Bill Nighy On Acting

“Acting is kinda scary!” Their Finest, Love Actually, Harry Potter + Pirates of the Caribbean star Bill Nighy discusses the challenges he’s faced in his career + the research, or lack thereof, that he does for the roles he plays.
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[@Booboonancy]

What a delight to hear his sane, no bs take on his profession. He’s impeccable.

[@randomshona]

I was once having coffee in Bar Italia when Mr. Nighy walked in, as he passed I whispered under my breath to my then Fifteen-year-old daughter .”He's a very good actor and a snappy dresser. As he was leaving he lent in between us and said “thank you for both of those compliments”.A man who truly understands the sometimes, always, never 3 -button rule Top chap

[@nikitagorawara]

Such a wonderful story! exactly the kind you hope to experience with him

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

I think I would swoon if he walked into a shop I was in. Total agreement on your assessment of him and just love that he came up to you later. 🥰

[@hollowaysteve]

A couple of years ago a friend of mine (also a snappy dresser) was sitting in Ole & Steen enjoying a coffee & pastry when Bill came and sat at the next table. After a few minutes Bill asked where my snappily dressed friend purchased his glasses frames from. A short chit chat and more confirmation that Bill is a very nice chap.

[@guywithacamera416]

Can I please get "You don't like my squid? Live with it" on a shirt?

[@mayorofsimpleton5674]

Haha oh yes please

[@Thejoshter444]

LOL

[@ThisHandleIsInteresting]

You could literally make it. Just find a cool cat snazzy photograph of Bill and put it on a shirt with those words here XD www.customizedgirl.com/

[@brodygalletti]

10:04 “Remember that no one knows what’s going on in your head and they never will” Bill Nighy 🙌

[@Turkaine]

👏

[@georgerudinsky489]

Bill Nighy is a legendary actor, and absolute artist with true heart and originality. One of the most iconic genuine guys.

[@jennifercoralie9158]

This is why we love Bill: he is so good at his job. It's still a mystery to me how good acting works: not everyone can do it, but it's obvious when it happens.

[@rook6972]

this is absolutely vital for young actors to hear. "You're giving the APPEARANCE of feeling something." for years, I let shitty drama teachers and the "feelings" destroy me. Because I was manipulated, as he says.

[@moniquevamado]

He's pure class. Gorgeous soul.

[@bluebellbeatnik4945]

not sure on his attitude within a marriage but he seems lovely from a friend perspective.

[@TheHyena-ru8bz]

"No one knows what's going on in your head" That line is so simple and yet so genius

[@LysanderLH]

Imagine the vast amounts of shit hitting the fans of drama schools when students attend class and quote Bill on this. Love this guy.

[@edwardjones2202]

Haha exactly.

[@daviddiaz529]

"No one knows what's going on in your head and they never will" Brilliant!

[@ianmartinezcassmeyer]

Bill Nighy is one of those character actors I still haven't learned to spot when he's on screen or catch by his voice. His approach causes him to just...vanish, and all he does is learn his lines. Brilliant.

[@Vayne_Solidor]

He stole every scene he was in as Davy Jones lmao what r u talking about? Brilliant actor.

[@kermitfrog593]

@@Vayne_Solidor I think you entirely missed OP's point.

[@kermitfrog593]

Well put.

[@elizabethdjokovic2691]

He's not only intelligent, he's a very attractive man who always dresses immaculately.

[@DavidWatts]

Well that was quite refreshing

[@TheThedisliker]

you dont like my squid, well get along with it Bill Nighy being full of swag

[@TheWorld-xs8ly]

After watching him in a film, I decided to google this actor and I'm glad I did. What a class act

[@aw9680]

I love Bill's voice! So warm and smooth. He's a pleasure to listen to.

[@kittenlady3193]

I have always enjoyed him as an actor and after listening to this interview I can only say RESPECT for his honesty.

[@amandajstar]

My goodness, the thinking woman's actor. Talk about impressive. Someone I would LOVE to know.

[@guybirtwhistle]

Could listen to him all day long. Thanks for posting BAFTA.

[@catherineeyre9012]

I love BN. So bloody honest.

[@ynys_mon6928]

My first appreciation of Bill Nighy was a perfect Samwise Gamgee in the BBC radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings. I remember listening to it in my student digs in 1981.

