At 82 years old, Tom Conti, a veteran of both stage and screen, has recently wowed a new generation of filmgoers with his performance in the blockbuster movie Oppenheimer. Conti played Albert Einstein, a Jewish scientist who fled Nazi Germany, in a pivotal role that resonated with audiences. Conti acknowledges the importance of remembering historical events such as the Kindertransport, which rescued nearly 10,000 Jewish children from Nazi-controlled territories and brought them to safety in Britain. He is preparing to host a special anniversary concert to commemorate this historic rescue effort and continue the fight against antisemitism.
During a conversation with Elsa Shamash, a remarkable 97-year-old woman who also escaped Hitler’s persecution, Conti was struck by the challenges and fears that individuals like Elsa faced during their escape. Elsa, who was born into a Jewish family in Germany in 1927, vividly remembers the terror of Kristallnacht and the day her father hid from the Gestapo. After a harrowing journey on the Kindertransport train to Britain in 1939, Elsa and her brother were eventually reunited with their parents who had escaped earlier. Despite the challenges she faced, Elsa went on to lead a fulfilling life, marrying and having children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Conti recalls the dedication and effort he put into portraying Einstein in Oppenheimer, including meticulously researching the physicist’s voice and appearance. He humorously describes the challenges of wearing Einstein’s iconic moustache and hairstyle during filming. While his portrayal in Oppenheimer may not lead to instant recognition by younger audiences, Conti still receives fan mail and even unconventional gifts like knickers from older female fans. He also reflects on his daughter Nina Conti’s successful career as a ventriloquist, acknowledging that she is now more famous than him.
Despite his long and successful acting career, including roles in films like Reuben, Reuben and Shirley Valentine, as well as more recent appearances in The Dark Knight Rises and Paddington 2, Conti still has acting dreams he hopes to achieve. He reminisces about appearing in Friends, a role that garnered him respect from his grandchildren. Conti expresses pride in his daughter’s success and hints at the possibility of doing a ventriloquist act with her. Born in Scotland to Italian parents, Conti attributes his success to hard work and dedication, emphasizing that actors never truly retire and there are always new challenges and experiences to pursue.
