Alfred Molina remembers how his dad saved cutouts from magazines featuring him

Parents often believe their decisions are always in their children's best interest, but that's not always true. Actor Alfred Molina became emotional while discussing his father in an interview with Vanity Fair. The "Spider-Man 2" actor shared that his father was disappointed with his choice of acting over a higher-paying job. Molina turned down a managerial position at a restaurant that paid £30 to £35 ($38-44) a week to pursue acting for just £15 ($19) a week.

His father couldn't understand why Molina would choose a low-paying job. Having worked as a waiter at the same place and excelling at it, his father saw Molina's decision as "mad and lost." "The only thing I could say to him was, 'This is what I love, Dad.' He never quite got it. I did disappoint my dad. Yeah. If my dad had lived a little longer, he'd hopefully have realized I hadn't wasted my time," Molina shared.

Molina revealed that he never discussed work with his dad, who disapproved of his career choice. He felt his father ignored his acting career. However, when his dad passed away in 1999, Molina discovered a box of clippings from magazines and newspapers that featured him. It was an emotional moment, realizing his dad had been quietly following his progress and cheering him on.

Sadly, Molina's father passed away before he achieved mainstream success. "My stepmom said, 'Do you want any of this?' I couldn't handle it. I said no," the "Indiana Jones" actor stated. "I've always tried with my kids… All you can do is tell them how brilliant you are. That's all you need to do," Molina added. Though he had a cordial relationship with his dad, he was much closer to his mom after his parents' divorce. Molina regretted not improving his relationship with his father, whom he deeply respected for his hardworking nature.

Molina found a father figure in his English master, Martyn Corbett, who directed the school drama club. Corbett was the only adult who understood Molina's passion for acting. He became Molina's mentor, writing a convincing letter that helped him get a second chance after being rejected from drama school. Molina's career later soared, earning Tony and BAFTA nominations. His role as Doctor Octopus in "Spider-Man 2" and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" brought him significant fame.