Harvey Keitel

Harvey Keitel (born May 13, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American actor.

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May 13 - 1939 - Brooklyn, New York - American

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The son of Jewish immigrants from Poland and Romania, he spent most of his youth on the streets of New York City. At the age of 16, Keitel decided to join the United States Marine Corps, a decision which took him to Lebanon. After his return to the United States, he floundered for a while in mediocre jobs before beginning his acting career.

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Jewish - Poland - Romania - New York City - United States Marine Corps - Lebanon - United States - Acting

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Keitel studied under both Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg, eventually landing roles in some off-Broadway productions. During this time, Keitel met another struggling filmaker named Martin Scorsese and gained a part in Scorsese's student production. Since then both Scorsese and Keitel have worked together on numerous projects. Keitel had the starring role in Scorcese's Mean Streets but this proved to be Robert De Niro's breakthrough film.

Related Topics:
Stella Adler - Lee Strasberg - Off-Broadway - Martin Scorsese - Mean Streets - Robert De Niro

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Originally, Keitel was to have played the role of Captain Willard in Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now. However, he was fired early in the production and replaced by Martin Sheen. After this, it was many years before he would be able to get anything other than minor roles. At the end of the 1970s Keitel was mostly working in European Films for Directors such as Ridley Scott, usually in sinister character parts.

Related Topics:
Francis Ford Coppola - Apocalypse Now - Martin Sheen - Ridley Scott

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Throughout the 1980s, Keitel continued to find plenty of work on both stage and screen, but it was usually in the stereotypical role of a thug. This role reached its apotheosis when Keitel starred in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs in 1992, where his performance as Mr. White made him a star. Ridley Scott also helped Keitel by casting him as the sympathetic policeman in Thelma and Louise. Since then, Keitel has chosen his roles with care, seeking to change his image and show off a broader acting range. His decision to co-star in Jane Campion's The Piano marks the approximate beginning of this phase of Keitel's career. He has also shown a willingness to help other upstart filmmakers by appearing in their first feature film. He has done this not only for Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, but also Ridley Scott (The Duellists), Paul Schrader (Blue Collar), James Toback (Fingers), and Tony Bui, (Yellow Lotus).

Related Topics:
1980s - Stereotypical - Thug - Apotheosis - Quentin Tarantino - Reservoir Dogs - 1992 - Thelma and Louise - Jane Campion - The Piano - Martin Scorsese - Ridley Scott - James Toback - Tony Bui

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