Harvey Keitel is an American actor known for his intense performances and collaborations with some of the most influential filmmakers in Hollywood. Here’s a detailed look at his life and career:
Early Life
- Full Name: Harvey Keitel
- Born: May 13, 1939
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Parents: Miriam and Harry Keitel (Jewish immigrants from Poland and Romania)
- Military Service: Served in the U.S. Marine Corps
Acting Career
Keitel studied acting at the Actors Studio under Lee Strasberg and Stella Adler, which helped shape his naturalistic and intense acting style.
Breakthrough and Early Work (1970s)
- Made his film debut in Martin Scorsese’s Who’s That Knocking at My Door (1967).
- Gained recognition for roles in Mean Streets (1973) and Taxi Driver (1976), both directed by Scorsese.
- Appeared in Ridley Scott’s The Duellists (1977).
1980s: Setbacks and Revival
- Lost the lead role in Apocalypse Now (1979) after being replaced by Martin Sheen.
- Worked in various independent and European films.
- Made a strong comeback with Bugsy (1991), earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
1990s: Peak Career
- Played iconic roles in Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994), both directed by Quentin Tarantino.
- Starred in The Piano (1993) and Bad Lieutenant (1992), showcasing his range in independent cinema.
- Played supporting roles in From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) and Cop Land (1997).
2000s–Present
- Appeared in The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) and The Irishman (2019).
- Played roles in major franchises like National Treasure (2004) and its sequel (2007).
- Continued working in both independent and mainstream films.
Personal Life
- Marriages: Married Canadian actress Daphna Kastner in 2001.
- Children: Has children from different relationships, including a son with actress Lorraine Bracco.
- Notable Traits: Known for his tough-guy persona and method acting approach.
Legacy and Impact
Harvey Keitel is regarded as one of the most respected character actors in Hollywood, frequently portraying morally complex and intense characters. His collaborations with directors like Scorsese, Tarantino, and Ridley Scott have left a lasting impact on cinema.
