I hope this isn't true

[Helen Dyer]

I found this article, reporting that Mr. Lee is 'supposedly' threatening to quit acting! I don't know the caliber of this source and whether they are accurate.

I Hope from the bottom of my heart this isn't true.

I do not want to sound selfish, by denying Mr. Lee a well deserved retirement (if this is true), after a lifetime of giving of himself. I would prefer to have Mr. Lee around, both Healthy and Happy a very long time.

But, by the same token, in a way, I do want to be a bit selfish, as Mr. Lee's audience is changing, most of his new fans, are fans because of his brilliant RECENT performances in the film and music arts.

And those of us that have followed his career for (being polite) a bit longer, have enjoyed watching the evolution of his career, (over time), and await the release of each new venture with ever renewed excitement.

The article can be found at:
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlf...ns%20to%20quit

Would it be possible to obtain verification as to the accuracy of this report, one way or the other?

Thank You,

Cheers,
Helen

[Andrés Verdú]

Hello everyone,

I have no idea whether the claims made by the article are true or false. Other articles online which allege that Mr Lee is "threatening to quit acting" are citing as their reference Mr Lee's appearance in "Wogan: Then and Now," which I understand is due to be screened next Tuesday evening on UKTV Gold (Tuesday, 24th January, 2006.) Unfortunately, I do not receive this channel but I am trying to arrange, through a couple of sources, a recording of said programme as soon as it is screened. If this is possible, then I will be able to see for myself what Mr Lee said or did not say, as I have learned to be extremely wary of media reports and press statements, especially where these concern what Mr Lee has or has not supposedly said.

To be quite honest, on the one hand I would not be surprised if Mr Lee has voiced a wish to retire from acting, because I agree with much of what he has said (or is supposed to have said - one never knows from second-hand reports) in the past about the acting profession. I would agree that many of the actors emerging today are chosen for their looks rather than their talent. But the problem with this is that looks fade, and thus "actors" whose only asset is a pretty face invariably have a limited shelf-life. Who is going to employ those "actors" once their good looks have gone? It is the same as the world of modelling: a younger, prettier, fresher face will come along and nobody will even remember the former one.

One example that comes to mind which is slightly related to this topic is that of the late Spanish actor, Francisco "Paco" Rabal. In Rabal's case, because he was considered rather good-looking as a young man, he was almost always given the same type of role, that of el galán ("the handsome suitor.") However, Rabal suffered a terrible car accident in 1964, and the injuries he sustained to his face considerably altered his physical appearance. In terms of acting, though, this accident enabled him (or perhaps forced him) to explore other roles which depended much more on characterisation rather than a certain look for a certain role. Consequently, some of Rabal's best and most memorable performances came after his accident.

I think that the entire notion of actors who are chosen primarily for their looks, and not for their talent, or ability, or indeed experience, reflects the current climate whereby viewers are prepared to accept, whether willingly or not, material which places appearance above substance. In other words, if someone or something looks good, then it must BE good. Only in most cases, it simply is not true. Look at special effects - you can have the most outstanding special effects ever committed to film in its entire history, courtesy of CGI. But what about the story?

In my mind, it is quite clear to me that actors who are worthy of that term can be distinguished from those who are merely pretty faces if their careers stand the test of time. In a word, longevity. Generally, if something lasts then it suggests quality, especially in a profession as precarious and competitive as acting. And, just as humans come in all shapes and sizes, it naturally follows that anyone who possesses the talent and the ability to do so can become an actor, given the chance. If it IS true that the major film companies are selecting actors based on "good looks," then where does that leave those actors who do not meet the standards imposed by these companies? There is a quote which was attributed to one of the greatest actresses ever - Bette Davis: "I have eyes like a bullfrog, a neck like an ostrich and long, limp hair. You have to be good to survive with that equipment." Whether or not Bette Davis actually said this is unimportant, because it is true. If one does not easily conform into the categories set up for actors, then it is extremely difficult to succeed in showbusiness (because it is a business, and, therefore, financial factors feature heavily in the equations.)

Of course it would be very sad if Mr Lee were to retire from the world of acting, not least because it would be a monumental loss to those people who admire talent and quality. It is precisely actors of Mr Lee's calibre that make films and other visual performances worth watching. It is really disheartening that, with very few exceptions, there is a tragic lack of promising young actors emerging today. It does not forebode well for the profession. I shudder to think that eventually we might end up with a film industry composed entirely out of "pretty faces." I have gone on at some length on this topic, so I will end on that note. Apologies to all for a rather lengthy post:

Warmest regards,

Andrés

[Juan Aneiros]

The article is both correct and 100% acurate. Those are indeed his words.

[Helen Dyer]

Thank You Juan.

The path Mr. Lee chooses will always be filled with Best Wishes and the Warmest Regards from me.

Cheers, Helen

[Andrés Verdú]

Originally Posted by Helen Dyer

Thank You Juan.

The path Mr. Lee chooses will always be filled with Best Wishes and the Warmest Regards from me.

Cheers, Helen

Hello everyone,

Perhaps I may be able to offer at least a glimmer of reassurance with the following quotation from the first instalment of "Wogan: Now and Then" (and my apologies for mistaking the title in my previous post on this thread):

Terry Wogan: "My goodness sake man! Do you ever feel that it's time you hung-up your spurs or...?"

Mr Lee: "No, I'd never do that! I've felt like it sometimes..."

Therefore the headline "Lee Threatens to Quit" from that online article seems to me like yet another serving of the typical sensationalism we've sadly become accustomed to from those quarters. I think the key to understanding what was said on Terry Wogan's programme lies in the words "I've felt like it sometimes." Who hasn't, at some point in their lives, felt like giving up on everything and just walking away, especially when things take a turn for the worse?

In any event, I wish Mr Lee every possibly success for the future with whatever plans he decides to pursue, and I hope that the "Spanish project" he mentioned (I won't name it so as not to spoil it for those who haven't yet seen the programme) comes to fruition, not least because he would be perfect for the role. I would really love to see Mr Lee interpret this part, especially as it may even provide him with the opportunity to sing (if the songs were incorporated into the performance.) Anyway, I shall end on that note:

Warmest regards,

Andrés

ADDENDUM: I've just spotted that the character has been named on another thread, so I guess I can safely say "Don Quijote" without feeling guilty about letting the cat out of the bag now.

[Jessica Diggs]

Mr. Lee has every right to feel weary of the business, after the years he has been apart of it, in this day and age. But that headline! Yet, the press do tend to, shall we say, blur the truth.

Mr. Lee said it, that he has wondered why he keeps on doing this, but really, they blew it up! It's like the "MR. LEE SLAMS TEENAGE ACTORS AND ACTRESSES," (forgive the caps) when he was just stating the facts, and infact sort of looking out for these kids. He dosen't think it's their fault, and that it could ruin them later in life, which is another fact. Slaming, indeed!

But I'm getting off subject. The truth is I did also jump a bit when I read that headline.

But I wouldn't blame him. I would just miss him.

[Marije Kraa]

Well, this certainly is something that was going to happen sooner or later.

While I'll miss Mr. Lee terribly as he always does a brilliant job he surely deserves it and has my blessing (Like he wouldn't retire if I wouldn't give him my blessing *giggle*)

*blows a kiss*