Rod Steiger on Patton The Godfather + Depression - Later with Bob Costas 11/20/91

Actor Rod Steiger was the guest on the November 20th 1991 episode "Later with Bob Costas" and talks about "The Pawnbroker", the consequences of his behavior when auditioning for "Patton" that limited his career (and chance to be Don Corleone in "The Godfather", but mostly focuses upon himself and the ups and downs of dealing with depression (or other maladies). Quite a riveting piece of television! Steiger was also the guest the prior evening (see link in comments) #rodsteiger #bobcostas #interview #marlonbrando #patton #film #acting #methodacting #thegodfather #depression
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[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

part one from 11/19/91 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5vLcmymrbyfa5Y

[@Thadmotor1044]

who introduces the segments ?

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

@@Thadmotor1044 I do them to comply with the reshaping existing content standards for KZbin

[@montylatino1]

"Every day is a new world!" "When your mind is not right, nothing is right!" Two pearls of wisdom from a major poet and artiste...MISTER Rodney...STEIGER! Bravo!

[@janehuey]

Wow, that was one of the best interviews I've ever seen. My admiration for Rod Steiger has gone up exponentially. It's inspiring to see someone be so bravely honest. He is obviously someone who has struggled with demons and fought heroically to live his best life. Bless his heart.

[@bellavia5]

Isn't he great? One of a kind.

[@vedicastrologyteacher]

I loved how calm Bob was the whole time,, even after seeing Steiger crying and getting very emotional. Bob Costas is remarkable

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Bob does not get his due IMO

[@Soundofsilence-j4d]

​@@ClevelandLiveMusicyeah like kick in ass

[@greenbeagle13]

Just watched "In The Heat of the Night" again and he was amazing in each and every scene. This was an incredible interview - I loved it. I also loved him in "The Illustrated Man".....

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Such a raw person...no barriers

[@Deepbluecat]

Thanks for the fascinating upload. When I was young, my mom (rest her soul) used to talk about certain actors she admired, and, over the years I've grown to like and admire them as well...names like Brando, Bette Davis, Spencer Tracy, Rod Steiger, Omar Shariff, Anthony Quinn, and later, Daniel Day Lewis. Now I realize how much I miss my mom, as no one else gave a sh8 about films or acting, but mom and I used to share a fondness for them. I feel she was right about those actors. Miss ya mom.

[@MrBILLSTANLEY]

I'm 80 yrs old. I've always felt the same way as your late mother.

[@Deepbluecat]

@@MrBILLSTANLEY That's great to know. I think you have good taste in cinema, sir. ;-)

[@alanstein3394]

In the right role, there was no better actor than Rod Steiger. A thoroughly fascinating individual.

[@leonardodalongisland]

I could listen to Steiger all day-every day!! What a great teacher (of anything) he would have been.

[@louk231]

Incredible interview of a very expressive Mr Steiger. He bared his feelings. I appreciated it a lot. Most of 'us 'hide' everything. And most of the time for good reason. These topics aren't understood by many. Many just laugh at emotional things instead of trying to understand them. This was a special interview...

[@geoffberesford]

I couldn't have put it better myself.

[@suzannemcmaken4648]

What a fascinating, deep, and captivating man Mr. Steiger is.

[@mrzee4862]

Thanks for uploading these episodes. Two of Costas's best.

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

I agree....that final question was great

[@joshron99]

Years ago I was having a drink in the Village at the old Lion's Head bar on Sheridan Square mid-afternoon, empty except a guy who happened to be a salesman for Merrilat had come in and sat to my right side. He was an incessant talker-- about kitchen cabinets. Shortly thereafter a man walked in and stood aside of me to my left and asked the bartender if there was an envelope left there for him. The man was Rod Steiger. He had on a hat, fedora style and sunglasses, I think yellow or light brown. I knew instantly that it was he. At that time in my life I met and interacted with numerous luminaries so it was nothing unusual for me. I would have said something because he was actually my favorite actor then (and now). The bartender handed him a FedEx stiff mailer (as I remember, could have been DHL or another company). Steiger pulled it open and a single American Express card (the green one) was shaken onto the bar counter. Rod put in in a pocket, said thanks and left (his name was embossed on it-- I remember thinking, why not the gold one? oh well it was green). I believe that I would have had a memorable conversation with him but for this motormouth salesman to my right. I thought, doesn't this insufferable windbag know who just walked in? Of course he didn't and had anything but a cabinet somehow walked in he wouldn't have noticed.

[@luminacosmosa2324]

Amazing story!

[@lotusmanb3832]

Acting is a Kaleidescope of impulses and terrors and fears and joys . That's also a definition of a human being ... well said Mr Steiger

[@burtcampbell1452]

Wow- an absolute legend- he will never ever be replicated

[@johnoliver533]

Wonderful interview. Rod Steiger was a great actor. His performance in The Pawnbroker was a masterful one. Certainly more Oscar worthy than Lee Marvin's.

