Joseph Gordon-Levitt has worked with some of the finest Hollywood has to offer, in both actors and directors. From starring in films by Christopher Nolan and Mark Webb to starring alongside Heath Ledger, Julianne Moore, and Christian Bale, he has shaped his acting skills to perfection through his experience.
Despite all the talent that he has been around, there was one person who had a lasting impact on the actor. Someone whose three words were enough to make him realize his capabilities as an actor. During an interview, Gordon-Levitt revealed that Bruce Willis gave him a compliment of the highest degree, and it wasn’t even directed at him.
Bruce Willis’ Biggest Compliment to Joseph Gordon-Levitt
In 2012, Joseph Gordon-Levitt starred in Rian Johnson’s Looper alongside Bruce Willis. In the time-travel film, the pair played the same character, Joe, at different points in his life. Due to this, they had to mimic each other’s mannerisms quite a lot to maintain consistency. However, it would seem that Gordon-Levitt may have copied the actor a little too well.
During an interview with Vanity Fair, the actor talked about the project, specifically revealing a compliment Willis gave him that changed his life. At one point during production, Willis and Gordon-Levitt’s characters were yelling at each other.
There was [a] scene in the movie where we were yelling at each other. I don’t know if Bruce did this on purpose or he did it unintentionally, but it was kind of the highest compliment he could pay me. It was right after they said ‘Cut.’ He was turning away and walking back to his mark. He didn’t even say it to me. He just kind of said to himself, ‘Sounds like me.’
When ‘cut’ was announced, Willis went back to his original mark, mumbling to himself about Gordon-Levitt’s performance. The legendary actor ended up commenting that the way that the young actor was playing his character was extremely similar to how Willis would do himself.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Was Flabergasted
It is safe to say that Bruce Willis himself saying that an actor reminds him of his own performances is a compliment of the highest regard. What makes his comment all the more significant is the fact that he did not direct these three words to Joseph Gordon-Levitt but said them to himself.
Naturally, Gordon-Levitt understood the weight of these words, having a reaction of his own when he heard them. He revealed that as soon as he heard the comment, he internally congratulated himself. Later in the interview, he mentioned how the way that Willis delivered the compliment was extremely considerate, calling it a very “ultra-generous” way of doing it.
And I just turned to myself and went, ‘F***ing yes!’ I think, knowing him, that was really his ultra-generous way of paying me a compliment, but it was very kind to do it in that way.
Gordon-Levitt also mentioned that he wasn’t sure if Willis gave the compliment to him intentionally or not. However, he did add that if it was intentional, the actor chose a very kind way to do it.
