‘I thought she had lost her mind’: English actor Dev Patel reveals how his mother kickstarted his acting career
He made his TV debut in British teen drama Skins, before landing a breakthrough role in Danny Boyles’ Slumdog Millionaire in 2008.
And on Wednesday, Dev Patel detailed how his success is all down to his mother, Anita.
Appearing on The Project via video link, Dev, 30, revealed his mum encouraged him to pursue acting after she found a casting call in the local paper.
‘I thought she had lost her mind’: On Wednesday, English actor Dev Patel revealed to The Project how his mother Anita kickstarted his acting career
‘There is a paper in the UK called Metro, she tore out this ad and I thought she had lost her mind,’ he said.
The award-winning actor said he was studying at the time, but now looking back at it he is thankful that his mother pushed him to follow his dreams.
‘I was doing exams, I was 16, but thank God she did, because you know, it has changed my life,’ he told host Gorgi Coghlan.
The beginning: Appearing on The Project via video link, Dev, 30, told Gorgi Coghlan (right) that his mum encouraged him to pursue acting after she found a casting call ad in the local paper on a train
The actor was on the show promoting his latest film, The Personal History Of David Copperfield, which will be released in Australian cinemas on July 16.
The film chronicles Copperfield’s life from youth into adulthood, examining his writing career and many friendships and relationships over the years.
Previously speaking about his role in the film, Dev said: ‘It’s a story of identity and owning your adversities, [director] Armando is incredible and he really pushed us with the comedy.’
Mum’s the word: ‘I was doing exams, I was 16, but thank God she did, because you know, it has changed my life,’ he said during his appearance on the Australian television show
‘I bring the awkwardness and the gangly very easily I’ve always felt like a bit of fish out of water,’ he said.
The film is based on the classic novel by Charles Dickens, which was serialised between 1849 and 1850.
Alongside Dev, who takes on the titular role, Hugh Laurie, Tilda Swinton and Peter Capaldi also feature in the film.
The Personal History Of David Copperfield is released in Australia on July 16.
Out soon: The Personal History Of David Copperfield is released in Australia on July 16