Jason Bateman recently shared a pivotal moment from his early career, recounting a piece of advice he received from legendary actress Katharine Hepburn.

The "Arrested Development" star worked alongside Hepburn in the 1994 TV movie "This Can't Be Love," where he played her character's driver.

Bateman, speaking on Vulture's Good One podcast, detailed a specific scene that required his character to cry.

He admitted to struggling with the emotional demand, explaining, "I was really trying, I was really squeezing it." It was during this take that Hepburn intervened, offering a blunt critique that would prove to be invaluable.

"She stopped in the middle of the take and she said, 'Oh, stop acting,'" Bateman recalled.

Initially, he questioned if she meant professionally, but Hepburn clarified her intent.

"She said, 'No, just say it!

Stop trying to [cry]," she instructed, encouraging him to embrace a more natural and authentic performance rather than forcing the emotion.

Bateman acknowledged the immediate impact of Hepburn's guidance.

"Once I was being real and stopped trying to manipulate the audience and whatnot and be raw, it flowed, it worked," he stated.

He described the advice as "painful to hear at the beginning, but ended up being very helpful." This insight from a seasoned actress like Hepburn underscores the importance of authenticity in performance, a lesson that clearly resonated with Bateman.

"This Can't Be Love" featured Hepburn and Anthony Quinn as aging actors reconnecting after a past marriage, a storyline that mirrored aspects of Hepburn's own life.

The film was one of her final screen appearances before her retirement from acting in 1994.

Beyond discussing his experience with Hepburn, Jason Bateman also shared his opinions on contemporary acting talent.

He named Daniel Day-Lewis as the greatest living actor, stating, "It's real tough to touch him." He also praised Christian Bale, calling him "a beast" and expressing admiration for his work.

Additionally, Bateman highlighted Sam Rockwell, with whom he is currently working on the Netflix film "The Cackling of the Dodos," as one of his absolute favorites, describing the experience as a "humbling thrill."