I didn’t get a chance to devote an entire post to Eddie Redmayne during the Toronto Film Festival, which is too bad. So here is a post, all for Eddie. Eddie was one of the big success stories coming out of TIFF: his lead performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything was widely acclaimed and Eddie’s now on the short list of about a dozen men being considered for a Best Actor Oscar nomination this year. To promote the film, Eddie appears on the cover of M Magazine’s Fall issue. It’s a great shot! The interview is entertaining as well – he got to hang out with the real Hawking. And Hawking told him off too.
Meeting Hawking: “Here I was, filling the air, telling him about himself. I was a nervous wreck. He was laughing a lot. I couldn’t tell if it was with me or at me. Probably a bit of both.”
Astrology: “He makes a big point in his books that he was born on the eighth of January, which is the date of Galileo’s death. I said, ‘You’re the eighth, and I was actually born on the sixth of January, so we’re both Capricorns.’ Long pause, and then the famous computerized voice: ‘I’m an astronomer, not an astrologer,’ Hawking said. I thought, ‘Holy s–t. Stephen Hawking thinks the actor who’s playing him thinks he’s Mystic Meg or Shelley von Strunckel.”
Playing a “living icon” entailed lots of research: “And then you feel a responsibility to the science and a need to find the emotional truth of what happened between these people. All of these things were pretty challenging, and I was fueled with fear from the word go.”
That’s pretty funny. I’ve always wondered if real, hardcore scientists are offended by people who are all, “OMG, you’re a Gemini!!” Now we know. Hawking probably wasn’t offended so much as disappointed, right?
Eddie also gave a recent interview to The Daily Mail – go here to read. He says he and his fiancée Hannah will be marrying in December and Hannah wants some fake snow at their wedding. As for the unconventional winter wedding, Eddie says is “because Hannah and I and Hannah’s dad and my mum are all fans of the hymn In The Bleak Midwinter and wanted an excuse to sing that at a wedding.” Cute.
PS… I always love how he’s not afraid to wear bright colors. But he probably doesn’t know how bright those colors are because he’s color blind in real life.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet.
My friend works in astronomy and this Happens all the time. People at ups ask her to do their charts when they see ‘department of astronomy and astrophysics” on her mail. Even the local paper called their dean “head of the astrology dept”
From what I understand they all hate it. They are real scientists and people think they write horoscopes
They just don’t understand that there’s a difference between astronomy and astrology. I can understand that they hate being asked about horoscopes and such nonsense all the time.
My uncle hates astrology just because of that. It is always hilarious when someone mentions their sign in a casual conversation with him.
OK, but here he was being funny and self-effacing. I believe Eddie knew the difference, just happened to mention that they had close birthdays and they were both capricorns bc he was nervous and making small talk. Makes me like him more, actually.
Good for him. Hope he doesn’t get burnt out during the campaign, but…. Can’t.Stop.Staring.At.The.Mouth. What’s going on with that?
His mouth IS weird!!!!
Ha ha! I was coming here just to say how much his mouth creeps me out. What is it about it that’s so off-putting? The shape? The colour of his lips? I can’t put my finger on it.
As he has said before, they are colorless and just blend in with the rest of his face. Plus there is almost no definition between his lips and his face, they are very flat.
Funny enough, he said that when he auditioned to play Angelina Jolies son in The Good Shepard, the first thing out of the directors mouth when he walked into the room was “Lips!”.
Eddie’s a sweetie in my book. I feel for him making a faux pas with Hawking about the astrology. All the profs I had in college cringed when astrology was brought up, because you can’t debunk it using the scientific method.
you can debunk it. thats why its not taught at universities since the 1400s.
Of course you can debunk it. There is no science in astrology. Zero.
this
I said specifically using the Scientific Method. Two identical universes, one with stars, one without, got this from a grad class in Philosophy of Science. Very technical. I’m just stating what was said in the lecture.
On a lighter note, once Pluto was demoted to a planet, it should have taken a lot of wind out of astrology.
I love how huffy they get about it. Astronomy grew out of Astrology, which was studied scientifically (as scientifically as they could at the time) just as modern Chemistry grew out of Alchemy. No one wants to admit it but it’s absolutely the truth.
Also if you like to drink alcohol, you can thank Alchemy. Distillation was invented by a lady Alchemist, Mary of Egypt. So there!
I’ve been drawn out of lurking to second your points, @PunkyMomma and @TrustM. Being born on the same calendar date as Galileo’s death isn’t of any more scientific interest that astrological signs, so Redmayne shouldn’t feel bad about making the connection.
