10 Things You Didn’t Know About ‘A Beautiful Mind’

It’s crazy to think the Academy Award winning film, A Beautiful Mind is 15 years old. Following the story of brilliant American mathematician John Nash who battled mental illness, including paranoid schizophrenia, the film captivated audiences and made math kind of exciting, even for those who have a little trouble with calculations. While it was an award season darling back in 2002, there are some pretty cool behind-the-scenes facts you probably didn’t know!

1. Equations written by the real life John Nash were seen on the classroom chalkboards.

2. To help Russell Crowe develop a manner of behavior that was consistent and believable, the film was shot in sequence.

3. In the scene where John Nash contemplates drinking tea, is based on the moment when Russell Crowe met the real John Nash. Fifteen minutes were spent deciding between tea or coffee.

4. Even though he was shown smoking in the film, John Nash was a strict anti-smoker.

5. The scene where Nash is being dragged down the hall features one of his sons who plays the orderly on the right.

6. Speaking of casting surprises, Salma Hayek was originally considered for the part of Alicia Larde because Alicia Nash was from El Salvador.

7. Fake snow is used in some scenes. Although it was cold enough, it wouldn’t accumulate.

8. There was a love scene with Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly, but was cut from the film.

9. The scene at Harvard was really filmed at Manhattan College.

10. Premiere named the film as one of “The 20 Most Overrated Movies Of All Time.”