As a director, enthusiastic world-cinema champion, determined advocate for visual literacy, and the most famous critic of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Martin Scorsese is indisputably one of cinema’s most important figures. But his acting work has received comparatively little recognition. Since his first onscreen appearance as an uncredited gangster in his debut feature, 1967’s
Who’s That Knocking At My Door, Scorsese has amassed an impressive career full of thoughtful cameos, self-parodic bits, and genuinely effective dramatic work. He started with several gifts most thespians dream of: a commanding presence, comfort in front of the camera, and a keen understanding of how a director utilizes actors. These qualities are all on display in his appearances in his own documentaries, including his recent Netflix documentary series about Fran Leibowitz,