ACTOR ED COUPLAND
The UK has produced some amazing actors and actresses over the years and Edward Coupland is no exception. We recently caught up with him to talk about some of his inspirations growing up as well as his upcoming projects. Here is what this down to earth guy had to say:
Please introduce yourself to the readers and how and when did you first get into performing?
I’ve been performing since I was about 2 years old. I used to have a fascination and desire to be a lollipop man. I just loved the stick when I was little, I thought it was so cool.(laughs)- so much so, that my grandpa who was an engineer at a steel works, made me my own for my birthday. I used to spend hours crossing people across the road (which was our driveway) and had a white coat, hat and fluorescent waistcoat. That and pretending to be Liono from the Thundercats every day for about 5 years! So I think it’s always been in my blood to be honest.
What inspired you to get into this industry?
As a kid I also loved Peter Pan. I went to see Disney’s Peter Pan On Ice when I was about 5 and saw that I could actually be Peter Pan in real life. I didn’t know what an actor was until then. I remember asking my mum on the way home in the car and she told me that it wasn’t the real Peter Pan, it was an actor pretending to be him. That’s the moment when I decided I wanted to become an actor.
What kind of training have you had, if any?
I trained with my amazing teacher and mentor Paul Gregory. Paul himself was mentored by Sir Laurence Olivier and worked for years in the RSC with Ken Branagh, Judi Dench, Paul Schofield, Derek Jacobi etc, literally the cream of British acting talent. I also did a 2 year course at RADA to broaden my training.
What has been your favorite role to play so far?
I think I’ve enjoyed every role that I’ve played so far, for differing reasons. Every role is different and stretches you in ways you don’t necessarily expect.
What has been one of your biggest achievements in your career so far?
I think starring and executive producing my first big feature film ‘Spo0k’. I learned a hell of a lot!
What projects do you have coming up?
I’m doing a TV series with the writer of ‘Monsters Ball’ next year. I play a British detective set in 1920’s Shanghai.
Who would you most like to work with?
In no particular order, Daniel Day Lewis, Leonardo Di Caprio and Meryl Streep.
What are your plans for the future?
To realize all of the goals that I’ve set for myself, both in my career and as a human being.
What is your advice to aspiring performers?
Treat every ‘no’ you hear as another step closer to a ‘yes’ – turn the negative into a positive.
For more on Edward Coupland, check out:
http://www.imdb.me/edcoupland
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