Jeremy Irons Interview (1994) | Film Discussion

Acclaimed actor Jeremy Irons joins this rare 1994 interview to reflect on his remarkable career — from his early stage work in Britain to international stardom. Irons discusses: Breakthrough roles in Brideshead Revisited and The French Lieutenant’s Woman Winning the Tony for Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing Winning the Academy Award for Reversal of Fortune as Klaus von Bülow (opposite Glenn Close) Working with Meryl Streep, Vanessa Redgrave, Glenn Close, and Winona Ryder in The House of the Spirits His thoughts on acting, choosing roles, and collaborating with Robert De Niro (The Mission) Reflections on film failures and successes, from Damage to Reversal of Fortune Lending his voice to Scar in Disney’s The Lion King Jeremy Irons reveals the philosophy behind his craft, his doubts, and his enduring love for storytelling. 00:00 – Introduction & career highlights 00:42 – Taking time off after House of the Spirits 02:14 – Choosing roles and avoiding typecasting 03:28 – Surprising successes (Reversal of Fortune) 04:10 – Disappointments with Damage 06:24 – On House of the Spirits and its challenges 08:40 – Storyline and themes of House of the Spirits 10:16 – Playing Esteban Trueba across 55 years 12:00 – Clip: House of the Spirits 13:13 – Working with Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Vanessa Redgrave 13:30 – Tension with Robert De Niro on The Mission 15:15 – Why De Niro is the greatest film actor 17:21 – On acting: only 4–5 truly great moments per film 18:24 – What acting really is 19:17 – Film editing and shaping performances 20:03 – Voicing Scar in Disney’s The Lion King 20:53 – On directing and why he hesitates 21:34 – Fear, family, and confidence in craft 22:52 – Inspiration from Daniel Day-Lewis (In the Name of the Father) 24:27 – On family life, career choices, and avoiding stereotypes 25:18 – What success means to Jeremy Irons 26:01 – Closing remarks & release of House of the Spirits (1994) FILM DISCUSSION Film Discussion is a curated interview archive and conversation series presented by Occupy Cinema. We spotlight the minds behind the movies—actors, directors, writers, and cultural critics—through thoughtful interviews, archival footage, and contemporary conversations. From Broadway to global cinema, Film Discussion explores the craft, politics, and impact of storytelling on screen and stage. Join our community of 800+ filmmakers: https://occupy.beehiiv.com/subscribe Instagram:   / filmdiscussion_   Facebook:   / filmdiscussionofficial   #FilmDiscussion #JeremyIrons #filmactors