“A mysteriously brilliant genius”: The actor who left Jeff Goldblum in awe
Throughout his illustrious career, Jeff Goldblum has graced the screen in a myriad of beloved films, from Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park to Wes Anderson’s The Life Aquatic, David Cronenberg’s The Fly, and Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok.
Born in 1952 in West Homestead, Pennsylvania, Goldblum entered the world during an era characterised by the blossoming Technicolor age. His birth year coincided with the release of notable films like The Greatest Show On Earth, Singin’ In The Rain, and the timeless classic western High Noon.
At the start of his journey in the cinematic realms, it was Goldblum’s distinctive style and enigmatic presence that caught Hollywood’s attention. He quickly became known for his roles in iconic films, bringing to life characters with his talent, versatility, and enduring magnetism.
They say that being yourself is the best person you can be, and Goldblum has rarely missed an opportunity to do so. His enduring appeal firmly lies in his authenticity. A performer without restraint, Goldblum’s ability to infuse all of his roles with a uniqueness only he provides is a large reason why he is so beloved by audiences. Few actors have been able to cultivate such a relationship with their audience.
Despite what it may seem like on-screen, Goldblum likes to separate his art from his real life, reminding himself that anything he does on a film or television set isn’t real. “I like to think of acting as only what you’re doing when you’re playing pretend,” he told The Talks.
Adding: “When you say, ‘The literal circumstances of life are not what applies right now, and we’re going to play a game where we pretend that we were in other circumstances and we’re other people under other circumstances.’ When I’m not doing that, then I’m not really acting.”
When it comes to fellow actors that he admires, Goldblum is always willing to sing others’ praises. Marlon Brando, for instance, is one that he readily compliments. Talking about Brando’s position regarding actors always acting, he said: “I’m interested in what he thought because I love him, and still, he’s a mysteriously brilliant genius to me.”
He continued: “I think he was talking about role-playing and the masks that we all wear in life, which, of course, I know about. But I think it’s different. I may be, you know, sometimes engaged in trying to entertain others, but I like to think of acting as only happening when you’re playing the game. It finally needn’t have a lot of rococo decoration on it.”
Aside from movies, Goldblum is also a massive fan of music, even having released multiple studio albums himself. Growing up, Goldblum’s profound love for jazz music was ignited by his elder brother Rick, who tragically passed away at the young age of 23 due to dysentery-related complications. Besides honing his acting craft, Goldblum also cultivated his piano skills, delving deeper into the world of music.
For Goldblum’s expression on stage can be derived from all manner of areas, and he sees the dual arts of music and acting to be inextricably linked. Both require a sensitivity to rhythm, timing and improvisation, qualities that have long defined his performances. Whether delivering dialogue or sitting behind a piano, he approaches the craft with the same playful curiosity.
Talking about his love for music, Goldblum once cited Erroll Garner as a major source of inspiration: “Erroll Garner is a guy that was a seminal in my love of jazz. My dad brought home a record called Erroll Garner Plays Misty when I was an early teenager. I love everything that he does. He’s a uniquely joyful piano player.”
