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British acting legend Ray Winstone joins the hosts to discuss his remarkable career, his working-class upbringing in London, and his role in the Netflix series The Gentleman. Winstone opens up about his days as a champion schoolboy boxer, how a high school crush accidentally led him into acting, and what it was like working with iconic directors like Martin Scorsese and Jonathan Glazer. He shares colorful stories from film sets and airplane altercations, reflecting on how giving up alcohol and quitting smoking changed his life later in life.
Hosts open the show and run a series of product advertisements before diving into the main conversation.
The hosts announce and welcome actor Ray Winstone, setting the stage for an in‑depth interview.
Winstone discusses his upbringing, family background, and early influences that shaped his career.
Winstone explains how his boxing experience informed his acting style and helped him break into film.
Winstone talks about his current work in Malta, his family, and how life abroad affects his career.
The conversation turns to the movies that inspired Winstone and his most memorable performances, including Sexy Beast and The Gentleman.
Winstone shares his battle with shingles, his decision to quit drinking, and the impact on his health and fitness.
Winstone reflects on his natural acting approach, the importance of authenticity, and how he navigates the industry without formal training.
The hosts wrap up the episode, thank Ray, and provide final thoughts and sign‑offs before the show ends.
The hosts open the episode and promote BetterHelp, a therapy service, before diving into the main conversation.
Ray explains the film’s production challenges, including casting decisions, Ben’s absence, and the unique rhythm of on‑screen dialogue.
Ray reflects on how "Sexy Beast" revitalized his career, leading to collaborations with Martin Scorsese and a renewed sense of purpose.
Childhood boxing champion backgrounddata
The guest reveals he won a significant number of his boxing matches as a youth and was a London schoolboy welterweight champion on three occasions.
Airplane fight and arreststory
The guest recounts a wild flight where he and his friends intervened in a drunk passenger brawl, only to be arrested upon landing in New York.
Acting started for a girlstory
The guest explains that he originally joined his school play at age fourteen simply because he fancied a girl in the cast.
Sexy Beast as a love storyinsight
The guest argues that the acclaimed film Sexy Beast is fundamentally a love story rather than a traditional gangster movie.
Breaking rules to createinsight
The guest describes how receiving a zero in a drama exam for changing a Shakespearean interpretation taught him the value of breaking rules to invent something original.
Education through reading scriptsstory
The guest shares that he could barely read at age eleven, but the demanding process of reading scripts ultimately educated him.
Witty clash with Martin Scorsesestory
The guest shares a humorous anecdote about telling Martin Scorsese he would see him at the reshoots after the director joked that he was finally understanding him.
“You get an instinct for where trouble's going to be and you know how to conduct yourself.”
“The Raging Bull is a boxing film and it's probably one of the greatest films you could ever go and watch.”
“I had the part of Don, and I said, "Do you know what? I wanna play Gary."”
“He's a genius. But how's he gonna be with actors?”
“I can read now, you know?”
“You know, when we all sit down, having a cigar, saying, "Did you see that wonderful play last week?"”
“I was up to play one of the policemen, you know? In it and I went to see him at the Dorchester.”
Ray Winstone is here, folks (until the airline sends him home immediately). The Shark in Spain, Zero for Imagination, and How-To Read: Screenplay Edition. Don't steal a turkey sandwich, or you'll repeat the story a dozen times on yet another all-new SmartLess.
13,241 words · 5 speakers
Speaker names marked are inferred from speaking time and the show’s known hosts — they are not voice-verified.
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