Kim Stanley: the forgotten actor Robert De Niro called his role model
Even the greatest stars need to be struck by that initial wave of inspiration, with iconic performers from all generations in Hollywood describing the initial spark that spurred them on in their mission to succeed. It’s a tough and often unforgiving business, with people being encouraged by others who have trodden the same path and persevering in order to mirror the careers of those they admire. From Timothée Chalamet and his admiration for Viola Davis to Emma Stone and her love for Lauren Bacall.
But when performers are asked these kinds of questions, they usually describe how they took inspiration from globally renowned performers like Marlon Brando and Meryl Streep, often citing the heavyweights and the types of people we would expect to hear.
However, when asked about his personal influences, it was surprising to hear Robert De Niro describe one actor who is rarely mentioned and relatively unknown, revealing another side to his work and his vast knowledge of the medium through finding inspiration in an uncommon place.
De Niro is widely recognised as one of the greatest actors of all time, growing up in the same neighbourhood as Martin Scorsese and eventually creating one of the most iconic and prolific creative partnerships of all time. From early trailblazing films like Raging Bull and Taxi Driver to more recent projects like The Irishman and Goodfellas, the iconic duo have conjured some of the most acclaimed cinematic masterpieces of all time, with a prolific body of work that is full of unexpected surprises, whether it be New York, New York or The King of Comedy.
But one thing both Scorsese and De Niro have in common is a vast knowledge of cinema as a whole, with both of them sharing their love for old classics and lesser-known stories that have shaped their identities as artists. This is particularly evident when looking at the performers that De Niro looks up to, with the actor citing Kim Stanley has one of his role models.
Stanley has a sparse body of work, but her legacy has clearly not been completely forgotten, starring in award-winning theatre productions like The Chase, Picnic and Bus Stop, going on to win a Tony award for her roles in A Touch of the Poet and A Far Country. While her background was on the stage, she later progressed to another medium, expanding her work to include those on screen and starring in films like Seance on a Wet Afternoon and To Kill a Mockingbird.
Despite having fewer roles on screen, she was incredibly successful with these and was nominated for two Academy Awards, one for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ and the other for ‘Best Actress’. Towards the end of her career, she moved away from the limelight and turned towards teaching, but not before winning a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance in the television adaptation of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
While she might not be a household name, she was an incredibly gifted actor who was well-known by those in the industry and people who knew her work, something that touched De Niro and led him to follow in her footsteps.
