'Cyrano de Bergerac' Stars Celebrate Opening Night

2. Douglas Hodge (Cyrano de Bergerac)

Hodge said he did extensive background research for the role of Cyrano de Bergerac, even joining online programs where people talked about their experiences having physical disfigurements. And though Hodge's real nose is quite intact, he said he still related to the character of Cyrano. "I think everybody has a nose," Hodge said. "You know, they have their metaphorical part of their body that they don’t like, whether they think they’re too fat, or they’re too bald. You know, everyone has something that changes the way you present yourself, and you slightly hide. And that's just kind of bigger in [Cyrano's] life." Hodge also gave some acting advice. "You’ve got to want to do it, and nothing else, really," he said. "The main thing about being an actor is constantly being rejected. Where you are at my level, I could get a review tonight that says I’m terrible. It doesn’t matter how much you learn, whatever you do, people will dis you and put you down. You go for an interview for a movie, you go for an interview for TV, and you don’t get it, and someone else gets it, constantly—week on week. You have to be able to accept that, and get back up all the time. Otherwise don’t bother. It’s as simple as that."

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