Wilmington native and ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ star, Judge Reinhold, has recently spoken out about what he believes to be a hindrance to his career in Hollywood. The 67-year-old actor, known for his roles in iconic films like ‘Fast Times at Ridgemont High’ and the ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ franchise, expressed his thoughts on a supposed ‘executive murder plot’ that he claims impacted his career trajectory.
In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Reinhold revealed that his leading role in the 1988 film ‘Vice Versa’ alongside Fred Savage faced challenges at the box office due to the influx of similar movies being released around the same time. He attributed part of this struggle to behind-the-scenes decisions made by former Columbia Pictures CEO, David Puttnam.
According to Reinhold, Puttnam’s focus on reducing the cost of lead actors while maximizing backend profits led to difficulties for projects like ‘Vice Versa.’ Despite initially believing in Puttnam’s vision, Reinhold felt the impact of the competitive landscape as other age-change films like ‘Like Father Like Son,’ ‘Big,’ and ’18 Again!’ flooded the market.
Reflecting on the challenges faced during the production of ‘Vice Versa,’ Reinhold highlighted the risk of being closely associated with similar films and the complexities of navigating a crowded genre space. Despite the setbacks, Reinhold remains determined to revive his role as Detective Billy Rosewood in Netflix’s upcoming ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’ film.
Aside from his Hollywood endeavors, Reinhold, who hails from Wilmington and attended Alexis I. du Pont High School, reminisced about his upbringing in the Westover Hills neighborhood. His journey from Delaware to Virginia at the age of 14 marked a pivotal transition in his life, eventually leading him to the heights of Hollywood stardom.
With his candid reflections on the challenges and triumphs of his career, Judge Reinhold continues to captivate audiences with his resilience and dedication to the craft of acting. As he prepares for his next on-screen venture, fans eagerly anticipate the return of this beloved Hollywood icon.
