25 Things You Didn't Know About The Shawshank Redemption

By Jack Pooley / July 18, 2023

13. Clancy Brown Didn't Want To Portray A "Realistic" Corrections Officer

Counter to Tim Robbins striving for absolute realism and authenticity in his performance, Clancy Brown went in the total opposite direction for his unforgettable portrayal of brutal prison guard Byron Hadley.

After taking the part, Brown received offers from several real corrections offers to help him prepare for the part and ensure Hadley was as believable a screw as possible.

But Brown ended up refusing all the offers because he felt that Hadley was "evil" and wanted to tap into that rather than risk creating a misconception about the behaviours of real corrections officers.