Helen Slater, who first portrayed Supergirl on the big screen in 1984, is reflecting on the invaluable acting lessons she received from co-stars Faye Dunaway and Peter O'Toole. At 18 years old during the filming of the original movie, Slater found herself working alongside seasoned Hollywood actors who helped shape her performance.
Dunaway, who played the sorceress Selena, advised Slater to be conscious of camera angles and her on-screen presence. "It is an image… film is image," Slater recalled Dunaway telling her, emphasizing the visual nature of cinema. O'Toole, who portrayed the mentor Zaltar, further refined Slater's acting abilities. He once asked her to perform a scene from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, directing her on how to convey emotion and poetry through subtle gestures, like holding a rose. Slater described this as a "masterclass of Shakespeare," which significantly deepened her understanding of the play's poetry.
Slater, now 62, noted that her youth and inexperience prevented her from being overly intimidated by the presence of such acclaimed actors. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from them, calling her memories of working with Dunaway and O'Toole "happy, happy memories."
Recently, Slater has also shared her support for the new Supergirl film, which stars Milly Alcock. She posted a selfie on Instagram from inside the TCL Theatre in Hollywood prior to a screening of the new movie. Slater was the first actress to bring Kara Zor-El to the silver screen, preceding Melissa Benoist's television portrayal and Sasha Calle's role in The Flash.
Beyond her acting career, Slater has pursued a PhD in mythological studies. She now uses this expertise to help actors and writers connect their contemporary work to ancient myths, believing that "nothing is ever really brand new" and that understanding mythological underpinnings can enrich creative projects.