Bill Duke Explains Why Most Actors Fail In Hollywood
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Bill Duke On The Cost People Pay For Success - th-cam.com/video/iS2bkP9Bd1w/w-d-xo.html
Lovely guy, great performances, incredibly thoughtful and soft spoken, despite his exterior.
If Bic Razors do not make this man a spokesman and stuff his pockets full of dollars soon, they are fools.
You know you fucked up now right? You know you fucked up.
His roles in COMMANDO and PREDATOR are two of my favorites!
He was great in Payback.
@PhantomFilmAustralia also good in coronation street
Him an Arnold should team up again.
and in payback with Mell Gibson, he was evil in that movie lol brilliant actor
He had a small gig with Mandy.
"luck, looks, strategic alliances and relationships, and your agent (promotion)". Wow, hard truths!
Nothing new, nothing overtly complex revealed, same as in many lines of business.
That ain’t the truth!!!! Straight lies!
don't forget the sex
@@sbonamo agreed but the question is a bit of mine field if you answer it the wrong way. It's easy to sound like the disgruntled artist who never hit it big and blames the system.
And a lot of business components
As a casting director once said, "It's called show business not show art."
And as Chuck D of the rap group Public Enemy said, "Show business is 10 percent show, and 90 percent business. "
Im glad you're still with us Mr. Duke
It's been 10 years😂😂
Right he didn’t read the date
Yeah, so good to see him indeed. He's a well spoken man, only saw him in Predator.
@oladeebiazazi4538 guy is still alive. Read more carefully kiddo 👍
Remember him a long time ago in an episode of Kojak , playing a pimp ! Oops ! Stereotypical!
Bill Duke. Is an industry legend. Worked in front of the camera, as well as behind. His resume is amazing
This brother has been giving nothing but truth and wisdom in this video series, and not just about Hollywood, but about life. This is an awesome dude.
They sell their souls
@@HeatherR-u2ogo home. You’re drunk.
He was amazing in Mandy. Also, The Limey: they had him for one day and he gave a top notch performance. He was opposite Terrence Stamp, a real veteran of acting.
@@HeatherR-u2oclearly,what he has on his neck is telling
I always thought he was/is cool, since Commando.
" It's not what you know but who you blow . "
100 percent...... and they know it......
Though MANY blow, and do not go.
💯
Not true. Too many starlets have too much sex hoping to get a leading role, but never do. Most of them don't get anything.
Who you blow meaning ???
One of the rare celebrity interviews that demonstrates high intelligence, honesty and authenticity.
Thank you Mr. Dukes.
Connections, looks and selling your soul are keys to success in Hollywood.
Its mostly the network they achieve to join. Hollywood is 90% networking.
That's most of entertainment.
@@michaeljeffery7466 The problem with that is, that a lot of bad and mediocre people are achieveing a lot and becoming famous and rich while real talents stay unknown. The only difference is, that the first one are better in terms of networking.
Its a system that doesent value talent and merit. Its a system that gives merit to the best bootlickers.
@@TOFKAS01 I mean you're not wrong but that's the story life, your complaining amounts to a child being upset that everyone's parents aren't rich. Preferably, the most successful would be both good at navigating the industry & talented but, the world doesn't work that way. You want to succeed? Gotta be a shark.
@@michaeljeffery7466
Shit, that's anything that doesn't begin with an application form.
@@TOFKAS01 is also what you're willing to do to get to the top. Execs make lots of promises most empty
Mr. Bill Duke is a great actor and impressive Director!💯🎥🎬⭐️
I always liked Bill Duke. Strangely, I just recently saw him in an episode of the original Kojak (R.I.P. Telly Savalas) for the first time (I watched a lot of Kojak, but I was a kid back then, so I don't remember the episode, if I saw it back then. I don't think I did).
He played a pimp - in stereotypical form.
It had to be one of his first acting roles.
The first thing I remember seeing him in was the movie CAR WASH (Duane / Abdullah).
It's incredible to see how far he's come and how long he's been around.
I see his name on a lot of directing credits, also.
He was quite thin back in the day, no?
@JohnVKaravitis
Yeah.
He was a tall, skinny guy back then.
I liked him in 'The Limey'.
@gregoryjgarcia3862
Yeah.
He did some good / great work in that, too.
"Anytime......"
"gonna have me some fun"
I came here to say this. I had no idea he actually sounds like Tony Gwynn.
Beat me to it. Long Tall Sally, she built sweet, she got everything, that Uncle John need. Aw baby ........
