Nicolas Cage Doesn't Consider Himself an Actor: 'I Like the Word Thespian'

Nicolas Cage is sharing his thoughts on the word “actor.”

The 57-year-old Pig star was a guest on Variety’s Awards Circuit podcast this week, where he discussed his career and why he has an aversion to being called an “actor.”

Click inside to read more…

“For me it always implies, ‘Oh, he’s a great actor, therefore he’s a great liar,’” he said. “So with the risk of sounding like a pretentious a–hole, I like the word ‘thespian’ because thespian means you’re going into your heart, or you’re going into your imagination, or your memories or your dreams, and you’re bringing something back to communicate with the audience.”

Nicolas also went on to say he was grateful for his role in Michael Sarnoski‘s new film Pig, which has been getting lots of buzz this awards season.

“I knew after a couple of flops that I had been marginalized in the studio system; and I wasn’t going to get invited by them,” the actor explained, referring to the studios. “I always knew that it would take a young filmmaker who would come back or remember some movies I had made and know that I might be right for his script and rediscover me.”

He continued, “And that’s why he’s not just Michael. He’s Archangel Michael. This wouldn’t be happening if he didn’t have the open mind to say, ‘Come with me.’”

Nicolas‘ latest project is The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, in which he will play a fictionalized version of himself.

He’s also set to play an iconic monster in a new movie. Check it out…