Billy Zane is still haunted by his role as Carl almost three decades later.
Speaking to The Express, the now-56-year-old actor says he feels his casting as Carl was a “double-edged” sword – to this day, he says, he feels he’s typecast as a villain in Hollywood and strangers often shout at him in the street.
“There are those who know you’re an actor and enjoy the performance, and those who quite simply think I’m a natural b—–d,” he told the publication.
”But I’m a sheep in wolf’s clothing. Titanic was a double-edged sword.
“It expanded my sphere of influence and awareness; it’s quite an international calling card. But it’s like wearing a pair of golden handcuffs.
”To quote Ian Fleming: This is a mink-lined cell. Do I wish I was playing more white hat-hero roles? All the time. I’m actually making that happen by developing my own material.”
Shortly after starring in Titanic, Zane was cast as Marc Antony in the 1999 Cleopatra miniseries. He also notably voiced the role of Ansem in the video game Kingdom Hearts in 2002.
He’s continued to star in films over the decades, and has also had appearances in TV shows like Charmed, Guilt, The Boys, Deception and Curfew.