Oh pain this is waiting…
"Turn around"
Anytime
The best 'get' yet by Film Courage. Duke's a criminally under rated actor and filmmaker. His chilling turn alone in Paul Shrader's American Gigolo (which aside from introducing the world to Richard Gere is one of the great films on the seedy underbelly of LA) is enough to etch him in the pantheon of greats.
He also directed a gem of a film called Deep Cover as well as episodes of Michael Mann's Crime Story and Miami Vice!
Thanks JFA! No doubt that this is a huge get for us. It surprisingly came together very quickly. Bill gave us about an hour of his time on July 4th. We're grateful and excited to share the full interview.
+Film Courage are you guys in la and how did you even get ahold of him
He also directed Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
U r comment is criminal he's not underrated why do folks like u use the word underrated on TH-cam so darn much
As for playing the guy you love to hate Bill Duke does it better than most.
0:41 Also voice. Especially for male actors - Harrison Ford, for example - but some female actors have distinctive voices - Thelma Ritter is an obvious one. Harrison Ford is handsome, but his voice made the difference in his career.
Yes. Ford has the voice, because he's phoning in the acting in most of his roles.
John Todd once said that all play role in the Star Wars legacy must be satanists no if ands or buts about it. No outsiders or believers allowed. Thus the wierd stars and what seems to be random people that get a role in the latest version. Wait for the next one to come out and you will see a mediocre actor/actress in a significant role and become a "star" afterwards.
Thelma Ritter could turn any Hollywood set into New York City just by talking.
Harrison Ford sold weed and worked as carpenter for many actors, he had plenty of connections
The voice is everything. The original Greek theater was standing and reciting. Radio drama was huge before tv. Voice is everything, almost.
‘Those eyes…they just disappeared…’ 😮👀😶🌫️
“Over here” and “Anytime” is all I can think of.
IYKYK
Green berets for breakfast….
@@ChorkaloopaYou eat oatmeal for breakfast
"back in them trees" is another
"Your ghosting us muthafka!"
Best line ever. "You know you done fucked up right". 😂
Boondocks lives on forever.
@@jeanp.5929that’s not where it’s originally from
@@WillieSlackmer doesn't matter
My favorite of his from The Limey: "There's one thing I don't understand. The thing I don't understand is every motherfuckin' word you're saying."
Menace II Society 😂
This guy is a boss.
To succeeed in hollywood be best friends with the director and producer
To succeeed suck seed
It's always encouraging and, at the same time, disheartening to hear the disparity between what good actors/directors say they are inspired by and aspire to and then hear bullshit by casting directors/agents/managers in L.A. to the effect of " If you want to act or be an actor, stay in Poughkeepsie, Scranton, Cleveland etc and do your little "acting" thing.....but if you want to be a "STAR", come to L.A." I trained and worked in NYC for years and no-one ever said anything like that there. Managers and Agents IMPLORE you to do theatre there...quite unlike L.A from what I've heard. Listen to people like BIll Duke and others and ignore the rest. Surrender to the work and forget the static. In the end, even if you're not making a great living at it, the work will sustain you. But for a few, fame is fleeting.
But it will not sustain your bills.
That’s not what Angelenos say. It’s all about the grind. As for theatre here, it’s very good quality and the training is excellent from USC, LA City College to name a few. Theatre here is geographically spread out from downtown to Pasadena and beyond. Theatre here are short runs because the pay is next to nothing except for a few equity houses so what happens is as soon as an actor gets a SAG contract they take it just to stay afloat.
Much of what Bill talks about is the same in the corporate world.
That's what trips up the actors who don't make it - Hollywood is the corporate world, it's just the corporate film world. All the same rules apply, there are just more cameras around.
I love Bil Duke! Especially after I heard his backstory and how he made it and people who supported him that is truly amazing!
Incredible story
this is the most insightful advice on acting I've listened to
The contrast between his looks and his mellow calm voice is incredible. Also, he is such a well spoken gentleman.
Networking and believing in your talent is key.
Lol😅😅😅😅
Yes who you know may help. But yes talent is also helpful.
@Corina-dq2my you sell your soul to Satan
@Corina-dq2my 😆 no talent out here today
@@jimmyintuitive don't bother
Hollywood is falling apart
Deep Coover was fantastic, one of the most underrated hard hitting thrillers ever. I don’t know what else Bill done in directing but I’m surprised he didn’t do more directing on similar themes. The man has a serious directing talent.
Peep the Freemason necklace
Yep i see
i saw it as well. bill duke is part of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity which explains it
There's the who you know part.
All the devil's puppets
I agree with him; there are many factors but not any single factor or two or three. I'd rate perseverance near the top but that's true for most things.
