Key Takeaways:
– Patrick Stewart shares revealing stories from his childhood in his memoir, titled ‘Making It So’.
– The celebrated actor recounts a distressing public humiliation experienced at the hands of his father.
– Stewart admits to his regrettable past as a bully during his younger years, in a bid to survive in a rough neighborhood.
Inside Patrick Stewart’s Difficult Path to Stardom
Beloved veteran British actor Patrick Stewart is known for his exceptional portraying of significant roles in popular franchises like Star Trek: Picard and the X-Men films. However, his rise to fame wasn’t smooth. In his memoir, Stewart gives us an insight into his challenging life journey, paved with hardships since his childhood growing up in a poor background.
Strained Parental Relationship
Many fans are unaware that Stewart had a complicated relationship with his father, largely due to his absence while serving in the military. Adjusting to civilian life while working menial jobs to support the family, Stewart Sr. certainly strained under the pressure and this was often reflected in his dealing with his son.
In ‘Making It So’, one chilling account narrates a public humiliation inflicted by Stewart’s father. When the family stopped at a fresh produce shop, Stewart Sr. made young Stewart hold his eyes closed as he dropped something on his hands. Fearing it to be a creature, the young thespian tossed it to the ground only to discover it was a peach.
Outraged by his son’s reaction, Stewart’s father openly slapped him, drawing attention from the public. While not physically hurt, the psychological impact left a lasting imprint on the young actor’s mind.
Battling Childhood Bullying
Contrary to his onscreen image as Professor Xavier, fighting for the peaceful co-existence of humans and mutants in the X-Men series, Stewart himself had to face some difficult survival choices as a child in a rough neighborhood. The actor bravely confesses in his memoir about his days as a bully which he viewed as a necessary defense mechanism.
One such shocking incident reveals Stewart’s involvement in physically tormenting a classmate with a deformed hand. The group of bullies threatened the boy and forced him to injure himself for their amusement. Looking back, Stewart expresses deep sorrow and regret over such a cruel past.
Role-Playing Irony in X-Men
The irony isn’t lost when the actor, who was once a part of a bullying group, later starred as the wheelchair-bound character Professor Xavier in the X-Men series. This bitter taste of irony adds a layer of complexity to Patrick Stewart’s character both onscreen and offscreen.
Stewart’s upfront confession about his past is an example of his courage and humility. It’s a reminder that even the most successful people can have difficult beginnings, and one’s past doesn’t define them but rather shapes them.
Closing thoughts
Overall, Patrick Stewart’s memoir ‘Making it So’ is a deeply revealing and honest account of his journey to success. It offers insight not only into his brilliant career but also into the struggles and regrets of his past. The Star Trek veteran’s resilience is testament to the fact that it’s never too late to acknowledge past mistakes and strive for a better future.
