A century ago, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, and others established the United Artists Theatre, a Spanish Gothic landmark in downtown Los Angeles. For actor Jacob Elordi, this iconic Hollywood venue holds a sacred place. Visiting the theater, he reflected fondly on his passion for cinema, sharing,
“Yeah, I love going to the movies.”
Elordi’s devotion to film isn’t limited to being a spectator. At just 28, he has achieved critical acclaim for portraying the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, a role that recently earned him an Oscar nomination, realizing his Jacob Elordi movie dream.
Oscar Nomination Brings a Dream to Life
The announcement of the Oscar nod was surreal for Elordi, who described the experience as a moment hard to believe.
“I was like, you know, just sat there, like, ‘Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up,’”
he recounted. He admitted the achievement still feels almost unbelievable:
“I’ll probably die and never quite believe that I was in the picture, you know?”
and reaffirmed,
“Yeah. And I like it that way.”
His portrayal in Frankenstein demands extensive physical transformation, with the makeup process requiring up to 11 hours. Elordi explained,
“It would depend; when he was freshly minted and newborn, you know, head-to-toe sort of sculpture, it was 10 or 11 hours depending on how much we were moving or whatnot.”
Despite the difficulty, the role has highlighted his capacity to display deep humanity beneath heavy prosthetics and monster makeup.
Commitment to Acting Against All Odds
Elordi’s pursuit of acting has never faltered, even when faced with the challenges of the industry. When asked whether he ever questioned his career choice, he firmly replied,
“Never. No, never, never. I’ve been on a single track seriously since 15 years old. And it hasn’t waned yet, which I’ve been really, really happy about!”
His unwavering focus demonstrates the passion driving his career trajectory from his early years in Brisbane to global recognition.
From Australian Beginnings to International Fame
Raised in Brisbane, Australia, Elordi’s early love for acting took off with a lead role in the 2018 film The Kissing Booth. Following that, the HBO Max series Euphoria launched him firmly into the young adult spotlight. However, it was director Sofia Coppola who marked a turning point by casting Elordi as The King in the film Priscilla, where he portrayed Elvis Presley.
On taking on the role of Elvis, he confessed,
“I think playing Elvis Presley was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do on screen.”
Reflecting on the experience, he shared,
“I felt like I was knocking on the door of Hollywood, like, ‘Please, take me seriously.’ And then they answered and gave it to me – and I was like, ‘Oh, no. No, Sofia Coppola? And she wants me to play Elvis Presley? Okay. Goodness, gracious.’ It couldn’t just be, like, a guy, you know, that the heroine loves, or something. Like, I would’ve loved to just play the guy. But no, it had to be Elvis Presley. That was nice. It was really a big sort of departure from myself, I think.”
An Emotional Milestone Shared With Family
Elordi’s Oscar nomination was not only a personal triumph but also a moment of deep significance for his family. “It was particularly beautiful,” he reflected,
“because – this is very dramatic, but I remember (and any actor that says they haven’t done this is a liar) you would practice your Academy Award speech when you were young, formulating the dream. And I remember being 15 or 16 doing it. And I remember I would tear up, because I thought, you know, ‘Mum’s not gonna get to see this.’ And the day that I got nominated, Mum was with me. And I realized, you know, Mum’s gonna get to see all of this. She’s gonna get to see all of the spoils of her work, all the time and love that she invested, we get to share it now.”
Embracing the Reality of a Dream Fulfilled
Standing in the historic United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles, Elordi expressed his disbelief at how far he has come:
“I can’t really believe I’m in Los Angeles talking to you and making movies.”
Yet he acknowledged the surreal nature of his profession, saying,
“Yeah, absolutely, very much so, and probably always will, too. ‘Cause it’s a fantasy job. This is the job that nobody gets to do. And I feel a bit spoiled. I’m honestly a little bit embarrassed sometimes being one of the people that get to do it, you know?”
When reassured that he has earned his place, he laughed and said, “For now!” reinforcing his grounded attitude toward success.
Building a Lasting Legacy Beyond Fame
Despite his rising fame, Elordi maintains a deliberate distance from the social media spotlight. Asked about his online presence, he responded bluntly,
“I have no relationship with social media.”
He explained this choice as part of maintaining focus on his true passion:
“My dream was to be an actor. My dream was to play in the movies. And I’ve been given exactly what I wanted. And I see it exactly how I dreamed it. And I live it how I dreamed it. So, for me that’s about all I can handle!”
His latest project, Wuthering Heights, co-starring fellow Australian Margot Robbie, opened to considerable attention on social media, further solidifying his career momentum. Despite this, Elordi seems intent on creating a lasting cinematic legacy rather than chasing fleeting celebrity.
A Career Poised to Leave a Mark
From the foundation laid by legendary figures at the United Artists Theatre to his current Oscar nomination, Jacob Elordi’s journey exemplifies dedication and artistic growth. His roles—from the vulnerable yet monstrous Creature in Frankenstein to the complex portrayal of Elvis Presley—show a wide acting range and a commitment to challenging, transformative performances.
As he continues working with acclaimed directors like Guillermo del Toro and Sofia Coppola, and shares the screen with stars like Margot Robbie, Elordi’s path highlights the fulfillment of his Jacob Elordi movie dream. His steady approach amid the pressures of Hollywood implies a deep-rooted intent not just to succeed, but to build a meaningful career that resonates in the years to come.
