Edward Norton Names the One Actor He Believes Stands Above Everyone Else

Edward Norton has never been the kind of actor who chases constant attention, but his work keeps pulling people back in. Even during the years when he stepped away to focus more on family life, his performances never lost their impact. From Birdman to his recent projects, he continues to be seen as one of the most serious actors of his generation.

Norton’s path to acting was not rushed. After finishing his history degree at Yale, he took time to study different acting styles and figure out what actually worked for him. Over time, he became closely linked to method acting, a technique that often sparks debate in Hollywood.

While speaking at the Hamptons International Film Festival in 2014, Norton addressed those debates directly. He explained that the phrase “the Method” is often misunderstood and used the wrong way.

He said that relying too much on sense memory, where actors pull from their own past emotions, can become a problem on a real set. In his words, acting that way can feel like performing with someone who is just staring at themselves instead of listening.

Norton shared that a good performance should come from the script and the situation, not from being trapped inside a single technique. He warned against treating acting styles like a belief system, calling it a kind of “cult” when taken too far. His focus has always been on reacting to the other actor and the moment in front of him.

One of Norton’s biggest influences has always been Robert De Niro. He has openly talked about studying De Niro’s career and being impressed by how many different types of roles he has taken on. Norton trained for years in New York with acting coach Terry Schreiber, watching how De Niro balanced intensity with range.

That admiration came full circle in 2001 when Norton starred alongside De Niro in The Score. The film also included Marlon Brando, making it a rare moment where three generations of acting legends shared the screen.

Outside of acting, Norton has stayed busy in other worlds. He has become known for his work in technology and environmental causes, often staying out of the spotlight while doing it. In 2024, he returned to major awards attention with his role as folk singer Pete Seeger in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. Norton learned the banjo and even worked with a dentist to match Seeger’s smile for the role.

This year, Norton is once again getting attention after premiering his new film, The Invite, at the Sundance Film Festival in January. The dark comedy, directed by Olivia Wilde, stars Norton as a character named Hawk and includes a large cast with Seth Rogen and Penélope Cruz.

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