Iconic actor Richard Dreyfuss is arguably greatest recognized by many for his function as marine biologist Matt Hooper in one of many greatest horror films ever. The Jaws actor just lately let unfastened about his less-than-favorable emotions towards the Broadway play The Shark is Damaged, which chronicles the behind-the-scenes dynamics between the celebs of Jaws – Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider, and himself. The Valley of the Dolls vet did not maintain again when sharing his ideas on why he did not benefit from the play, even calling the expertise watching it “fairly terrible.”
Quentin Tarantino, a staunch advocate for the terrifying summer season horror film, not solely considers it one of many best movies of the Seventies however deems it one of many best films ever made. Nonetheless, the journey of bringing the long-lasting blockbuster to the display screen was something however clean crusing. The Shark is Damaged — co-authored by Ian Shaw, the son of Richard Dreyfuss’ co-star, Robert Shaw — drew inspiration from Robert’s diary in the course of the growth. After attending a efficiency, the What About Bob? actor joined the solid for photographs. However, the smile on his face didn’t precisely mirror his real sentiments in regards to the play, it appears Dreyfuss was unreserved in describing his expertise when recounting the efficiency to Self-importance Truthful:
It was fairly terrible. Ian [Shaw]—who has greater than any proper to write down no matter he needs—by no means referred to as me and mentioned, ‘Give me some background.’ Or, ‘Give me your tackle this and this.’ And so they simply determined to make my character a giant jerk.
The play facilities round a fictional feud between Robert Shaw, a famend English stage actor and seasoned drinker, and Richard Dreyfuss, portrayed as a neurotic, fame-obsessed, and humorously insecure actor simply beginning his profession. The Shut Encounters of the Third Form actor, nevertheless, maintains that he and the late Shaw by no means had an precise battle. He remembered their working relationship as an “unbelievable” and honorable one. Whereas acknowledging playful teasing on set, the Two for the Cash star maintains it was all in good enjoyable.
Allegedly, the one notable incident concerned The Goodbye Woman actor throwing a glass of Robert Shaw’s bourbon overboard. In retaliation, Shaw purportedly soaked him with a hose, practically dunking him underwater. Regardless of these incidents, the Madoff alum was adamant that it wasn’t indicative of an ongoing feud, and there have been by no means any lasting onerous emotions between them.
Richard Dreyfuss says he didn’t take challenge with the play’s depiction of his late co-star’s alcoholism, which was certainly a attribute of his. However he vehemently disagreed along with his personal character’s portrayal:
The issue is that they made my character the idiot. They didn’t try this to Roy, and so they didn’t try this to Robert. And that harm as a result of it wasn’t true.
The persistent rumors of an on-set feud between the 2 Jaws heavyweights have been a supply of annoyance for the veteran Stand By Me actor, and he traces the origin of those tales again to Steven Spielberg and Jaws co-screenwriter Carl Gottlieb. Though he considers Spielberg and Gottlieb buddies, he expressed disappointment of their function in perpetuating the feud narrative, believing they need to have recognized higher.
The New York Metropolis-born A-lister says he understands that the expertise of creating one of many best shark films was distinctive and even admits some moments in The Shark Is Damaged had been drawn from precise occasions. Nonetheless, he firmly believes the play presents a “false image.”
Regardless of Richard Dreyfuss’ considerations, the stage play The Shark is Damaged has obtained important acclaim and runs as a restricted engagement till November nineteenth. And to look at Jaws, all you want is a Netflix subscription.