[@leonardodalongisland]

In the history of the Oscars, every now and then, "they" make some bizarre choices; Lee Marvin over Steiger, Ordinary People over Raging Bull....I've pondered this on occasion and have come up with no logical reason for these crazy decisions. And when I'm working, as a member of SAG-paying my dues, I actually have a say in the outcome-as a voting member. I just hope no one says this about any of the films/actors I've voted for!

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Kudos to Bob Costas!...I wish he had kept doing these perceptive interviews...he is so good at it!...and so much more than a sports commentator.

[@5starubercar698]

“We gather the dust of the day before” now that is a quote!

[@brianwalsh1401]

He grew up under very difficult circumstances. His father left and his mother was an alcoholic. This obviously affected him for the rest of his life. Same thing with Brando's childhood. I have to wonder did their childhood family dysfunction create such great actors in them? Our childhoods are the most important time in our lives.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

The point you make, really concerns me...all of us are so deeply affected by the circumstances of our childhood!..Can any of us truly shed whatever pain we dealt with, and become someone unique?....Steiger really showed me what a fine individual he was.

[@brianwalsh1401]

@@curbozerboomer1773 I think these days it may be easier to work on releasing the unexpressed grief from childhood if a person becomes aware of this and before it destroys them. Dr. Gabor Mate has some good videos on how our childhoods affect us and cause addictions. We can shed the pain but it takes awareness and work on our parts. i'm grateful I live in a a time where I can do this and not keep reacting out of things that happened in my childhood. It took me 40 years on the planet before I started doing this.

[@IanSutton-gl1fi]

Rod Steiger was a fascinating actor. He is equally fascinating in this interview.

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Grippingly

[@robertpaciullo1540]

The scene in On THE WATERFRONT with Steiger and Brando inthe back seat of the taxi is oneof the greatest in movie history A Classic

[@M21L35]

Incredibly revealing video...perhaps the most I've ever experienced! When Steiger starred in "The Illustrated Man", that too was such a moving film, no one other than Steiger could've played that part w/such visceral power.

[@rickyrydell]

He lived another 11 years after this.

[@KLanz123]

I could watch this guy talk for, like, days. And sometimes I’ll watch Costas, who is a world-class interviewer. This is amazing stuff.,

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

100% agree...wish I had more Steiger

[@DaryleRico]

I have read a lot about the Stanislavski method of acting, but never quite understood it. This interview made it make a lot more sense to me. What a great interview! What an amazing talent.

[@paulkitt2376]

Great interview when steiger says he becomes emotional he says he eats sleeps and lives better when he is that way you become to understand how hard life must of been for him sometimes

[@January.]

*must have been

[@danielcleary3914]

Love Rod! Thank You for Your Greatness!

[@gregddd1]

Rod is a master of the acting profession. Loved his portrayal in "The Heat of the Night"!

[@JCDiamond526]

Again, as I said regarding part 1, I admire that Costas let Steiger talk without interruption. I like the way Steiger answers the questions asked. He would make a terrible politician! He was so passionate and articulate and made the clearest explanation of acting I have ever witnessed. I am sure fans of Adler and Strasberg will disagree. I could definitely see him as Patton or Corleone. He was modest but he could have done better than Scott and Brando.

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Bon did not get many pauses to interrupt, but I agree he did a great job letting Steiger speak.

[@waynej2608]

Ohhhh, I was with you up until that last bit. I don't think that anyone, not even Steiger could have bested Scott or Brando, in those respective roles. Imho. He sure was a tremendously talented actor, though. The Pawnbroker still blows my mind and he should've received the Oscar. I like Lee Marvin a lot, but c'mon!

[@gregoryphillips3969]

Rod Steiger is one of the all time greats but l would as they say gently disagree. Scott and Brando gave 2 of the best 10 performances of the 20th century.

[@gilbertdaroy6080]

You know what? I agree with you. Can you imagine him in the Godfather? He coulda been a contender.

[@lotusmanb3832]

I remember being home sick from school with the flu when I was a child, and my mother would always set up the TV for me to watch while she did chores. A movie called The Illustrated Man can on and I watched terrified but fascinated at the same time as he travelled thru the stories of his tattoos. When i got older I saw In The Heat Of The Night , and was in awe of this extraordinary actor tearing up the screen as police chief Gillespie. Every bit as good as Brando imo. Amazing talent.

[@johnmccann8319]

How intenseeing! He really lives his parts.Very truthful.Powerful.Great great actor.The great man.The great human being.

[@PeterSmith-go9ef]

Love and respect for a unique artist. Love this man.

