Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Frank Langella reflects on his remarkable career while offering acting tips: from preparing for roles like Richard Nixon and Dracula to the importance of vulnerability in performance.
00:00:00 Introduction to Frank Langella
00:01:24 Early years and acting influences
00:04:05 First film: working with Mel Brooks
00:05:36 Frank Langella’s Dracula: reimagining an icon
00:08:39 Becoming Richard Nixon: method acting in action
00:10:51 Richard Nixon and unlocking emotion in acting
00:14:45 Opinions on Richard Nixon & behind the scenes of Frost/Nixon
00:18:53 Feeling isolated and the importance of emotional authenticity in acting
00:21:37 Working with young actors: acting tips and getting at the heart of a character
00:23:53 Conclusion: Frank Langella, Charles Laughton, and life lessons beyond the screen
The Thread is our flagship documentary interview series featuring exceptional individuals who share the paths they have taken to lead a meaningful life. Now in Season 2, watch the whole series here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ51kDxtnNperiJ2biybgVzlFatXo3r1v
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🔍 About Frank Langella
Frank Langella is an award-winning stage and film actor. His career took off in 1970 with a role in Mel Brooks’ The Twelve Chairs, and in 1975, he earned his first Tony Award for Seascape. His critically acclaimed portrayal of Dracula on Broadway in 1977 became one of his defining roles, which he later reprised on film. His portrayal of Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon (2009) earned him an Oscar nomination. Recent notable roles include Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger in HBO’s Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight (2013) and Senator Richard Russell Jr. in All the Way (2016).
Interviewee: Frank Langella
Interviewed by: David Bender
Interview Date: 19th September 2023
Original Episode Title: Unscripted Wisdom
About Life Stories:
As a division of the Kunhardt Film Foundation, Life Stories is a non-profit media organization that creates and distributes documentaries and interviews about people whose lives inspire meaningful change. Our films, interviews and educational content address issues of social justice, history, politics, arts and culture by shining the spotlight on relatable human stories. The aim of our YouTube Channel is to provide open access to all of our content for communities and classrooms.
© Kunhardt Film Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
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Teaching resources: lifestories.org/learning/resources-items/teaching-the-thread-documentary-interview-series
Subscribe for more free documentaries: youtube.com/@lifestoriesdotorg?sub_confirmation=1
#FrankLangella #Interview #TheThread
Frank Langella reflects on his remarkable career while offering acting tips: from preparing for roles like Richard Nixon and Dracula to the importance of vulnerability in performance.
00:00:00 Introduction to Frank Langella
00:01:24 Early years and acting influences
00:04:05 First film: working with Mel Brooks
00:05:36 Frank Langella’s Dracula: reimagining an icon
00:08:39 Becoming Richard Nixon: method acting in action
00:10:51 Richard Nixon and unlocking emotion in acting
00:14:45 Opinions on Richard Nixon & behind the scenes of Frost/Nixon
00:18:53 Feeling isolated and the importance of emotional authenticity in acting
00:21:37 Working with young actors: acting tips and getting at the heart of a character
00:23:53 Conclusion: Frank Langella, Charles Laughton, and life lessons beyond the screen
The Thread is our flagship documentary interview series featuring exceptional individuals who share the paths they have taken to lead a meaningful life. Now in Season 2, watch the whole series here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ51kDxtnNperiJ2biybgVzlFatXo3r1v
---
🔍 About Frank Langella
Frank Langella is an award-winning stage and film actor. His career took off in 1970 with a role in Mel Brooks’ The Twelve Chairs, and in 1975, he earned his first Tony Award for Seascape. His critically acclaimed portrayal of Dracula on Broadway in 1977 became one of his defining roles, which he later reprised on film. His portrayal of Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon (2009) earned him an Oscar nomination. Recent notable roles include Supreme Court Justice Warren Burger in HBO’s Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight (2013) and Senator Richard Russell Jr. in All the Way (2016).
Interviewee: Frank Langella
Interviewed by: David Bender
Interview Date: 19th September 2023
Original Episode Title: Unscripted Wisdom
About Life Stories:
As a division of the Kunhardt Film Foundation, Life Stories is a non-profit media organization that creates and distributes documentaries and interviews about people whose lives inspire meaningful change. Our films, interviews and educational content address issues of social justice, history, politics, arts and culture by shining the spotlight on relatable human stories. The aim of our YouTube Channel is to provide open access to all of our content for communities and classrooms.
© Kunhardt Film Foundation. All Rights Reserved.
---
Teaching resources: lifestories.org/learning/resources-items/teaching-the-thread-documentary-interview-series
Subscribe for more free documentaries: youtube.com/@lifestoriesdotorg?sub_confirmation=1
#FrankLangella #Interview #TheThread
