Jeff Goldblum's method acting goes too far during Death Wish filming
- Jeff Goldblum, at just 22 years old, played a thug in the 1974 film Death Wish.
- In preparation for his role, he neglected his personal hygiene, resulting in complaints from the crew.
- Goldblum learned the importance of hygiene in collaborative environments after being shamed on set.
In the early 1970s, Jeff Goldblum landed his first film role in the thriller Death Wish, which premiered in 1974. At that time, he was just 22 years old and immersed himself in the craft of method acting to portray a dangerous street thug. In an effort to better embody his character, Goldblum chose to stop showering, believing that this unkempt portrayal would enhance his performance. However, this decision backfired, leading to a significant amount of discomfort among his fellow cast and crew members. An assistant director confronted Goldblum about his hygiene, telling him directly that he was causing unpleasantness on set. This interaction deeply embarrassed Goldblum, prompting him to reflect on the importance of personal hygiene in a collaborative and close-knit environment like film production. He subsequently learned a valuable lesson about maintaining hygiene, advising others in the industry to uphold this practice as well. Over the years, Goldblum has enjoyed a varied and successful acting career, famously starring as a wizard in the recently released adaptation of Wicked, alongside notable actors such as Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Wicked tells the story of an unexpected friendship between Elphaba and Glinda, set in the magical land of Oz, where they confront issues of identity and perceptions of good and evil. With the sequel, Wicked Part Two set to release in November 2025, Goldblum continues to be a prominent figure in the creative arts, proving that his journey has significantly evolved since the early days of his career.