Of course you can debunk it. For starters there are not 12 constellations along the celestial equator (the ecliptic). There are 13. But nobody wants to admit they were born in Ophiuchus (pronounced Oh-FYU-kuss). Also, they are not evenly spaced at exactly 30 or 31 day intervals. Some constellations are very small and only cross the sun for a few days, and some are very big. So the whole basis of which “sign” you are is a lie. Then of course, which planet was in your constellation sign when you were born does not control your life. That’s what your brain is for.
“Then of course, which planet was in your constellation sign when you were born does not control your life. That’s what your brain is for.”
Love it! 🙂
Yes I love it too .. 🙂
Actually whenever I was asked my sign I would indeed say “Ophiuchus”. When someone looked at me puzzled I would clarify, “you know… The Serpent Bearer?” But I admit that that’s technically not true since, while my birthday is on the cusp between what people commonly refer to as Sagittarius and Scorpio, the precession of the equinox has thrown all the celestial houses out by two since the standardisation 4000 years ago. So whatever sign you think you are, it’s off by two. Astrologers never fixed the drift in their charts, like if you spent 4000 years ignoring leap years.
Oh and incidentally the band The Fifth Dimension got it wrong… The Age of Aquarius doesn’t start til 2040, give or take. This is still the Age of Aries. (The Age being the house occupied by the Sun during the spring equinox.)
Before anyone thinks I’m a compete nut, I studied astronomy not astrology, 🙂 but pieces of astrology are merely cataloging of celestial mechanics. It’s from this data (when people stopped attaching superstition to the heavenly bodies and started being interested in the mechanics for their own sake) the astronomy was born. So I don’t get worked up when people ask what their sign is. To my ears it’s no different than asking what month or season or year you were born.
When I was a teenager I worked at a local hotel–all kids did in my neighborhood, it was the spot for one’s first job–and one day I was subbing in the restaurant (usually I worked front office). I was hostessing. It was a busy morning.
Voilà, who appears for breakfast before a long day of appearances? Yes, Stephen Hawking and his assistants. We had to move some tables and do some shuffling to accommodate his chair but he was polite and patient.
🙂
Really looking forward to this film and to Eddie getting some career attention.
And he went to Eton *rolls eyes*
I really like him, though, he’s cute as a button and all innocent looking. Awful fashion sense.
I have to disagree. I think he tends to stand out of all the boringly dressed man in a positive way.
Right? Amazing fashion sense, and he just knows how to work with his colouring so well!
I love him, it’s like he’s politely pointing out to all those other men celebs: “See, you can wear colour, be stylish and be freaking hot at the same time. Now watch me win them all over and weep!”
@RocketMerry – He really reminds me of Robert Downey Jr with his approach to fashion. He always looks quite stylish but so often there’s just a really unexpected element in there (ie vv strong colour, embroidery, pattern etc.).
I love him so hard and think he has amazing fashion.
@Kali, that is so true! There IS an air of RDJ style-type about him, good catch!
I can never figure out if I find him attractive or not. Like one minute I find his looks off putting and the next I think he is adorable.
I do think he is very smart and has a good amount of talent. When I first saw him in My week with Marilyn I wasn’t impressed but then I saw it a few more times and realized his character is suppose to be an avatar for the audience and that is why he is so surface.
Liked him in Les Mis though. His performance was my favourite part of the film. When he sung Empty Chairs, Empty Tables I was so impressed.
His new movie looks awesome. Can’t wait to see it!
From what I know of Hawking, he probably thought it was funny and was being lightly sarcastic. He’s got a very big, very dry, very satirical wit.
Yes, but I can see why Eddie would be mortified. Funny story. I haven’t heard much about it but I’m interested in seeing this movie.
That’s what I thought too. Or maybe he genuinely thought the actor was a dimbulb and didn’t know the difference?
I would also have been mortified, Esmom.
Possibly, Kiddo. Could be either.
I love Hawking. I’ve seen interviews with him where I’ve actually spat my coffee because he’s made me laugh out loud. He’s funny and deadpan anyway, I think, but the effect is intensified by the flat computerised voice and slight delay you get.
I thought so too. Hawking has a good sense of humor and overall seems like a really nice guy. Maybe this dude was really afraid in the moment that he had offended him? It has to be really hard to intuit meaning from the computer voice. Or maybe telling the story this way just makes for some good PR.
That’s what I was going to post. It didn’t seem like he got upset by it all. He has a great sense of humor.
Was he the guy in Les Miserables? I love him.
Yes, he was awesome in Les Mis, wasn’t he? Loved his performance.
The UK is the weirdest country.
They will give the world some of the most astonishingly handsome men, like Gandy, Cavill, Hunnam, Pettyfer, Will Chalker, Clive Owen, Ralph Fiennes… and then they will give you these dudes who all resemble these weird forest creatures that for some reason women find ‘hot’ – this guy, Cumberwhatever, that Twilight vampire, Loki, Hugh Dancy etc.
