Bill Nighy Breaks Down His Career, from 'Harry Potter' to 'Pirates of the Caribbean' | Vanity Fair

Bill Nighy takes us through his illustrious career, including his roles in 'The Men's Room,' 'Love Actually,' 'Shaun of the Dead,' 'Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest,' 'Doctor Who,' 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1,' 'Page Eight,' 'About Time,' 'Pride,' 'Emma' and 'Living.'
LIVING is in theaters in New York and Los Angeles December 23, 2022 with a national rollout to follow.
00:00 "I did quite a lot of risqué things"
00:31 The Men's Room
02:29 Love Actually
05:19 Shaun of the Dead
07:25 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
10:57 Doctor Who
13:10 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
14:23 Page Eight
15:33 About Time
18:02 Pride
19:24 Emma
21:18 Living
Director: Adam Lance Garcia
Director of Photography: Dave Sanders
Editor: Cory Stevens
Celebrity Talent: Bill Nighy
Producer: Jackie Phillips
Line Producer: Jen Santos
Production Coordinator: Mark Bond
Talent Booker: Lauren Mendoza
Camera Operator: Nigel Akam
Note: List multiple Camera Operators in alpha order by last name
Audio: Kevin Teixeira
Production Assistant: Nicole Murphy
Gaffer: Dave Plank
Grip: Alvin Sun
Post Production Supervisor: Marco Glinbizzi, Nicholas Ascanio
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
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[@failedartist3994]

How can he looks so sweet and yet so menacing at the same time? He's such an icon

[@chasehedges6775]

He’s equal parts awesome and terrifying

[@rafaelarcas942]

Well he is a actor so ....

[@imdasij]

Hes british lol

[@shona5512]

I feel like he could play a very convincing, unnerving serial killer

[@chasehedges6775]

Bill Nighy is one of the best actors ever and his best performance as Davy Jones in Pirates Of The Caribbean is so iconic.

[@trinaq]

Agreed, I love that movie, and most of his performances.

[@juancarlosmartinez3621]

My favorite is underworld

[@Epicurus341]

He's great as Davy Jones, and the excellent CGI still holds up today. But in terms of acting, I personally feel his best roles are the more subtle ones like Pride and Living. That said, I love his GrandSanta in Arthur Christmas! 🎄

[@MrMattaiusify]

BOOTSTRAP BILL URA LIAR AN’ U WILL SPEND AN’ ETERNITY ON THIS SHIPAH

[@R0B5e55or001]

Davy Jones is the best POTC villain. Yup I said it!

[@strangemachines_]

He is aggressively downplaying how good his performance was in pirates of the Caribbean… his character and voice was masterful and so much fun to watch.

[@crashbandi-cody6782]

He really is. Maybe it’s cause he’s too mature to be mesmerized by how cool/badass he really was playing that character. It was just another paycheck to him yet he earned every cent of it

[@Vako_oja]

FR! That preformance and character is just so perfect

[@trinaq]

I can't believe that Bill is 72, almost 73, he still looks fantastic for his age. My favourite movie of his has got to be "About Time", with him as the wise, sage mentor to his son. Such a heartwarming movie.

[@chasehedges6775]

One of the best and coolest actors of our era and generation

[@terewilliams1555]

AMAZINGGGGGG movie!!!

[@adjoshi2423]

It’s a really emotional and sublime movie

[@DuckyMcGoose]

First ever movie to make me cry. Watched for the time travel thing, stayed for the father-son connection.

[@debratoulson2677]

I don't know anyone else who's seen that movie! It was absolutely lovely.

[@Luke101]

Davy Jones is still the best looking CGI character ever put to screen in my opinion. He literally looks real.

[@muzzshah9730]

That's why they won the oscar for best visual effect

[@pizzaparker7424]

Pirates of The Caribbean is the best example of how to mix CGI with practical effects. Dead Man's Chest and At World's End haven't aged a day, the Kraken and Maelstrom scenes scare me for being so well done... The ships and cannons give me goosebumps every time they're on screen... And of course Davy Jones, truly the best CGI character ever created, mixing the great VFX artwork with Bill Nighy's brilliant performance.

[@RedBar3D]

That and Thanos

[@Luke101]

@@Farmer-geddon4051 amazing effects for the time but they definitely don’t look real

[@joshthaller4754]

This should have included his underworld film series role of the Vampire Elder Viktor, such a beast and one of his best roles

[@masseyjd]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6imhnhpf7-NrM0 British GQ

[@juancarlosmartinez3621]

By far my favorite, underworld is/was fantastic.

[@TheClown93]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6imhnhpf7-NrM0 in this video he talks about underworld and breaks down his roles kinda like this video

[@cotevallejos7230]

I was waiting for Underworld 😭 not fair!

[@cotevallejos7230]

@@TheClown93 There’s a special place for people like you in heaven 🤣🫶🏻

[@h0lly_blue]

I'm both glad and surprised Doctor Who got a mention here - he might not have been in the episode very long but he gave a great performance regardless

[@charlottapeterson]

Was about to write this comment myself - chuffed that it got a mention considering just how many people are still touched by that scene today!

[@Opocrious]

And Underworld did not make the cut. 😞

[@cowbert22]

@@Opocrious and neither did Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

[@emmetthowell899]

The whole scene is heart breaking but whenever he really gets into his speech I start bawling

[@louisrios5546]

The primary reason I clicked on this video was to see whether it included Doctor Who. He'll always be that curator to me.

[@rlavelleSLP]

“It’s not rocket science, but it’s not nothing either” is my new favorite quote ❤💫

[@colbyjackjohnson4111]

There really should be a category for MoCap performance for the Oscars, because his performance as Davey Jones is absolutely incredible. Bill is an incredible actor in everything he's been in though.

[@cosmiclatte2900]

Bill would be a shoo-in!! Him and Andy Serkis are such hardhitters in Mocap

[@bolshevi3187]

I believe they call it performance capture these days. I'm displeased when critics believe performance capture "isn't acting" (often a criticism when Andy Serkis performed as King Kong), cgi is essentially a form of make-up, the actors have to give it life.

[@johnreedy1417]

@@bolshevi3187 it’s actually called computer pajamas and a Bubble hat

[@elleryeggen9678]

Please explain, what is Mocap?

[@fast1nakus]

​@@elleryeggen9678MOtion CAPture.

[@bradley163]

His roles in Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz may be small, but my God, they are so memorable.

[@ScientificallyStupid]

Philip is such a great character; Bill Nighy conveys the feeling of love and responsibility he has toward Shaun that was always there even if Shaun didn't realize it...

[@alexrobert2000]

“With respect sir you can’t just make people disappear” “Yesssssss I can I’m the chief inspector”

[@HeartCoils]

Bill Nighy is a national treasure. He can play any kind of role. The Girl in the Cafe is a really moving film of his.

[@bleumarin1968]

thanks for mentioning this superb film and character that he plays in it. I think this movie is one of my favourite in the whole wide world if not my favourite

[@paulinegauthier1867]

Agreed! I love that movie and his acting in it. Great opposite the beautiful and talented Ms. McDonald too! I wish he'd talked about it here...

[@maddyam7113]

I met Bill Nighy on my 18th Birthday dinner with my friends and he was an absolute gentleman- signed one of my friends birthday cards with a message on the back and it’s now one of my prized possessions :) Just a 10/10 human being

[@mynona2491]

I love how the director gave the VFX team the recognition they deserve. Till this day I've never saw better CGI than Davy Jones.

[@jonasweber9408]

The best ones are unfortunately the ones we don’t see 😢

[@otterpoet]

His dry wit and perfect delivery are pure joy to watch. What a masterful storyteller and actor.

[@henryesj6242]

Davy Jones is easily one of the greatest villains in movie history.

[@astrahl1]

I'm so pleased he voices so many audiobooks. He has a delightful voice.

[@MonserratFoster]

I didn't know this, guess who's going to buy audiobooks now 😂

[@elleryeggen9678]

@@MonserratFoster Bill Nighy as Charles Paris in radio plays based on books by Simon Brett is of my favorite bedtime listening. I think there is about 16 of them, many available on YT now.

[@dennisandfreyasd631]

My favorite is the BBC version of Lord of the Rings, in which Bill Nighy plays my favorite character, Sam Gamgee. Ian Holm played the part of Frodo. I taped this off the radio in the 80's, and have had to replace it at the bookstore. I love to listen to it while driving. An excellent version of Lord of the Rings!

[@astrahl1]

@@dennisandfreyasd631 Thank you for sharing that! Im going to look for that version.

[@dennisandfreyasd631]

@@astrahl1 Bill Nighy sings a couple of songs - Gil Galad was an Elven king is one!

[@AdmiralJaneway74656]

Even if you've never seen a full episode of Dr. Who, you HAVE seen the Van Gogh scene. Im so glad they included the scene. Absolutely sublime😍

[@delix787]

Wished people gave Pirates 2 and 3 the respect that deserve!! 😭🖤

[@suzannenichols6030]

He's a wonderful storyteller. "About Time" inspired me to want to see everything he's done. So talented. Loved this.

[@Doubt1337]

What a shame to not include Underworld. That was my first exposure to Bill Nighy. I would have liked to hear his thoughts on it

[@masseyjd]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6imhnhpf7-NrM0

[@MonserratFoster]

Same.

[@opticalnitemare]

I'm glad someone else mentioned the lack of Underworld. He played a fairly large role in Viktor and it's not like it wasn't a well known IP.

[@yourmom4976]

he talks about it in his GQ character breakdown: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6imhnhpf7-NrM0

[@sooperalex15]

I bloody love Bill Nighy, the finest actor in any scene but its played so subtly that you only appreciate it after the fact. So likeable.

[@jeppefrolund1718]

I was in downtown one day, and Bill Nighy just strolled by with an umbrella in his hand. I was like "Was that just....?" It was. Got a picture with him, and he was every bit as cool and amazing in that short 10 second interaction as I had hoped he would be. Been a long time fan of amazing acting and his voice is just a thrill and a character all on of it's own. His finishing remarks on acting feels more educational than anything anybody else has said before. Very eloquent.

[@TheOneSoulMate_]

What an actor. He has played so many different types of characters.He nails them all. Menacing, serious, funny, heartfelt. His range is wide. Some of my favorites movies he has done are Underworld, Pirates of the and About Time.

[@TorQueMoD]

Oh man, his closing staments are simply beautiful! Can't get enough of Bill Nighy in my movies :)

[@raphaelfp]

A true everyman of the industry, he can make any kind of movie more interesting by just being in them. Great comedy timing and also sweet and creepy when he needs to be. Deserves so much more recognition than he's ever got. I'm a fan since Still Crazy!

[@filmania]

Bill is just an English film treasure and one of the most humble actors in the business. His roles are always pivotal yet secondary to the lead. But when you look back you realise that without his performance or support to the lead the film would loose its heart. He is both funny and so dark, no wonder he got on so well with Johnny Depp! Thank you Bill for your awesomeness!!!

[@paigebestle1]

Bummed they didn't talk about Pirate Radio, one of my favorite films of his. Phenomnal actor.

[@berkc06]

One of my favorite actors. He is fantastic!

[@maddyvogel4525]

I didn’t realize how many movies of his I’ve seen! What a great actor

[@katarinajanoskova]

Ah, so glad you invited him! Pride is among my very favourite films. What an underrated gem. Everyone in it is just wonderful and the story is of course too! Beautiful and heart-breaking and uplifting, all at the same time. Also, if you wander around London long enough, you will run into Bill cos he does as he says, walks where he needs to.

[@LunaTrimming]

Other than these roles in this video (particularly About TIme I love), I would suggest to anyone to watch him in The Boat That Rocked (also known as Pirate Radio) because he plays a brilliant character in that as well. Bill is such an entertaining watch always.

[@rosielinsey7849]

My fave film!!!

[@chrism82793]

I'm so glad that young people saw about time, it is a beautiful film about the important things in one's life.

[@mtino7509]

I agree. It is one of my favorite movies. The scene at the end of the movie when he goes back in time with his son never fails to make me cry.

[@jwoodfill14]

Beautiful movie.

[@EllaPress]

Now I want to rewatch About Time. Such a beautiful film.

[@pammorris4358]

Loved this interview! One of my favorite actors. I have watched About Time 4-5 times, even own the DVD. I saw it in the movie theater and when I got into my car I sobbed for at least 15 minutes solid. So moving! Bill Nighy's acting has never let me down. I wish him many more years of it if that's what he wants.

[@singlenator9138]

man, i could watch him talk all day. It helps that the things he says are actually very insightful, but even if they weren't, the way he speaks is very soothing and really draws you in

[@douglasdare175]

I adore this man. This turned in to a free masterclass.

[@notthatguy1447]

Bill is one of my favorite/favourite actors. If I am unsure about viewing a film and then I see that Bill Nighy is in the cast I no longer question it, I watch it.

[@fengzhenlee1561]

I wish this video was longer. Love Bill Nighy, he's full of charisma.

[@alanakaren]

I am now obsessed with how he holds his hands and gestures.

[@invaderhaywire]

Its a genetic condition called Dupuytren's Contracture. Makes his pinky and ring fingers stuck in a closed position. I never noticed it before until I rewatched About Time and was wondering why it seemed like he was giving everyone the finger.🤣

[@jerk1921]

EXACTLY, Now I realize that his claw hand thing is in all his movies, its just part of him.

[@mysurrealsynapse]

OMG I was just rewatching Dead Mans Chest yesterday and I kept wondering who's this brilliant actor behind Davy, pitch perfect accent, and styel ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ love love love...

[@bearsinlove1]

I love Bill! I could listen to him all day, everyday and twice Sunday. His mannerisms, voice and talent all rap up into this very lovely person. I love the characters he plays and catch myself smiling. I hope to one day meet this brilliant actor. His quirky gestures and those moments he snorts, I'd buckle over laughing and possibly pee my pants! You're awesome Bill!

[@CookieMargoulis]

A true gent. His standout role for me was as Quentin in the Boat that Rocked.

[@fa-demianbecerra]

it would be nice watching him talked about his role in The Boat that Rocked :D

[@zuzannabrzeszczak1578]

I just love how down to earth and ,,simple" he is. He doesn't look like a complicated person to be around, but at the same time knows how to operate on a deeper level, and knows how human mind actually works. Just brilliant.

[@ninaricceri9564]

Love Actually is one of my favorite movies of all time

[@TheRenaissanceGuys]

About Time has to be my favourite movie of all time. It's fantastic!

[@jamesalanstephensmith7930]

Probably the best, most sincere acting reflections ever.

[@Irishgirl7]

Loved him in Love Actually & he was amazing and he was amazing in Pirates! He’s a regular Joe soap actor.

[@persoballauron5457]

Such an inspirational being and a great actor. Always loved his speech, tone, his poise. Bill Nighy is one of the greats.

[@Stinkface]

I absolutely adore Bill Nighy. One of the most charming and charismatic people, and you get the impression it is completely genuine. I had a stylist friend who worked with him in London many years ago, and she says he was just the nicest person ever.

[@gabrieldiaz9095]

Pirates franchise has some of the best CGI especially his character

[@LR11306]

His performance in Living was subtle and wonderful. Beautiful movie. He was humble and made self-deprecating jokes at the premiere's Q&A. Really appreciated hearing him speak.

[@Betta66]

Should've asked him about his best performance: the music video for Free by Florence + the Machine.

[@hair.goblinnn]

I was thinking the same thing!! I love that video so much 🥲

[@BlueBlood859]

He might be the most naturally charismatic man I’ve ever listened to.

[@Anesthetize99.]

Don't know why but he gives me Steven Wilson vibes

[@MojoTheClown]

This guy is great in absolutely everything. One of the best (and most welcome) supporting actors in history.

[@az7500]

Nighy is among the finest actors of his generation - and his intelligence and depth come across in every performance. About time is one of my favorite films

[@Jabersson]

I love Bill's chill attitude and love for humor. Such a great actor!

[@vigsharpson7629]

One of the most underrated actors today. He's great in everything he does.

[@BrianIman72]

I wished they would have talked about his role as VICTOR in the Underworld movie. That’s where I was introduced to him. He was excellent in that role.

[@jamesbsl316]

plus that was a big role and he was amazingggg

[@ingra888]

That was what I was thinking! That’s where many people are introduced to him! He was in Three of the Underworld movies!

[@JoRiver11]

No Pirate Radio? I love that movie (though the ending was a bit too tidy), and I loved Nighy's character in that film. He (the character) was a bit larger than life and not believable, but Nighy made him believable in the performance.

[@cjscrubs]

He just oozes class.

[@stephenwaddell7776]

I loved him in State of Play (the original UK TV series). One of the greatest casts ever assembled for a TV programme - Nighy, David Morrissey, James McAvoy, Kelly McDonald, John Simm, Marc Warren, and that's just off the top of my head! Amazing, and he still managed to stand out.

[@gsmith9531]

How did he miss talking about Pirate Radio - I think one of his funniest roles!

[@coffeegirl6854]

Thank you for this great interview with this wonderful actor.

[@Spikkle]

Just love hearing him talk about all this. Could listen to him all day.

[@IntriguedLioness]

*_Action!.. Really?!?_* Simply love Bill Nighy, drama or comedy roles, he is perfection!

[@letivon6589]

What?! No "Notes on a scandal" with Cate Blanchett?? He was phenomenal in it!

[@Happytobehere877]

Bill Nighy is my favourite actor. This acting timeline doesn't disappoint. Charismatic, interesting and humble. I hope he continues acting for many years to come.

[@florinet.3280]

Definitively one of my favorite actor !

[@gonzogamer]

Im glad they included Pride, his character's scene with the sandwiches always makes me cry

[@TheMetallicaMonster]

I really loved his portrayal of Scrimgeour in HP vs the book. Scared but really trying his best, and not focused on politics but really just trying to hold everything together as best as he can.

[@monadoboy9639]

I've loved this guy in everything he's been in I really hope he is in many many more things that doctor who episode always always gets me and makes me cry just brilliant

[@Es_Tay]

He is just simply, bloody brilliant.

[@Hi_I_am_Ed]

Every movie with him in it he always steals the scene for me. I am not even sure why, he is just mesmerizing to watch.

[@elizabethcrossley6853]

Pure talent

[@kristakuipers9084]

I love the boat that rocked. Favorit movie.

[@lindsaytoles2023]

Wait wait wait... Bill Ny? Have I been saying "Nigh-hee" and it's just Ny?? We have two awesome guys named Bill Nye on the planet at the same time? Bonus!!

[@ovepayne]

Bill is a brilliant actor and one of my personal favorites and may he make many more roles for us to enjoy!

[@brianonthescene]

Brilliant interview. Love him!

[@humanities-english]

Wonderful. And, such helpful insights. Thank you, Bill!

[@Peac0ck01]

I love Bill's three comments at the end. They are good takeaways for dealing with random bad thoughts, with self-doubt, and letting go of all that, anyway. Anyway, he first caught my eye in the '90s starring against Caroline Quentin in "Kiss Me Kate" - loved that series and he injected life into the plots.

[@willienelsongonzalez4609]

Bill Nighy needs more than a 25 min vid about his epic career!

[@Alvinemoon]

My favorite movies with Bill: Still Crazy, Wild Target , About Time ❤️

[@sj6546]

I love this man. I watch everything he is in. He makes any movie better.

[@thenadzman1]

so many wonderful scenes that pull on the heart strings - unique actor and rightly celebrated

[@isabel.bolivia]

I loved him as Davy Jones, when he is shown shaken down when he sees Calypso... I shook

[@NaturebyGus]

We really need a stand alone movie about Davy Jones, perhaps a prequel explaining his origins more in detail.

[@Vako_oja]

Only reason i rewatch Pirates of the caribbean again and again is Davy Jones he is just WOW! Perfection

[@cameronplaystrumpet6777]

It is straight up childhood ruining to find out that Davy Jones was nothing but a paycheck to him. Perhaps it’s a testament to his acting skill that his performance is one of the best villain performances of all time

[@rutherhood5961]

with how apprihensive he was he created my favourite and one of the most iconic characters in Davey Jones

[@johannesofie777]

Love him voicing "Most Scenic Railway Journeys" and, more recently, "Most Scenic River Journeys". (And of course that he has made Norway and is quite proud of that

[@bucky6700]

His character is my favorite in pirates. His voice totally made that character awesome

[@reysgotplans5005]

I've this actor and I'm saving some of his lesser known movies as a treat for myself 😊 also, those last few minutes?! A beautiful perspective and insight into living with a mind 😅

[@_bebeboudeur_]

I know him mostly for The boat that rocked (or Good morning England, for french people like me) so it was weird to not see this movie somewhere. Loved to hear everything he had to say about his career though !

[@NathanieI87]

Brilliant actor! It's a shame that his performance as Vampire Elder Viktor in Underworld (2003) was not mentioned here.

[@realong2506]

Bill Nighy is one of my favorite actors. My favorite movie of his is the 1998 movie Still Crazy. If you haven't seem it check it out, He plays one of a group of washed up 70's rock band who are trying to make a comeback and touring in crappy venues all over Europe. It stars also stars Stephen Rhea, Billy Connolly and Timothy Sphal.

[@nungiceman]

Brilliant actor! Love his performance in many movies. Especially Love Actually and Pirates of The Caribbean. Those performances will be remembered forever. Absolute legend!

[@bunnywuzhere881]

I love this man so much

[@chasehedges6775]

He’s an amazing actor and just seems like a cool dude to hang with.

[@FrauM.]

I'd love to see him talking about his iconic movies like the boat that rocked and strange fruit.

[@toosexy7]

I met Bill in london once and what a lovely sweet man. Down to earth, friendly and Kind.

[@elizabethmcnally3037]

Bill didn’t include Pirate Radio/The Boat that Rocked, in his time line of film. I loved that film, and his part in it.