‘He’s a big influence’
20th Century Studios
Knowing the level of dedication to the craft from his on-screen performances and seeing his personality come through in various interviews and awards speeches over the years, it seems perfectly reasonable that Bale would commit such a random act of weirdness. In a recent Entertainment Weekly interview, Bale fessed up to finding inspiration from an unlikely place:
“I remember one time talking on the phone to David [O. Russell] and I saw this amazingly interesting guy walking down the street. I just became a weirdo stalker following him and studying him. So he’s a big influence, whoever he is out there. I don’t know his name. He’ll never know, either.”
Admittedly, it would be more of a compliment to this random stranger if Burt Berendsen became one of Bale’s most iconic roles. Instead, the performance will most likely go down as an example of leaning a little too far into Bale’s unconventional instincts. Glass-eyed TV detective Columbo (Peter Falk) also became a small piece of Burt’s character puzzle, which makes perfect sense actually. Even when he goes a little left-of-center, Bale still remains a consummate professional who really seems like he was meant to be an actor. Researching and pretending to be someone else can be a very serious undertaking and a process that stays with you for a long time. For the trick to truly work, a performer has to fully dedicate themselves to really becoming someone else. Bale is constantly searching, telling EW: “I don’t begin to understand people ever. That’s why I think I love doing what I do, because I’m endlessly confused but delighted by them.”
Christian Bale Became A Bit Of A ‘Stalker’ While Studying For Amsterdam
20th Century Studios
Becoming that immersed can sometimes give off an air of pretentiousness, and it can also lead to some odd behavior that might be misconstrued if it was ever called out in public. When Bale was still figuring things out, he wound up mimicking a perfect stranger on the street one day to help find Burt’s unique physicality. Hilariously, the man Bale was eyeing had no clue that he was being followed by one of the most recognizable stars in the world.
‘He’s a big influence’
Knowing the level of dedication to the craft from his on-screen performances and seeing his personality come through in various interviews and awards speeches over the years, it seems perfectly reasonable that Bale would commit such a random act of weirdness. In a recent Entertainment Weekly interview, Bale fessed up to finding inspiration from an unlikely place:
“I remember one time talking on the phone to David [O. Russell] and I saw this amazingly interesting guy walking down the street. I just became a weirdo stalker following him and studying him. So he’s a big influence, whoever he is out there. I don’t know his name. He’ll never know, either.”
Admittedly, it would be more of a compliment to this random stranger if Burt Berendsen became one of Bale’s most iconic roles. Instead, the performance will most likely go down as an example of leaning a little too far into Bale’s unconventional instincts. Glass-eyed TV detective Columbo (Peter Falk) also became a small piece of Burt’s character puzzle, which makes perfect sense actually. Even when he goes a little left-of-center, Bale still remains a consummate professional who really seems like he was meant to be an actor. Researching and pretending to be someone else can be a very serious undertaking and a process that stays with you for a long time. For the trick to truly work, a performer has to fully dedicate themselves to really becoming someone else. Bale is constantly searching, telling EW: “I don’t begin to understand people ever. That’s why I think I love doing what I do, because I’m endlessly confused but delighted by them.”
Admittedly, it would be more of a compliment to this random stranger if Burt Berendsen became one of Bale’s most iconic roles. Instead, the performance will most likely go down as an example of leaning a little too far into Bale’s unconventional instincts. Glass-eyed TV detective Columbo (Peter Falk) also became a small piece of Burt’s character puzzle, which makes perfect sense actually.
“I remember one time talking on the phone to David [O. Russell] and I saw this amazingly interesting guy walking down the street. I just became a weirdo stalker following him and studying him. So he’s a big influence, whoever he is out there. I don’t know his name. He’ll never know, either.”
Even when he goes a little left-of-center, Bale still remains a consummate professional who really seems like he was meant to be an actor. Researching and pretending to be someone else can be a very serious undertaking and a process that stays with you for a long time. For the trick to truly work, a performer has to fully dedicate themselves to really becoming someone else. Bale is constantly searching, telling EW: “I don’t begin to understand people ever. That’s why I think I love doing what I do, because I’m endlessly confused but delighted by them.”