[@MrBILLSTANLEY]

I realize it was not possible to discuss all of Steiger's films. I'm not a critic, just enjoy the actor. My favorite was "In The Heat of the Night"

[@paulreider8321]

intense, profound and riveting...and how did I know that he came from alcoholic parents RIP Rod Steiger and thank you for sharing yourself with us...❤

[@walkerstark4564]

Steiger's hilarious over the top acting was the highlight of the otherwise unremamrkable January Man

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

It sure seems when it erupts there is no containment

[@kevinpaul180]

Steiger had a great voice and delivery! In the heat of the night remains my favorite!!!

[@jamsid33]

Bob Costas struck gold with this guy

[@richardclegg5853]

Compare this interview to every nterview every other star of his stature has ever given, not even close. His truthfulness, sense of humor and self deprication is so refreshing and inspiring. I don't think he ever "mailed it in". Every performance he ever gave, he stole the show...

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I like, that he accepted that his chances of being the "hot", leading man would be slim...so he became a totally consummate actor, for real!

[@mac2phin]

To realize for yourself what a great actor Mr Steiger was I recommend viewing The Pawnbroker, The Loved One and Dr Zhivago, all released in 1965.

[@RoaroftheTiger]

wow ! Steiger really bared His Soul. That takes Courage.

[@THREESISTERS15]

Depression is a very misunderstood illness. Unless you or someone close to you has it, you just don't know or understand how debilitating it is.

[@frankkolton1780]

Let me take a wild stab at it. Depression is when you go to bed every night and hope you don't wake up, it's when you have asked yourself "why can't I be happy for the 100th time. It's putting on a happy mask for your family, any remaining friends you still haven't purposely pushed away, and for work. It's when you have the perfect wife who you adore, your a couple that never has had an argument or raised a voice, who strangers in restaurants tell you that you make the perfect couple, good kids who you adore, a nice home, are respected by both you boss and and the people that work for you, are very good at what you do, are well off financially and yet you are terrible sad. Depression is hating yourself for being some kind of weak person for not being able to shake it. It's went you have zero hope for the future anymore, you look forward to nothing. It's when you tried changes of diet, religion, exercise, running, a counselor, meds and nothing works. When you no longer want to take part in any of your hobbies or interests because you find no enjoyment in them. Depression is when you come up with a real good suicide plan and find great comfort in the fact that you can check out of life real quick, anytime you want if it gets to bad. Depression is coming to the point where you learn to accept it and just exist, an empty shell compared to what you were many years before. Did I come close?

[@SueProv]

Rod Steiger had the most haunted eyes intense. The only other eyes like that were Richard Burton's.

[@jamescampbell6737]

Another great and favourite actor of mine,good to hear him have poke at mental health,,he missed words wrong diagnosis which serious problem and concern,,should be in world interest,,I'll rest there, jcvw

[@davew4930]

You can hear the passion in his voice.

[@pattiharvey1787]

He makes absolute sense. Chemical imbalances are real and need treatment. Medication alone isn't enough, you need therapy along with it too.

[@SalamiKing7]

Truly a great man and actor!

[@carlcarlson1369]

Brutally honest great actor be at peace

[@Tim_Drake]

Enjoyed the talking you did in the beginning :)

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Glad you enjoyed! Many do not

[@jeffc9673]

What a great actor is and always has been.

[@asmodeus0454]

Rod Steiger was honest. I like and respect him for that.

[@HOWYOUDOIN884]

just started seeing some of his movies and he is magnetic

[@hm7563]

Amazing! Yes I could see him in The God Father.

[@January.]

*The Godfather

[@357CLOUDY]

Good interview. Here because of a song.

[@jamescampbell6737]

The guy poured his heart out in this chat show,,got to give him mountain of admiration credit what ever,,,and ye,such honesty pulled no punches,what you seen is what you got,,brought a tear to my eye if truth be known, compelling,,I rest jcvw

[@Soundofsilence-j4d]

Mr wonderful allways winner type that intriviews one best actors ever lived. What talent.

[@usaveteran-retired6464]

Thanks for sharing - Recommend you show yourself as looking a little less strange at beginning of your recording.

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

My Lizzo costume is coming

[@agesflow6815]

Thank you, clevelandlivemusic.

[@carlorizzo827]

ACES!!!!! Pure thrill. The Pawnbroker: nuthin like it

[@steveconn]

Deeply fascinating guy.

[@voraciousreader3341]

If you’re interested, bipolar disorder can be incredibly hard to regulate with meds and therapy, which is not the case with depression, for example. This is because it’s still not well understood, and because individuals present with so many differences….obviously, when Steiger was alive, BPD wasn’t well understood at all, prior to sophisticated resonance imaging of the brain. Many, many, many artists over the centuries have suffered with bipolar disorder, which is still true today, and it is genetically passed down through families.

[@seamuswarren]

That was great.

[@redflamered]

Great upload - thank you

[@Baci302]

Lots of keen insights and advice from Mr. Steiger. Thanks for posting.

