Josh O'Connor got "kicked" out of being an altar boy for "smiling too much"
The Crown actor served as a young assistant to the priest at his local church when he was growing up but was relieved of his duties because it was deemed he wasn't taking them too seriously, which he suggested was an "early sign" of his future profession
25 October 2025
He told Vogue.co.uk: "I grew up Catholic and was an altar boy for a bit. Then I got kicked off for smiling too much.
"I'd like to think that you'd accept that I was smiling in the presence of the lord, but I think the reality was that I was p****** myself.
"I was in this ridiculous outfit, my brothers were watching me, I was waving at them and probably not being gracious enough in that moment. That was probably those early signs of theatricality."
The 35-year-old star recently had "the time of [his] life" starring opposite Emily Blunt on Steven Spielberg's next movie and he would be "thrilled" if he continues to retain the same passion for working as the legendary director.
He said of the movie: "I'm sworn to secrecy. All I can say is that it is finished. It was bliss. I got to work with one of the legends and I had the time of my life.
"He cares so much about his actors and the story. He's made so many movies and he's still an excited child.
"Even now, when he sees something that moves him, he's in tears. And then he'll see something he loves, and he's like a puppy.
"So, my lesson is, if I can be like that, I'll be thrilled. I feel very fortunate to have been in his orbit for a bit."
Josh also felt fortunate to be part of the cast of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
He said: "I had a great time. I shot Knives Out just before The Mastermind. I'd met Daniel [Craig] briefly before and loved him - we have a very funny dynamic together - and I've been a big fan of [director] Rian [Johnson] for a long time.
"It was a totally different kind of film for me. I'd never made anything of that size and budget in the studio system, but I really enjoyed it.
"Mila Kunis is a great laugh; Glenn Close is kind, warm, a great mentor and guide; Andrew Scott, who is already a friend of mine, is just hilarious.
"They were all terrific and it was just the perfect job for that summer. It also gave me the opportunity to be at home for a bit, too, which is important."
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