There are quite a few great actors who have played in a large number of films, but for some reason have not received such fame and appreciation as the first persons in Hollywood. It is hard to say what is the reason. Today I would like to talk about such a man as actor Armand Assante, who played in more than a hundred films, but was undeservedly pushed into the background in a galaxy of famous American and European actors.
Childhood and youth. The beginning of the creative path
Armand Assante was born in 1949 in the most famous city in America - New York. His parents were deeply creative people: his father is an artist, and his mother is a poet and music teacher. The origin of the parents (and here Irish and Italian blood was mixed) gave their son a vivid and memorable appearance.
At the age of four, he first visited the theater for a performance, and then his parents often took him to Broadway performances. Assante grew up in a creative atmosphere. From childhood, he was surrounded by music and painting. Therefore, it is not surprising that he chose the acting profession.
After graduating from the American Academy of Dramatic Art, Armand Assante began a theatrical career in 1971. Already in 1974, he enters the world of cinema, starring in the movie "Lords of Flatbush." After that, he repeatedly starred in television series.
Movies with Armand Assante
As a good new actor, they started talking about Assante after his role in the film "Private Benjamin", where charming Goldie Hawn became his partner. In the films "The habit of getting married", "Hoff", "Gotti" he played famous gangsters. The actor’s filmography contains a lot of works in thrillers and horror films - Jack the Ripper, Bleeding, Greenhouse Experiment, Midnight of Souls, and Smile.
Assante's partners in the movie were Sylvester Stallone, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson, Antonio Banderas.
The actor is in demand not only in Hollywood. He is constantly invited to appear in Romania, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Bulgaria and Turkey. He came to Russia many times and took part in film festivals.
In 2012, Assante took part in the filming of the Kazakh fantasy film "The Other Side - 2".
Armand Assante, whose filmography today contains more than one hundred films, believes that to achieve everything in life, and especially in work, he was helped not by luck, but by persistent everyday work and natural charm.
"Napoleon and Josephine"
In 1987, the actor was offered to play the first emperor of France in the television series. This role was a big surprise for Assante. But it was not the first time he had to face the personality of the great commander. In the theater, he already played the role of Napoleon, and specifically for this he studied his history. In this regard, the actor was easier to work with such a complex role.
Filming was quick, and by the end of it, according to Assante, he was completely psychologically exhausted, but very pleased with his work. Now, having starred in many other films, the actor says that this was the most difficult role in his life. About a year he was preparing for her. After filming, interest in the personality of Napoleon did not fade, Assante still collects materials about the famous Corsican. Unfortunately, the American viewer did not appreciate the series, but in other countries it was very warmly received. The actor managed to convincingly play Napoleon, showing his human weaknesses, the strongest of which was a great love for his own wife Josephine.
According to critics and viewers, Armand Assante played Napoleon better than all the actors who, before him and after the series was released on screen, embodied this image on the screen or in the theater.
The Odyssey of Konchalovsky
In 1997, the actor receives a tempting offer from Andrei Konchalovsky - to play a major role in his new film. In the center of the plot is one of the most interesting heroes of ancient Greek myths, the cunning Odysseus. Armand Assante immediately agreed. To refuse such a role would be madness. The actor has been fond of Zen Buddhism for many years and prefers the role of strong people, living a bright, intense life, constantly in search of their "I". The film tells about the wanderings of King Ithaca Odyssey, who for 10 years could not return home due to the angry god of the seas and oceans of Poseidon.
The film was shot for seven months. The shooting took place in several places: on the island of Gozo, in Malta, in Turkey and England.
Actor in everyday life
Everyone who met Armand Assante in everyday life, note his friendliness and gentleness. He never denies fans an autograph and patiently takes pictures with everyone. However, those who saw him closely noted the real masculine power and confidence emanating from the actor. That probably means being a real man.
Armand Assante - life now
Despite his considerable age (64 years), the actor continues to actively act in films. And do not give him these years, he looks great! Assante is an actor of the generation of Stallone, Bruce Willis, Schwarzenegger. He did not become as popular as they, but this does not prevent them all from being on friendly terms. Sylvester Stallone, for example, is Assante's best friend. They co-starred in The Lords of Flatbush, Hell's Kitchen, and Judge Dredd.
Now Assante lives alone. With his wife, Karen, he divorced in 1994 after 12 years of marriage. From her, the actor has two adult daughters - Alessandra and Anya. The actor maintains a good relationship with his ex-wife. Daughters followed in the footsteps of their father and also chose a life associated with creativity. The eldest daughter, Anya, became a theater actress and sometimes starred in TV shows. The youngest is professionally engaged in music.
The actor does not like too much attention. He does not like the noise of the big city. Therefore, now in New York he only acts in film or is at work, but lives outside the city, on his own ranch. He has animals that the actor takes care of himself - horses, bulls, dogs.
He is a versatile person. He loves music, especially classics, Italian opera, rock and Latin rhythms. For many years he was a professional drummer. When asked who he would be if he did not have an acting career, Armand Assante, without hesitation, replies that he would be engaged in music, singing and playing the drum.