[@January.]

*insight

[@lytation]

An Exercise in Imagination . How Many Times I've Used That Without Knowing What it Was . Love Rod Steiger Because He Knows.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Any human, who is grappling with a mental chemical imbalance, is very brave individual ...it takes a sane individual, to diagnose that there's something not right with them

[@January.]

Mr. Steiger was an immensely enthralling guest and human being. My favorite movies are Doctor Zhivago, The Pawnbroker, In the Heat of the Night, On the Waterfront, and the teleplay Marty.

[@robertdore9592]

A tremendous talent...like most great actors Steiger appears to have no skin on his body at all; he laid himself bare in ever role, a great example of this is the 1968 movie the Sergeant. This wouldn't happen today as there's way too much PR and image moulding from performers and their handlers, we're living a very synthetic world.

[@January.]

*in every role *in a very synthetic world

[@amindfulemergence9835]

A remarkable interview

[@PompeyBoy66]

A great actor. His Pontius Pilate was great: also On the Waterfront.

[@davidspears4550]

"By the way I don't look good in women's lingerie",I can not unforget that image in my mind.

[@davidvalensi8616]

See No way to treat a lady and you'll see how well "over the top works", when it's a great actor.

[@jackm4457]

Wow! And my friends think I'm too intense! And as great as George C. Scott was, Steiger would have been amazing as Patton.

[@THREESISTERS15]

WOW!

[@irish66]

The Definition of Powerhouse actor. George C Scott is the only other one I could say the same thing about. His performance in The Pawnbroker is one of the greatest in the history of cinema. In 1953. He played Marty on Tv. In 55, Ernest Borgnine played it for the cinema. In 56. they both appeared in the western, Jubal. Wonder if they spoke about Marty Mr Steiger mentioned that after doing Oklahoma. he for the most part was given villanious roles. I guess you could say the same thing about Borgnine. After doing From Here to Eternity, He mostly played the bad guy. I wish there had been a bit on The Big knife, especially that scene with Jack Palance, where both actors just about manage not to go completly over the top. Later it seemed, that for both actors, there were times, when there was no top.

[@bernardoschmidt]

Amazing! God rest his soul.

[@bryantbarth31]

Where does he talk about patton & the godfather?

[@jameshicks8634]

Man can I relate with him like a enormous weight has always been there when I'm sitting in church I hang on because it's everything I can do and I know if I start to fall apart I'll lose it. And if I hear the wrong song at the right time or I am here alone for my day sweetheart passed away last August 5 years. I guess alleviating the pain. Help you go on existing by gaining strength from venting with enormous. Evacuational. Emotions when you release them though I am a house away from somewhere else and it's a good stretch I'm scared someone out here. God knows. God is good. And this cat here was very hip. It's as though I never know when I'm going to fall apart since I've lost her 💃 or better half

[@bucksdiaryfan]

Wow, this dude is completely unhinged. Whatever they did to the chemistry of his brain had a negative impact. He's on the edge every second. Costas could not have felt comfortable for a single second of this interview

[@fozzz-vb5oj]

Costas 💞🐾🐕🐾🐕🦾💪🦾💪🦾💪🦾💪🦾💪🦾💪💪💪💪💪

[@blackfoxy1987]

One of the greats

[@reveilleamerica3589]

Hollywood was unworthy of Rod Steiger.

[@carlcarlson1369]

Nice wig

[@tomloft2000]

I got the motive which is money and the body which is DEAD!

[@Johnconno]

Wearing that Syrup would make me even more depressed than I am. And I ain't Rod Steiger. I'm a bum.

[@少川靖男]

the Pacifist in him urged him to turn down Patton, but he played Napoleon in Waterloo. ...unless Waterloo came before the offer of Patton.

[@regmunday8354]

Steiger would have been a very good Godfather

[@kangaroo3708]

20:30

[@bobclary2121]

Actors are so dramatic off and on Screen

[@Matt-n4e7y]

Karma getting him for killing Jesus

[@JohnLaMonte]

God damn, this is great stuff! Thanks

[@ClevelandLiveMusic]

Gripping TV

[@cluman1]

Needed a better rug.

[@TheEleatic]

A Jewish Patton?

[@barflytom3273]

TheEleatic he is not Jewish.

[@TheEleatic]

@@barflytom3273 Must have been his performance in The Pawnbroker that fooled me.

[@WinnipegTouristDept]

He was a meat-puppet for jew agitpropagandists

[@PerryPapanier]

Who cares if he is, would of been interesting seeing him in that part.

[@MarcosElMalo2]

Is Steiger giving an acting clinic or a human being clinic? 🫣🫠

[@ppuh6tfrz646]

I like Rod Steiger but I'm glad he didn't do Patton. George C Scott was perfect for that role.