[@tamsinjohnson1599]

He was billed as William Nighy in that production - a great radio adaptation.

[@alex0589]

His explanation of his mocap experience is world class and the funniest thing ive heard this month. This is excellent.

[@janemclean4048]

Best, and most honest interview I have seen. Should be required viewing for all budding actors!!!

[@TimMaloneyNMactor]

Very sane and kind hearted talk . informative and inspiring

[@ninecatsmagee8384]

Ah, Bill Nighy, my favourite actor for so many reasons and now here's another -- the guy is honest. The best of qualities.

[@onedaxster]

Just hearing Nighy reflect on his role in PotC makes me wonder how Dead Man's Chest would've played out if anyone else but him played Davy Jones

[@angelkotilainen]

What a great interview, how grounded is Bill. Love this so much. I quit theatre acting as my very first role i got the lead, and while I loved being on stage and performing this wonderful interesting role, the very first night nerves were HELLISH. I wanted to leave on the first train, run away, the only thing that stopped me was a handful of liquer chocolates and knowing the shame it would bring my family and the whole cast but I felt like a lamb to slaughter lmao I never wanted to go through that again, I thought something was wrong with me and I was not a natural!! Feels a huge weight off hearing a master of acting such as Bill say that is natural and normal. It's funny how nobody talks of it, and you assume everyone else didn't experience any of that. I love his honesty. What a great man! The stupid thing is once you're on set everything is great and you love every second. Isn't that weird.

[@steveneardley7541]

I just watched an interview with Don Adams, who said that as a stand-up comedian, he was so nervous he often vomited before the show. I wondered why he would do it if it was that unpleasant. I was talking to some musicians at Julliard and they told me that it is now fairly standard practice to take drugs before a recital or performance. I think it was beta blockers. I've also heard a number of other famous actors admit that they NEVER got over their stage fright, and were just able to mask their nerves during the performance.

[@michae13james10]

He’s an asmr natural Unbelievable actor And such an addictive voice

[@nncdrmr]

An amazingly honest man describing what it is to be an actor. l will go anywhere to see him. Truly he is on a level with all the greats, he just got there with a different method! Love this man!

[@r4b32t11]

Could he be any sweeter, I love everything he does, and everything he says... Just like a breath of Spring..🍾🍾

[@JS-fm9hm]

I admire Nighy's work and this clip is definitely a compelling piece!

[@johnellis414]

A wonderful man....Totally free of ego. A roll Model for us all

[@Berniewahlbrinck]

Or "role".

[@ddc7668]

How refreshing - what a gentleman

[@fiona-lyons]

His Charles Paris BBC radio plays are excellent. The character is a slightly cynical, jobbing actor. He's witty and incorrigible but above all there's that wonderful soothing voice of Bill Nighy! I could listen all day to him.

[@RaveyDavey]

He is the perfect actor for that series. It’s like they wrote it for him.

[@johncarter579]

Best radio performance ever.

[@NIKONGUY1960]

All of those acting schools can now close for good.

[@iainrae6159]

What a wonderful talk. As E.H.Gombridge said, ' There is no such think as art, .....only artists'.

[@Earthsuitlife]

Like Olivier said to Hoffman in behind the scenes of Marathon man., 'My dear boy, why don't you just act!' Bill is a natural and his advice is gold.

[@chameleon9454]

The best actor ! Who agree ?

[@LysanderLH]

Whenever I see this chap, I see him as a Concorde Captain.

[@LaidbackLost]

It’s cool that the same sentiments is echoed by Adam Driver, in that it’s not his job to feel anything, it’s the audience who he’s trying to make feel emotions

[@djb4069]

Love this man love his voice could listen to him all day long

[@reginaldpeters7407]

This is my process! Thank you sir for making acting sound a lot more simple and fun...

[@stevepeet6610]

With no idea how I navigated to this clip, I have to say it is an epiphany. Such clear-headed truth. And now I recall seeing this actor in a number of movies. Bill Nighy, you are a new hero for the simple act of telling calm and reasoned truths. So rare anymore in the age of dips hit, dumb ass influencers and half-wit actors and performers.

