If you have a fear of public speaking, you are not alone. This is a fear shared by millions of people, including plenty of famous actors. People often assume that because actors make their career in the spotlight that they must be experts in public speaking. The truth is there are plenty of famous actors who find public speaking to be terrifying. These are just a few of the actors who have admitted their fear of speaking in public.
Bruce Willis
Bruce Willis reached fame in the 1980’s and has retained a career as a Hollywood leading man, starring in some of the greatest action movies. He admitted that he struggled with stuttering problems throughout his youth and he feared it would hinder his acting career. Fortunately, he found a way to successfully overcome his fear.
Julia Roberts
This hugely popular leading lady struggled with stuttering as a child and young adult and used acting as a way to overcome her phobia of public speaking. Luckily, her hard work paid off and Julia Roberts has had an extremely successful career earning one of the top-earning spots for several years in a row and becoming one of the highest paid actresses in the world. Despite her fear of stuttering, she has won an Academy Award and now speaks fluidly in front of a crowd.
Samuel L. Jackson
This well-known actor is an Academy Award winner and has starred in many fantastic films, including Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, which launched him to success. As a child, he was afflicted with a debilitating stutter he began acting only because it was something that was encouraged by his speech therapist. The advice paid off because not only did he overcome his stutter, but he has gone on to become one of the most famous and successful actors of his time.
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford has appeared in countless movies and has even received the Life Achievement Award of the American Film Festival. Even so, he is terrified to give a speech in front of a group of people. He experiences fear and anxiety when asked to speak publicly and has admitted to the fear throughout his career.
Katherine Heigl
Fear of public speaking can happen to anyone, including seasoned actresses like Katherine Heigl. She has acknowledged her fear of public speaking and has even been noticeably nervous during speeches. Nonetheless, she focuses on courage and faith to get her through. In addition, she always makes it a point to practice and prepare.
While plenty of famous actors and actresses admit to being afraid to speak in public, they rely on practice, preparation, breathing techniques, and authenticity to pull them through. While it is common to be nervous when speaking in front of a crowd, it doesn’t have to prevent you from achieving your goals!