Ep 16. Benicio del Toro

Benicio del Toro, the Puerto Rican actor and filmmaker, is the subject of the season 8, episode 16 of Inside the Actors Studio. The show is an iconic interview series that is hosted by James Lipton, a renowned acting teacher and author. He invites distinguished actors and actresses to the stage to discuss their lives, careers, and creative processes. This particular episode focuses on del Toro's journey in the film industry and his acclaimed performances in movies like Traffic and The Usual Suspects.

Lipton starts the interview by asking del Toro about his upbringing in Puerto Rico and how it influenced his acting career. He talks about his parents' influence and how they encouraged him to pursue acting. Del Toro opens up about his early struggles and the challenges he faced while trying to establish himself in Hollywood. He speaks candidly about the role that luck and timing played in his success, and how he was able to overcome barriers and shatter stereotypes to become one of the industry's most respected actors.

Throughout the interview, del Toro discusses his approach to acting, his character development process, and his collaboration with top directors like Steven Soderbergh and Alejandro González Iñárritu. He talks about the importance of empathy and intuition in creating realistic and nuanced performances, and how he prepares himself mentally and physically for each role. He shares anecdotes and insights from the sets of his most memorable movies, providing viewers with a glimpse into the artistry and craftsmanship of acting.

Lipton asks del Toro about his role in the 2000 film Traffic, which won him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Del Toro discusses the challenges of playing Javier Rodriguez, a conflicted Border Patrol agent, and his efforts to capture the character's complexities and contradictions. He describes the physical transformation he underwent for the role, and the research he conducted to understand the psyche of drug dealers and addicts. He also talks about his collaboration with Soderbergh, whom he credits with creating a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Del Toro also discusses his role in The Usual Suspects, a 1995 neo-noir crime thriller that won him critical acclaim and a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He talks about the unique challenges he faced in playing the mysterious and enigmatic character of Fenster, and how he worked with the director Bryan Singer to maintain the character's mystique. He also shares insights into his working relationship with co-stars like Kevin Spacey and Ben Stiller, and how they collaborated to achieve the film's distinctive tone and style.

The interview concludes with del Toro reflecting on his career and his plans for the future. He discusses his newfound interest in directing and producing, and his efforts to tell stories from diverse perspectives. He talks about the importance of cultural representation and the need to create opportunities for underrepresented actors and filmmakers. He also shares some valuable advice for aspiring actors, encouraging them to be patient, persistent, and passionate about their craft.

Overall, the season 8, episode 16 of Inside the Actors Studio is a fascinating and insightful look at the life and work of Benicio del Toro. James Lipton's insightful and probing questions, combined with del Toro's charismatic and introspective responses, make this episode a must-see for anyone interested in the art of acting and the process of creating great performances.