Laurence Fishburne Lied To Get His Part In ‘Apocalypse Now’  

Imagine having a movie career based on a woman glancing at you and saying "yeah, sure".

That lady gave us Morpheus. Bless her

It’s crazy to think the level of performance he gave at 14 taking into consideration the issues touched upon on this movie and themes. Guy was a natural.

Imagine being 14yo and cast in one of the most iconic movies in history.

I love how he lied to play the part of a soldier, like how people have done to enlist.

I mean, A 14 year old playing an 18 year old is more believable than a 29 year old playing 18

Thank goodness that receptionist had a heart.

"Could they be 18?" "Yeah sure." Is a dialog used a lot in Hollywood.

“How old are you” “I’m 32” “Old enough to play a teenager in a high school movie”

He's such an amazing actor. Imagine being fourteen and securing such a significant role.

He was a teenager in one of the greatest movies ever 🔥

Every movie lover owes that woman a debt of gratitude

Makes sense. A lot of kids lied about their age

Lawrence has never disappointed in any role he was in

One of my favorite actors!!!🥰

My Grandfather lied about his age to get into the Army. The only places that provided three meals and a bed back then were jail, or the Military. & He was hungry.... He also got to see the world & some of the most beautiful people while he toured. He was the hardest working man I've ever met, and provided so much for his family. Thanks Old Man!

Holy shit, I love Apocalypse Now and had no freaking clue that was Lawrence Fishburne

That made the part even more real. Knowing there was 16 year olds n possibly younger due to lying.

He's a remarkable actor and everyone loves his work.😎👍

I had absolutely no idea he was so young in this movie. Imagine your first role in such a classic movie.

He played an amazing role. It was genuinely heart breaking when Clean got killed.

That ladies and gentlemen is what we call A STROKE OF LUCK🙏🏾🙏🏾

Whoever you are lady wherever you are.. thank you!!!

He certainly earned his luck! Paid his dues! Great actor!!

And as many times as I've seen this movie over the years, and being a veteran myself, it never once crossed my mind to look at that character and think that he was too young to be accurately playing a Sailor. I've never even known this until now.

“Where ever that woman is, bless her.” Respect given, where respect was earned. Good man on you Lawrence Fishburn. Good man.

Love this story!! Thats what determination is all about. You go for it no matter what

Laurence Fishburne love his movies talented and awesome actor

It's a fun little production detail that helps inform the character in the movie. Like you can tell the character is young, but if you know Fishburne's actual age it's very easy to read it as the *character* also being too young and having successfully lied about his age, which is a thing that occasionally happens when kids try to enlist. It's not strictly a part of the movie, it's not in the script, but it lets you project some things on the character as you watch it - the sense that this kid made the conscious choice to go to Vietnam, thinking he was ready, and he sure as hell wasn't - certainly not for the mission they ended up on.

Honesty gets you to heaven lying gets you to Hollywood.

ONE OF THE GREAT ACTORS

He nailed that part too! Destined to be a great actor!

Laurence Fishburne is a legend, and this just proves it.

Just like the real Nam

Great actor..respect to you my brother 🙏

He is one of the greatest actors of all time....

I would watch this with my dad a lot when I was a kid and he always told me Larry was only 16 or 17 in the movie. Love you dad, you were right. I wish we could watch it together again

This movie and cast is so legendary.

When I was 14 I was just trying to survive my 9th grade year and this man was starting his career…I’ve made so many mistakes in my life

"You lucky muthaphucka!" Sam Jackson

My grandfather was the same in ww2. He was not far off 14 but lied and said her was 17 so he could join the war effort. 💙

The scene of Cleans death is one of most heart wrenching ever filmed.

Truly an amazing actor ! One of the Greatest to ever do it! He's A GOAT!

I started working at 13, but they thought I was older too!🤷🏾‍♀️🤣🤣

Morpheus was chosen by this woman

When you're a top tier thespian and it all comes down to a quick glance from a secretary.

