Michael Douglas shared a funny anecdote about his lifelong friend, Jack Nicholson, during a special talk in New York on January 31, before a screening of Wall Street (1987).
In the conversation, the 81-year-old actor recalled how his professional colleague used to make fun of him for a peculiar technique he used in his performance: “hair acting.”
“My character’s hair has always been a big part of my performance. Jack would always say to me, ‘What’s with that hair performance?’ And I’d say, ‘You should do the talking,'” she said.
The anecdote about “the hair” highlights one of the many peculiarities that actors find in their jobs, some of which may seem minor, but which, as Douglas explained, sometimes have a significant impact on the construction of a character.
Throughout his career, the artist has shown a deep connection with his characters, as evidenced in his portrayal of Gordon Gekko in WallStreet, a role that earned him international recognition and an Oscar.
During the talk, the celebrity also shared details about the process that led him to play Gekko, an iconic character that, as he revealed, was not initially offered to him.
“I recently saw an article that said [director] Oliver Stone first offered the role to Warren Beatty, who turned it down, and then to Richard Gere, who also turned it down. I didn’t know anything about that. You always like to think you were the first one to be cast,” he said.
The actor explained that he felt lucky to get the role, since, despite not having been the first choice, he considered that the project represented a unique opportunity.
“I read the script and it was serious, serious work. So I was really happy. There aren’t many good roles in a lifetime,” he said.
Michael Douglas also reflected on the reasons that may have led Oliver Stone to choose him for the role of Gordon Gekko.As he explained, the director was looking for an actor with some knowledge about the business world, something he possessed, since in addition to being an actor, he also worked as a producer.
Additionally, his familiarity with life on the East Coast of the United States, having grown up in New York, allowed him to better understand the lifestyle that Gekko represented.“I think that’s why he chose me,” he said.
The actor also recalled Stone’s unique approach to working with his actors.According to Douglas, the director treated his performers as if they were “in the trenches,” pushing them to give their best.
“Oliver put pressure on actors. And his record of success with actors is impressive. I am deeply grateful that he gave me the role and that he took me to another level in my acting,” he explained.
As if that were not enough, the event, which included a special screening of WallStreet, also allowed attendees to relive one of the most emblematic films of the 80s, in which Douglas gave a memorable performance as the greedy and ambitious Gordon Gekko, a character who continues to be remembered as a reference to the unbridled capitalism of that time.
