Nicolas Cage Still Brings the Action

Nicolas Cage Still Brings the Action

Nicolas Cage Still Brings the Action

It’s ironic that Nicolas Cage, who has spent over 40 years in cinema, won an Oscar Award for his bravura performance in Leaving Las Vegas—because he has now been living on the outskirts of Sin City since 2006.

He says moving to Vegas saved him from the traps of Hollywood. Cage, who presently stars in The Old Way a classic Western, has appeared in about 120 movies, which is just mind-boggling. The busy actor gives us some advice and insights into Hollywood and his longevity.

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How Can Something Like Your Wardrobe Inform an Actor’s Performance?

I try to find something that makes me stand out like an item of clothing or a hairstyle. Remember how James Dean stood out in Rebel Without A Cause, well I learned from being fascinated by him in that red jacket he wore. It was like his unique emblem. For me, once you find that one piece of clothing from the wardrobe that the audience can identify with, it becomes your signature and you stick with it.

What Practical Advice Did Legendary Actor Sean Connery Give You?

I worked with Sean Connery on The Rock together, and he did give me some invaluable advice, saying that “You’ve got to know how to enter a room. So, when you enter, they take notice of you.” And when it comes down to it, it really is about your entrance and exit, in work and in life.

What Advice Do You Offer to Young Actors?

I found auditions painful when I first started out. Fortunately, today, you have the option of using smart technology. So, my advice today is to shoot a video and frame it to make it look even better. Like putting a Masters painting, a Rembrandt or a Van Gogh in a frame and it’s amazing, right?! I’ve found that if you put a frame around your audition performance, it enhances the impact of your performance.

Is it True that you Borrowed your name “Cage” from the Music Composer John Cage?

Yes, The Cage part comes from that great avant-garde composer I always admired. That name spoke more to who I was and am. But going back, I was still credited as Nicholas Coppola when I had a small part in a movie called Fast Times at Ridgemont High in 1982 but I think I got mostly cut out. As Coppola, people would refer to all sorts of quirky things, like quotes from my uncle Francis’ movies like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now. And I thought I didn’t need that, I wanted my own identity.

How Does Filming in Different Locations Influence You?

There’s a Latin term called “genius loci” which is like the spirit of the place. I love going to exotic and unique places, and picking up on the character or special atmosphere of a location. Each place has its own genius loci and that inspires the work, like the magic of the crisp wind in the Pacific Northwest.

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  • Mike Thompson

    I love this pal. He is a legend. Cage is one the greatest actors of all time.

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Mike Thompson

    Yes, he keeps on entertaining us. Happy New Year. ;)

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Mike Thompson

    Nic certainly "rocks" it, doesn't he?!

  • Christie Nash

    Nicholas Cage is probably the coolest man to ever live.

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Christie Nash

    Chris, he is one cool dude, for sure.

  • James Boyton

    Glad to see him doing well after the last couple of years.

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: James Boyton

    Having a famous family, for Nic, setting up outside of Hollywood "saved" him. ;)

  • Linda Nicklin

    Cage is not only an icon but also an extremely nice and charismatic man.

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Linda Nicklin

    He has a lot to teach others, about entrances and exits, and how to do a great audition tape. ;)

  • Bryan Harris

    He is exceptional !!

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Bryan Harris

    Bryan, what's your fave movie of his? ;)

  • Bryan Harris

    In reply to: ashley collie

    Ghost Rider

  • Adam Stout

    Brilliant read ! Excellent interview ! Well done lads !!

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Adam Stout

    Tx much, Adam, much appreciated. ;)

  • Charles Brown

    No one does it better than Nicholas Cage !!! Love this!!!

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Charles Brown

    Charles, thanks for comment. Were you ever referred to as "Charlie" Brown, growing up? ;)

  • Charles Brown

    In reply to: ashley collie

    Hahahaha spot on !! :D

  • Will Bratton

    Legendary actor. We all love and respect him.

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Will Bratton

    Will, he has been thru his ups and downs, but has come out the other side. Cheers. ;)

  • Richard L

    Cage has made history in so many movies.

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Richard L

    Richard, how would you rank his top movies? ;)

  • Andrew Calvert

    He is probably tired of acting, but still has the strength to make us smile and jump out of our seat. Respect !

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Andrew Calvert

    Very true, Andrew. Thanks for commenting. ;)

  • Andrew Calvert

    In reply to: ashley collie

    You're welcome

  • Ian Wood

    Great guy no doubt. Thanks for sharing this brilliant interview.

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Ian Wood

    Cheers, Ian, thanks for commenting. ;)

  • Chelsea Smith

    He still got it at 58 !!!!

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Chelsea Smith

    No kidding, Chelsea! Happy New Year. ;)

  • Paul Foster

    Nicholas Cage, a freaking legend ;)

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Paul Foster

    And just imagine. Paul, he was born Nicolas Coppola! Nephew of The Gocfather's Francis Ford...

  • Matt Hawkins

    LOVE THIS INTERVIEW

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Matt Hawkins

    Thanks much, Matt, much appreciate you reading and commenting. ;)

  • Eric G

    He still looks so good and healthy! He still has it! God bless him and his family.

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Eric G

    One awesome dude, mate! ;)

  • Tom Roberts

    Straight to the point, really like this interview. The younger generation still has some work to do. Your environment is crucial for your future success. If you hang around 6 negative thinkers you’ll become the 7th. Pick your friends wisely if you want to succeed.

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Tom Roberts

    Great insight, Tom. I try very hard to keep positive peeps around me. But even good friends can drag you down when things don't go right for them. And you can't really abandon them, can you? I'm going thru that right now with a dear friend, who is losing it, and can't see a way out. Tough.

  • ashley collie

    The dude still rocks.

  • Andy Pierce

    If only I could look this hot. I am 36 and feel like 56. This man is a legend.

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: Andy Pierce

    I just survived a surprise heart attack. As I already lead a healthy lifestyle, I may have to work on other things. Cheers, mate. PS He is a legend.

  • Andy Pierce

    In reply to: ashley collie

    So sorry to hear that. My father sadly passed away following a heart attack. It's important to take care of our lifestyle. You're also a legend mate. You're a survivor.

  • John Silver

    Very interesting interview

  • ashley collie

    In reply to: John Silver

    Always appreciate someone reading and enjoying my stories, John. Cheers.

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Ashley Jude Collie

Entertainment Expert

Ashley is an award-winning journalist/author/blogger who has written for Playboy, Toronto Star, Movie Entertainment, Sports Illustrated, Maclean's and others. He's interviewed various "leaders" in their fields, including: Oscar winners (Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Lawrence, Alicia Vikander, Jane Fonda, Mira Sorvino, Geena Davis, Anthony Hopkins); Grammy winners (Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney, Ice Cube, Pete Townshend); MVPs in sports (Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Wayne Gretzky, Kobe Bryant); and, business leaders (Amazon's Jeff Bezos). He has an upcoming novel, REJEX, coming out on Pulp Hero Press. And he has written several episodic TV shows, appeared on CNN, and blogged for Mademan, Medium, GritDaily and HuffPost.

   
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