Learn From the 8 Most Confident Men in Film History
by Ralph Jean-Paul
1)Cary Grant From
about the mid 1930s to the present, any leading man that wore a tux on
screen was duplicating the persona that Cary Grant created. Dashing
good looks and charm made Cary Grant a mega movie star and a film
legend. For 33 years he was America’s ultimate movie icon.
The
ultra smooth British born actor created an image that every man envied
and admired. Cary Grant (whose birth name was Archibald Leach) himself
even joked about the larger than life persona that he created by saying
“Everyone wants to be Cary Grant, even Cary Grant”.
What you can learn from him: Don’t take yourself too seriously.
Although
the way Grant looked was what attracted people to him, his willingness
to take on self-deprecating comedic roles added to his confident image.
He never took his looks too seriously on screen and in real life and
often joked about the how others made a fuss about ‘Cary Grant’. No
matter how attractive or unattractive you are, the way you look should
not overshadow who you are. Be able to laugh at yourself and you will
display a unique brand of confidence.
2)Brad Pitt
The
Oklahoma born, son of a trucking firm manager, never wanted much
growing up but soon found acting to be his calling. Brad Pitt was in
college as a journalism major when he decided to take the $325 in his
pocket and move to California to become an actor. Brad Pitt combines a
cover boy look with polished acting ability to create the image of the
modern movie star.
On
screen his acting looks effortless and smooth as he floats his way
through scenes. The pulling-power that Pitt has enables him to
alternate from heroic blockbuster roles to deeper, more interesting
roles.
What you can learn from him: Have confidence in what you have:
Although
Pitt does not enjoy his pretty-boy stud image, he does use it to his
advantage. Sometimes people have a skill or an asset that they do not
want to tap into for whatever reason. However, that asset might be the
key to open the door of what they really want to do.
3)Denzel Washington
Not
since Sidney Pottier has there been a black leading man that captured
universal appeal the way Washington does. The roles that he plays are
usually supremely confident and unshakably powerful. Never afraid to
play strong and sometimes threatening black characters, Denzel has
confidently asserted himself to be a favored actor among all races.
As
a serious child who was brought up with an intense work ethic, Denzel
found acting to be a release from his sometimes uptight personality.
Willing to take on challenging and risky roles, Washington said, "It
was instilled in me as a young performer to take chances because
failure is a part of growth. If you're gonna fail, fail big and take
chances".
What you can learn from him: Take chances
The
people who fear risk are the people who don’t succeed. Denzel took many
chances in his career some paid off, others did not. But no matter
what, he keeps on taking risk. In your life when you take calculated
risk you reap from your successes and learn from your failures.
Experience is the best teacher but you will never experience unless you
are willing to risk.
4) Who
would have thought that a man who was abandoned by his parents at a
young age would one day be the most popular movie star in the world?
The ninth grade dropout and ex-street gang member spent most of his
teenage years taking odd jobs, hitchhiking and hustling his way across
America. After an honorable discharge from the Marine Core, Steve
McQueen found himself at The Playhouse School of Actors in New York
because “that’s where the girls were”.
Sometimes
called the King of Cool, McQueen was essentially the same character in
most of his movies. And those roles were essential who Steve McQueen
was. The tough as nails, rebel who exuded masculinity showed little
fear in real life and on the screen. It was this mystique that had
women wanting him and men wanting to be him.
What you can learn from him: Be who you are no matter what
One
thing that attracted people to McQueen was his genuineness. He was who
he was no matter what. Even though he was a movie star he could often
be found hanging out with the stunt men, drinking a few beers. While
visiting The Boy’s Republic (a juvenile detention facility where
McQueen once did some time to as a teen) the now famous movie star sat
at a table to eat some ice cream with some young inmates. The boys were
surprised and amazed that Steve ate his ice cream with a fork not a
spoon just like they did. Even though it was years since he was locked
up, McQueen remembered who he was an essential stayed who he was.
Whatever you do in life and wherever you go, people will try to change
you and tell you who you are. Once you know who you are, be who you
are. Realness is a quality that is becoming extinct. Be real and be
you.
