Considered one of the greatest plays of the Twentieth Century, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman has played Melbourne, Sydney and is about to open in Perth. The charismatic and striking Josh Helman plays Biff.
The role of Biff Loman is an epic one, especially with this play being one of the greatest of the 20th century. Is it a bucket list role for you?
Josh Helman: I didn’t know it was on my bucket list until I started doing it. I knew it was an incredible play, but it had been years since I had read it so closely. It’s funny how you come back to things at certain points of your life and When I auditioned for Biff, I realised I hadn’t read anything before that resonated with me so deeply – and precisely in the moment. I love having a role to throw every single part of myself into to do it justice, and Biff is one of those characters. It’s such a beautiful role and the whole play is a masterclass of dramatics. There’s not a weak role within it. I’m going to look back on Biff and feel incredibly grateful to have played him.
Arthur Miller’s plays and many others from the era famously took on Stanislavski’s ‘method’ acting. Do you use that style?
I studied acting at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane and our technique was the Morris Method, created by Eric Morris. It’s a form of method acting, and I’ve discovered that as you get older and spend more time in the industry, you realise what works and what doesn’t. For me, some things about his technique work and others don’t but you figure out your own way. But I will say that I don’t know any other way to work. I don’t feel like a master craftsman and I’m probably quite hard on myself, but I’m not someone who can take any role and make it work with craft. I need to emotionally understand the human being I’m accessing, even if they’re a terrible character or making bad decisions. Method acting is natural for me now. I must understand as much as possible what the character is feeling and that’s certainly been the case with Biff. Right from the first reading, I felt he and I had so much overlap in terms of how we struggle with ourselves. I empathise with what Biff is going through and bring as much of the emotions I share to the party. I hope it feels truthful to people.
Josh Helman (Biff Loman) with Anthony LaPaglia (Willy Loman) and Ben O’Toole (Happy Loman)
You mentioned resonating with Biff and returning to certain points in your life. Is that a part of it?
Yes, I was overweight when I was younger and when I was eighteen, I lost around forty kilos. I lost it because I felt terrible about myself and thought no woman would ever want to be in a relationship with me. It’s such awful messaging we are given. Consequently, during my twenties, my relationship with my body was not very healthy. I’d think I wasn’t attractive unless I looked like a Men’s Health magazine cover model. It’s taken a long time for me to re-wire my brain and re-claim my body. I don’t think male body issues are something we talk about a lot, but it still affects me to this day. It’s part of the reason I would feel too self-conscious to get into Speedos. But I’ve reached a good point where I don’t judge myself if I’m not at a Chris Hemsworth level. I make a habit of moving my body every day and it’s as much mentally beneficial as it is physically.
“I called my gay brother in advance and asked if he had any problem if I played a gay role.”
You’re amidst an outstanding cast too, such as Anthony LaPaglia, Alison Whyte and Grant Piro.
I feel so blessed! They’re all incredible. When we were playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne it was such a joy to wander down the hall backstage and chat with those guys. Anthony is so fucking good as Willy and he’s in that perfect zone and I adore Ali White to the moon and back. She’s obscenely gifted and the sweetest woman and so encouraging.
You’ve had success in the US with movies such as Jack Reacher, Animal Kingdom, Mad Max: Fury Road and playing Bill Stryker in the X-Men films. Has there been a major pinch-yourself moment throughout all that?
Josh Helman. Photo credit: Brent Weber
I’ve been pinching myself since the beginning (laughing). You never have any idea of what the future will hold in this industry, but I will say that when I did Mad Max: Fury Road back in 2012, I thought if I never worked again, I would still be one of the luckiest actors alive because I got to be in such an iconic film. It’s very common for actors to have imposter syndrome which I have felt from time to time. I can’t believe I’ve been a part of not only great projects but to have worked with wonderfully talented people I admire.
How does it feel being a part of the new Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga?
