The one “degrading” thing Joe Pesci always hated about being an actor

Joe Pesci said the part of acting he found most demoralising was the casting process, which he described as “degrading”. His experience helps explain why he initially rejected a role in Raging Bull, despite Robert De Niro personally urging him to take it.

By 1979, Pesci had stepped away from show business and was working at a restaurant in the Bronx after years of career setbacks. He agreed to play Joey LaMotta only after screenwriter Paul Schrader expanded the character, giving Pesci a role he felt could demonstrate his ability. The performance helped restart his career, leading to later work with director Martin Scorsese and De Niro, including Goodfellas in 1990.