Brian Cox Unleashes Scathing Critique of Hollywood's Elite at 80
Veteran actor Brian Cox, renowned for his portrayal of media mogul Logan Roy in the hit series Succession, has delivered a blistering and unfiltered assessment of some of Hollywood's most prominent figures. As he approaches his 80th birthday, Cox declared he is now free to 'say what he wants', and he did not hold back in a recent interview with The Times.
No Holds Barred: Cox's Candid Opinions on Fellow Actors
In a remarkable display of candour, Cox labelled several A-list celebrities with harsh descriptors, branding them as 'stupid', 'overblown', and 'complete a***holes'. He revealed that he once turned down the role of the governor in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, expressing relief rather than regret. Cox explained his decision stemmed from a desire to avoid working alongside Johnny Depp, whom he characterised as 'so overblown' and 'so overrated'.
The actor's critiques extended to other notable names. He described Edward Norton as 'a pain in the a**e', called Kevin Spacey a 'a stupid, stupid man', and stated that Ian McKellen's acting style was 'not to his taste'. Furthermore, Cox did not spare filmmakers, labelling Quentin Tarantino as 'meretricious', Michael Caton-Jones as a 'complete a***hole', and David Hare with a crude epithet.
Method Acting Under Fire: Cox Clashes with Co-Star and Daniel Day-Lewis
Brian Cox also took aim at method acting, a technique he has previously dismissed as 'American s**t'. He specifically criticised his Succession co-star Jeremy Strong's approach, calling it 'f***ing annoying'. This remark reignited a past conflict with acclaimed actor Daniel Day-Lewis, who is famed for his dedication to method acting.
Last year, Day-Lewis responded to Cox's earlier comments, stating in an interview with The Big Issue, 'Brian is a very fine actor who's done extraordinary work. As a result he's been given a soapbox... which he shows no sign of climbing down from.' He added, 'If I thought during our work together I'd interfered with his working process, I'd be appalled.' The trio previously collaborated on the 1997 film The Boxer, where a young Jeremy Strong served as Day-Lewis's assistant.
A Life of Frankness: Cox's Personal Philosophy and Career Legacy
Cox acknowledged that his wife, Nicole Ansari-Cox, whom he married in 2002, has expressed concerns about his blunt and no-nonsense approach to life. However, he remains unapologetic, reasoning, 'I think, 'F*** it, I don't want to be careful any more! I'll be 80 this year. F*** it! I'm gonna say what I want to say.' The couple share two sons, Orson Jonathan, 24, and Torin, 21.
Despite his controversial remarks, Brian Cox boasts an illustrious and respected career spanning decades. He was the first actor to portray Hannibal Lecter in Manhunter and has starred in numerous films such as Rob Roy, The Ring, and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. A celebrated Shakespearean actor, he has performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, earning two Olivier Awards. Cox won a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy for his role in Succession and was appointed a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in 2003.
As he enters his ninth decade, Brian Cox's unfiltered commentary continues to spark debate, cementing his reputation as one of Hollywood's most outspoken and formidable figures.
