The Role To End All Roles

It is well known, and often remarked upon, that the actor Robert Powell could never shake off the role of Jesus after having played him in the successful mini-series Jesus of Nazareth.  He found it difficult to get other roles because people always associated him with Jesus.  I think one actress was quoted as saying that she found it difficult doing an on-screen kiss with Powell because it was like kissing Jesus.  His hard luck was due to stereotyping, it seems another actor who also played the Lord is also having a tough time, though not because of stereotyping.

Jim Caviezel who played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ has been talking recently about his difficulties in finding work in the last few years.  He recalls in an interview that after Mel Gibson offered him the part, the director then asked him not take it because it would probably destroy his career. Caviezel went ahead remarking that we all had a cross to carry; whether he realised at the time that the cross would be as big as it turned out to be I'm not sure: but it has been a big cross.

While Powell suffered from stereotyping, Caviezel is probably suffering from bigotry.  The Passion of the Christ had its enemies in Hollywood (and even in the Church), so those involved took a big risk in seeing the project through.   Caviezel rightly says he will receive his reward in heaven, with God's help he will - but he does have to eat and provide for a family, so we will keep him in our prayers.  He is a fine actor, perhaps not Hollywood Idol status, though he has the looks, but he has the ability to be a great actor, so I hope the Lord will provide for him.  All of this, of course, reveals a nasty anti-Christian (anti-Catholic?) side of Hollywood and the film industry.  It also reveals appalling double standards. 

However, Caviezel is upbeat, God bless him. In his interview he also says something very interesting and true for all of us Christians in a time like this: "We have to give up our names, our reputations, our lives, to speak the truth".