Dennis Quaid Reflects on a Defining Moment in His Career
In a recent interview, Dennis Quaid opened up about a pivotal moment in his early acting career, where he almost turned down a significant role in the acclaimed 1979 film Breaking Away. This Oscar-winning comedy-drama, helmed by director Peter Yates, tells the story of Dave (portrayed by Dennis Christopher), a high school student in Bloomington, Indiana, with dreams of excelling in competitive bicycle racing. Quaid stars alongside a talented cast that includes Daniel Stern, Jackie Earle Haley, Barbara Barrie, and Paul Dooley.
Director’s Persuasion: A Turning Point
During his conversation with Business Insider, Quaid recounted how director Peter Yates played a crucial role in securing his involvement in the film. At the time, Quaid was already committed to another project titled The Dukes of Hazzard and had lined up work with actor Lee Majors for a different film.
“You Have to Do This Movie”
Despite his existing commitments, Yates convinced Quaid to reconsider his options. “You have to do this movie,” Yates insisted, a statement that Quaid now looks back on with deep appreciation. Reflecting on this interaction, he emphasized the immense value he gained from Yates’ mentorship in film acting. Read his full comments:
I actually got the part of Bo Duke, the John Snyder role. I also had this movie with Lee Majors about construction crews building high rises. So I went into this general audition with Peter Yates, the director of ‘Breaking Away,’ and he saw me as Mike and I said, ‘I’m sorry but I’m already doing this other movie.’ He blocked the doorway and said, ‘Listen to me, young man, you have to do this movie!’ And he was right. Peter Yates taught all us guys film acting and I could never thank him enough.
Legacy of Breaking Away
Quaid’s gratitude reflects not only on his personal journey but also on the influence that Breaking Away has had in shaping the landscape of American cinema. This film continues to resonate with audiences today, offering a unique blend of humor, youth, and the pursuit of dreams.
For further details, you can read the full interview on Business Insider.