Best Richard Harris Story Ever.
He was acting with Laurence Olivier in a production of Macbeth, early in Richard’s career. Richard had a small role as Lady MacBeth’s Doctor, and Sir Laurence was Macbeth. Sir Laurence apperently hated the Irish with a passion, and Richard was, of course, Irish. Needless to say, Sir Laurence made every oppertunity to make Richards life miserable during rehearsals. Richard just took the abuse, and tried to stay focused.
Richard’s only line was to come out and tell Macbeth that, sadly, his wife has died–after which Macbeth flies off into the main soliloquy of the play, lamenting about his loss and mistakes. The line, while small, is very important because it set up this famous speech.
Anyway, opening night arives, and the play gets going without a hitch. Richard avoids Sir Laurence backstage, and things are going great. Then comes Richard’s line. Sir Laurence, masterfully playing Macbeth, summons the doctor to find out how his poor wife is doing. Richard, waiting for this moment looks him square in the eye and says “Oh, she’ll be fine. She should be out in a few minutes,” turns and walks right out the backstage door, calls a cab, and never returns.