9 REAL Acting Moments Created By Deception

You already knew we had to cap off this list with another appearance for Shakespearean legend/ anti-method acting advocate Laurence Olivier. The actor’s infamous distaste for the method resulted in some impressively bombastic performances over the years, and many directors prized his explosive screen presence as much as, say, Marlon Brando’s expressive unsubtlety.

However, Midnight Cowboy helmer John Schlesinger was reluctant to criticize, well, one of cinema’s most famous and critically beloved talents… not to mention one of the industry’s most infamous egos. As a result, he opted to shoot a scene with Olivier’s dodgy over-acting, thanked him for his service, then later told him the production needed coverage for Hoffman’s half of the conversation, meaning Olivier could simply reel off his lines for the take without any emotional input.

Olivier saw through the gambit but played along nonetheless, thankful for the director’s tact. The humility paid off, with his performance being singled out as a superb turn in an already impressive film and adding to his long lists of lauded roles.