18 Years Ago: World’s Top Actress Forgets Her Lines in Epic Stage Blunder!

Viola Davis recently shared a surprising and amusing anecdote involving Meryl Streep on the podcast Good Hang with Amy Poehler (via ComingSoon). During the chat, she recalled a simultaneously tense, awkward, and ultimately hilarious moment that occurred on the set of their film, Doubt.

The incident happened when the two Oscar-winning actresses were sharing a particularly intense scene. Davis explained that the shooting suddenly came to a halt because someone had forgotten their lines – and she didn’t immediately realize who it was. “At first, I’m looking at her, nothing. She says nothing, I say nothing,” Viola Davis stated. Then it dawned on her: “Meryl Streep simply forgot her lines!” Despite multiple attempts, the scene had to be restarted several times, as the problem persisted.

While Viola Davis acknowledges that the situation became frustrating, she admits to initially keeping her cool. However, after a prolonged silence, she finally expressed her irritation. True to her legendary composure, Meryl Streep downplayed the incident by simply responding: “Well, why didn’t you say something sooner?“

Listen to her share the anecdote below:

Released in 2008, Doubt featured a star-studded cast, including Amy Adams and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman. The film received five Oscar nominations, and the performances by Davis and Streep were highly praised. Despite limited screen time, Viola Davis left a lasting impression: present in just one major scene, her portrayal remains etched in the memories of viewers.

A Lasting Friendship Between the Actresses

Over the years, the two actresses have developed a strong friendship. At the 2017 Golden Globes (via EW), Viola Davis paid a heartfelt tribute to her colleague. She said: “You make me proud to be an artist. You make me feel that what I have within me – my body, my face, my age – is enough. You embody this beautiful quote by Émile Zola perfectly: if you asked me, as an artist, why I came into this world, I would respond: ‘I came to live out loud.’“

The performances of the two actresses in Doubt are currently available for streaming on Netflix and Paramount+.

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