LOS ANGELES, Nov 18 — Ever wondered how accurate an actor’s accent is when they pick roles that requires a different accent or nationality?

Dialect coach Erik Singer analyses the accents of some of Hollywood’s biggest names in this video by WIRED.

Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars went under the microscope as Singer picks apart their accents, from Brad Pitt’s Southern accent in Inglourious Basterds, as well as his accent in several other movies; Will Smith playing a Nigerian-American in Concussion; and comparing actresses Kate Winslet’s and Meryl Streep’s Polish accents in Business Insider and Sophie’s Choice respectively.

Dialect coach Erik Singer (right) praised Philip Seymour Hoffman accent and mannerisms in his portrayal of Truman Capote in ‘Capote’. — Pictures via YouTube/WIRED
Dialect coach Erik Singer (right) praised Philip Seymour Hoffman accent and mannerisms in his portrayal of Truman Capote in ‘Capote’. — Pictures via YouTube/WIRED

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Philip Seymour Hoffman garnered high praise from Singer for his performance as Truman Capote in Capote, saying Hoffman’s performance was “just amazing in very way” and his accent was “dead-on perfect”.

However, Tom Cruise and Nicolas Cage did not fare as well. Cruise’s Irish accent in Far and Away “was all over the place,” Singer said, saying the actor may not have had enough time to prepare.

Cage, on the other hand, couldn’t quite get a Southern accent right in Con Air.

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Find out what Singer has to say on other big stars like Idris Elba (featured twice!), Cate Blanchett, Angelina Jolie, Mel Gibson, Renee Zellweger, Matt Damon, Don Cheadle and many more. 

Singer (right) analyses Mel Gibson’s Scottish accent in ‘Braveheart’.
Singer (right) analyses Mel Gibson’s Scottish accent in ‘Braveheart’.