Will Forte has earned some very strong reviews for his performance in Alexander Payne's "Nebraska," but perhaps none greater than those bestowed upon him by June Squibb's friends.


Squibb, who plays Forte's onscreen mother in the new film, told HuffPost Entertainment that the former "Saturday Night Live" star was the breakout "Nebraska" cast member among her peers.


"I think he's amazing, and every woman adores him," Squibb said in a recent interview. "I have friends my age who saw a screening at Paramount with me. They all came out saying, 'Oh, that young boy. That Will whatever-his-name.' They didn't know who he was, they just fell in love with him! He's as sweet as can be."


In the film, Forte plays David, a Montana resident who journeys to Nebraska with his ailing father (played by Bruce Dern) after the older man believes he won $1 million from a direct-mail sweepstakes.


"Will's the one who says, 'I don't know what I'm doing here,'" Squibb recalled. "Bruce and I would just sort of pat him on the head. I think Bruce talked to him a lot, because they were together more."


As Forte relayed to The Hollywood Reporter after a recent screening of the film in New York, Dern, 77, stressed that the 43-year-old actor simply "be in the moment."


"To get that kind of advice from a person like Bruce meant a lot and he was just wonderful to me throughout the whole process, just very patient and nurturing, just a wonderful guide -- as was Alexander," Forte said. "It just turned from a really frightening experience to an experience I'll never forget."


The experience was a pleasure for Squibb, too, who joked to HuffPost Entertainment that she would love to make the film all over again, in part because Payne is such a good director.


"Woody Allen and Martin Scorsese both said the same thing to me: I want it real. That's all they ever said to me," Squibb said. (She worked with Allen on "Alice" and Scorsese on "The Age of Innocence.") "Alexander is coming from that place too," the actress continued. "He trusts that we are going to give him what's real."


"Nebraska" is out in limited release now.



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  • This image released by Paramount Pictures shows, from left, Dennis McCoig as Uncle Verne, June Squibb as Kate Grant and Bruce Dern as Woody Grant in a scene from the film "Nebraska," about a booze-addled father who makes to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize. (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Merie W. Wallace)




  • This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Bruce Dern as Woody Grant, left, and Will Forte as David Grant in a scene from the film "Nebraska," about a booze-addled father who makes to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize. (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures)




  • This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Will Forte as David Grant in a scene from the film "Nebraska," about a booze-addled father who makes to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize. (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Merie W. Wallace)




  • This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Bruce Dern as Woody Grant in a scene from the film "Nebraska," about a booze-addled father who makes to Nebraska with his estranged son in order to claim a million dollar Mega Sweepstakes Marketing prize. (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, Merie W. Wallace)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Producer Ron Yerxa, director Alexander Payne, and Producer Albert Berger attend the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Producer Albert Berger, director Alexander Payne, and producer Ron Yerxa attend the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Producer Albert Berger, actor Stacy Keach, actress June Squibb, director Alexander Payne, actors Bruce Dern and Will Forte, writer Bob Nelson and producer Ron Yerxa attend the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Arrivals


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Actor Bruce Dern (L) and Andrea Beckett attend the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Actor Will Forte (L) and Producer Albert Berger attend the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: (L-R) Director Alexander Payne, actors June Squibb, Bruce Dern, and Stacy Keach attend the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11:(L-R) President of Production, Paramount Film Group, Marc Evans, producer Albert Berger, actor Bruce Dern, and producer Ron Yerxa attend the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Director Alexander Payne attends the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Actor Bruce Dern attends the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Actor Will Forte attends the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Director Alexander Payne attends the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Director Alexander Payne (L) and actor Bruce Dern attend the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Actor Will Forte attends the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Director Alexander Payne (L) and actor Bruce Dern attend the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Actors Stacy Keach (L) and Will Forte attend the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Actor Bruce Dern attends the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • AFI FEST 2013 Presented By Audi Screening Of "Nebraska" - Red Carpet


    HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Actor Will Forte attends the screening of 'Nebraska' during AFI FEST 2013 presented by Audi at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 11, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for AFI)




  • TheWrap's Awards & Foreign Screening Series - "Nebraska"


    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Actor Bruce Dern and Steve Pond attend TheWrap's Awards & Foreign Screening Series - 'Nebraska' at the Landmark Theater on November 14, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images For TheWrap)




  • TheWrap's Awards & Foreign Screening Series - "Nebraska"


    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Actor Bruce Dern poses at TheWrap's Awards & Foreign Screening Series - 'Nebraska' at the Landmark Theater on November 14, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images For TheWrap)




  • TheWrap's Awards & Foreign Screening Series - "Nebraska"


    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Actor Bruce Dern poses at TheWrap's Awards & Foreign Screening Series - 'Nebraska' at the Landmark Theater on November 14, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images For TheWrap)




  • TheWrap's Awards & Foreign Screening Series - "Nebraska"


    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Actor Bruce Dern and Steve Pond attend TheWrap's Awards & Foreign Screening Series - 'Nebraska' at the Landmark Theater on November 14, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images For TheWrap)




  • TheWrap's Awards & Foreign Screening Series - "Nebraska"


    LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 14: Actor Bruce Dern poses at TheWrap's Awards & Foreign Screening Series - 'Nebraska' at the Landmark Theater on November 14, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Valerie Macon/Getty Images For TheWrap)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: (L-R) Actors June Squibb, Bruce Dern and Will Forte attend the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Actor Will Forte attends the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Actors Bruce Dern and Will Forte attend the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Actor Will Forte attends the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Actors June Squibb and Bruce Dern attend the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: (L-R) Screenwriter Bob Nelson, actors Bruce Dern and Will Forte attend the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: (L-R) Screenwriter Bob Nelson, actors Bruce Dern and Will Forte attend the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Actor June Squibb attends the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Actor June Squibb attends the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Actor June Squibb attends the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: Screenwriter Bob Nelson attends the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)




  • "Nebraska" New York Special Screening - Arrivals


    NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 06: A view of atmosphere at the 'Nebraska' special screening at Paris Theater on November 6, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)