Did James Woods see terrorists?

Actor meets with FBI

By Sherri Sylvester
CNN Showbiz Today Reports

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- "We are at war with an enemy that wants our complete and utter destruction," actor James Woods tells CNN. Woods believes he has seen that enemy.

Woods is a frequent flyer from Boston's Logan Airport to Los Angeles. Before the September 11 attacks, he took the trip seated in first class next to four passengers who appeared to be Middle Eastern. Their behavior during the cross-country flight was strange to him. They did not eat or drink, nor did they make themselves comfortable in their seats. They occasionally exchanged conversation in low tones. Woods reported their behavior to airport authorities, who ignored him. That was before September 11. After the terrorist attacks, the FBI met with Woods.

He has been instructed by the FBI not to discuss details of his case.

"Because of my experience and some of the people I've been talking to in the government," said Woods, "I've unfortunately been privy to some information that, whew ... let me put it this way -- it's incredibly important that each and every American is as vigilant as he or she can be about anything that seems to be threatening or dangerous."

	VIDEO
Actor James Woods tells CNN's Sherri Sylvester of encountering suspicious passengers on a Boston-Los Angeles flight. (October 15) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Some of the hijackers did make test runs on airliners prior to the terrorist attacks. No details have been released pertaining to Woods' flight. He continues to talk with the FBI, and he believes there were many more attacks planned for September 11. He also believes that there are threats in our future as well.

"I think it's a terrible time," said Woods, "and we have an incredibly motivated, incredibly calculating, incredibly disciplined foe."

The actor has put his life on high alert. He is promoting his new feature with Drew Barrymore, "Riding in Cars With Boys," in which he plays a New Jersey police officer, but continues to feel the impact of current events.

"I've talked to people involved in this investigation -- in this effort for our national defense, who have said to me, 'this is what I'll be doing the rest of my life, this is what we'll be doing,'" said the actor. "Things have changed far more significantly than we can even imagine."

Woods was one of the many celebrities who took part in the bi-coastal "Tribute to Heroes" telethon, raising more than $150 million to benefit the victims' families. He worked the phone banks and said the stories of those who contributed, "would bring you to tears." Woods felt a sense of national pride during the September 22 benefit -- pride that continues to this day.

"I feel so completely affirmed as an American to see how extraordinarily cohesive we are as a people."