Ron Perlman's 16 Spits: The Unexpected Challenge with Sean Connery
Ron Perlman's 16 Spits: The Unexpected Challenge with Sean Connery
Discover the hilarious and challenging behind-the-scenes story of Ron Perlman having to spit on his hero, Sean Connery, 16 times for 'The Name Of The Rose'.
Hollywood veteran Ron Perlman has recently shared an unforgettable anecdote from the set of the 1986 classic, 'The Name Of The Rose'. It turns out that a pivotal scene required Perlman to repeatedly spit in the face of none other than his acting hero, Sean Connery.
The film, a historical mystery based on Umberto Eco's novel, starred Connery as friar William Of Baskerville, investigating strange deaths in a medieval abbey. Perlman played Salvatore, a hunchback with a unique linguistic style. The moment of truth came when William confronts Salvatore, leading to Salvatore spitting in his face.
Perlman confessed in a recent interview that the task was incredibly difficult due to his immense respect for Connery.
He was my hero, the real deal. When it came to the scene where I had to spit in his eye, I just couldn't do it,
Perlman recalled. It took Connery himself to break through Perlman's reluctance.
The legendary actor took Perlman aside, stating matter-of-factly that if he didn't commit to the spit, they'd be stuck on that scene all day. “So I finally just let one fly,” Perlman admitted.
However, the challenge didn't end there. As Perlman explained, filmmaking requires capturing scenes from multiple angles, profile, medium shot, close-up, and over-the-shoulder. This meant that the reluctant actor had to recreate the spitting action an astonishing 16 times that day.
Speaking to the BBC in 2014, Perlman further elaborated on Connery's encouragement: “He said 'Ron, if you don't spit in my eye, I've got nothing to play.' So I just reached back and there it was; a big loogie.
He was one of the greatest men I've ever been in the presence of.“
Beyond the spitting incident, the film's director, Jean-Jacques Annaud, also shared a fascinating tidbit about Connery's casting. Annaud originally envisioned an unknown actor for the role of William Of Baskerville.
That changed the moment Connery appeared at his house and began reading lines from the script.
Annaud recounted feeling “goose bumps,” as Connery's delivery perfectly matched the voice he'd imagined while reading the book. These behind-the-scenes glimpses offer a deeper appreciation for the making of such a beloved cinematic piece.
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