Nicolas Cage has revisited his chaotic 1990 interview with broadcaster Terry Wogan, where he performed somersaults, threw money, and appeared shirtless on air while promoting Palme d’Or-winning film Wild at Heart, revealing the method acting mindset behind his unforgettable antics.
Nicolas Cage has recently revisited his infamous 1990 interview with the late broadcaster Terry Wogan, which has become a memorable moment in television history. During this surreal appearance on Wogan’s BBC chat show, Cage not only performed a somersault onto the stage but also threw money into the audience and removed his T-shirt, all in the name of promoting his film, Wild at Heart, which had achieved critical acclaim after winning the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival that same year.
In an interview with The Guardian, Cage candidly reflected on the experience, acknowledging the wildness of his behaviour as both “obnoxious and somewhat wild.” He noted that his antics were not entirely out of character, considering he was promoting a film where he played Sailor, a character navigating tumultuous love and peril. “I guess it’s no secret that I was promoting a movie called Wild at Heart, so I was sort of play acting to that,” Cage remarked, highlighting his method acting approach that often sees him immersing himself deeply into his roles. This distinctive style, underscored by a desire to captivate the audience, occasionally veered into the unpredictable, as showcased by this memorable interview.
Interestingly, Cage has since speculated about Wogan’s reaction to his exuberance. He recalled feeling that Wogan, known for his composure throughout a prolific career in broadcasting, might not have been entirely amused at the time. “I don’t think Mr Wogan was too amused,” Cage said in a 2016 interview with Empire. However, he suggested that Wogan may have come to appreciate the spectacle in hindsight, particularly as his extensive career continued to receive acclaim.
Wogan, who passed away in 2016, had a lengthy and illustrious career that spanned more than five decades, marked by his distinctive interviewing style across various programmes, including Children in Need and Eurovision. He was knighted in 2005 for his significant contributions to broadcasting. Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding Cage’s interview, Wogan rarely commented on the incident, perhaps preferring to maintain a level of professionalism amidst the chaos.
Cage’s choice to appear shirtless beneath a leather jacket has since become emblematic of that peculiar night, stemming from a childhood memory of seeing a man in a similar outfit. “I thought, ‘I’m going to create that look again.’ It was incredibly absurd and irreverent,” he reflected, acknowledging the spontaneity that characterised his appearance. This unconventional style and exuberance often ignited discussions about the pressures of celebrity culture and the lengths actors might go to engage audiences during press promotional activities.
As Cage continues to navigate his acting career with the same fervour, his 1990 interview on Wogan’s show remains a testament to a time when such uninhibited expressions were often celebrated in the cruelly competitive world of cinema. The legacy of his antics, served with a dose of madness, showcases not only Cage’s breaking of traditional promotional boundaries but also Wogan’s ability to navigate unique moments on air, shouldering the unpredictability that guests like Cage sometimes brought with them.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/nicolas-cage-terry-wogan-interview-b2747953.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.bbc.com/videos/cpww5v755qjo – In this 1990 BBC video, Nicolas Cage makes a dramatic entrance on the ‘Wogan’ chat show, performing a somersault onto the stage. He discusses his acting career, childhood experiences, and the reason behind changing his surname from Coppola. The interview showcases Cage’s energetic and unconventional style, reflecting his unique approach to promoting his film ‘Wild at Heart’.
- https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/may/09/nicolas-cage-recalls-obnoxious-interview-with-terry-wogan – Nicolas Cage reflects on his 1990 interview with Terry Wogan, describing his behavior as ‘obnoxious and somewhat wild’. He attributes his antics to promoting ‘Wild at Heart’ and mentions that Wogan was a ‘very nice man’. Cage also discusses his character in the film and his approach to the role, highlighting his method acting style.
- https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/nicolas-cage-dog-eat-dog-cockroach-terry-wogan/ – In this Empire article, Nicolas Cage discusses his 1990 appearance on the ‘Wogan’ show, describing it as a spontaneous and playful performance to match the energy of the audience. He reflects on his method acting approach and mentions that Wogan was not amused at the time but later appreciated the performance.
- https://www.thethings.com/nicolas-cages-behavior-during-1990-wogan-interview-weirdest-thing-he-has-ever-done/ – This article details Nicolas Cage’s unconventional behavior during his 1990 interview on the ‘Wogan’ show, including performing a somersault, throwing money into the audience, and removing his T-shirt. Cage explains his actions as a way to release pent-up energy and discusses his approach to the interview and his film ‘Wild at Heart’.
- https://www.theindianexpress.com/article/trending/trending-globally/nicolas-cages-interview-to-bbc-from-1990-8111440/ – The Indian Express highlights Nicolas Cage’s energetic 1990 interview on the ‘Wogan’ show, where he performed a somersault, threw cash into the audience, and engaged in a humorous conversation with Terry Wogan. The article provides insights into Cage’s personality and his promotion of ‘Wild at Heart’.
- https://www.shortlist.com/news/nicolas-cage-mad-interview – Shortlist revisits Nicolas Cage’s infamous 1990 interview on the ‘Wogan’ show, where he performed a somersault, threw cards into the audience, and executed karate kicks. The article humorously describes the scene and reflects on Cage’s eccentric behavior during the interview.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative refers to a 1990 interview and quotes Cage reflecting in later interviews up to 2016, including references to Terry Wogan’s death in 2016, indicating the content draws on both historical and retrospective sources. There is no indication the story is recycled press release content, but it revisits an old event with fresh reflection, which is typical for retrospective interviews.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Quotes attributed to Nicolas Cage are consistent with known interviews cited from credible outlets like The Guardian and Empire magazine, with original references dating as early as 2016. The Wogan death date (2016) is correctly noted, and Cage’s quotes about Wogan’s reaction are accurate to that time frame, indicating proper sourcing of quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable UK news outlet known for reliable journalism. Additional quotes come from established media such as The Guardian and Empire. These outlets carry editorial standards which support content reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The story concerns widely documented facts about Nicolas Cage’s eccentric 1990 Wogan interview and his reflections since then. There are no extraordinary claims or time-sensitive developments requiring verification. The account aligns with publicly known facts and Cage’s established personality, making it highly plausible.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative accurately recounts a notable historical television moment, supported by verifiable quotes and reputable media references. It appropriately contextualises the time-sensitive elements, including Wogan’s death year, and provides no materially outdated or recycled press release content. Given the reputable origin and consistency with known facts, the account’s reliability and plausibility are strong.
