DAY 165

PORTRAITS

Actors

BILL NIGHY, ACTOR

Bill Nighy is a world-famous film actor these days, but back in 1995, he was still treading the boards of West End Theatre and playing the love interest in many TV dramas. I had the great luck to meet him when I photographed his wife, Diana Quick, the year before (see page 302). He commissioned me to make some new photos of him for Equity (an actor’s union) and some upcoming casting interviews.

He has a great sense of humor, and we had a few laughs during the private session, which lasted a couple of hours. This shot is a simple yet effective portrait made in black and white, using my signature style of a black background and showing Bill’s inquisitive expression and direct gaze. I like to think that the subsequent portraits helped him garner the roles that he has become so famous for playing over the last 15 years, adding to the fact that he’s an incredibly talented actor and all-round lovely chap. —SA