He’s an Oscar-nominated actor who has starred alongside Meryl Streep, Michael Keaton and Jennifer Lawrence, but Stanley Tucci says even he couldn’t get a job after The Devil Wears Prada.
Despite his impressive resume, including BAFTA, Grammy and Tony nominations, the Spotlight actor found himself unexpectedly struggling in Hollywood.
The 63-year-old said: ‘After The Devil Wears Prada I couldn’t get a job, and I didn’t really understand that, but that’s just the way it was.
“So I started doing things that I didn’t necessarily want to do, but I did it.”
In the 2006 film, Meryl Streep played Miranda Priestly, the demanding editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine, while Tucci played her creative director Nigel.
Despite his impressive resume, including BAFTA, Grammy and Tony nominations, Stanley Tucci unexpectedly struggled in Hollywood
The 63-year-old said: ‘After The Devil Wears Prada I couldn’t get a job, and I didn’t quite understand that, but that’s how it was (pictured with co-star Merly Streep)
In the 2006 film, Meryl Streep played Miranda Priestly, the demanding editor-in-chief of a fashion magazine, while Tucci played her creative director Nigel (pictured with Anne Hathaway)
The film was a huge success, grossing over £250 million worldwide and earning two Oscar nominations.
Its enduring popularity has fueled speculation about a possible sequel, especially after the original cast – Streep, Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway – reunited at the Oscars.
Tucci confirmed that he would be open to starring in a highly anticipated sequel, although it has yet to be officially announced.
When asked about the possibility of reprising his role, the father of five said: “I can’t answer that. No one’s going to let me answer that… I guess they want it to happen, I imagine.
“But I can’t really talk about it because it might not happen.”
In addition to acting, the Hunger Games star has also ventured into the culinary world with his television series Searching for Italy and the upcoming Tucci in Italy, establishing himself as a food commentator and enthusiast.
He told it Vanity fair: ‘It’s very strange now to go into restaurants – and it’s been that way for a while, because I’ve been involved in the food world in some capacity for a while.
“But now people are simultaneously excited and terrified when I walk into their restaurant.”
After his appearance in The Devil Prada, Stanley starred in films such as the animated outing Space Chimps
Tucci confirmed that he would be open to starring in a highly anticipated sequel, although it has yet to be officially announced
The film’s enduring popularity has fueled speculation about a possible sequel, especially after the original cast – Streep, Emily Blunt and Anne Hathaway – reunited at the Oscars.
In September 2021, Tucci revealed that he had been diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer three years earlier.
After undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for a tumor on the underside of his tongue, he expressed optimism about his recovery, although he admitted to ongoing dietary restrictions.
“Being sick six years ago… that throws a spanner in the works for a while, and then you slowly come back,” he said.
‘But I had to do things. I had to work because I needed money. I probably started working too early.
‘I didn’t really have the energy for it after the treatments, but you had to do it and eventually you climb back up.’
Tucci also shared his thoughts on the current state of television, specifically the prevalence of true crime shows.
“So many shows are about serial killers. We are obsessed with fucking serial killers,” he said.
‘How many are there? I didn’t know there were that many. And so you feel like, ‘Oh, is everyone a serial killer?
Now, the Spotlight actor has found more flexibility when choosing roles, allowing him to prioritize time with his family
In addition to acting, the Hunger Games star has also ventured into the culinary world with his television series Searching for Italy and the upcoming Tucci in Italy, establishing himself as a food commentator and enthusiast. (Pictured: the book cover of What I Ate in One Year)
“Is Half the World a Serial Killer?” They’re not. It’s just that we’re telling the same damn story over and over again, and after a while it gets sickening.”
Now, the Spotlight actor has found more flexibility in choosing roles, allowing him to prioritize time with his family.
‘I’m lucky now that when I look at the script I say, ‘Okay, can you schedule me in a block so I can do all these scenes in one week and then fly home, and then I’ll come back and do the second week?’
“I can’t go, ‘Okay, we’re going to be here for three months and then we need you, and then we don’t need you anymore.’
‘I can’t do that anymore. I don’t do that anymore. There are too many other things to do, and I don’t want to be away from my family for so long…. I can be more choosy now.”