Laurie Davidson: The Actor Who Made Millions from Playing Shakespeare and Cats

Have you ever fantasised about starring in a musical as the world’s greatest writer or a magical cat? The good news is that Laurie Davidson has the solutions to each of these problems. Millions of dollars came his way for his portrayals of William Shakespeare on TNT’s Will and Mr. Mistoffelees in the upcoming film version of Cats. How he auditioned for, won, and nailed these parts, as well as how he made his money from them, will all be discussed in this piece.

How Laurie Davidson landed the role of Shakespeare in Will

In Will, a drama series about the young bard’s debut in London and rise to popularity, the lead actor, Laurie Davidson, is a recent LAMDA student who tried out for the part of Shakespeare. Before his role as the party host in “Vampire Academy,” he had appeared in just one other film. He was brought in for many auditions before finally impressing the producers and director Shekhar Kapur, who had seen him in a play at LAMDA and recommended him.

Laurie Davidson did not study other actors’ interpretations of Shakespeare, including Joseph Fiennes’ in Shakespeare in Love, in order to create his own fresh perspective on the Bard. Instead, at Kapur’s suggestion, he drew influence from rap movies like Straight Outta Compton and 8 Mile in order to portray Shakespeare as a revolutionary artist. In addition to learning to write with a pen and ink, he read and analyzed the works ascribed to Shakespeare.

Laurie Davidson struggled through his performance of Shakespeare. He had to become fluent in Elizabethan, study swordsmanship, and deal with the stress of playing a legendary character. As an added challenge, he had to contend with criticism from some who found the show’s unconventional take on Shakespeare’s life to be offensive. On the other hand, he was applauded for his work and found it rewarding to be surrounded by such skilled colleagues. He called his time onstage as Shakespeare “the most incredible experience” of his life.

How Laurie Davidson transformed into Mr. Mistoffelees in Cats

Actress Laurie Davidson joined the cast of Cats in 2018. The cinematic adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical, which was inspired by the poetry of T.S. Eliot, premiered in 2018. He took on the role of Mr. Mistoffelees, a timid and awkward cat with supernatural abilities.One of the few actors hired, he had never watched the original show but knew a handful of the songs.

Davidson’s transformation into Mr. Mistoffelees required a great deal of work in rehearsal.With the guidance of choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler and director Tom Hooper, he was able to learn how to sing, dance, and behave like a cat. He also donned a motion-capture outfit and a camera attached to his head to record his reactions and actions. A great task, but a lot of fun, he remarked, playing Mr. Mistoffelees.

The romantic subplot between Davidson and Francesca Hayward’s Victoria, a white cat, and his participation in the ensemble numbers like “Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats” and “The Jellicle Ball” are two of the most memorable scenes in which Davidson appears in Cats. He described his feelings as “very proud” to have participated in such a historic musical.

How Laurie Davidson made millions from his roles in Will and Cats

Laurie Davidson is expected to have a net worth of $3 million to $5 million by 2022, according to a number of sources. His starring turns in Will and Cats, among other things, were the primary sources of his wealth. It’s been said that he made roughly $50,000 each episode on Will, and that his income on Cats was undisclosed but probably more than that. Other sources of income included sponsorship deals, public appearances, and the like.

For someone so fresh to the business, Davidson’s earnings are astounding when compared to other performers in comparable parts or genres. For example, in 1998, when Joseph Fiennes was paid $250,000 for his part as Shakespeare in Shakespeare in Love, he would have made roughly $410,000 in 2022. Actor James Corden, who is most known for his role as Buster Jones in Cats, earned $9 million in 2019 between his talk show and other endeavours.

Davidson has a number of exciting ventures planned for his career in the near future. He will play the role of Mark Brewer, a young man drawn into a war between otherworldly forces, in the upcoming Netflix adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s comic book The Sandman. In addition, he will play the role of Lt. Herbert Nash, a bomber pilot, in the upcoming Apple TV+ series Masters of the Air, a World War II drama produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks. In the forthcoming miniseries Mary & George, he will also portray Robert Carr, King James I’s lover.

Conclusion

Laurie Davidson is a gifted and adaptable actor who has earned a fortune in roles as diverse as Shakespeare and Cats. He has shown versatility in roles ranging from musical fantasy to historical drama. In addition, he has shown his commitment and enthusiasm for acting by putting in countless hours of preparation and training for each of his parts. He’s on the up-and-up in the entertainment business, therefore his fame will only continue to rise.

You Can Also Read Here How to Watch Lightyear Online for Free: A Guide to Stream the Pixar Movie on Disney+