In the new Apple TV+ documentary titled 'Number One on the Call Sheet,' he discloses that his co-star Martin Sheen shared some advice with him that ended up being lifesaving for him, the actor shares.
Laurence Fishburne is recounting his experiences from a career that started during his childhood days as an actor in the 1970s.
In the latest two-part series from Apple TV+, First-Billed on the Call Sheet , Fishburne, now 63, who began his professional acting journey at just 10 years old, remembers an exceptionally challenging experience from his third feature film production.
"There’s a scene in Apocalypse Now "That was initially removed from the original film but later added back into theredux version," he states in the premiere episode titled "The Black Leading Men in Hollywood," which is helmed by director Reginald Hudlin. House Party , Boomerang I suppose when I was around 14 or 15, I attempted to perform a scene discussing something like... sex. The truth is, I didn’t have any sexual experience at all.
Francis Coppola couldn't find a way for me to gain more experience," Fishburne goes on. "Yet, he insisted on redoing it multiple times. We must have done around 40 takes. It was quite terrible. Clearly, I could see his disappointment. This made me feel extremely disheartened and utterly defeated.
That’s when the film’s third lead actor appears — following Marlon Brando and Robert Duvall — intervened and shared some transformative words.
"And I heard Martin [Sheen] Recalls Fisburne: 'He whispered in my ear,' he asked, ‘Has anybody ever told you that you're an excellent actor?’ I replied, ‘No.’ Then he stated firmly, ‘You are indeed an outstanding actor.’ To me, being at the top of the call sheet means this; it saved my life.
Related: Emilio Estevez remembers how Laurence Fishburne rescued him while his father, Martin Sheen, was shooting 'Apocalypse Now.'
Fishburne went on to enjoy a diverse career encompassing theater, television, and movies, notably including his Academy Award-nominated role as Ike Turner in the 1993 production. Tina Turner biopic How Is Love Related To That? . En route, he enjoyed a four-year stint on a children's comedy television show. Pee-wee's Playhouse , from 1986–1990.
"Initially in my career, particularly when it came to filmmaking, I worked predominantly with Francis, which led me to end up doing Rumble Fish , [ The ] Cotton Club and Gardens of Stone "In the early to mid-1980s," Fishburne states in the documentary. "I also ended up on Pee-wee’s Playhouse They'd frequently attempt to tease me over it. They’d say, 'Oh my gosh, you were Cowboy Curtis.' And I'd respond, 'Yes, indeed.' "
The experience encompassed far more details than what television audiences could perceive back then.
Paul Reubens was the first set where I saw incredible diversity," Fishburnes remembers. "He featured women in unconventional positions. They were also involved behind the scenes, with one of the production assistants being John Singleton. At the time, John had recently finished film school at SC. He said, 'I have penned something; I would love for you to portray the father—it’s quite good.' To which I replied, 'Once your script is complete and polished, please share it with me so I can review it.'
The film turned out to be a breakthrough role for the actor. "A year and a half later, he sent me the screenplay." Boyz n the Hood Fishburne states, 'It was truly incredibly brilliant. I am greatly indebted to him.'
Top-Billed on the Call Sheet It is now available on Apple TV+.
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