Talking about pinch-myself moments, this was one being invited back to work on Furiosa by George Miller himself. I was twenty-four when I did Fury Road, spending six months playing an incredible role. I felt so creatively supported and encouraged by George. Having a vote of confidence from someone I hold in such high esteem is incredibly touching and I’m grateful.
Have you ever played a gay role?
I haven’t had the pleasure yet, but I did audition for a gay role not long ago. My brother is gay, and I called him in advance and asked if he had any problem if I played a gay role. I wanted to be respectful of his opinion and he was fine with it.
Josh Helman as Slit in Mad Max: Fury Road
Have you been out clubbing with your brother or gay mates?
Yeah! I have loads of queer and gay mates including one of my dearest friends Keith. I’ve known him since we worked on The Pacific and he’s a beautiful gay man. I spent the last two New Year’s Eves in Sydney, and we went clubbing at Universal, Arc and Stonewall. I also lived in New York for a long time and there’s a club called The House of Yass in Brooklyn. It’s one of the best performance places I’ve ever been to. Every orientation, colour and creed is welcome there. One show was called Dirty Circus and it’s as wonderful as it sounds. You’d have to be a fool to think that straight clubs are more fun than gay clubs!
“You’d have to be a fool to think that straight clubs are more fun than gay clubs!”
Who’s your music diva?
I’m not sure I have a particular diva I feel connected to, but two particular songs always stay with me. I’m a huge sucker for Lady Gaga singing Shallow. Her vocals are insane! Then at the opposite end of the spectrum, Sinéad O’Connor on Nothing Compares 2 U. Holy shit, is that an amazing song! You feel the pain in it. I went through a break-up a couple of years ago and I played this a lot.
Josh Helman and Anthony LaPaglia in Death of a Salesman
Who’s your celebrity man crush?
Ryan Gosling. I find him very charming and he’s so God-damn handsome it’s ridiculous. He’s probably a popular choice, but he’s popular for a reason!
Are we talking ‘Ken’ Ryan Gosling or ‘Gangster Squad’ Ryan Gosling?
I like Ryan with a bit of facial hair. He’s like that in The Fall Guy and The Notebook, which is a specific Gosling era. He’s not as rough in The Nice Guys but there’s something charming in his goofy character.
Josh Helman as William Stryker in X-Men: Days of Future Past
Do you have a favourite quote?
“This too shall pass”. I think it’s often invoked to help us get through bad times, but I also think of it in terms of good times as well. For me, it’s a reminder that when things are good, enjoy and appreciate them because things will fuck up again. That’s the nature of existence.
Do you have a grooming tip?
I think straight men should get haircuts more often than they think they should. It’s advice I wish I had when I was younger because it never looked that sharp. I have a great barber and I enjoy looking in the mirror afterwards and feeling that I’ve made an effort. I also think it’s important to wear sunscreen. My good friend Vivien in New York is obsessed with it and made me the same.
“I spent the last two New Year’s Eves in Sydney clubbing at Universal, Arc and Stonewall.”
What’s been your biggest on-set or on-stage wardrobe malfunction?
I wish I’d had some Lenny Kravitz level of malfunction, but I haven’t really had one – which means there’s probably one waiting around the corner. During rehearsals for The Death of a Salesman, I knelt into a squat in my high-waisted pants and tore the crouch out. The costume is quite high-waisted, and I knelt into a squat and tore it up. They had to be ferried across to Costume and rapidly repaired before the show’s opening. Thankfully it wasn’t on stage! It would be so much better if it happened on stage, right? (Laughing)
Josh Helman (Biff Loman) with Anthony LaPaglia (Willy Loman) Alison Whyte (ALISON WHYTE (Linda Loman) and Ben O’Toole (Happy Loman) in Death of a Salesman
At the beach are you Boardies or Speedos?
I’m a boardies man. I have so much respect for anyone who can pull off Speedos, but I’m not that confident yet.
When it comes to underwear is it briefs, boxer briefs or commando?
It’s not commando unless something tragic has gone wrong with laundry day. A couple of ex-girlfriends have told me I have thick rugby player thighs, and I like the longer boxer briefs because there’s no rubbing!
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