The actor John Goodman was desperate to emulate: “I wanted to be him when I grew up”
Whether you know him from Monsters Inc or The Big Lebowski, John Goodman became eternally iconic through his creative partnership with the Coen Brothers and initiation into the Pixar Universe, speaking to audience members of all ages and creative persuasions.
From the early beginnings of his career on the stage to his portrayal of Charlie Meadows in Barton Fink, the actor has created a niche spot for himself playing both loveable rogues and intimidatingly aggressive characters, ranging from the likes of Inside Llewyn Davis, O Brother, Where Art Thou? and 10 Cloverfield Lane, with a presence that swings between terrifying and completely endearing. However, while he might have a singularly unique presence in Hollywood, there was one person that Goodman wanted to be more than himself, citing the impact of one great performer whom he most looked up to.
Peter O’Toole is most well-known for his performance in Lawrence of Arabia, realising the grand and mystical vision of David Lean in the 1962 masterpiece. The story of T.E. Lawrence is one of the most fabled in the history of Hollywood, with filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino and Steven Spielberg citing the mesmerising impact of the film and its staggering visual power, with images of the character rising through the orange dust of desert searing into our collective subconscious as some of the greatest shots of all time.
However, the actor was known for a myriad of other personality traits and accomplishments, later starring in films like How To Steal A Million, The Last Emperor and The Lion in Winter, while also building a reputation for his carefree approach to fame and wealth, embodying many age-old stereotypes about actors of his generation. However, in 1991, Goodman was paired with the actor, and both starred in the David Ward-directed film King Ralph.
While met poorly by critics and audiences, the film follows a down-on-his-luck American who discovers that he is the only relative in line to take the Royal throne, being forced to learn the ways of the English to prepare for the job. O’Toole plays Sir Cedric Charles Willingham, the man tasked with the trying job of teaching Ralph how to be British, which naturally, is peppered with many miscommunications and disasters.
When discussing his time with O’Toole, Goodman said, “I developed a friendship with Peter O’Toole that lasts to this day, even though he has the bad taste to remain dead. I’ve never met anyone like Peter O’Toole, and I don’t reckon I ever will. I just loved listening to him talk and he loved talking and telling stories, and he would take me around… and just tell me his fabulous stories. And I wanted to be him when I grew up”.
Many of us find unlikely inspirations and personal heroes throughout our lifetime, and it seems as though it was a twist of fate that led the pair to cross paths and form such an unlikely yet fitting friendship. While the film might not have been enjoyable for all viewers, at least it was a very fond memory for Goodman.
