had demonstrated his ability to play comedic and dramatic roles equally well, and he was cast as lovestruck Lloyd Dobler in the iconic film "Say Anything."

In the decade that followed, Cusack appeared in films such as "The Grifters," "Grosse Point Blank," "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" and "High Fidelity." His co-stars include Anjelica Huston, Annette Bening, Dan Aykroyd, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Jack Black. By this time, Cusack had also been in eight films with his sister, Joan.

Now 51, Cusack has also written four screenplays and served as a producer on 12 films. He has three new movies scheduled for release in 2018, and on Saturday, Feb. 3, he will appear at the Riverside Theater for a screening of his beloved '80s hit "Say Anything," followed a moderated discussion with the audience. Recently Cusack spoke with OnMilwaukee about his wide-ranging career choices and the upcoming show at the Riverside.

OnMilwaukee: What can people expect at the "Say Anything" screening?

John Cusack: Honestly, I don’t know. I’ve never done anything like this before. I was approached to do it, and it sounded interesting. So I’m just going to drive to Milwaukee from Chicago for the show. It’s entirely unscripted, and after the film, I’ll answer questions from the audience. I think it’ll be a lot of fun.

Is it hard being John Cusack?

It’s not hard being myself, because I’m comfortable with who I am. But if you’re asking if I work hard at what I do, the answer is yes. When I work on a film, I throw myself into it all the way. Nothing held back. What I find hard to do is publicity. It’s easier for me to make a film than to promote it.

I was at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood when your film, "Identity," premiered.  Even then you seemed like you were there because you had to be, not because you wanted to be.

That’s right. That red carpet event signified the end of hundreds of interviews and appearances. After a while, you feel like a machine. When I did press junkets for some of my early films, it was less demanding. There’d be one in L.A., Chicago, New York, maybe a few other cities. Today, there are even more publicity requests what with social media and all. I guess it’s not my favorite part of the business.

How did you avoid the problems that plague many young actors?

Oh, that’s easy. I never lived in Los Angeles. When I was done making a film, I’d go home to Chicago. I didn’t have the same exposure to the lifestyle that others did.

Who are some actors that you look up to?

There are so many, I couldn’t begin to name them. I had a wild time making "Dragon Blade" with Jackie Chan a few years ago. It was shot in China and everyone spoke Chinese. Jackie and I did our scenes together in English. He’s hilarious and an incredible physical comedian. He’s an icon in China.

Your upcoming film "Never Grow Old" sounds interesting. Is that a Western?

It is. It’s scheduled to come out later this year. It’s about an Irish immigrant who works as an undertaker in a frontier town. It’s all good at first and then things go bad for him.

You’ve played such diverse characters as Edgar Allan Poe and Richard Nixon, and then there’s Adam in "Hot Tub Time Machine." How do you choose your films?

I’m always looking for interesting roles. With "Hot Tub Time Machine," I was also a producer on the film. It was less about the character and more about the ability to poke fun at a different time in my life