New York is renowned for being a city of opportunity, where anyone can chase their dreams and become anything they want to be. There is a certain magic about the Big Apple, and the success stories from here serve to spur others on. In the words of Frank Sinatra, if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. That’s why some of the world’s best actors begin their careers in the big city.
The City Has Churned out Some of the Best in the World
Many would say that Robert De Niro is one of the greatest actors of all time, and he is someone that drama students all over the world aspire to be like. He was born in New York City, and many of the films he starred in were set there as well. The most famous of these include Taxi Driver in 1976, New York, New York in 1977, and Once Upon a Time in America in 1984. The 77-year-old has picked up various awards throughout his career, with two Oscars for his roles in The Godfather Part II and Raging Bull.
Al Pacino is another strong contender for best actor ever, and he was also born in New York. Some of the best-known offerings featuring the 81-year-old in the Big Apple include The Godfather in 1972, Scent of a Woman in 1992, and Donnie Brasco in 1997. Pacino was also the recipient of an Oscar for his role in Scent of a Woman.
There are plenty of other huge names that came from New York and should serve as inspiration to others. Harvey Keitel, Kirk Douglas, Jack Nicholson, Joan Blondell, Lauren Bacall, and Anne Bancroft all grew up in the city and had incredibly successful careers.
Plenty of Opportunities for Acting Lessons
Perhaps one of the main reasons why there is so much talent in Hollywood from New York is down to the fact that there are so many learning opportunities here for new actors. Nowadays, people don’t even have to leave their homes to receive top-class acting coaching from experts in the field. Indeed, they can find a number of highly trained teachers online. This means that even people from outside of New York can get the kind of acting training that has become associated with the city.
For those who are based in the Big Apple, there are a few prestigious acting schools that have developed the careers of some of the world’s best. De Niro studied his trade at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, while Pacino went to the HB Studio. Both of these would be excellent choices for actors who are ready to take their education to the next level.
Anyone considering a career in acting would be wise to read about the careers of the most successful stars. By replicating their paths and learning in the same places, they could have a chance of hitting the big time as well. New York is definitely one of the top places to be for those who dream of careers on the big screen.
