Endorsed is our ongoing series in which we ask our favourite people to tell us about their favourite people. Whether established icons or nascent talent, these are the influences behind the influencers, the inspirations behind the inspired.

Nicholas Hamilton on Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Undeterred by this year’s events, Australian actor and HERO Summer Zine cover star Nicholas Hamilton has made the most of lockdown by pushing his interest in music. In addition to starring in Scott Speer’s fantasy teen romance Endless, the 20 year-old New South Wales native is looking forward to releasing his first single in the New Year. Having already hinted at the idea back in HERO 19, Hamilton has taken advantage of the movie industry’s enforced hiatus to walk the walk and follow his musical aspirations.

Back in more familiar territory though, Hamilton is talking to us about films, specifically, the one’s he likes to revisit at this time of year. Taking the top spot is Ron Howard’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), starring Jim Carey as the titular green miser. The facial gymnastics demanded by Seuss’ creation made Carey the ideal candidate, though the role was far from accommodating. The daily, three hour ordeal to apply make up and prosthetics to Carey’s face was said to have had such a claustrophobic effect on the actor that he sought counselling from a CIA agent who taught him torture-resistance techniques.

Below, Hamilton explains what makes the film one his Christmas go-to’s:

“I love a Christmas movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. When The Grinch is arguing with his own echo and he tries to trick it by saying “I’m an idiot” his echo replies “you’re an idiot”. Great bit, that. Also ‘You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch’ is one of my favourite songs of all time, let alone Christmas songs.”

Watch a scene from the film below: