Derek Jacobi | Full Q&A | Oxford Union

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Amongst the most successful British actors of all time, Sir Derek has been the recipient of two Olivier awards as well as a lifetime Tony award. Whilst primarily a stage actor, Sir Derek has enjoyed success in television and film, taking prominent roles in The King’s Speech and Cinderella in recent years.
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[@hancar]

He's the epitome of what British actors are, immensely talented, intelligent, down-to-earth, wellspoken and simply amazing!

[@rosapurpurea]

I could listen him for hours...lovely man, extremely clever.

[@bondfool]

rosapurpurea His voice is like caramel.

[@rossmcl1776]

I was just going to type exactly that! I'm off to find more videos of him talking like this. Utterly compelling.

[@thomasbernecky2078]

While I'm from the US, I've had the privilege of seeing Sir Derek on various BBC Series, including I, Claudius, Cadfael and various Shakespeare works. What a gentleman, and what a fine, fine actor. And I have signed the statement too.

[@thomasbernecky2078]

Good advice on facing your fears also.

[@1funkyflyguy]

"I, Claudius" is one of the best and one of my favourite television series of all time.

[@neildahlgaard-sigsworth3819]

Thomas Bernecky Cadfael was made by ITV not the BBC.

[@Mdriver1981]

What he says about the Shakespearean authorship is quite atrocious though...

[@gmaureen]

Same. In the US but found him years ago through the internet. Loved Cadfael.

[@SeanRCope]

He will always be Clau, Clau, Claudius to me. An amazing actor.

[@saradecapua3264]

I've watched that series many times to see Derek Jacoby and the wonderful John Hurt.

[@SeanRCope]

@@saradecapua3264 So many uniquely talented actors and all in their prime.. if I had to choose a stand out, I must say that Sian Phillips as Livia was perfectly cast, she was so deliciously evil…

[@saradecapua3264]

@@SeanRCope Brian Blessed, George Baker....everyone in that series was incredibly gifted. We have no current young actors with any talent to compare to those great actors.

[@billfarnsworth7536]

I CLAVDIVS

[@nicolasviard2252]

Amazing series i watch every year in both English and French (great dubbing and Latin feeling to it). Wonderful story and acting. You don't see such quality nowadays.

[@vardellsfolly5200]

What a beautiful, gentle, kind, elegant and wonderful man Derek is!

[@Frip36]

He's a monkey

[@vardellsfolly5200]

@@Frip36 A what?!

[@Frip36]

@@vardellsfolly5200 I got tired of all the sweet comments about him. And so I rebelled.

[@vardellsfolly5200]

@@Frip36 Please, rebel as much as you like!

[@MuckinFutch]

He stands during the entire meeting because he wants to see the audience and he wants them to see him. Pretty classy.

[@sarahkinsey5434]

IMHO the actors with extensive theater backgrounds are the best actors. They know how to fill a room without trying too hard. I don't care what Derek talks about, I could listen to him all day! edit: I'm disappointed no one mentioned Cadfael.

[@janetlieb2507]

Yes Alan rickman performed much theater and fame drama rigg

[@RG-ja34sep]

He’s a living legend, a total genius of an actor. I could listen to his voice for ever. God bless you Sir Derek, what an honour and pleasure it would be to meet you in person.

[@StuartPhoenix]

Dear Oxford Union - thank you very much for sharing these, they are fantastic :-)

[@clairedegroote334]

Beautiful and creatief man. He is a pleasure too watch. Greatings from little belgium.

[@RuthShultz47]

Absolutely one of the best; if not the best actors in the western world!

[@marilynhands576]

Sir Derek is such an extraordinary man on so many levels. A cherished and beloved man to you

[@marilynhands576]

There in the UK and to us across the pond. God bless you always Sir Derek

[@tonymanfredi6844]

@@marilynhands576 yes.

[@mahler58]

The ultimate Hamlet, as far as I am concerned. Have always been hooked on 'I, Claudius' and 'Cadfael'. I can watch those series over and over again.

[@jobmartin9561]

My favorite actor. Thank you.

[@janetlieb2507]

I love him too!