[@tkzmax9835]

very humble man

[@christinedunphy7632]

I could listen to him all night. He's fabulous in radio drama too. Charles Paris had me in hooked. So clever.

[@GustakhiyanUpdates]

It's really amazing listening to you sir. The most important thing to learn Is "give respect to fellow actors". thankyou for sharing such an amazing experience.

[@jimjimmyjames59]

This is SO freakin' helpful!!! And thank you for the absolution from the terror of performing.

[@aidancues]

I love the little "i am feeling it, feck off" nod at 5:12 ... the rise of the Nighy Finger!

[@michaelknapp9411]

This guy is a fantastic actor. Top notch! Really enjoy Watching his stuff.

[@Ridikuluzt]

Bill Nighy, one of the great actors in film! Loved him as “Viktor” in the Underworld saga!

[@Schelby.Lo1]

I can't help, but I'm always so happy when I see him on screen. I love this actor so much.

[@WatercraftGames]

What I like about this actor is that even when he's not acting, it looks like he's acting

[@flickchic238]

His point on taking off your clothes is so profound. I thought about Jennifer lawrence in red sparrow and her frontal nude scene and I always questioned it. Actors feel that nude scenes make them better actors and more daring but it doesn't

[@raulamezquita2560]

And unfortunately, the industry rewards them as better. Case in point: Halle Berry in "Monster's Ball".

[@TamaraVlogs]

SO, SO SO valuable and genuine. Deeply grateful for this interview.

[@zaaz1471]

He is _still_ one of my favorite actors. He's epic.

[@Unownzone]

He speaks so well. There's barely a word or sound he makes that was unnecessary to his message. Wow. What a guy.

[@lizzie333eee]

One of my favorite actors, I watch anything he's in

[@rev6688]

This man is so refreshing. 🥰

[@grimm6176]

he scared the shit out of me as davy jones. he scared the shit out of me as rattlesnake jake. he scared the shit out of me as general fallon. he scared me on so many occasions when i was smaller and yet, somehow, he's one of my most favourite actors in existence. he has my utmost respect.

[@GMGN1]

Met him in London, very cool 👌

[@RichardThe3]

As a fellow professional actor, I highly resonate with everything Bill Nighy is saying. I primarily work in Swedish theatres, currently for a major company. My "method" has always been very similar to Nighys; be prepared, know my lines, trust the text etc. This is because I believe that acting primarily has to do with listening and not the other way around. It's a craft and not a mystique-ish concept. But somedays I feel that i'm going insane due to actors not even knowing their lines in the week of opening, actors constantly trying to "understand" every word of the text in order to "feel" it. For all young and aspiring (stage)actors. Please don't get fooled by mainstream ideas about acting. Keep in shape, control your breath and voice, practice listening and empathic thinking and if you do start to find momentum and gigs - prepare well enough so that you're ready to fully be present with your fellow actors on the first day of rehearsals! Good luck!

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

Any movie or series he is is worth watching he has the knack that really great screen actors have of never over acting, just a tiny flick of the eye or purse of the lips conveys the moment. No wonder he is chosen by all the best film makers from Simon Pegg to Stephen Poliakoff, I would love to see him in a Coen brothers movie

[@agalIam]

he is incredible , i love his vocal tons and eyes when he is in a film.. esp "page eight"

[@alexandermatthewsmusic]

I watched this years ago again today... Great advice 🙂

[@jespermayland571]

"Turks & Caicos", "2nd best Marigold" & "Underworld"! Spectacular performances..! One of my all time favourite actors!!!

[@cocktailhotel]

Love the Johnny Worricker movie trilogy !

[@AnthonyDGreen]

OMG, he really is Billy Mack from "Love Actually"!

[@falloutgirl902]

He makes the roles his own. Those are my favourite actors.

[@megs4193]

I also just read down the comment section and now I love all of you classy bill fans as well 😀🙋🕊️.

[@martylesnick2032]

I LOVE BILL, SUCH A GENTLEMAN AND HUGE TALENT.

