The Actor Within: Intimate Conversations with Great Actors - Hardcover

"Offering valuable insight into the mind of an actor, this must-read for any aspiring performer will please even the casual reader."--Richard A. Dickey, Library Journal "Eichenbaum's disarmingly simple questions are clearly based on research about each actor's work, and the results are not standard-issue interviews."--Leonard Maltin, Indiewire "Getting into the psyche of an actor is not an easy task. Rose Eichenbaum succeeds admirably with an open mind and probing questions and the result...is a delightful book consisting of interviews with 35 talented personalities that will keep your interest from cover to cover." --Tim Boxer, 15 Minutes "A gifted writer and photographer, Eichenbaum has created a love letter--35 mini-interviews with amazing actors from the stage, television, and the movie screen. ... A wonderful read. Highly recommended."--E.C. Skiles, Choice

In Rose Eichenbaum's third work on the confluence of art making and human expression, she delves into the lives of thirty-five celebrated actors through intimate conversations and photographic portraits. With her probing questions and disarming manner, she captures the essential character of her subjects while shining a light on the art that defines them. The work provides extraordinary insights on the craft of acting with discussions of process, techniques, tools of the trade, and how to advice for aspiring actors from seasoned veterans. These stars of stage and screen, known for signature roles and critically acclaimed performances, emerge in The Actor Within with masks and wardrobe removed. Here, they speak their own lines, tell their own stories, and raise the curtain on what it means to live the actor's life-the challenge of mastering their craft, the drama of big breaks and career woes, the search for meaningful roles, and above all, having the courage to bare their souls before theater audiences or the camera. For the artists featured in this work, acting is more than a profession; it is how they make their way in the world and artfully merge their inner sense of humanness with universal truths. This collection serves as an important inspirational resource for anyone interested in making art, regardless of medium. The Actor Within includes interviews with Karl Malden, Ruby Dee, Ed Harris, Piper Laurie, Marcia Gay Harden, William H. Macy, Ellen Burstyn, Joe Mantegna, Debra Winger, Julia Stiles, Elliott Gould, Elijah Wood, Stockard Channing, Bill Pullman, Amanda Plummer, Marlee Matlin, Charles Durning, Marsha Mason, and many others.