F. Murray Abraham
F. Murray Abraham
F. Murray Abraham is an American actor. He became widely known during the 1980s after winning the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as Antonio Salieri in Amadeus. He has appeared in many roles, both leading and supporting, in films such as All the President's Men, Scarface, The Name of the Rose, Last Action Hero, Star Trek: Insurrection, Finding Forrester, Inside Llewyn Davisand The Grand Budapest Hotel. He is also known for his television and theatre work and...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionMovie Actor
Date of Birth24 October 1939
CityPittsburgh, PA
CountryUnited States of America
There is one confrontation scene toward the end of the picture. In the middle of the scene, I thought, That's Sean Connery! I don't know how else to describe Sean Connery. I still feel that way.
Once I looked into a mirror at my face I felt like it was completely convincing. I was Salieri.
I just throw it out and see what happens. If it sounds and feels right, then I continue.
With Dick Smith there, and the words of Peter Shaffer... they've got to be the most beautiful descriptions in music ever written on film or in literature. And we could hear the music accompanying the words... What more can you ask for?
Whenever there were parties, I wasn't invited because I began to be like that character. In a way, that contributed to the success of the performance.
There are certain men and women who, from the minute they step in front of a camera, that's exactly where they belong. Connery's one.
Milos said, You're my first choice. From my point of view, that doesn't pay the rent. I said, Tell me what I have to do next because I'm busy painting my kitchen.
I'm just having a wonderful time. It's an interesting thing that I'm very comfortable with this material and I don't know why. Maybe it's because I did MacBeth.
Suddenly I was the man who got the part that every actor in the English language was trying to get. I was really scared. I had talked the talk, and now I had to walk the walk. For three days, I couldn't answer the phone.
With Connery, he does act. He is in complete command. He completely trusts the person first, then the instrument. I've worked with his son also, on a picture in Russia.
I'm not going to just say nice things about everybody unless I mean it.
Woody Allen sets are very quiet. Extraordinary sense of power from a man who doesn't do anything except just stand there.
I was a hoodlum. I was a gang member, and art saved my life.
I really like to experiment. That's the only way I can work. It's instinctive.