Name the actor who starred as Mozart in the film, Amadeus.

In the celebrated 1984 film "Amadeus," the role of the prodigious and puerile Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was brought to life by American actor Tom Hulce. His energetic and unforgettable portrayal, complete with a now-famous high-pitched giggle, captured the film's depiction of the composer as a genius with a crude and childish demeanor. This performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Interestingly, he was nominated alongside his co-star, F. Murray Abraham, who played the envious rival composer Antonio Salieri. Abraham ultimately won the award but paid tribute to Hulce in his acceptance speech.

The casting for Mozart was a rigorous process, with director Miloš Forman looking at numerous actors, including big names like David Bowie and Mark Hamill, before choosing the lesser-known Hulce. Forman intentionally cast American actors for the lead roles to emphasize the feeling of the Mozarts being outsiders in the Viennese court. To prepare for the part, Hulce reportedly used the fiery tennis player John McEnroe as an inspiration for a character whose boorish behavior masked an incredible, divine talent. He also dedicated significant time to practicing the piano to make his on-screen performances believable.

While the film was a massive critical and box office success, winning eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, it is important to note that the screenplay is a fictionalized "fantasia" on the theme of Mozart and Salieri's lives. The intense rivalry depicted on screen is a dramatic invention, as the two composers had a more professional and less adversarial relationship in reality. Nevertheless, Hulce's vibrant performance remains a central element of the film's enduring popularity and its exploration of genius versus mediocrity.