I just agree I would rate luck at the top you can persevere nothing can come of it
SHOCKED!!!! The Black Community Did Not TRASH Him For Mentioning a WHITE Actress When Referring to His "Heros"...Absolutely SHOCKED!
See if this guy was to become an acting coach then he’s someone young actors can learn from. Because he has films under there belt but when I go around NYC and see these acting coaches that haven’t done shit that’s what pisses me off and ripping young actors off 🙄
Learn by observing the greats.
"I eat Green Berets for breakfast...And right now I'm wery hungry!"
'Surrenders to the truth of the character'..what a great line. The thing that interests me about acting is there are very few who can do it pretty well...a teensy tiny few who can do it very well....and the vast vast rest of us can not do it at all whatsoever
Please... You can spit and hit someone who can act. It's not about that and you know it.
After struggling in Hollywood in the early nineties, The real key is to get a good agent that will send you to good auditions, which is the hardest thing to achieve when you go to Hollywood and you're just off the Greyhound bus. It used to be a lot harder and there were a lot of scammers it's not about looks anymore or talent. there are so many production companies so many studios so many movies and TV series filming that it's a lot easier to become an actor in Hollywood now than ever before. Bone heads like Dwayne Johnson have proved that anyone can be an actor now, it's all about a certain persona these days.
Well grounded, and respectful. I could listen to him talk for hours on the movie business. Take care sir. You’re a good man
I still refuse to believe this guy is older than 45.
Well, he's 71. Check it out: www.imdb.com/name/nm0004886/
81 now
To me, he looks about 55...which is still literally decades younger than his actual age.
Born February 26th, 1943. He's going on 82.
being white fcks you up aging
Well, this is what I learned back in the middle of the 80's when I was taking acting lessons from "Stella Adler Conservatory Of Acting West" in Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, Ca. Yes, you must have the stuff or learn what it takes to make it in Hollywood, but only about %5 of actors get there with pure talent, many of these action stars don't have much talent, but because of their physic or being there on the right time they got the opportunity. In reality, it's who you know and who acknowledges you. Remember that, yes you must have what it takes for what Hollywood is looking for, but where it all counts is... who you know, and who acknowledges you. Just knowing someone doesn't make any difference, that person or those connections MUST also acknowledge you when it comes to Hollywood, because there's a lot of money and their reputation is involved.
Legendary actor.That scene from Predator 1 where he says "Got that?!" , that stayed in my mind for years.The movie stars should be the ones in control of hollywood movie productions because they know what good movies are.Just my 2cents..
In other words, talent has little to do with it.
Ya like Addison rae got into Hollywood
@@someiggashit8654 😭
DaWayne The Rock Johnson literally plays the same role in EVERY film lmaoo
@@Ah_Yote Lol typecast.
When he said 'i think that some' I was like, yup, there it is
If Bill Duke is in it, you know you will get a quality and entertaining movie. Always one of my favorite actors. 👍
He didn’t answer the question.he changed it to how people should act and what to be/surrender to.!
The only thing that matters is who you know. Talent is secondary.
i know his work and he has been around a very long time and now finally the off colored actor is finally getting a chance at leading roles which you know thirty years ago that was not possible.
It was absolutely possible black actors have been getting rolls for decades stop lying. History did not start at 2024.
I agree with Bill Maher and Chris Rock. Bill said he thinks that talent will rise to the top and for the most part he's right. He added that talent will get you your shot, at some point. Chris Rock responded with "yeah but you can asshole your way out of hollywood" and then I forget who he referenced as an example of that.
Essentially I think this is true for the vast majority of cases. If you're talented you'll get an opportunity but you also have to be a people person in hollywood too. You've got to be easy to work with and get along with others. It's a social industry after all.
Some talented people will not recognize their shot and blow an opportunity. So awareness and timing are most certainly factors.
Bottom line is, and contrary to what many seem to think, the vast majority of actors and musicians who are making money doing it, are extremely talented. Sure, not all Meryls, but there really aren't many "bad" actors or musicians. Just people you might not like as much as others.
They don't give up their ass for the role.
Will smith, jaden smith, jada pinkett smith, george clooney, brad pitt, angelina jolie actually its too many to name. Its ran buy folks that serve Satan, therefore you must give up your integrity each contract you achieve, nothing new or complex. Its within the entire entertainment industry to your government down to the company you clock into ever day. You never see those people at work that get away with everything and get the promotions, the unannonced time off? This is the world we live in. Difficult for those who are blind and refuse to comply to the wickedness
… and let’s also not forget the casting couch, he forgot to mention that. But I suppose that this could fall into the “strategic alliances and relationships” category that he mentioned.
