March 2010 Artist of the Month: Richard Dreyfuss

Getting his start in 1966 at just age 19, where he appeared on an episode of “Gidget” and “Bewitched,” and working his way up the following year for a bit part in The Graduate, Richard Dreyfuss seems to have never not known professional acting as his career. With strong performances on all areas of the acting spectrum, Dreyfuss has portrayed characters who are distraught, powerful, thoughtful, electric with energy, seekers of answers, contained, boiling over, enthusiastic, and even the Vice President of the United States.

To put it lightly, Dreyfuss a powerhouse of intensity often forgotten in Hollywood. Richard Dreyfuss has become a staple item in the film industry, well known for his ability, and admired for his resume. The actor has created classic scenes other movies emulate, and is overlooked for many “new” films where he could easily excel. While there doesn’t seem to be a shortage of work for Dreyfuss, he’s not an actor a lot of people actually know; he’s an actor people know of. This tendency to fly under the radar, yet perform with near flawless talent makes Richard Dreyfuss a perfect Artist of the Month.

I have a love for Dreyfuss in everything I’ve seen him in, whether it’s a lead role or a supporting spot. And yet, when I read over his 40 plus years of work my list of the movies I’ve seen came up disappointingly short. Our coverage for the month, as we’ll discuss it on The Weekly Blend Audio Show, includes eight movies, and out of the eight I’ve selected, I personally have only seen three of these films. We’ll be looking at just over a 20 year span in his career from 1973 to 1995, the time when he was really making his mark on the business and proving himself fully capable as both lead and support. I couldn’t be more excited. Watch along with us and see if you don’t agree.

Widescreen Warrior.com Presents: Richard Dreyfuss

March 7:

• Lost in Yonkers (1993)
• The Goodbye Girl (1977)

March 14:

• Jaws (1975)
• Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

March 21:

• Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995)
• Always (1989)

March 28:

• American Graffiti (1973)
• What About Bob (1991)

Full filmography available at IMDB