Actor Daniel Stern shares his decision to step away from show business after iconic roles. Inspired by co-star Jack Palance, he focuses on family, farming, sculpture, and public service. Daniel's authenticity shines through as he discusses his journey and why he wrote a memoir without interest in profits.
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Quick takeaways
Daniel Stern prioritized family, farming, sculpture, and public service over show business post-success.
Transitioning from acting to directing, Stern found TV directing beneficial in honing his skills.
Reflecting on his career, Stern shared insights into why he wrote a memoir and the impact of his diverse roles.
Deep dives
Starting in the Entertainment Industry
The speaker recalls starting as an actor in the industry with roles in various films and interacting with well-known actors like Paul Simon and sharing experiences from working on movies like 'Diner' with Mickey Rourke. He mentions the challenges he faced in the early stages and how his desire to work with great directors shaped his understanding of filmmaking.
Impact of 'Diner' and Diverse Roles
The speaker elaborates on his role in the movie 'Diner' and its influence on his career, particularly playing a unique character in the film. He discusses working with talented actors like Paul Reiser and Mickey Rourke and the significance of learning from these experiences. Additionally, he reflects on how diverse roles in different movies shaped his growth as an actor.
Transition to Directing and TV Work
The speaker discusses his transition from acting to directing, highlighting his first directing opportunity on 'The Wonder Years' and the learning curve involved in the process. He shares insights into the TV industry's approach to utilizing directors for establishing a show's look and details his experience directing episodes of television shows, emphasizing the benefits of TV directing in honing his skills.
Reflecting on Career Progression and Memorable Experiences
The speaker reflects on his career progression, from early roles to working with renowned directors and the impact of these collaborations on his development as an artist. He recalls memorable experiences from various projects, such as 'Diner,' 'Breaking Away,' and 'The American President,' highlighting the diverse range of characters and stories he has been a part of throughout his career.
Reflection on Career Choices and Success
Daniel Stern reflects on his career choices and successes, highlighting moments like being part of 'Home Alone,' appreciating the unexpected success of the movie and his desire to be a part of it due to the comedy and physicality involved. He shares insights into auditioning for the movie multiple times and creating chemistry with Joe Pesci, emphasizing the balance between humor and threat in their roles. Stern also discusses transitioning from acting to sculpting and ranching, inspired by figures like Jack Palance, ultimately seeking a fulfilling and creative life beyond the entertainment industry.
Personal Evolution Through Writing a Book
Writing a book as a reflective exercise, Stern delves into the process of regrouping his life experiences and memories to gain clarity on his journey. Starting with a chronological list of key events, he crafts chapters to explore significant moments like driving Robert Redford's Porsche and his evolution as an artist and individual. Despite initial reluctance to enter the author landscape, Stern finds the writing process enriching in tracing intentions and choices, leading to personal growth. He emphasizes disconnecting from external expectations post-publishing to focus on personal fulfillment and avoid commodifying his life stories.
Daniel Stern made a radical decision in show business after achieving success and financial independence: He decided to stop. After culture-defining projects like Home Alone, The Wonder Years, City Slickers and more, Daniel tells Marc why he decided to devote more time to his family, farming, sculpture and public service, all based on the example set by his co-star Jack Palance. Daniel also explains why he wrote a memoir despite having no interest in selling it or making money off it.
