For more than a half century, actor Malcolm McDowell has starred in everything from London plays to movies, and more recently TV series like “Entourage” and “Mozart in the Jungle.” One of his most iconic roles is as the psychopathic antihero Alex DeLarge in the classic Stanley Kubrick movie “A Clockwork Orange.” On Saturday, he's being honored with the Ojai Film Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award.
The longtime Ventura County resident admits as a young boy growing up in Liverpool, he was initially a reluctant actor. He was more interested in sports. He’s still a big fan of the Liverpool Premiere League Football team. But McDowell says he soon discovered that he enjoyed being on stage.
While the 1971 film “Clockwork Orange” is how he became known around the world, he says it was a film before that which opened the door to his career. It was a British hit film called “If.” McDowell says director Stanley Kubrick saw that film, which led to him being cast in “A Clockwork Orange” without even auditioning.
McDowell is known for playing tough, ruthless characters, but he says he’s been lucky to play a wide range of roles during his career. His latest movie which is currently in production is “Fair And Balanced,” which looks at the mistreatment of women who worked for Fox News. McDowell plays media baron Rupert Murdoch, and co-stars with Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie, and John Lithgow.
The actor says he loves his craft, but with kids in school in Ventura County, he sticks with roles which allow him to spend time with family.
On Saturday night, McDowell with be honored with the Ojai Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The 7 p.m. event at the Ojai Art Center Theater will include a screening of the movie “Oh Lucky Man” and a question and answer session with McDowell following the film.