5)Robert Deniro
One
of the most respected actors in Hollywood, Deniro has established
himself as one of the biggest icons in movie history. Robert Deniro
grew up as a quiet child in the little Italian neighborhood in New York
City. After playing the cowardly lion in a school production of The
Wizard of OZ, Robert got over his shyness and later pursued a career in
acting.
The
actor is most famous for his roles as Jimmy the Gent in Goodfellas and
a young Vito Corleone in The Godfather II. But he also shows his
ability to dedicate himself to his work in movies such as Raging Bull
when he puts on a performance that should be in a museum. Deniro’s
dedication to his method acting style has paid off in a career that has
lasted over 30 years.
What you can learn for him: Dedication pays off
In
preparation for his role as boxer Jake Lamotta in the masterpiece
Raging Bull, Deniro followed the real Jake Lamotta for weeks, trained
extensively and entered three genuine Brooklyn boxing matches (winning
two of them), and even gained a record breaking 60 pounds in order to
play Lamotta in his later years. Dedication to whatever you do is
important and can bring great confidence.
6)George Clooney
Sometimes
called the new Cary Grant, Clooney has risen to be the new standard for
male actors. The son of broadcast journalist Nick Clooney, George
seemed to have show business coursing through his veins. After his
dreams of being a professional baseball player with the Cincinnati Reds
vanished, George began auditioning and landing television commercials.
The
charismatic actor who gained fame on the television drama ER is now
considered to be the Renaissance man of Hollywood. Well liked by
writers, directors, and fellow actors Clooney has solidified his place
in movie history.
What you can learn from him: How to be the ‘good guy’
The
ability to get along with others is an extremely valuable quality to
possess. Being the good guy can certainly be an advantage. Clooney’s
likability on and off screen has been a great key to his success. Your
ability to project the same image may also help you succeed. Being
confident is not about being cocky. Some people are afraid of being
nice because they fear other people will take advantage of them. Be
confident in yourself and treat others the way you want to be treated
and if they don’t like it or try to take advantage, move on.
7)Will Smith
As
the Fresh Prince, Will Smith gained fame and notoriety by delivering
comedic raps in the late 80’s. He soon followed that with a hit
television show called The Fresh Prince of Bell-Air.
You
would think that as a movie actor Will Smith would’ve found success in
comedic roles. However, it has been action films like Independence Day
and Bad Boys that has made him one of the top action heroes of the past
15 years. He has also showed his ability to execute dramatic acting in
the movie The Pursuit of Happyness where he was nominated for an
Academy Award. The true display of how far he has come from his Fresh
Prince days was his performance as Mohammad Ali in the movie Ali.
What you can learn from him: Versatility
From
rapper, to comedian, to blockbuster action hero, to dramatic actor,
Will Smith will probably always have a job in show business because of
his versatility. On the road to success being able to switch roles
quickly and effectively can make the journey easier. You never know
what opportunities will come your way so be ready to adjust, adapt, and
change.
8)Johnny Depp
After
a failing music career, Johnny Depp was urged by his then wife to
pursue an acting career. After an introduction to Nicholas Cage, Depp
landed small roles in Nightmare on Elm Street and Platoon before
reluctantly accepting a role in the Fox police drama 21 Jump Street. Depp
was not pleased with the pretty boy teen idol reputation that the
television show soon brought and would soon find different roles that
would erase that image.
Johnny
Depp is known most for his choice of odd, unusual, and sometimes weird
characters. His ability to play unique roles such as lovable freak
Edward Scissorhands and the eccentric pirate Captain Jack Sparrow in
the Pirates of the Caribbean is not common among most mainstream
actors. It is the decision to take on different and more challenging
roles that has made Depp a popular and well respected actor.
What you can learn from him: Be different
Cookie
cutter images are a dime a dozen but when you try something different
others will notice. Trying new things to anything you do can give your
life a fresh perceptive and may also expand your thinking. You have to
be a real confident person in order to take on some of the acting roles
that Depp has. If you are truly confident in yourself you will be able
to showcase your uniqueness without wondering what others will say
while at the same time, not caring what they say.
This
was a short list but here are some honorable mentions: Tom Cruise,
Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Sidey Poitier, Russel Crowe, James Cagney,
Jack Nicholson, Jamie Foxx, Harrison Ford, Sean Connery, Al Picino,
James Dean, Marlon Brando, Clint Eastwood, Clarke Gable.
