Best of the Spectator Book Club: Ben Myers on Kinski
Nov 20, 2025
Ben Myers, author of Jesus Christ Kinski, dives into the mind of the controversial actor Klaus Kinski. He explores Kinski's failed one-man show on Jesus and how public perception shaped the performance. The discussion delves into the intertwining of genius and toxicity, and how humor can defang unlikable characters. Myers reflects on creative choices, the impact of cancel culture on artists, and the blurred lines between fact and fiction in storytelling. His obsession with Kinski reveals the dark allure of flawed figures in art.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Talent And Toxicity Can Coexist
- Klaus Kinski combined extraordinary acting talent with a reputation for abusive, myth-making behavior.
- Ben Myers was fascinated by how such a disagreeable person remained compelling on screen and stage.
Footage Sparked The Novel
- Myers discovered footage of Kinski's 1971 one-man Jesus performance which resurfaced in 2008 and inspired him.
- During lockdown he revisited clips and wrote the book's opening lines imagining Kinski's mind on stage.
Audience Interaction Can Escalate Quickly
- The arena performance nearly turned violent as audiences misread the monologue and reacted to Kinski's persona.
- Myers compared that live unpredictability to punk gigs and stage invasions he remembered.
