“I’m funny, how? I mean, funny like I’m a clown?” –Tommy DeVito
Am I really doing enough to advance my career? To succeed? Do I have the grit, determination and ingenuity to actualize my dreams? Am I working hard enough and being proactive in my approach to the business?
These are some of the questions you might ask yourself from time to time as you assess the state of your career. You might even ask yourself these questions every day! Acting is a tough game by anyone’s standards, but if you give it all you’ve got, some amazing things might happen.
Consider powerhouse actor Joe Pesci, who starred in classic films such as the gangster epic Goodfellas, the Home Alone series, the Lethal Weapon franchise and My Cousin Vinny. Pesci is a singular talent in the world of acting as his commitment to his characters is legendary and his versatility is renowned.
But it’s his turn as the psychotic yet hilarious Tommy DeVito in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas that put him on the map and cemented his iconic status. That particular character is so unique, that it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the role. But as it turns out, Joe almost didn’t get the part!
In the video below, Pesci says that Marty thought he was too old to play the part of the wild and juvenile gangster. And although the two had a previous relationship from working together on Raging Bull, they actually had a heated argument and hung up on one another.
That said, Joe was not to be deterred. He got an ace makeup artist to Benjamin Button him, which apparently wasn’t easy, and he put himself on tape as the headlong and unnerving character Tommy DeVito.
And the rest is history. Pesci won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in 1991 and went on to enjoy a thrilling and storied career. But what if he hadn’t gone the extra mile and fought like a lion to procure that role? It’s hard to say, but it’s a good bet he wouldn’t have achieved the heights of stardom and respect he now enjoys.
While we don’t recommend you hang up on or refuse to hear a “No” from a director you’re trying to impress (you might end up burning a bridge instead of building one), showing your determination to commit to the role might keep you in contention.
Just stay within the bounds of professional behavior and respect everyone’s space, and you should be good! After all, besides talent, one of the main characteristics many directors want in their actors is someone who’s a pleasure to work with.
Want to get your acting career started? Sign up or login to Casting Frontier and start auditioning today!
You may also like:
