For Carlos Diehz, making his feature film debut in Conclave was an unexpected yet deeply fulfilling journey. Portraying Cardinal Benitez in the Academy Award-nominated film, Diehz brings a sense of wisdom and quiet strength to his character. However, before stepping into the world of acting, he had an entirely different career as an architect.
“My wife and I became empty nesters,” Diehz shares in an interview on Actors With Issues. “So I thought about doing something interesting, learning something new and I always had an itch for acting since I was in high school. So I decided to take it more seriously and give it a go. And here I am.”
Growing up, Diehz was drawn to powerful, naturalistic performances that left a lasting impression on him and came to mind for his performance as the cardinal. “Jesus of Nazareth by Franco Zeffirelli and this English actor, Robert Powell was very impactful for me,” he recalls of the 1977 television series adaptation of the Biblical tale. And of course acting giants like Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons and Daniel Day-Lewis came to mind as inspirations through their often quiet but powerful performances.
The Power of Stillness
One of the most striking moments in Conclave features Cardinal Benitez delivering a measured yet powerful monologue amid heated debates among the cardinals. In a room filled with accomplished actors, including John Lithgow, Stanley Tucci, and Ralph Fiennes, Diehz had to hold his own in a pivotal scene, spoken mostly in Spanish, the character’s native language.
Diehz describes his approach to embodying Cardinal Benitez as one rooted in logic and composure. “He’s this mix of a saint and a leader, a manager and a missionary. So in the middle of all this mess, he decides to be an adult, to be the voice of reason. And reason does not shout. Reason does not nag or chastise someone. It explains the reasons, but from a place of love.”
To ensure he got the performance just right, Diehz turned to co-star John Lithgow for guidance. “The night before, we rehearsed the scene in his apartment to be able to convey this calmness and to not be overwhelmed by the excitement or the anxiety in front of the people. Just focus on delivering a proper message. And these beautiful words that [screenwriter] Peter Straughan wrote in the script… so the audience would receive them in this very positive, impactful way.”
Lessons from Conclave
Reflecting on the experience of working on Conclave, Diehz emphasizes that the biggest reward has been the camaraderie and generosity of his fellow actors.
“All these accolades and the acknowledgment that comes after that is a plus,” he says. “But being with these people, to share the stage with them, and letting myself be open to their generosity—that was the biggest takeaway. We are on the same team, and regardless of their experience or their fame or whatever, they were willing to help a fellow actor.”
Having made the leap into acting later in life, Diehz acknowledges that self-doubt has been one of his biggest challenges. “I think self-doubt is the biggest thing that you have to overcome when you are so self-aware,” he explains. “When you look at yourself on the screen, you miss the point of what you are saying because you’re focused on how I look—my nose or my ears or whatever. Get over yourself and trust the process.”
His advice to actors, especially those starting out, is to believe in themselves and embrace life experiences, even if they don’t have decades of personal hardships to draw from. “As a young person, you may not have been through a divorce or difficult things in your life, but you can observe life,” he advises. “Be attentive to what happens in your life, how people react to things, and everything, so you can draw from those experiences from other people to enrich your performance.”
Living in the Moment
While filming Conclave in Rome, Diehz found himself drawn to the beauty of the city and the importance of truly experiencing the moment. “I would walk through the ruins and sometimes go and see a building, a church, or something, take a picture, and walk away,” he recalls. “And then I realized, ‘When am I going to be here again?’ This is my first time in my lifetime. I always wanted to see this place, so I’m going to take a picture to remind me how I felt when I was in this place.”
He shifted his perspective, choosing to linger, absorb, and truly appreciate his surroundings. “So then be there, enjoy, take it all in, observe, contemplate the site, contemplate myself in there, take a picture just to remember how it was. But the picture is not all. So I would spend looking at a building, maybe thirty minutes, one hour, instead of walking away. The idea of letting it in—not just relying on the phone for memory, but creating a richer memory.”
Words of Wisdom
In closing, when asked to share advice for aspiring actors in 10 words or less, Diehz keeps it simple: “Keep at it. Keep building your skills,” he says.
“Nowadays, if we need something on our phone, we just download it. So, if you need a new skill in yourself, well, install that skill. Go and acquire it and live,” he says. “So when they say, ‘Live life to the fullest,’ it doesn’t mean to go do all the stupid things you have in mind. No. Just enjoy every single little thing you do.”
As Conclave continues to receive praise and recognition, including a recent SAG Award and Critics Choice Award for Acting Ensemble in a Motion Picture, Carlos Diehz’s second-act journey serves as an inspiring reminder that it’s never too late to pursue one’s passion and that trusting the process is key to success.
Watch our full conversation with Carlos Diehz above, and catch Conclave in theatres, or stream on Peacock.
