Fresh Air Benicio del Toro On Living In Wes Anderson's World
22 snips
Jun 13, 2025 
Benicio del Toro, renowned for his roles in Traffic and Sicario, opens up about his leading role as Zsa Zsa Korda in Wes Anderson's upcoming film, The Phoenician Scheme. He reflects on his journey from Puerto Rico to Pennsylvania and the solitude that shaped his creativity. The podcast dives into his character’s complexity, influenced by personal loss and familial ties, and the collaborative magic that defines a Wes Anderson set, where humor and camaraderie abound. Del Toro also discusses the enduring impact of mentorship on his craft and artistic expression.
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Bill Murray's Boombox Entrance
- Bill Murray arrived on set with a boombox playing Eric Clapton to the amusement of everyone.
- Wes Anderson quickly switched it to classical music, creating a fun yet disciplined atmosphere.
Acting's Serious Craft
- Stella Adler taught Benicio to see acting as a serious, respected profession like medicine.
- She emphasized understanding the writer's intent deeply, elevating acting to an intellectual craft.
Start With Character Motivation
- Benicio advises actors to understand a character’s motivations before learning their lines.
- Going to lines first risks missing the psychological depth and true desires of the character.