[@andrewgirdlestone7607]

Additionally so true what Bill says about the trailer 20 minutes before going “on”, I was staff/security at a SPN convention a few years ago happened to be in the green room and having a chat with one of the guests and I mentioned “ Marathon Man “ when Dustin Hoffman ran around Central Park several times to get into the character/scene though he was not in the scene Laurence Olivier was on the set. There was a bit of back and forth between the two (all good natured) the upshot of which Dustin said something like I really worked for that scene to which LO replied “My dear boy it’s called acting” and a couple of SPN conventions later Jenson Ackles recited almost word for word what I had said in the green room.

[@elletuppen4844]

Who needs a process or needs to get into character when the talent is so awesome and intuitive?! And a master of perfect timing....One of the greats. EVer. Thank you ♥️Bill for so very many characters you have had us swoon for....👌🏽🙏🏽🇿🇦

[@stevenm4225]

Underrated actor imo

[@AngelHernandez-ex7ji]

His Davy Jones was so legendary. Don’t think how much of an amazing performance he did!

[@Coffeebourne]

I love the nitty gritty truth.

[@nr9634]

Bill Nighy's narration in Discovery Channel introduced me to his mesmerizing voice. And his Viktor role in Underworld cemented him in my heart. "I did not sent for you. I sent for Celi-i-i-ne" (Ugh! So autocratically classy)

[@skonenblades]

"Computer pajamas" (gives impish look) Dear lord I love Bill Nighy

[@jobsmine]

love this guy.. all the way from Chicago..

[@johnrobertgriffiths8435]

Bill Nighy a truly nice guy, humble and talented. A refreshing change from some of those actors with less than half of Bill's talents.

[@kylemossi]

11:38 Can confirm. I've only seen one movie with her in it (I Heart Huckabee's) but it is one of the best, most creative, movies I've ever seen.

[@ForceFreeTrainergirl06]

What an interesting interview with a great actor. A few days ago we watched his latest film "Living" which was one of the slowest films I think I've ever seen. Yet his acting was mesmerising and so very poignant. I hope he gets an oscar because I believe it would be his first, which after all these years of him performing so many wonderful parts is a travesty.

[@andrewgirdlestone7607]

A just wonderful human being, who happens to be an actor with seemingly non of the bs attached to the”process” like the Stanislaski (y?) method, I admire him as a human and as an actor who in the roles he is cast in seems to take what’s on the page and nail the part (what do you think Ant or Dec?) and humility about what you do

[@julesotis13]

wow this is one fhte most truthful honest open clips about acting and least pretitnious ive ever heard thanks!

[@МашаМурашкина-к1ц]

I just love him! He is absolutely brilliant.

[@greg1mcintosh844]

Oh damn I knew I loved this guy now I know why! I love this so bang on. I think Hopkins says the same thing or something similar

[@ej3016]

can I have an AMEN - thanks Mr. Nighy for being real on and off screen - forty yrs ago I went to theatre school to study costume sets & props - we all had to take “acting classes” - tosh - first day one of first exercises: I was an ice cream cone - and yep - I was told that I had to “feel it” - feel the cold really feel it 😳🥴 all I felt was really silly 🥴😳 by the way good sir - I LOVED your squid

[@stobbi38]

that man is amazing

[@yens421]

Love his dry sense of humour.

[@crferrier1516]

Thank you Bill Nighy. A thousand times.

[@LevZhivaev]

Makes sense he loves Chris Walken! Their approach to acting is basically the same.

[@IMHAVINHOOPS]

My favourite character of his is Charles Paris. Louche, loveable old ham!

[@ziounford]

lmao "the squid" 😂😂😂😂

[@AintImpressed]

Bill Nighy and Gary Oldman probably gave the most honest interviews on acting that I've ever seen

[@stanfromparis1656]

"See no acting, hear no acting, fear no acting." -Bill Nighy

[@kjtmagician]

I'd love to see an interview with Bill Nighy and Bill Nye. Each Bill would be asked questions that the other Bill would be asked.

[@barneyquinn3657]

Very down to earth person. No affectations. A great natural actor.

[@xScooterAZx]

I have such a thing for this man. When he played Victor in Underworld I thought he was quite sexy. lol.

[@theflorgeormix]

really funny - have never been a BN fan but now I am

[@TomahawkKid56]

A wonderful actor, if he's in something then I will watch it. A sign of quality.

[@marlenehartley7742]

Excellent advice

[@facekidnoise]

Viktor!