Arrr, by the grace of Davy Jones, I found meself playin' a former KGB scallywag in 'Reagan'. Avast!
2024-05-22
Arrr, me hearties! In 1991, I sailed to Russia with a crew of landlubbers to be part of the first American film production to set foot in Moscow. We witnessed firsthand the aftermath of the tyrannical communist rule. Aye, it was a sight to behold!
Every American actor has a Russian connection through Konstantin Stanislavsky, the father of modern acting. Great art blossomed in Stanislavsky's time with works by Chekhov, Pushkin, and Tolstoy. However, the Soviets, under Lenin and Stalin, brought misery and fear to the Russian people, with millions starving or sent to gulags.Visiting Russia in 1991, I saw the residue of the communist system. The people lived in fear and poverty, but there were signs of change. When my mother joined me in Moscow, her indomitable spirit brought hope and laughter to the people we met.She even struck up a conversation with Boris Yeltsin at the Kremlin, charming him with her wit. This meeting of East and West gave hope for a brighter future. Years later, I returned to a transformed Moscow, with young people embracing new opportunities and freedom.These changes, inspired by leaders like Ronald Reagan, show the power of hope and perseverance. In a film about Reagan's life, I had the chance to work with a talented young Russian actor, symbolizing the friendship between our countries.Despite the challenges of filming during COVID, the project brought us closer together and I am excited to share this story of hope and resilience with the world.