[@Poetic_Justice1962]

Every part he plays bears the stamp of humanity and genius.

[@tonymanfredi6844]

Very well put!

[@MrWoodMan23]

His best work for me was "Dead Again" after I watched that movie. I wanted... no I needed to find out more about him. I've watched countless hours of interviews of him. What a scholar and a gentleman he is!

[@wakeupuk3860]

Felt quite sorry for the young man who ask the last question about Visious some waht embarrassing for him but for me as an often grumpy and often critical of young people it was really good to hear him say that he and many of his age felt that i Claudius was the best TV series there has ever been, something I could not agree more. Really gave me some hope for the future :-)

[@Tonithenightowl]

I just love Derek Jacobi. He's brilliant at what he does. This is the first time I've seen such an interview with him and it was so interesting to hear about his life in the theater. What a genuinely humble and gracious man.... either that or he's a better actor than we think lol I came across Vicious by accident and it was his name which drew me in and I was immediately hooked. I will look up I Claudius. Just watching him speak was like being at the theater. Thanks so much.:o)

[@sarahkinsey5434]

If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend you check out Cadfael!

[@rosemariemann1719]

Toni, yes, it was very interesting to hear about his life in the theatre, t.v., etc. I too found " Vicious" by chance , Jan 2022 : what a nice surprise 😊 : lots of laughs from the attentive audience. Now looking for more episodes on KZbin. Jolly well done.😊. 😊🇬🇧💕😊💕🇬🇧

[@tonithenightowl1836]

@@rosemariemann1719 You will find some episodes on YT, the quality will be lacking but at least it's free. lol I can't believe Netflix or Prime hasn't scooped it up, yet. I love British comedy and always have. It started with Monty Python 50 plus yrs ago. Now with YT we get to see a multitude of them. :o)

[@rosemariemann1719]

@@tonithenightowl1836; yes, thank you, I have found a few , looking forward to seeing more. I really like the clear diction from experienced theatre actors. Glad they are both "ours" on "Vicious"! xx

[@tonithenightowl1836]

@@rosemariemann1719 OMG I say the same thing lol It's the only time I don't need captions bc of my tinnitus due to hearing loss. Something to be said about the lack diction in American movies... unless its being done by a former theater actor. Enjoy !!!

[@stephancapitanio6898]

A legend and a star.

[@picklesthewise]

Derek's advice is always amazing - very real, and sometimes hard to hear as an actor if you're unsure of yourself, but immensely valuable. You're never "safe", never "done", you're always going to have to test and challenge yourself every day on whether you've still got it or not and what your limits are. But that is precisely how you learn to be better. His advice on Hamlet is the best I've ever heard on how to play the part - "you are who YOU would be in his circumstances." I adore his version of Cyrano de Bergerac - adored the play when I read it, long before I saw it, but his version was incredible and the most nuanced I'd ever seen. Also love I Claudius, which is a fantastic show with so many incredible actors (Sian Phillips, Brian Blessed, John Hurt, Patrick Stewart, to name a few!) that has to be seen to be believed for how good it is.

[@liseblanchette6633]

Just wonderful. I Claudius eas so great. I never forgot his performance in the series. Thank you so much Derek for all the yrs of joy u ve given us.

[@edward311]

I saw him perform as Benedict, Cyrano, Prospero and Peer Gynt in the RSC season he mentioned and had no idea whatsoever that he had been suffering from stage fright prior to these roles. He was sensational. He has given so many brilliant performances on stage and film....Claudius, Love Is The Devil etc etc. I once sat next to him and his husband at the Hampstead Theatre and was petrified to even look at him I was so much in awe. Stupid really as he seems a very down to earth lovely gentleman. Thank you for uploading.

[@stevesandford8993]

As talented a speaker as he is an actor... Very enjoyable. xx SF

[@r.clemons8037]

Sir Derek Jacobi, a blessing to those who find a love of the physical stage, and a wonderful discourse on how to become the actor of you own destiny.

[@davidwatson9755]

Many years ago, sat opposite him and his partner / friend / whoever on a plane from Florence to London. The pair of them had me in stitches the whole way with their tomfoolery and camp humour. What a delight that journey was!