This one is really unfortunate-looking. Hideous mouth. Thirsty clothes.
I think that is a face that belongs behind the camera. Remember him playing Angelina’s son in that DeNiro film about the CIA. He was the worst part of it.
Well, different strokes for different folks. I think Eddie is a very attractive and interesting looking guy and your comment pretty rude.
He doesn’t have to hide his face just because YOU don’t like him.
Personally I would be happy to see more posts about him on Celebitchy and I can’t wait to see “The Theory of Everything”.
Of course he shouldn’t hide his face, he is an actor. He should make the best of it.
I personally like seeing beautiful people and places in movies because there is already too much hideousness around. But there is a market for ‘real-looking’ people in movies and TV also. I mean, ‘Girls’ is a huge show. And who else was going to play Stephen Hawking? Brad Pitt? Teddy Sears? Antonio Cupo? No, this one does look like the perfect man for the task.
Like you said, different strokes.
Al,
You contradict yourself. Originally you said he has “a face that belongs behind the camera” because he doesn’t fit your definition of “beautiful” and then in response to Linn, you say that “of course he shouldn’t hide his face, he is an actor.” You then go on to say he is perfect for the task of playing Hawking, implying that both he and Hawking are unattractive and no good looking man (Brad Pitt, etc.) would be right for the part because of their looks. Maybe the world is “hideous” as you suggest because too many people make judgments about others, how they look, etc. and want everyone to conform to their standards. Am glad you and I have “different strokes”.
The U.K has always seemed to be far more equitable for actors/performers in terms of sheer TALENT being able to come through and rise through the ranks with looks not necessarily having to be the number one consideration. You look at programmes like East Enders, Coronation Street and the like and for the most part they’re good actors who, for the most part, look like normal people (and a wide variety at that!) I love it, I think it’s awesome 😄
what, Hugh Dancy is beautiful. SMH at your taste.
@Al: “hideous” is a VERY strong word, don’t you find? Would you use the same word if an actress’s mouth was not, as you say, your stroke?
I don’t know why people think it’s ok to be so callous on the internet. I also find his mouth very odd and off-putting, but “hideous”? *cringes*
There’s nothing wrong with his mouth at all. Why should everybody have to look like they came out of a cookie cutter. The only thing that puts me off on the cover is that he’s mouth breathing like the girls have to do in every photo, and I hope they aren’t getting the men to do that now too.
“… and then they will give you these dudes who all resemble these weird forest creatures that for some reason women find ‘hot’”
I LOL’d. That is all.
So Al, you not only show disrespect for these people by calling them nasty ‘names’, you can’t even be bothered to call them by their correct names. You dismiss their talents just because they don’t fit with what you consider beautiful, no wonder there is much hideousness in your world. Mine is made much less so by having Benedict Cumberbatch, Robert Pattinson, Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Dancy in it.
That’s what Robert should put on his resume. That Twilight vampire. No character name, just, That Twilight Vampire.
LOL Now tell us how you REALLY feel. Thank you for the laugh.
I love that he’s really starting to get some proper recognition as opposed to being “hey, that English guy”. He’s so consistently been one of the best/most interesting people in the projects that he’s done.
Love Redmayne, but he looks like a child to me for some reason. Hard to believe he is thirty-something.
I loved him since i’ve seen him in the The Pillars of the Earth tv series a few years ago. I’m happy he’s finally making it!
His fiancé has a serious sneer going on in that last picture lol
I love his fashion sense and if he’s weird looking then I’m all aboard the ‘Weird’ train. Don’t understand why some people have such a problem with unconventional looks or why they have to get nasty with their opinion.
One ticket to “Weird Looking Land” please. I like Eddie-he seems very sweet and funny. I also adore unusual looking people, especially when they have great bone structure and ready sense of humor. Add a British, Irish, Scottish accent to that and I’m heaven. That’s just me though.
Yes. A great sense of humor clinches it.
Eddie!! love him!!
I want to see this movie.
Color blind men. The reason I now sleep in a bedroom the color of a highlighter. Husband claims it’s because the eaves in the other room are too in the way, but I’m not buying it. There’s a perfectly eave-free room downstairs, and he’s always wanted to paint a room with green, pink and yellow horizontal stripes. I’m being punished for something, but what? I married a color blind man with no regard for good taste, style, or my retinas.
Eddie I can forgive the colour of the suit as you are colour blind but those trousers are TOO short and TOO narrow round the ankle.
Having said that, in the clip of TTOE that I saw you were amazing.
@Kri: right there with you, and I’ll bring the Southern Comfort 😁