Louis Theroux Names Jimmy Savile as Worst Person Met in 30-Year Career
Renowned documentarian Louis Theroux has publicly identified the worst person he has ever met throughout his extensive three-decade career in filmmaking. This revelation comes as Theroux continues to produce thought-provoking documentaries on a wide array of controversial and challenging subjects.
Savile Stands Out as Most Notorious Figure
Over the years, Theroux has explored numerous contentious topics, but it is Jimmy Savile, one of Britain's most infamous figures, who he now describes as the worst individual he has encountered. Savile, a paedophile whose horrific crimes were revealed posthumously, is the subject of two documentaries by Theroux.
Theroux first filmed Savile in 2000 with When Louis Met Jimmy, at a time when Savile's crimes were not publicly known. He revisited the topic in 2016 with Louis Theroux: Savile, reflecting on the shocking revelations that emerged about Savile's serial sex offences.
Reflections on Guilt and Responsibility
In a recent interview with LadBible, Theroux explained why Savile stands out in his memory. "My mind tends to go to Jimmy Savile, basically because when I met him, I was making a documentary about him — his crimes had not been discovered," Theroux stated. He highlighted the "strange dissonance" of later learning about Savile's dreadful actions after initially interacting with him professionally.
Theroux has previously discussed his complex feelings about Savile. In a 2019 interview with the Irish Times, he revealed experiencing "strange feelings of guilt and responsibility" for having viewed Savile in a more friendly manner during post-filming interactions. "I sort of began to think of him in a more friendly way," Theroux admitted, noting how this contrasted sharply with the later revelations of abuse.
Focus on Survivors and Accountability
In 2022, Theroux spoke to the Big Issue about his ongoing reflections, expressing a desire to focus on the dignity of Savile's survivors. He emphasised that if possible, he would want to facilitate acts of holding Savile accountable, particularly involving victims. "That would mean something to me," Theroux affirmed, underscoring his commitment to acknowledging the suffering caused.
Theroux's remarks about Savile coincide with the release of his latest documentary project, Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere, now available on Netflix. This new work continues his tradition of delving into complex social issues, further cementing his legacy as a pioneering documentarian.
Throughout his career, Theroux has navigated difficult subjects with nuance and empathy, but his experiences with Savile remain a poignant reminder of the challenges in uncovering truth and the profound impact of such revelations on both public perception and personal conscience.
