Awards Chatter

In front of an audience at Chapman University, the breakout multi-hyphenate reflects on the breakup that blew up his personal and professional life, but after which he began to find success; his mixed-feelings about his early work on social media (COVID-era publicist for banana bread) and TV ('English Teacher' and 'I Love LA'); and what inspired him to write, direct and star in a film about a party promoter who stays too long at the party (which became a sensation at and the year's biggest sale out of Cannes — $17 million).

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In front of an audience at the Newport Beach Film Festival, the legendary playwright/screenwriter-turned-director reflects on the art of writing great opening and courtroom scenes, the challenges and frustrations of directing, and what it was like revisiting the topic of Facebook 16 years after 'The Social Network.'

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In front of an audience at Chapman University, the 25-year-old actress, who shot to the top of Hollywood's A-list after her $750,000 indie horror flick grossed more than $500 million, reflects on her path to the role of Nikki Freeman; the making of the film, including scenes that were shot but cut; how she is processing sudden fame; and details about what's next, including the role of Rogue in Marvel's reboot of 'X-Men.'

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The gifted Irish actor best known for 'Sherlock,' 'Fleabag,' 'Ripley' and 'All of Us Strangers' reflects on how a childhood lisp led him to acting; the impact on his career of his 2013 decision to publicly come out as gay; how he handled the sudden interest in him after playing the "hot priest" opposite Phoebe Waller-Bridge; and why he was so drawn to the story of 'Chariots of Fire' actor Ian Charleson that he signed on not only to play the man in 'Elsinore' but also to produce that film about the remarkable final chapter of Charleson's life.

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In front of an audience at Chapman University, the veteran character actor and activist for Latino representation in Hollywood reflects on how he discovered comedy and acting; the challenges of breaking into the biz as a Latino in the '90s, and how they led him to make six solo stage shows; and why it means so much to him to be a part of Christopher Nolan's non-traditionally-cast epic, for which his performance as Eumaeus has garnered him raves.

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In front of an audience at 1 Hotel Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival, the first Spanish actress to win an Oscar reflects on her path to acting and Pedro Almodóvar, building a career on both sides of the Atlantic, and how she crafted award-worthy performances in no fewer than three 2026 films.

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In front of an audience at Chapman University, the revered Emmy-nominated actress reflects on how a decade of unsuccessful auditions paved the way for her casting on 'Better Call Saul,' how she reacted to learning that Vince Gilligan had written 'Pluribus' for her, and why playing Carol Sturka on that hit Apple TV show is both the most challenging and rewarding job she has ever had.

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The consummate character actor reflects on how he landed and approached his star-making part of Ron Swanson on the comedy series 'Parks and Recreation,' why he relished playing a dramatic part on 'The Last of Us' en route to an Emmy, and how he tackled the two parts for which he's Emmy-nominated this year: a corrupt drunk who winds up as vice president and a former pro wrestler/recovering addict trying to reconnect with his daughter.

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One of the hottest young actresses in Hollywood, who at just 30 already has Tony and Emmy noms to her name, reflects on her Broadway breakthrough in 'Stereophonic,' the most Tony-nominated play ever; the challenges of playing Carolyn Bessette, one-half of a couple who lived and died in the public eye, in an FX limited series; and the oddness of suddenly, through playing Bessette, losing her anonymity, just like Bessette did.

the challenges of landing and playing her breakthrough role, as Carolyn Bessette; and

And her Emmy nom, for best actress in a limited or anthology series or movie, came just last month for FX’s Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, in which she played

how she came to be cast as Carolyn Bessette, and what challenged her most about the making of Love Story, which is itself nominated for the best limited or anthology series Emmy;

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The longtime actor, now experiencing newfound appreciation for his portrayal of Dr. Jack Abbot on TV's top drama, reflects on starting in the biz in his teens; his special relationship with TV creator John Wells, which spans 20 years and five projects (including 'ER,' 'Southland,' 'Animal Kingdom' and 'The Pitt'); and how he feels about calls for a 'Pitt'-spinoff about the titular hospital's night shift.

