Maury wasn't acting

My second professional film acting job was playing a reporter in a sci-fi drama.  I had to ask the great Canadian actor, Maury Chaykin, a question.

When I did my take, Maury turned to me like I was slime and did something totally unexpected.  He repeated his line.  And the second time he said it, I totally reacted not as I'd planned to, as an actor, but as I had to, as a person.  He made me stop acting and start reacting.

It was a great lesson.

Maury Chaykin passed away yesterday at the age of 61.