Embracing Brian Cox’s Refreshingly Brutal Honesty

Wouldn’t it be something if more celebrities were as unapologetically candid and a bit rude as Brian Cox? Honestly, Hollywood could use that kind of excitement instead of the usual introspective snoozefests we see today.

The 79-year-old “Succession” star doesn’t hold back in interviews, going after his co-stars, fellow actors, and directors with fervor. It’s like a ringside seat to a verbal sparring match, and honestly, it’s quite entertaining.

In a recent talk with the *Times of London*, he mentioned Margot Robbie, poking fun at her claim of being “too beautiful” for the role of Cassie in *Wuthering Heights*, and even took a jab at her Australian accent. Why? Well, why not? It keeps things interesting.

Moreover, he didn’t shy away from criticizing Quentin Tarantino, stating bluntly that he’s a “bad actor-director,” and implying that Tarantino’s style is all about him, regardless of how long it’s been since his last film. He’s clearly not a fan, and he’s out to share that view.

Cox has had his fair share of targets too, taking aim at the method acting of actors like Johnny Depp, Ian McKellen, and even his *Succession* co-star Jeremy Strong. Some might say he’s harsh, but I find that kind of boldness refreshing.

Let’s face it, many actors these days come across as rather ordinary and somewhat robotic when they’re in public. It’s frustrating. When I’m asked what I enjoy most about my job, I don’t usually think of speaking to stars. Honestly, I’d take free office air conditioning over that any day.

In reality, interviewing celebrities can be quite tedious. Often, they’re so carefully coached that they’re afraid to stray from the script, making it feel like pulling teeth to get any real insight. It’s almost painful sometimes.

The landscape of Hollywood interviews has become a monotonous routine of bland bullet points and sterile conversations. You know it well: actors giggle about their time working with someone like Matthew McConaughey, partake in goofy segments, and show clips of their work. And increasingly, they opt for podcasts where they can retreat into safe spaces, where any slip-up can be erased later.

Previously, having a sharp tongue was essential in entertainment. Think of Bette Davis, who famously criticized Joan Crawford on *The Tonight Show*, or Joan Rivers, who had a knack for skewering silly celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor.

Today, however, even bringing up dramatic topics seems off-limits. Broadway isn’t much different, save for a few brave exceptions. Remember when Dame Diana Rigg aired her grievances about her *My Fair Lady* co-star, stating she was raising the flag for actors who continued performing even in dire circumstances? And last year, Patti LuPone stirred the pot by critiquing Audra McDonald’s performance in *Gypsy*, implying they weren’t friends. But you’d be hard-pressed to find today’s stars willing to step out of line like that. Oftentimes, handlers request that journalists avoid discussions on topics their audiences genuinely care about, which is, well, a bit frustrating.

Yet, there’s a real desire for honesty in this landscape.

Take Oscar week, for example. While the film *One Battle After Another* ended up winning, everyone was buzzing about Timothée Chalamet’s offhand remarks about opera and ballet. His comments triggered conversations about art without diving into uncomfortable political terrains, which seems to be a rarity. Can we even recall when a movie star last made waves with their words? Aside from that moment when Will Smith said, “Keep your wife’s name out of my mouth,” of course.

More stars could benefit from emulating Cox’s approach of saying, “You know what? I’m going to speak my mind.” That kind of authenticity is sorely needed in the industry.