Not only was he a fine actor, Cassavetes was one of the most conscious directors ever. He had a supreme ability to make actors transform into delicate and complex human beings rather than simply performers. He breathed life into his films, making them some of the most genuine works in cinema. Cassavetes was truly a master artist of cinema, stripping away superficiality and revealing something tangible, something real.
A great quote from him: “You must have the courage to be bad — to be willing to risk everything to really express it all.” — John Cassavetes
This is the way Cassavetes laughs - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag-psp1lPmU&feature=related and I think it's very cute :)
I praise your name, Cassavetes. Gena Rowlands is in my heart, Seymour in my hands and Ben Gazzara when I talk - but really, you knew how to make people feel.
Your son is the worst director I've ever seen. I guess artistic talent isn't necessarily hereditary.
Just so people know, Cassavetes did not attend Colgate University, nor Mohawk College. As a current student at Colgate I can confirm this. Also if you visit Ray Carney's site (http://people.bu.edu/rcarney/cassfilms/researchingcass.shtml), he explains why this fallacy is so widely spread. Don't believe everything you read.