Check out his quote.
"I am particularly susceptible to the parts I play... If my character was having a nervous breakdown, I started to have one".
Was this a tongue-in-cheek quote or is it really how he approached a role? Was Jack ever "over powered" by his acting to the point where he brought all of that energy home with him at the end of the day or was he able to leave it at work?
I can't really give you an answer... but from what Tony Curtis said, Jack was very serious and concentrated whenever he prepared a part, he was a lot of fun and terribly nice with everyone on the set, but he did put himself a lot in his work. I wouldn't take Curtis' word on many things (although I like him very much) but on many behind the scenes pictures, for instance from The Great Race, you can get a similar impression: he's really immersed in what he's doing.
" You ain't running this place, Bert, WILLIAMS is!" Sgt Harris
Thanks for the answer, I know Jack worked hard to bring the characters to life with the internal process. Judging by your response, Jack must have been able to control his emotions unlike actors like Paul Muni.
BTW I agree wholehartedly with your comment about Tony Curtis. Can't rely on his recollections.
I love something he said in an old interview I saw. He was asked what he thought about these new, young stars who stay awake for 3 days to look tired in a movie that calls for the actor to look tired. He said that's not acting! Acting is being well rested and making people believe you're tired! I loved it then and repeat it often now.
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