for your performance as Stanley Kowalski in the 1984 remake of A Streetcar Named Desire . What was it like taking on such an iconic role ?
Williams : Part of being an actor is being willing to fail , and growth is taking roles that you know that you should play at that age . I had not seen Brando in the film . I love Brando ’ s work , but it was On the Waterfront that I knew him from . I had never seen Streetcar , and I decided when I was offered it that I wouldn ’ t see Streetcar . We were working with some very inexperienced people who were not theatre people . And they said , “ Well , you know , why don ’ t you wear this wristband and this t-shirt ?” I said , “ I don ’ t think the wristband works for me .” They said , “ Well , that ’ s what Brando wore in the film .” I said , “ Well , what does that matter ? What does that have to do with our production of Streetcar ?” Someone said , “ well , we ’ re making a remake of this movie .” I said , “ No , no , no . You don ’ t understand . We are making a production of A Streetcar Named Desire . It ’ s our director ’ s vision of the play . It ’ s a combination of the art direction and the direction and what we think is important . And Alec Baldwin has a Stanley that ’ s different than my Stanley , which
Treat with Ann-Margret in A STREET CAR NAMED DESIRE .
is different than Brando ’ s Stanley . All of the actors took the project very seriously . Ann-Margret was wonderful and Beverly D ’ Angelo was great . I was working out like crazy , and we were rehearsing a lot . We had a two-week rehearsal period , which is unheard of for television .
Sherman : You ’ ve starred in a large number of films over the course of your career , many of which are incredibly gritty and
intense . Recently , you ’ ve starred in Chesapeake Shores on the Hallmark Channel , and also in Dolly Parton ’ s recent Christmas special , Christmas on the Square . Has it been difficult to relax into roles that are more lighthearted and easygoing ?
Williams : I think if you forget you ’ ve done those other things , you can get frustrated in certain roles . I like to think I ’ ve already proven myself on the “ crazy meter ” and the “ dramatic meter ” with Prince of the City or with Hair . If you ’ ve done those roles where you ’ ve gone the distance , why not just relax and know that you have the chance to do a two-page scene every third day . I like to demonstrate a sense of fun and leadership on the set when I ’ m there . The crew always seems happy when I walk in and say good morning to everybody . We have a lot of fun making whatever we make . I love my job on Hallmark . There ’ s a reason people binge watch Hallmark . They don ’ t have to feel bad . They can feel good for two hours , and they can forget their troubles . There is a place for that , I think , particularly right now in this world .
Sherman : You ’ re also an avid aviator . Tell me more . Any favorite memories ?
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