The 2 easiest way to be a star in Hollywood is by already being well known, and by knowing (or fucking) the right people same shit in the music industry,
Gotta be marketable to make it in both industries, but especially the music industry. They have mainly one primary aim...to sell records.
And (maybe) in the voice acting industry.
Jennifer Lopez
Beyonce
Kevin Hart
Justin Beiber
Usher
----
Add more to this list
Nepotism
You totally forgot the sucking
Along with being such a classy dude, Mr. Duke has such great comedic ‘chops’ that he occasionally shows in some of his roles.
In the movie ‘Action Jackson’, Mr. Duke’s comedic timing was perfect., as well as having an authoritative presence throughout the film.
Well done, Sir!
big difference between and actor and a movie star
This applies to the whole jobmarket. It’s about getting a foot in the door.
It helps a lot if you know the right people. In fact, there’s tons op people who aren’t better than others, but they just knew the right people to help them land the job.
Very insightful.
So soft spoken and gentle… hard to believe this is the same guy from Predator and Commando.
Misleading title.
Why most actors fail in Hollywood
They may have good looks, and can pretend to be a character, and thats all they think they need.
It’s either nepotism or wealthy connections.
Especially ethnic nepotism ✡
Nepotism exists in Hollywood as well I thought it's a bollywood thing only😅
Or just getting lucky breaks.
@@coolcat6303There’s no such a thing in Hollywood! It’s all about who you know or who you are ready to blow, or both.
If you can sell tickets then you are successful. It’s not that deep.
this man followed me back on instagram like over a decade ago. He’s a solid gentleman. I actually saw him BEFORE predator in Commando and have liked him ever since. I was like 8 or 9 but my cousins and I would always watch Commando on VHS together so we knew all the character’s names. When predator came out, I still remember my cousins telling me, “Cooke is in it and he plays a good guy!”
That's why Taraji will always be my fav actor. She truly becomes each character she plays. It's so amazing to watch
She always the same
This is life in all aspects, The driven make it happen, most of my colleagues are waiting to see who hands them the work. Blessings to all!!! ❤
Looks, talent and hard work plays a little part. Luck is the way to go.
the way I tell myself it is " if its meant to be it will be". You can try and then as you said, if you are born under a lucky star it'll happen.
I agree and it’s unfortunate that’s how it is. I honestly don’t care for many actors because I feel nothing from them. In my opinion, true talent is when someone can bring something relatable and genuine to move the audience.
Thank you for everything always and will continue to enjoy your acting style ✌🏾
Luck, look, relationships. Talk about about demotivating.
No such thing as luck, winners make their own. Margot Robbie for example insisted on auditioning for Neighbors by stalking the casting director. As for looks, it’s not just the Megan fox types, but also the Kathy Bates types and (the actress that played Janice in The Sopranos), it depends on the role. Not everyone should be hot in a movie. Relationships are a fact though, if you’re an extrovert, get over it.
Bleed you real quite and leave you here . Got that ! love bill Duke great Actor performer. 👍🏻
Nepotism is the main skill in Hollywood
Bill directed the amazing 'Deep Cover' - have watched it countless times over the past thirty years and it never gets old (although I have!).
It's called "the casting couch".
"Welllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll(agreeing with da minister of ceremonies)!
The acting couch gets you in the position there's so many people men and women that have rented out their bodies to get an opportunity to get into films in fact you can't even count how many and most of them probably won't admit to it if they've had a good career in their publicist doesn't want to admit to it many people got their by the catching casting couch or boning somebody that's famous but then after 20 years that come back and sue the person that got them the job in the first place that they had to go on the casting couch with it's funny ironic or sad and tragic but it's true
No stay away from that crap. If you are good enough and you have what they want, you won't have to necessarily do anything of the sort. Keep your dignity. Many women especially, have been lied to and taken advantage of.
Casting couch actually doesn't garantee you anything. You could be relegated as an extra.
Luv his director skills & Lawrence Fishburne's acting on the film "Hoodlum"....
he can talk to me "anytime"
He sounds like a very well spoken and articulate man with a lot of wisdom to give out.
you have to be incredibly attractive and if you're a woman you have to do the casting couch and if you're a man you have to be a Chad if you're a normie there's no chance
I read that a big reason why people make it is because they are interesting to look at. This guy is one of those people that when I saw him...I couldn't stop looking at him.
Networking along with Business and promotional skill/ talent far exceeds raw acting talent
None of this applies just to acting.
Bill Duke is so versed and well spoken on this matter.
All actors have to do the gravy....look it up...
