Tom Foster
There are probably more than 20 things you didn’t know about Richard Dreyfuss, especially if you’re a younger individual. He’s an interesting guy, to put it lightly.
He was born in the 40s in Brooklyn, New York
It’s tough to hear in his voice when he’s acting. His speech is usually cultured and neatly clipped.
His debut came during “The Graduate” when he was only a teenager
A lot of people have attested that Richard Dreyfuss is a natural talent. Even the most talented had to start somewhere though.
He snagged an Academy Award for his part in “The Goodbye Girl”
It’s easy to guess that a lot of people these days struggle to remember Richard Dreyfuss. But he has been one of the best for a while.
He turned down a famous role more than once before accepting it
Imagine what “Jaws” would have been like had Richard Dreyfuss not been a part of the crew. They probably would have found someone else, but it’s still tough to imagine what it might have been like.
He’s a big music buff and knows how to play more than one instrument
This makes his role in “Mr. Holland’s Opus” make a lot of sense, right? The guy loves music in a big way.
He does have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
He received the star in 1996 for his huge impact in acting. Joining that crowd has to be a heady experience.
He is a big advocate for civics education in the school system
A lot of actors have spoken on the issue of teaching democracy and civic responsibility. Richard has made it one of his missions in life to make sure this happens.
Between film and TV, he’s been a prolific actor
Many recall his contribution to comedy and drama, but he’s done a lot in his time on screen. Simply put, he’s one of the most inspirational people in the business.
He’s been married a few times and has a few kids
Like many actors, his life has taken a few odd twists and turns. But despite all this, he’s still devoted to his family, which is what matters.
He’s an activist for certain
Richard has never been entirely quiet on issues such as gun control, climate change, and a few other matters. He’s committed to what he believes in and leaving society better through his efforts.
He has a very distinctive voice
Some say his voice is deep and resonant, but he knows how to hit various pitches. In some ways, he’s known for some of his more outlandish pitches.
He’s worked with a few very famous directors
Steven Spielberg, Barry Levinson, and Paul Mazursky are among those he’s worked with. That’s impressive to see on a person’s resume.
He is a bookworm and loves literature
He’s stated that he gets a lot of his inspiration from reading, which is great to hear. But it’s also helped the diverse characters he’s come up with.
He did receive a Lifetime Achievement Award
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival saw him accept his award thanks to everything he’d done for the film industry. That’s a great way to show how important he’s become.
Richard was diagnosed as bipolar
Dreyfuss has been very open about his mental health and what he’s going through. He’s also used this as a platform to help others and advocate for mental health.
He’s taken on the role of real-life individuals in movies
Richard has taken on the roles of those such as Edward Murrow and Alexander Hamilton over the years. His range is proven at this point considering how he’s had to stretch his talent to such limits.
He’s taken on voice acting as well
He has lent his voice to several animated characters over the years. This has been just as great as his live acting.
Dreyfuss did receive the National Medal of Arts
This is an honor that not just anyone can receive. It’s another mark of greatness that he’s achieved and a recognition of how iconic he’s become.
He’s also a writer
He’s managed to write two books, which is impressive given how little time he likely has. But it’s an inspiration to others in a lot of ways.
He’s not ready to stop yet
He has a great deal of passion for this industry and is still giving great performances as the years pass. No matter when he decides to stop, his legacy is secured.
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