Acclaimed actor Jeremy Irons joins this rare 1994 interview to reflect on his remarkable career — from his early stage work in Britain to international stardom. Irons discusses:

Breakthrough roles in Brideshead Revisited and The French Lieutenant’s Woman
Winning the Tony for Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing
Winning the Academy Award for Reversal of Fortune as Klaus von Bülow (opposite Glenn Close)
Working with Meryl Streep, Vanessa Redgrave, Glenn Close, and Winona Ryder in The House of the Spirits
His thoughts on acting, choosing roles, and collaborating with Robert De Niro (The Mission)
Reflections on film failures and successes, from Damage to Reversal of Fortune
Lending his voice to Scar in Disney’s The Lion King
Jeremy Irons reveals the philosophy behind his craft, his doubts, and his enduring love for storytelling.

00:00 – Introduction & career highlights
00:42 – Taking time off after House of the Spirits
02:14 – Choosing roles and avoiding typecasting
03:28 – Surprising successes (Reversal of Fortune)
04:10 – Disappointments with Damage
06:24 – On House of the Spirits and its challenges
08:40 – Storyline and themes of House of the Spirits
10:16 – Playing Esteban Trueba across 55 years
12:00 – Clip: House of the Spirits
13:13 – Working with Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Vanessa Redgrave
13:30 – Tension with Robert De Niro on The Mission
15:15 – Why De Niro is the greatest film actor
17:21 – On acting: only 4–5 truly great moments per film
18:24 – What acting really is
19:17 – Film editing and shaping performances
20:03 – Voicing Scar in Disney’s The Lion King
20:53 – On directing and why he hesitates
21:34 – Fear, family, and confidence in craft
22:52 – Inspiration from Daniel Day-Lewis (In the Name of the Father)
24:27 – On family life, career choices, and avoiding stereotypes
25:18 – What success means to Jeremy Irons
26:01 – Closing remarks & release of House of the Spirits (1994)

FILM DISCUSSION
Film Discussion is a curated interview archive and conversation series presented by Occupy Cinema. We spotlight the minds behind the movies—actors, directors, writers, and cultural critics—through thoughtful interviews, archival footage, and contemporary conversations. From Broadway to global cinema, Film Discussion explores the craft, politics, and impact of storytelling on screen and stage.

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