Complex sentence: Clifton's exposure to the works of William Shakespeare at the age of nine instilled an interest in theater, and acting lessens from a friend of the family set him on a course to pursue a career in film at the age of sixteen.
Split into simpler sentences: Clifton's exposure to the works of William Shakespeare at the age of nine instilled an interest in theater. Acting lessens from a family friend set him on a course to pursue a career in film at the age of sixteen.