The Actor Stanley Kubrick Said He Was Completely in Awe Of

Stanley Kubrick, one of the greatest directors in film history, reportedly had deep admiration for only a few actors, and Peter Sellers was at the top of that list. According to the late Alexander Walker, a film critic and biographer of both Kubrick and Sellers, Kubrick was “in awe” of the comedian and actor.

Walker explained that Sellers’ talent went beyond what Kubrick could achieve himself. “One of the people Stanley admired unreservedly was Peter Sellers. First of all, Peter Sellers was mad. Stanley was in awe of him. He could do things that Stanley couldn’t do, like act. Stanley couldn’t write, and he couldn’t act.”

“He could re-write, but he could never act. And he was always in awe of people who could give him performances, particularly performances that were not in the script, who could add something to a character that even Stanley had never anticipated.”

Sellers, known for his work in radio and television before becoming a film star, had a unique ability to improvise and make characters unpredictable.

Walker described his style as similar to a jazz musician riffing, “Peter Sellers – because he was a comedian who had worked in radio – was great at elaborating performances, making them funnier and funnier, ad-libbing, putting in jokes, gradually spiralling off into a kind of surrealist, Goon-like, Goon Show humour. It was like a jazz musician playing a riff. You couldn’t anticipate what he would do. Stanley loved that.”

Walker also highlighted how Sellers’ skill saved time on set. While Kubrick was famous for demanding dozens of takes from his actors, “With Peter Sellers, he only had to put him through three takes, and he got a different kind of interpretation every time; each one funnier.”

Sellers’ ability to assume multiple disguises, vocal changes, and eccentric characters made him an invaluable collaborator. “Peter could assume disguises and he could assume vocal disguises. And he could make Stanley laugh. And that was very difficult.”

Peter Sellers’ career spanned decades and included some of the most iconic roles in film history. He became a household name with the British radio and television comedy series The Goon Show in the 1950s, and later starred in films such as Dr. Strangelove, The Pink Panther series, and Being There.

His talent for both subtle and outrageous comedy made him a favorite of audiences worldwide, and his collaborations with Kubrick remain legendary in cinematic history.

From my perspective, it’s clear why Kubrick admired Sellers so deeply. His ability to improvise, transform, and elevate a performance made him a rare talent. What do you think about Peter Sellers’ influence on cinema and his work with Kubrick? Share your thoughts in the comments.