The Gladiator II star doesn’t see himself as just another Hollywood star and thinks he is a theater actor first.
In a recent discussion with CBS News’ Sunday Morning, the 70-year-old opened up about his role in Broadway’s Othello alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and why he still feels most connected to the stage despite his success in films.
“What’s the definition of a Hollywood actor? Myself, I’m from Mt. Vernon, so I’m a ‘Mt. Vernon actor,’ ” he said about his hometown in New York. “I don’t know what ‘Hollywood’ means.”
“Somebody who’s famous on film? A film actor, great success on film?” I’m a stage actor who does film; it’s not the other way around,” the Oscar winner continued.
“I did stage first. I learned how to act on stage, not on film. Movies are a filmmaker’s medium. You shoot it, and then you’re gone, and they cut together and add music and do all of that. Theater is an actor’s medium. The curtain goes up, nobody can help you.”
According to People magazine, Othello is back on Broadway for the first time in over 40 years. The new production, which opened on March 23, stars Denzel Washington as Othello and Jake Gyllenhaal, 44, as Iago.
The last time the play was performed on Broadway was in 1982, with James Earl Jones as Othello, Christopher Plummer as Iago, and Dianne Wiest as Desdemona.
In another interview with Sunday Morning, the Training Day actor shared that starring in this Broadway production is his dream come true. He also expressed his hope of living up to the legacy of the late James Earl Jones, whom he deeply admires.
“James Earl Jones was my northern star when I was in college. He was who I wanted to be. I didn’t get to see his Othello, but I know it wasn’t as good as my 22-year-old interpretation. But you know, it’s my turn.”
“I know a lot less now. I thought I knew everything then,” said Washington. I didn’t really like the part, ’cause I wasn’t wise enough to understand it. Now I understand it’s really about a bond, you know, that these characters have. He loves not wisely, but too well.”
He further added that working with Gyllenhaal and being part of such a grand Shakespeare production is “the most excited I’ve been this century.”
“Seriously, I haven’t been this excited about anything I’ve done as I am about this.”
Source: People Magazine
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