The Blacklist’s James Spader Has A Photographic Memory

Fact: James Spader is blessed with a photographic memory or total recall. While other cast members struggle to learn their lines, Spader calls up the script and ‘reads’ it in his mind.

James Spader claims to have an eidetic memory (photographic memory), the ease of being able to totally recall everything you have just learned. Spader is able to quickly glance at the pages of script and completely have every page memorized. While this serves uniquely well in time, and the anxiety of recalling and acting those lines out, one thing still troubles him like all actors. Some words simply fall too close to one another on a page, and for that can create mistakes in shooting scenes. Some of the words that can really get to him are ‘it’ and ‘is’ when they are close together.

Just about every facet of Spader is eccentrically unique. For instance, he refuses to work unless he needs the money. He prefers reading, traveling and spending time with family and friends. In fact, when his boys were young, Spader took summertime off. Spader’s usual M.O. is to lay out six months worth of expenses. If they pay, he plays (the part). With a net worth of $10 million, he can afford to be selective. Not shabby for a high school dropout.