The only actor who left Quentin Tarantino star-struck: “The situation was star-striking”
Quentin Tarantino has created a cult status that is rarely achieved by directors, becoming as famous as any other Hollywood celebrity despite existing behind the camera. After pioneering a new style of independent filmmaking and creating hit films such as Pulp Fiction, Inglorious Bastards and Kill Bill, the director became an infamous cinematic figure, leading to continuous projects with some of the finest actors working today. The director said his most recent film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is to be his last, despite the rumours that he will leave his fans with one more story.
Through his global status, the director has been able to meet and work with some surprising public figures, but has described the few that left him star-struck.
After working with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie, you could imagine that not many people would shake Tarantino. The director reached a level of fame in which celebrity meetings would not rattle him. However, the filmmaker described one actor who left him in a frenzy after being invited to meet him backstage after a stage performance.
Peter O’Toole has had many leading roles on screen and on stage, making his acting debut in London in 1959 before eventually venturing into cinema in the monumental classic Lawrence of Arabia. The actor played the titular role of T.E. Lawrence in the beloved masterpiece, launching his career to new places after starring in the historical epic. In addition to this, the actor has also starred in films such as Becket, The Lion in Winter, and The Ruling Class, earning seven Academy Award nominations for ‘Best Actor’.
Many filmmakers have listed Lawrence of Arabia as a huge influence on their work, with Steven Spileberg often describing it as one of his favourite films. It is no doubt a factor in why Tarantino was so star-struck when he accidentally met O’Toole after his performance in a play.
The director described the interaction, saying, “No, I don’t really get star-struck any more. Every once in a while, you meet somebody. I met Lisa Marie Presley, and I got kind of star-struck. That was a big deal actually! Once I saw Peter O’Toole in a play in London, and they invited me backstage and has a little sitting room, and he comes out in a big robe with a towel around his neck, and I got star-struck.”
But, it wasn’t because the performer is one of Tarantino’s ultimate players: “Not because Peter O’Toole is my favourite actor, even though I think he is a terrific actor, but it was just wild seeing him right after the performance in this bathrobe and a towel round his neck. The situation was star-striking”.
Perhaps Tarantino is also a fan of Ratatouille, with the actor voicing the part of Anton Ego in the beloved animated classic. However, you could assume that he is probably more familiar with his earlier work, with the director also being famous for his encyclopaedic knowledge of film and diverse taste. Despite being shaken by the experience, it would undoubtedly become a moment for the memoir that he will remember fondly.
Never Miss A Take
The Far Out Quentin Tarantino Newsletter
All the latest Quentin Tarantino content from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.