Sir David Jason, 84, makes feelings clear on failing to crack Hollywood as he shares real reason for failure
Sir David Jason reflected on his failure to crack Hollywood
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Sir David Jason has reflected on why he never made it big across the pond in Hollywood as he looked back at his career.
Jason, 84, is best-known for playing the lovable Derek "Del Boy" Trotter on iconic sitcom Only Fools and Horses, but he never made a big name for himself in the Hollywood sphere.
Jason has jokingly blamed Michael Caine and Jim Broadbent for not cracking Hollywood.
While he hoped to make it on the big screen, Jason's main audience remained in the UK. He explained in his new memoir This Time Next Year that he'd had meetings to discuss two big parts he had been considered for, but that the roles were given to Caine and Broadbent.
"I would love to be able to declare that my collected film work on DVD would make an elegant shelf of high-class cinematic experiences to browse among an evening," he penned.
According to MailOnline, he continued: "I fear, however, that it may look more like the contents of a box pulled out from under a table at a car boot sale."
Sir David Jason reflected on his failure to crack Hollywood
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It comes as Jason recently made a revelation about his thoughts about Del Boy and the lasting impact of playing such a beloved character.
Speaking last week, he explained: "That Derek Trotter thing, he's a bit of a ghost that comes along behind me like A Christmas Carol."
BBC Breakfast's Jon Kay, who was interviewing the beloved actor on Tuesday, replied: "That's interesting that you're calling Del Boy a bit of a ghost in your life. Do you feel you're a bit haunted by him?"
"Haunted is perhaps too... no," Jason responded, continuing: "He's with me all the time, whether you call it haunted or not.
David Jason is best-known for his iconic Only Fools and Horses role
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"I do say he's on my back all the time because wherever I go people recognise me as the character and you always get people who say, 'lovely jubbly! ' and all of that."
Detailing the impact of taking on such a legendary role, he added: "Which only hangs me back, only upsets me slightly because that seems to be the only thing that people remember me for.
"I'm delighted in one way that it's reached so many people and they've enjoyed what I've done with the character, but I've done so many other things that everybody seems to have forgotten about. It's like I've only ever played Derek Trotter."
Making a rare admission about how he felt he's missed out on a dream, he continued: "My real disappointment or regret, if you like, is I always wanted to be a National Theatre player.
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David Jason's memoir reflected on his impressive career
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"I always wanted to be on the stage of the national theatre. It was just that romantic image of playing those big productions with all those big, wonderful actors. That never happened."
It's not the first time Jason has spoken negatively about his Only Fools role, having told The Star earlier this year: “Del Boy is a character that I can’t avoid.
“He’s become so ingrained in the public’s mind that where I got, I tend to be recognised and then what happens is that people can’t help but interfere with your private life."
However, he concluded: "It’s part of the job. It’s part of giving your time and your life to the Great British public, God bless them.”