[@wakeupuk3860]

As with others on here, I could listen to Sir Derek Jacobi for hours, a real pleasure to come across this video and I could not enjoy it more. Have loved the theatre, cinema and good TV series all my life and if I was given a wish to sit down and have a meal with any of those actors I have enjoyed watching over 60 year - it would be Derek Jacobi. Even though an incredible actor and I Claudius which since 1976 as a young man when I first watched it, must have seen over twenty times, he without doubt is the most unpretentious, sweet and delightful person I would love to spend time chatting to. A fantastic storyteller and unlike most of his fellow thespians he does not 'act' being modest, he truly is.

[@kaymoon999]

He is so beautiful and down to earth!

[@goodboybuddy1]

Total joy to hear this wonderful gentleman. Thank you!

[@albertweir5070]

Thank you so much derek you have explained so much and im grateful I love your work .

[@swf4841]

One of the best actors who ever lived.

[@Humancatpost]

What an incredibly amazing actor and man. I just love how he so obviously loves what he does, you can feel it in every single word. Absolutely brilliant.

[@philippankhurst6680]

Great actor and a truly wonderful man. He won't remember, but I met him several times in Cambridge in the 1980s - he was just like he appears here. No airs and graces, just a charming man

[@sandranaylor2348]

He now stars in a brilliant comedy called Last Tango in Halifax which is one of my favourite programms on BBC

[@melanieohara6941]

Wow! So glad I found this!🙋🏼‍♀️💞🌠

[@djstarr-lowery4047]

I think it's amazing that he is so willing to share and so down to earth

[@sefrayne110]

I was lucky enough to see him perform Richard 11 and Richard 111 in 1988 in London. Went backstage , met him and chatted - he even wrote to me to thank for a gift I sent to him later on - I adore him !

[@charlychips]

AN AMAZING ACTOR, THANK YOU OXFORD UNION AND THANK YOU DEREK JACOBI

[@jlelliotton]

Over this holiday I re-watched I Claudius and have started re-watching Cadfael. Such a brilliant actor and so glad to see him working still.

[@tomjones2348]

I first saw DJ in 1977 via Masterpiece Theater, I Claudius. Just Stunning. This presentation is a perfect example of his generosity,...his willingness to share. Wonderful post.

[@kevinwyse9234]

Any budding young actors will be enlightened by his knowledge and wisdom of the craft of acting

[@Tophymaster]

He is the Master. And I will obey him!

[@cristhianrosado6900]

Here from the Lost Pirate Kingdom 🏴‍☠️. I needed go see and here the narrator. What an incredible voice.

[@EKS49]

Brilliant, enjoyed every minute of it and so informative. Love Derek Jacobi in anything, one of my favourite along with Sir Ian McKellan.

[@naly202]

Who on earth are these lucky people? And what did they do to deserve having Sir Derek in their midst

[@wakeupuk3860]

Rather cruel but I have to say was my one of my thoughts too. LOL

[@naly202]

@@wakeupuk3860 I can't possibly imagine why I was so categorical. I guess I was green with envy at the time. One of my favourite actors.

[@1969Kismet]

This man is grace, beauty and wit.

[@ONETREEPHIL]

My favourite actor!

[@janetlieb2507]

Yes! Love him!

[@dreadfulspiller8766]

It's a shame that great performances on the stage have never been preserved for future generations.

[@sharonjanethague7181]

Some of Sir Derek Jacobi's Shakespearean performances are on film. He is a great actor.

[@Scrappy527]

What a talented gentleman. I've enjoyed him in each role. He's a lovely man and actor.

[@carriemitch1]

I so enjoyed this, thank you!

[@paultoy9611]

Ever since I saw Jacobi as "Clau Clau Claudius" in the seventies I've been fascinated.He was fantastic in Branagh's "Hamlet" and "Henry V" as well.

[@meirwise1107]

Hamlet, Claudius, Caedfael, classics and modern. There is nothing that he can't play. And a great human being.