The gravy?
@@soulfullyone1233in other words spread them cheeks
Sir, what is the Gravy?
They say your looks only helps you for the first few minutes into the film. After that it's all your talent in acting. Looks can get you through, but it's the depth and details that keep you going
maybe for men doubltful for women
@novadhd Name a few women who are doing exceptionally well in movies only on their looks?
Talent matters.
He's mulling whether to answer truthfully and never work again
whats different now is we have this, youtube, social media, all these options to make our own stuff, star in it, write it, and put it out there. I read about this guy who created a show that was on comedy central "drunk history". he said he couldn't get cast in anything, nothing was happening. so he just decided to do it himself.
This guy was a better actor then Arnold Schwarzenegger
Loool
Arnie is a great action film actor. It's about presence I guess.
What does it take to be a successful actor? Lawrence Olivier said: "Physical strength."
"Endurance" is what I think. To be successful you have to outlast those who don't have as much of it.
That's in anything. Not just acting.
Not discussed: Why most actors fail
His scene in Predator with the chain gun is the most badass, coolest scene in action movie history.
This necklace looks suspicious
Bill Duke says "Looks" are a factor in show-biz success, and this is what Oprah, said in an interview:
"When you are good looking, door just open for you", but she was talking about life in general, not just show biz.
Duke also said "strategic alliances", this is exactly how Johnny Depp entered & rose in show biz (he was friends with Nicolas Cage, and at the time, Depp had absolutely NO aspirations to be in hollywood (Depp went into hollywood because Cage told him to, and set up Depp!!). Depp just wanted to be a musician at the time!
"Strategical alliances in relationships" - translation; how many film producers you sucked off to get casted. And that goes to BOTH sexes.
Or you or your family are part of the club.
Acting takes some passion and reliance that you can overcome your natural tendency to be self-conscious. Being in the military and facing an enemy that is shooting real bullets at you takes courage. BIG DIFFERENCE.
You need to build a life and a career, not chase a life.
How do u do thats in hollywood
The late great Writer Gore Vidal worked in the industry back in the day . Occasionally he did an acting cameo and once he did a bit with Louise Lassiter on show Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman . It became a tug of war and he upstaged her . People were fascinated how he did it . He said that the Europeans discovered a long time ago that if a person fit a certain physical type and were comfortable with themselves then acting was an easy thing to do . No one need have trouble with acting with the exception of certain professional actors of course . “
hollywood actor is 90% of luck and 9% of look and 1% of talent, no one needs ut talents , if u know the right people and have connections and sleep with the right people u will be a hollywood star.
Or being born in a right family.
@@pawelzabicki7785 amber heard slept with the right people lol
@@amaury5783 looool dont forget kim kardsshine and scarlett johanson sleeping to the top
Hemsworth got that 9% look lottery then :D
Such an underrated actor.
What he’s saying is, in other words it’s politics. You need to know people who will help you to get to the top.
Also it’s about marketability and star power to pull in audience to watch your movie or tv series.
Rejection is very high in Hollywood, because acting is very subjective. Every actors have their own version of portrayal of the character and the casting director have their own portrayal of the characters in their head and you have to be able to match that.
true white actors sell more and reach more cause majority of America amd Hollywood is White plus u just get fur when ur a white actir with Extreme good looks or aboce avrg
It's an artistic job not science.
Daniel Day Lewis. Marlon Brando. Meryl Streep. Those three are in a league of their own, far as I can tell. There are some AMAZING talented actors out there. Jack Nicholson, Robert Duvall, Denzel, Jodie Foster, etc. But none of them are in the league of the aforementioned three. The greatest of all time. Those three can BECOME someone else, someone new in every movie.
Predator
Thank you; you helped keep me entertained, even just with Commando and Predator. Wait a minute, even in your supporting role in Lost you were great!!

All nepotism
Loved seeing his cameo in Mandy. Such a great actor.
He says about luck, looks etc……but then he also says you still have to be talented at the end of the day, to BE the character you are playing, not just pretend to be the character. Lots of actors get their chance. But the very good actors have longevity.
I don't think I have ever seen this brilliant actor smile, not ever!
Miss your acting Bill..your one of the best ever!
Some actors just have crazy charisma like John Wayne, in every film he is essentially playing as John Wayne. Others are like Ed Harris, I've watched a few films with him in them before I realized it was the same guy, fantastic actor. I guess people who truly act often don't want to be labelled as the people they are acting as often because they're different people, although a few roles are aspired to, like Vin Diesel as Riddick.
Patience is a virtue - Bill Duke always had Patience 😎💥🎉🎉