Mark Ruffalo recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where he reflected on his early experiences in acting. During the interview, he recounted a memorable moment from an acting class he shared with Benicio del Toro, highlighting how their very first lesson left a lasting impression. The story involved Ruffalo’s attempt to capture the unique flair of his fellow actor, centered around an assignment that would test their creative abilities.
Ruffalo Highlights Benicio del Toro’s Charismatic Presence
Ruffalo described Benicio del Toro as a naturally captivating presence during their classes. He painted a vivid image of Toro’s style and demeanor, remarking,
“He was the coolest dude. He was the Puerto Rican James Dean… had his cigarette pack rolled up, his little St. Christopher medal, white T-shirt, cool, distressed jeans.”
– Mark Ruffalo
This portrayal captures the effortless charisma that del Toro brought into the classroom, which clearly stood out to Ruffalo early on.
First Acting Assignment: Transforming Song Lyrics into Serious Monologues
The actors’ initial challenge involved taking the lyrics of a song and delivering them as earnest monologues. Benicio del Toro chose the song Light My Fire by The Doors for his performance. Ruffalo recalled how impressively Toro conveyed the words, recounting,
“Our first assignment was to take the lyrics of a song and say them to someone—act them out in a serious way. He did ‘Come on, baby, light my fire’ … and it was amazing. I was like, ‘That guy is a star. I don’t even know what I’m doing here.’”
– Mark Ruffalo
This moment was pivotal, making Ruffalo aware of del Toro’s striking talent.
Ruffalo’s Own Performance and Fallon’s Encouragement
When asked which song he performed, Ruffalo admitted that his choice was the simple Happy Birthday to You song. He confessed that his rendition was far from impressive compared to del Toro’s, describing it as “horrible.” Despite this, Jimmy Fallon praised Ruffalo for the effort, expressing admiration for tackling a song with such minimal lyrics. This exchange added a lighthearted tone to the discussion, revealing both actors’ early vulnerabilities and camaraderie.
Impact of Their Early Acting Experiences
This anecdote from Ruffalo sheds light on the formative experiences that shaped both actors’ careers. The playful yet earnest nature of their first acting assignment speaks to the creative challenges that help refine an actor’s craft. Mark Ruffalo’s reflection on Benicio del Toro’s style and talent not only celebrates their shared roots but also offers insight into the journey of discovering one’s strengths in the arts.
