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Jeff Goldblum's "Death Wish" Lesson: Don't Stop Bathing!(Exclusive: He Was "Shamed" for His Body Odor)
2024-12-04
Jeff Goldblum's journey in the entertainment industry is filled with interesting anecdotes and valuable wisdom. From his early days on a major movie set to his current stardom in "Wicked", he has learned a lot along the way.
Uncovering Jeff Goldblum's On-Set Insights and Life Rules
Jeff Goldblum's First Major Movie
Jeff Goldblum had just embarked on his first significant movie venture when an unexpected event occurred on set. A negative review came his way, stating, "You stink." However, it wasn't his performance that was at fault; it was his body odor. To play a menacing street thug in the 1974 Charles Bronson thriller "Death Wish", the usually meticulous Pennsylvania native made a misguided attempt at Method acting by deciding to stop bathing. He was a young 19 or 20-year-old, well-behaved from Pittsburgh. But for the role, he had to transform into this dangerous street criminal. As he recalls to PEOPLE, "I didn't shower in order to play this street thug. It was a challenging transformation."The assistant director approached him and said, "Jeff, we're in a small space here. You smell. Can you do something about that?" Goldblum was ashamed but realized a valuable lesson. In the collaborative and close environment of show business, maintaining good hygiene is crucial.Lessons Learned Over the Years
Among the many nuggets of wisdom he has acquired, Goldblum now shares some of his rules for life. When asked about his advice, he jokes about not meaning Bruce Springsteen but emphasizes the importance of trusting the boss, whether it's directors like Steven Spielberg (in "Jurassic Park"), Wes Anderson (in "The Grand Budapest Hotel"), or most recently, Jon M. Chu (in "Wicked"). He believes that if you're not the boss, having trust in the director is essential.He also emphasizes that you can't be good unless the movie is good. Making a good movie is hard even with a good director. Goldblum considers himself lucky to have had the experience on the "Wizard of Oz" prequel. As he adds, "Jon made a very beautiful movie that I'm proud to be in."Jeff Goldblum's life is a testament to the fact that even in the most challenging situations, one can learn and grow. His story continues to inspire and offer valuable insights to others in the entertainment industry and beyond.