NEED TO KNOW
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Esai Morales feared his career was over after watching an early cut of the 1987 biopic La Bamba
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The actor said his frizzy hair made him feel self-conscious during his first viewing
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Morales later realized his character’s imperfect appearance and cracking voice made the performance feel more real
Esai Morales is reflecting on his initial impressions of watching 1987 biopic La Bamba — admitting he was embarrassed by the film at first.
Morales, 64, portrayed Roberto “Bob” Morales, the rebellious, older half-brother of rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Ritchie Valens (portrayed by Lou Diamond Phillips) in the film.
The film charted the life and career of Valens, following him from his farm-working roots to chart-topping fame before culminating in tragedy when the rock and roll star died in an infamous plane crash.
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‘La Bamba’ featuring Lou Diamond Phillips (left) and Esai Morales
Credit: Moviestore/Shutterstock
Speaking in a new episode of Taboo’s Comics & Kicks, Morales said, “When I first saw La Bamba, they gave me like a VHS copy that I brought home, like a rough cut. And I tell you, I thought my career was over.”
He went on to explain that he was embarrassed with the way his hair looked in the film, noting it was made, “in the days before anti-humectants,” which ensure hair looks smooth and not frizzy.
“And I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m done, dude.’ I think I was crying. I was like, ‘I messed up, man.’ You know, it takes me about three times to watch myself, to get over myself, and go, ‘You know what? They’re looking at everything else, not just you. You’re looking at just you,’ ” Morales explained.
He continued: “And I finally calmed down and like, you know, okay, I guess not enough people noticed. And you know what people told me later? ‘The hair — kind of that it wasn’t perfect — made you human, made it real.’ “
Morales said he was also initially upset by a pivotal moment in the film where his character screams “Richie,” and his voice noticeably breaks.
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“And then at the end … when I scream ‘Richie’ my voice cracks at the end,” Morales said. “And I’m like, ‘Oh no,’ I’m like, ‘Why’d they leave that in?’ And then I realize, that’s where the pain is.”
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