Sharon Stone recently revealed a moment of intense frustration she experienced while filming the iconic movie Casino with Robert De Niro. The actress, reflecting on her career, shared details about the dynamic between her and De Niro during the filming of the Martin Scorsese classic.
A Dream Come True, With a Twist
Stone had long admired De Niro and dreamed of working alongside him. She even auditioned with him multiple times before finally landing the role of Ginger McKenna in Casino. However, the reality of working with such a legendary actor presented unexpected challenges.
“I always wanted to work with Bob,” Stone told Business Insider. “I had auditioned with him many times before Casino. It was my dream to work with De Niro and hold my own.”
The Fury Fueled by Challenge
Stone revealed that a specific scene, where the characters were arguing across a table, triggered her frustration. De Niro's character, Sam 'Ace' Rothstein, tells Ginger, “You’re a good actress, you know that?” Stone recalls that this comment, instead of being a compliment, ignited a fire within her.
“There’s a scene in the movie where we’re sitting across a table arguing, and he says to me, 'You're a good actress, you know that?'” she explained. “And I remember in that scene when he said it, how furious it made me because it was my dream to do it, and then he challenged me at the table.”
She added, “I remember thinking, ‘Oh, buddy. Not today, pal.’ He knew every button to go for with me because he is the greatest observational actor. He can crawl under your skin and get in there.”
Stone’s performance as Ginger McKenna earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, solidifying her place as a talented and capable actress. The anecdote reveals the intense pressure and competitive spirit that can exist even between established actors on a film set.
Stone also expressed gratitude towards Joe Pesci, who she said championed her for the role in Casino. She noted that Pesci and Jimmy Caan had supported her since she was 19 years old.