Dan Richter on Playing the Ape in ‘2001’, Life With John and Yoko
Source: New York Magazine (Original Article)
So, how did you get the part of Moonwatcher?
Stanley had shot most of the picture already. They were trying to figure out how to do the opening scenes. They had done tests on dancers, actors — even comedians. He and Arthur C. Clarke were talking about it, and they said, “You know, we haven’t talked to a mime.” It so happened I was teaching private classes in mime in London at the time. Anyway, I was asked if I would go out and let Stanley pick my brain. I said, “If you give me twenty minutes, a stage, leotards, and some towels, I can show you how to do it.” So he hired me to choreograph it, and eventually talked me into playing the part of Moonwatcher as well. I always thought of myself as a choreographer on that film. But I saw it again the Instant Approval Credit Cards other day, and I realized I starred in the thing!