[@bestcrossroad]

Love , love him! Very lovely man, talented. Thank you for bringing us joy, Sir Derek. God bless you.🙏❤️ (Edited for sp)

[@shadouk6737]

I've just watched I Claudius on Britbox for the first time in 20 years and I'm still astonished at how superb this drama is. Perfect performances from all the cast and Derek in particular. Highly recommended and somewhat depressing that most modern TV drama still can't come anywhere near as close to the quality of Claudius.

[@majorsnodgrassthethird5699]

He went to Leyton County High School for Boys as did I. He played King Lear at the Edinburgh Festival in 1956.

[@ryamashita8437]

Brilliant. Check out Viscious...he and Ian McKellan are outstanding!

[@ravnabergsndot1854]

He had one (1) episode in Doctor Who and he nailed his role als the Master in a way that he instantly became THE Master for me.

[@daddydreddy]

I was still pretty young seeing him as the master and I had no knowledge of Dr who before Ecclestons series so when the kind professor turned into a raving killer and stole the TARDIS I was absolutely terrified. Brilliant role

[@corgisrule21]

Precious, sweet man❤️❤️

[@beccastell6439]

Lovely voice! He reads prose as if it was poetry and poetry as if it is prose. Fascinating to hear him on the subject of conveying Shakespeare. Gentle, reserved but how powerful when he takes on a role. He's right about the draining element of acting! Five a.m. calls: he should have been a Hobbit! He and poor John Rhys Davis, need to start a support group! Fascinating about character:what people will do based on situations!

[@VallaMusic]

what an engaging speaker, Derek is - so genuine and wise

[@janetlieb2507]

Rich, wonderful! Love Derek jacobi!

[@RB-mq6em]

What a class act.

[@MrDavey2010]

Was a truly lovely man. Highly intelligent, hugely talented, and yet utterly modest.

[@isaacpabellonma1976]

The Master... Reborn!

[@1funkyflyguy]

I like that, Dr Who no less. But for me it will alway be "I Cludius" that put me on to Derek Jacobi.

[@janetlieb2507]

Yes I first experienced Derek in I Claudius!wonderful! Sad! Love him !

[@CoachMike87]

Yes

[@opentheworld]

You are an excellent actor and we are so lucky to have watched you...

[@soapanicals]

What a treat, I too could listen for hours

[@richierich8334]

Love him in Frasier, taking the piss out of his own Thespianism :D ;)

[@CharlieQuartz]

Does Derek call Kelsey "Chelsea Crammer"? 42:27

[@DrErnieGibson]

Richie Rich One of their funniest episodes.

[@emmad.176]

I was first introduced to Sir Derek Jacobi in Cinderella the disney live action, which I absolutely love and I thought the whole cast was amazing :) His portrayal of the king and his relationship with his son in that was very touching :) Then I discover he has a long-running friendship with both Sir Kenneth Branagh and Sir Ian McKellen, and has a rich experience in acting. He seems like a very lovely man with a beautiful speaking voice :) This might sound bizarre but I can see him playing a lovely version of Santa Claus in something :)

[@naly202]

At 32:41 sir Derek had a kind of Garden of Eden experience. Theologically speaking the first and worst evil the devil did was putting doubt in the human brain. The deadly : "what if?" It's wonderful /frightening how Sir Derek describes his experience. One can litteraly feel his anguish- to have fallen out of grace. Wonderful man!

[@dereklaveau1824]

I agree ....Legend !

[@irenebianchi5088]

Derek and Ian, it would be awfully amazing to see them together at Oxford 🌹🌹

[@shanequigley7552]

I Claudius , outstanding

[@nativevirginian8344]

Love this man.

[@jppage3292]

I can't imagine being in a room w Jeremy Brett & Derek Jacobi. Stay healthy, Mr Jacobi.

[@angeloyan6544]

Wonderful and beautiful gentlemen

[@theog.a2212]

Sir Derek is an amazing actor , I had seen him as Claudius, and professor Yana.

[@janetlieb2507]

Brilliant actor!

[@ralcst-1977]

Wonderful, wonderful Man.....Extremely well-spoken....Interesting....a man you would like to spend some extra time with, ....just to talk with him!! Loved him in "Vicious!!"

