Sidney Blackmer said that playing Roman Castavet was the ''finest'' performance of his career
"Missing out on Rosemary’s Baby isn’t going to induce me to quit show business," said the actor.
What is better to have: celebrity status or personal pride? For many actors, it can seem impossible to have both. But the truth is, if you have pride in your work, it doesn’t matter if you ever receive the world’s approval. The only opinion that matters is your own.
After Sidney Blackmer’s performance as a nefarious neighbor in Rosemary’s Baby (1968), those around him felt confident that Roman Castevet would be the role that won him an Oscar.
“I felt it was the finest performance of my career,” said Blackmer during an interview with the Daily News. “Any time I had a chance to play the villain, I grabbed it. The bad guy’s character was always more colorful and interesting.”
However, when the time came for nominations, Blackmer’s name wasn’t on the list. Yet the actor was able to take this misstep in stride. He never let it damage his confidence.
“But missing out on Rosemary’s Baby isn’t going to induce me to quit show business,” said the actor. “I plan to do a Broadway musical in the very near future. The thought of dropping everything never enters my mind. I’m too damn old to retire. I’d just disintegrate if I did. I’m just going to keep plugging until the last curtain falls.”
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