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The beloved actress/writer reflects on the huge influence of The Groundlings on her career, how being fired from 'Frasier' and taking a small part on 'Mad About You' paved the way for her being cast as Phoebe Buffay on 'Friends,' and why her post-'Friends' journey playing fictional actress Valerie Cherish has been "in some ways the highlight" of her career.

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In front of an audience at the Burbank International Film Festival, the legendary standup and late night host reflects on his ascent from sleeping in an alley near the Hollywood Improv to succeeding Johnny Carson at 'The Tonight Show,' his complicated relationships with David Letterman and Conan O'Brien, and how Donald Trump has changed late night shows.

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The hugely inventive young Japanese-born director and producer reflects on how he began his career making music videos and installations, and then transitioned to longer-form projects; his special friendship and collaboration with Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino, which includes 'Atlanta,' 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith,' 'Guava Island' and 'This Is America'; and why Katie Dippold recruited him to help her build the world of a comedy/horror show about a fictional New England island town — which is now nominated for 19 Emmys!

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The actor and rising star who plays Dr. Langdon on HBO Max's Emmy-winning drama series reflects on the years of personal and professional ups and downs that preceded him landing that role at 35; how his theater experience, real-life dynamic with Noah Wyle and battles with addiction have shaped his performance; and why he has returned to the stage even while shooting the TV show.

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The Emmy and Tony-nominated character actor reflects on his decades of struggle prior to landing 'Stranger Things,' and the toll that both anonymity and fame took on his mental health; why, for his first post-'Stranger Things' project, he was drawn to producing and starring in an HBO limited series that raises questions about present-day masculinity, for which he is now a double Emmy nominee; and what's next for him, including a reunion with his 'Stranger Things' costar Millie Bobby Brown.

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In front of an audience at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the master cinematographer best known for his collaborations with Oliver Stone (12), Martin Scorsese (7) and Quentin Tarantino (5) reflects on how problems with hearing may have heightened his sight; how he worked with different cameras and film stocks on 'JFK,' cranes on 'Casino,' top-light on 'Kill Bill,' digital and 3D on 'Hugo' and ultra-wide on 'The Hateful Eight'; and Jana Hojdová's new documentary about his life and work.

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The revered British writer on film — a critic, historian and author of more than 40 books, most famously one first published in 1975 under the title ‘A Biographical Dictionary of the Cinema’ and updated and reissued five times since as ‘The New Biographical Dictionary of Film’ — reflects on how a childhood stammer led to his fascination with words and desire to speak out; the happy accidents that led to his dictionary, and why there won’t be a seventh edition; and why he believes — and asserts in his latest book, out July 7 — that the proliferation of anti-heroes on screens big and small may have led to the presidency of Donald Trump.

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The second generation writer/director behind some of the most envelope-pushing and polarizing small and big screen projects of the last decade — among them 'Malcolm & Marie,' 'The Idol' and his HBO drama series that catapulted Zendaya, Jacob Elordi and Sydney Sweeney onto Hollywood's A-list — reflects on his own battle with addiction, "social media mobs" and the real-life tragedies that shaped his show's third and final season.

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The stunning and versatile actress reflects on how modeling led her to acting via a 1996 magazine cover; the challenge of finding multi-dimensional parts even as she rose to prominence in horror (two 'Final Destination' and three 'Resident Evil' films), comedy ('Legally Blonde') and superhero ('Heroes') projects; and why the part of Angela Norris opposite Billy Bob Thornton in Taylor Sheridan's dramedy series is a dream come true.

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In front of an audience at Chapman University, the former child actor-turned-multi-hyphenate reflects on his five years of work in front of and behind the camera on 'Ozark,' the unanticipated success of his — and Will Arnett and Sean Hayes' — podcast 'SmartLess,' and stepping outside his acting comfort zone on two limited series over the past year.

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