Laurence Fishburne, at only 14 years old, experienced disappointment from legendary director Francis Ford Coppola while filming the epic war movie, Apocalypse Now, in the 70s. Fishburne’s lack of sexual experience was the source of Coppola’s letdown, as revealed in the Apple TV+ documentary, Number One on the Call Sheet: Black Leading Men in Hollywood. The young actor struggled through a scene discussing sex, highlighting his inexperience.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Fishburne recounted, “There’s a scene in Apocalypse Now that got cut from the original film and then it’s been put back in the redux. I was 14, 15, whatever, trying to do this scene talking about sex and I had no sexual experience. Like, none.” Fishburne’s inexperience led to Coppola shooting the scene multiple times, with the director’s disappointment palpable. Fishburne explained, “I did something like 40 takes. It was really bad. And I could tell that he was disappointed.” The feelings of dejection among the cast were significant, yet Martin Sheen‘s kind words provided a lifeline for the young actor.
Apocalypse Now, released in 1979, became a critical and commercial success, earning over $100 million worldwide and being nominated for eight Oscars. This critical acclaim didn’t ease Fishburne’s early frustrations, but the film has since been lauded as a classic. Despite the initial rocky start with Coppola, Fishburne went on to collaborate with the director on several projects, including 1983’s Rumble Fish and 1984’s The Cotton Club, showcasing their continued professional relationship.
Reflecting on those challenging days, Fishburne shared how Martin Sheen whispered words of encouragement that deeply affected him. “Did anyone ever tell you you were a really good actor? You’re a really good actor.” Those words from Sheen bolstered Fishburne’s resolve, helping him persevere despite the initial hardship on the set of Apocalypse Now. This marked a turning point for Fishburne, motivating him to continue pursuing a successful acting career.
Forty years later, Fishburne reunited with Coppola for the 2024 film Megalopolis, featuring Adam Driver in an epic sci-fi adventure set in an alternate 21st-century New York City. Despite mixed reactions and a Razzie award for Coppola as Worst Director, the film showcased their enduring collaboration. Fishburne’s career has flourished, with his early experiences shaping an enduring legacy within Hollywood.
Apocalypse Now remains available on Blu-ray and digital platforms, cementing its place as a film of historical significance. While challenging, Fishburne’s early experiences taught him about resilience and persistence, lessons valuable both within and beyond the film industry.