My first time seeing Laurence Fishburne III in an acting role he couldn't have been older than 10, 11, or 12. It was in a movie that was made for television titled "If You Give A Dance, You Gotta Pay The Band" Today, I'm wishing him more and more success!

Just a brilliant actor !!!

Translation: He "acted" to get the part.

God I think he’s such an underrated actor. Most of his movies are always great.

I like how he smoothly changed clothes during the monologue.

One of the best actors in the game. Give him his 💐.

Sometimes you have to lie to get the job that you want.

Fishburn as a teenager and fishburn as an adult are like night and day. Literally, putting the two next to each other i can hardly see the resemblance.

Its so humble. He was probably just a cool kid.

You been blessed Lawrence Those are the angels that appear in those special moments

And thus began the career of a wonderful actor. I always enjoy his work👍

Larry will always be " clean". You can't die bubba!!!

He said god bless her whoever wherever she is he needs to find her and thank personally. Hes had an amazing career.

Francis knew he needed at least one soldier who just looks like a kid

i was distraught when clean died. one of the saddest scenes ever, with his mom’s recording playing while they look at his dead body.

Also it added to the idea of how young our soldiers really can be.

He is one of my favorite actors. He makes everyone better.

Every one who enjoys cinema owes that woman debt of gratitude

He was absolutely great in that small roll. He made the film. He killed it.

Thank you the unknown woman for kickstarting Lawrence Fishbourne’a career

One of the beat movies ever made. In detail, it envelopes you till the very emd. No rock unturned. I could auote this movie till i die. Ride of the valkyries gives me goosebumps because of this movie. Masterfully done.

Larry is an amazing actor. Deep Cover was one of my favorite movies as a kid. He always has great chemistry with his co-stars.

That’s exactly what an army recruiter says when his colleagues ask him if he really thinks that this clearly 16 year old teen is 18

And both a classic movie and a phenomenal career were born ✊🏾😔💯

So many legendary characters from that one moment

He does easily look 17

I’ve see This movie a couple dozen times one of my favorites and never realized that Clean was him. Wow mind blown.

She and him are incredible People and it work Out for the Better. Incredible

Cornbread, Earl, and Me. 😂

He looks 16, actually he looks older than most of the 16 year Olds in this generation. And that's not a complaint I'm just saying if this was today he would've passed off as 16.

*Thanks Francis also, he saw something in him that he was able to risk it to put Lawrence in his film*

And that’s why Laurence Fishburne is a gawt damn legend..🫡🫵🏽🤣 14yrs old..

' Never get out of the boat man, never get out of the boat 🚢!!!!❤😂

He's one of the few actors that I could say has been BRILLIANT in every film I've seen him in.

“Where ever she is…”? Considering how long ago that was, I’m quite positive that she is in the ground. She sure isn’t watching this interview 50 years later. 😢❤

This is one cold actor here his range is magnificent “Where the chicken 🍗 at” iconic

He was absolutely the right hire for the part! I love this movie.

Forever COWBOY CURTIS 🤠

Back when linkedin and facebook wasnt a thing lol. Imagine how many amazing young actors couldve gotten in ifbthey had just been born in the 1960s lol

Amazing actor. Always delivers solid performances.

Imagine starting a career in one of the most iconic films. Lawrence, I salute you

Good Man! 🙏🏽💔🙏🏻

Why haven't they given this man an Oscar yet is beyond me 😔

'Hey hey hey you think this guy can be Morpheus?' 'Oh yeah, sure'

Everybody deserves a lucky break at least once in their life. I'm glad that Mr. Fishburne got that break and became a respected movie star.

Moral of the story: People in Hollywood dont know what 18 looks like 💀

Dude looks older at 14 than I do at 26 fuck my genetics

One blessing is all it takes.

Bless that woman wherever she is 😊

Holy shit i had no clue that was him.

It was an Angel sent for that particular moment. it's all written in the ⭐ stars.

When the boat captain checks on him in this scene after he lets go on that little boat was such an awesome attention to detail imho. It fit so well.👍

He not only change his clothes in the middle of the interview he also grows his beard back 👏

He was great! A lucky break!