Actor Simon Rex shares a distressing account of his unpleasant 'Good Will Hunting' audition experience
In an unexpected turn of events, Simon Rex's unsuccessful audition for the acclaimed film Good Will Hunting in 1997 turned out to be a pivotal moment in his career. At the time, Rex was a 51-year-old actor with no prior acting experience, known primarily as an MTV video jockey.
Rex's performance during the audition was less than stellar. His delivery of lines was robotic, causing a laugh from none other than Matt Damon, one of the film's stars. Despite this, the film's director, Gus Van Sant, noticed Rex's potential and advised him to attend acting school.
Van Sant, who had spotted Rex on MTV, saw promise in the up-and-coming talent. After the failed audition, he encouraged Rex to hone his skills and build a foundation in acting. Rex heeded the advice and embarked on a journey to formal training.
This decision proved to be a turning point in Rex's career. He went on to land roles in various projects, including the Scary Movie franchise and the sitcom What I Like About You. His career improved significantly, and he even starred in the film Americana, set to release on August 15.
Good Will Hunting, a film that featured Matt Damon, Robin Williams, and Ben Affleck, may have denied Rex a role, but it played a significant part in launching his successful acting career in Hollywood. Rex's initial lack of experience was evident during the audition, but it was also a learning experience that propelled him towards his current success.
Recently, Rex attended a special screening of Americana in California, marking another milestone in his career. With high-profile actors in the cast and a promising release date, it's clear that Rex's career has come a long way since his robotic audition for Good Will Hunting.
Who would have thought that Simon Rex's unsuccessful audition for the movie Good Will Hunting in 1997 would lead us to where he is today? As a then 51-year-old actor with no prior acting experience, known primarily as an MTV video jockey, Rex's delivery of lines during the audition was less than stellar, even causing a laugh from none other than Matt Damon, one of the film's stars. However, the film's director, Gus Van Sant, saw potential in Rex and advised him to attend acting school, which Rex did, eventually landing roles in movies-and-tv shows like Scary Movie, What I Like About You, and Americana, set to release on August 15, and even starring in his own film. Celebrities and the world have definitely noticed Rex's rise in entertainment.
