Post by ayrad on Jan 29, 2008 21:39:20 GMT 1
Got this from Eric:
"In the UK, on DARK KNIGHT, we shot a scene with much of the cast, many of the guys playing my henchmen, and me, playing Salvatore Maroni, with Heath as “The Joker”. He had an incredibly written speech to give,and we were blown away. He was just fascinating and amazing in the part.
I once turned down a chance to play “Stanley Kowalski” in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE for a fantastic director and phenomenal cast (Ann-Margaret, Randy Quaid, Raphael Sbarge, Beverly D’Angelo). I felt that role had been played consummately by Marlon Brando, so I turned the role down, which I have regretted ever since.
Treat Williams played “Stanley” in that production.
Here comes the role of “The Joker”, as if we weren’t all in love with Jack Nicholson in the role (and in every role)…I have to admit being unable to picture anyone in the role.
On that day, Heath Ledger earned my respect.
I’d loved him in MONSTER’S BALL and his other films, but this was a whole other world. Heath was a lovely man, who clearly had had his life taken over by his daughter, as much of THE DARK KNIGHT cast & production had with their children…
Our kids mean everything to us. It was obvious he worked hard and took his character very seriously, and did something really risky and unexpected with it.
I am so proud to have been part of THE DARK KNIGHT, and can only wish he knew how loved and appreciated he was.
It’s painful to watch people focus on someone who’s passed away and to realize that person is not here to receive all that positive energy.
My wife, Eliza, was in ANIMAL HOUSE, and she was working on a show for DBS when John Belushi died. For weeks after, that cast and production stayed in close touch with each other, visiting each others’ respective sets and studios and homes.
My stepson, Keaton Simons, (CBS Records) lost his bass player, Loren Toder, to an undetected heart ailment, when they were nineteen years old.
The agony of losing someone as young as Heath and Loren were does not abate. They have so much more art in them…
I did not see any indication of his having any problems of any kind. I have worked with other actors whose behavior is symptomatic of either depression or self-medicating, and I do believe in taking well-advised steps to reach out and help someone. But I saw none of that with this man and am in no position at all to comment.
I used to have a terrible problem with myself resulting in problems with drugs, including the drug of alcohol. I wish I hadn’t been so good at scaring people into not approaching me. I needed their help. Though, truth is, several people tried and did a really excellent job, which I undid. Until one day…
On ericrobertsactor.com in the NOTES & QUOTES section, I have written much about this period of my life and my philosophies in general on the subject".
"In the UK, on DARK KNIGHT, we shot a scene with much of the cast, many of the guys playing my henchmen, and me, playing Salvatore Maroni, with Heath as “The Joker”. He had an incredibly written speech to give,and we were blown away. He was just fascinating and amazing in the part.
I once turned down a chance to play “Stanley Kowalski” in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE for a fantastic director and phenomenal cast (Ann-Margaret, Randy Quaid, Raphael Sbarge, Beverly D’Angelo). I felt that role had been played consummately by Marlon Brando, so I turned the role down, which I have regretted ever since.
Treat Williams played “Stanley” in that production.
Here comes the role of “The Joker”, as if we weren’t all in love with Jack Nicholson in the role (and in every role)…I have to admit being unable to picture anyone in the role.
On that day, Heath Ledger earned my respect.
I’d loved him in MONSTER’S BALL and his other films, but this was a whole other world. Heath was a lovely man, who clearly had had his life taken over by his daughter, as much of THE DARK KNIGHT cast & production had with their children…
Our kids mean everything to us. It was obvious he worked hard and took his character very seriously, and did something really risky and unexpected with it.
I am so proud to have been part of THE DARK KNIGHT, and can only wish he knew how loved and appreciated he was.
It’s painful to watch people focus on someone who’s passed away and to realize that person is not here to receive all that positive energy.
My wife, Eliza, was in ANIMAL HOUSE, and she was working on a show for DBS when John Belushi died. For weeks after, that cast and production stayed in close touch with each other, visiting each others’ respective sets and studios and homes.
My stepson, Keaton Simons, (CBS Records) lost his bass player, Loren Toder, to an undetected heart ailment, when they were nineteen years old.
The agony of losing someone as young as Heath and Loren were does not abate. They have so much more art in them…
I did not see any indication of his having any problems of any kind. I have worked with other actors whose behavior is symptomatic of either depression or self-medicating, and I do believe in taking well-advised steps to reach out and help someone. But I saw none of that with this man and am in no position at all to comment.
I used to have a terrible problem with myself resulting in problems with drugs, including the drug of alcohol. I wish I hadn’t been so good at scaring people into not approaching me. I needed their help. Though, truth is, several people tried and did a really excellent job, which I undid. Until one day…
On ericrobertsactor.com in the NOTES & QUOTES section, I have written much about this period of my life and my philosophies in general on the subject".
