Oscar rarely clowns around, but in 1989 the Academy couldnt resistA Fish Called Wanda.
According to Cleese, he got the idea when we were rehearsingSilverado.
But its also just my basic M.O.
Kevin Winter/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
for just about anything, to act silly.
I think thats when I read it or just when wed finished.
Anyway, I just thought it was funny that Dickie was worried.
Well, I suppose Dickie hadnt entered his dinosaur-inventing-in-JurassicParkphase at this point.Well, that came a while after.
But so, when I read it, I thought, This is something altogether different.
I was a little perplexed by it.
In fact, I remained slightly confused throughout the filming, because the character had so many wonderful inconsistencies.
John actually had a t-shirt made which said, Who is this guy?
Because I just said, Whoisthis guy?
He was so absurd to me.
Ultimately, I just went with the wonderful inconsistencies and just embraced it.
I remember the very first day I said, Is that too much?
He said, No, no.
I thought, Alright, what the hell and just went crazy.
Were you surprised to be nominated for an Academy Award?Completely.
I was awakened and someone said, You just got nominated.
I said, Forwhat?
They said, ForA Fish Called Wanda.
[Laughs] I was actually out in L.A. rehearsingI Love You to Death.
I thought, I dont have time to go to this Oscar ceremony, Im not going to win!
People were very forthcoming, saying, Just so you know, youre the darkest of dark horses.
But you did go and you did win.
What do you remember about the actual night?I remember theopening number was Rob Lowe and Snow White.
[Laughs]
Thats infamous!Yeah, exactly.
But I didnt care.
I was like, Its my first time at the Oscars, its all fine.
I did remember her name, though, which Im proud of.
Watch Klines Best Supporting Actor acceptance speech, above.