[@mamat8184]

As a young American girl, I was introduced to Shakespeare by Derek Jacobi in Hamlet at the Old Vic. What a fortunate little girl I was.

[@lalexander1144]

What an amazing man. I Claudius remains my favorite role of his.

[@sled_dog]

One of my very favorite actors.

[@Scottpeasley]

Great actor, gladiator forever. I love to interview without a camara.

[@marcco44]

delightful man

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

The part that probably sticks out the most for me is how Sir Derek expresses his personal preference for the theater over film/television while simultaneously promoting the pros and cons of both. It says a lot for a Shakespearean to convey all of that at once. Did he really say “It ain’t what you say”? Although I did witness a syndicated marathon of the I Claudius series in 1990, my image of Sir Derek is a cemented combination of the 1987 television adaptation of The Secret Garden (in which he convincingly portrays the hump-backed Lord of the Manor) and a voice part of his from 5 years earlier during The Secret of NIMH.

[@67lindyloo99]

That was a quick hour ❣️🌹

[@kayrkoet]

Wonderful!

[@cecilefox9136]

What a fascinating man!

[@martinhansmann8636]

what a great person

[@dinocub1]

In all my life, if there was any one actor I'd love to meet...just to have a chat over a beer or coffee it would be Derek. So incredibly brilliant and down to earth all at the same time. Grew up watching him in I Claudius on PBS here in Canada in the early 70's and have loved everything he's been in ever since. Wish I could have been in this audience.

[@wakeupuk3860]

Me too, word for word but here in the UK not Canada.

[@OBGynKenobi]

His Claudius was mind-blowing!

[@frogmouth]

I didn't like Hamlet till I saw Jacobi's Hamlet. Then it was real for me. Loved I Claudius. Such a stellar cast. Enjoyed Cadfael on the television. Have watched a bit of Last Tango and admire it rather than ,like it. I think there is a lot of contemporary Britain I don't understand or like much. Actually I have gone off movies and tv. I get fidgety or go to sleep sitting down . I am heavily into live music, and theatre these days and if not at concerts doing something like paneling, editing or presenting on community radio, singing in a choir, script writing etc.

[@ARKHAMxMaverick]

I still love his appearance on Frasier, just a great juxtaposition against his actual talent.

[@msreid52]

So distinguished. His work in Cadfael is wonderful. A long, venerable history on the stage

[@ashleyartus8430]

Love him. X

[@thegregariousrecluse]

There is no finer actor. Some may be his equal, but certainly not better! Long before there was DVD/Bluray, and before there was VHS, there were only reruns. Fortunately, I Claudius ran on PBS initially (not as if any ABC, CBS or ABC would have aired it) and was rerun on occasion. I never missed re-watching the entire series and when VHS finally did arrive I copied the entire series at my first opportunity. Unfortunately, I don't have Alistair Cooke's introductions prior to each episode. Since then, and that must have been at least three, maybe probably closer to four, decades ago, I have watched the series at least once each year. Of course I now have it on DVD and often go back to just watch my favorite storylines,. Up first, and no discount to Derek, is John Hurt, one of Jacobi's equals (along with Sian Phillips & Brian Blessed) as Caligula. I am a historian and frankly there is more history about Caligula than Claudius (any press is good press?), not that Graves' work was ever intended to be historically accurate. IF, and I suspect if you've read this far you already know what I am about to share next, Charles Laughton as Claudius. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIbFpWOprMp8oKs

[@r.clemons8037]

Wonderous; a lifetime of education regarding the theatre, winin a life-time of perfections.

[@doriswhite5526]

I feel we have grown old together one of our great actors l just love his performance in anything he acts in

[@njuham]

Talented people make their own luck. First saw him as Claudius.

[@danbarron594]

If you haven't seen it, seek out his Richard II that was part of the BBC's recordings of the entire canon. His command of Shakespeare's beautiful language is complete. And a great supporting cast, including John Gielgud and Jon Finch.

[@lancemangham997]

Man I’d love to meet him!

[@giovannipierre5309]

Great actor.

[@edcliffe2988]

Ronnie Barker as Claudius... Considering his role in Open All Hours, he'd have been a natural.