Still Here Hollywood

Titus Welliver, the actor who brought detective Harry Bosch to life for more than a decade, joins Steve Kmetko for a revealing and deeply personal conversation on Still Here Hollywood.

Welliver opens up about the surprising end of Bosch: Legacy, why he believes devoted fans deserved a better farewell, and the possibility of Harry Bosch returning in a standalone film.

But the story behind his most famous role is even more extraordinary.

Just months after losing his wife to breast cancer, Welliver was struggling with grief while raising his young daughter. Then came the opportunity that would change everything. He shares the emotional moment he learned he'd been cast as Bosch and why the role meant far more than professional success.

Titus also takes us behind the scenes of his work with Ben Affleck, Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, and Frances McDormand, recalls his years on Deadwood and Sons of Anarchy, and reveals how his own family helped shape the character of Harry Bosch.

In an unusually candid conversation, he discusses sobriety, tattoos, childhood tragedy, the complicated relationship with his father, and why he believes closure is a myth.

From Hollywood success to heartbreaking loss, this is Titus Welliver as you've rarely heard him.

Subscribe to Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko for intimate conversations with the stars you know and love.

Support the show and get exclusive behind-the-scenes content at Patreon.com/StillHereHollywood.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Titus Welliver
00:52 The voice and quitting smoking
01:41 Tattoos and sobriety
03:00 The surprising ending of Bosch: Legacy
05:17 The devoted Bosch fan base
09:00 Iconic television characters
10:17 Sons of Anarchy and his mother's reaction
12:01 How much of Titus is in Harry Bosch?
14:52 Michael Connelly's books
16:49 Leading the cast and learning from Mark Harmon
20:00 Patreon and show break
20:50 The story behind the name Titus
22:46 The tragedy and triumph behind Bosch
28:28 A career dry spell and Deadwood
32:37 The challenges of working with David Milch
35:01 Ben Affleck as a director
36:14 A memorable Morgan Freeman moment
40:44 Working with Ben Affleck
42:28 Matt Damon's kindness during a family crisis
46:39 Trauma and the craft of acting
50:14 The origin of "Closure is a myth"
51:11 Learning to live with grief
53:32 Fatherhood and understanding his father
58:19 His children appear on Bosch
1:03:14 Remembering Falcone
1:05:14 Patreon questions and farewell
1:06:08 Closing credits

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jason Priestley, the actor who became a household name playing Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, joins Steve Kmetko for an unforgettable conversation about Hollywood fame, friendship, heartbreak, and a terrifying brush with death.

For ten seasons, Jason was at the center of one of television's biggest cultural phenomena. But behind the sideburns, magazine covers, and worldwide fame was a young actor trying to figure out how to survive success.

In this revealing interview, Jason shares intimate memories of his friendships with Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty, including seeing Shannen just one week before her death and the lasting impact of losing Luke, who was also a close family friend.

He also recounts his horrific 2002 race car accident, revealing that he lost so much blood that his heart stopped, twice, and that he had to relearn how to speak during his recovery.

Jason also opens up about:

• Why he started staying home when 90210 fame became overwhelming.
• The real story behind Gabrielle Carteris hiding her age.
• His complicated encounter with Harvey Weinstein.
• What surprised him about legendary producer Aaron Spelling.
• The Hollywood friends he had to cut out of his life.
• The movie role he desperately wanted but never landed.
• His return to television in Private Eyes West Coast on The CW.

From the Peach Pit to life behind the camera, Jason Priestley reflects on an extraordinary career and the people and experiences that shaped him.

This is Still Here Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko.

Subscribe for candid, revealing conversations with the stars you remember and the stories you've never heard.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Jason Priestley
01:29 How Beverly Hills, 90210 changed everything
03:01 When Brandon Walsh became too famous
05:17 Memories of the 90210 years
07:04 How Jason's children discovered his fame
08:11 Gabrielle Carteris and the cast's real ages
09:05 The downside of worldwide fame
11:06 Losing his anonymity
13:39 Remembering Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty
16:10 A message from Still Here Hollywood
16:55 Jason's near-fatal racing accident
19:29 Recovery and life after the crash
22:55 The scars from his accident
25:53 Looking back at his younger self
27:19 Aaron Spelling and the real 90210 set
29:09 Meeting Demi Moore
30:49 Memories of Luke and Shannen's Rolling Stone cover
31:43 Hollywood friendships and jealousy
32:54 Jason's confrontation with Harvey Weinstein
34:10 Private Eyes West Coast and its unexpected return
36:04 Family life on Private Eyes West Coast
38:11 Working and living across North America
39:59 Brandon Walsh versus Matt Shade
42:38 Directing himself on television
44:48 What's next for Jason Priestley
45:40 The Bill & Ted role he wanted
46:36 His last memory of Luke Perry

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Kevin Pollak joins Steve Kmetko for one of the funniest and most revealing conversations yet on Still Here Hollywood.

This episode is sponsored in part by Quince. Shop Quince at https://www.quince.com/stillhere Thanks to Quince for supporting Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko.

From performing stand-up comedy at just 10 years old to starring alongside Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Willis, Gabriel Byrne and Kevin Spacey, Kevin shares unforgettable stories from one of Hollywood's most remarkable careers.

He discusses:

• The Usual Suspects
• A Few Good Men
• The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
• Christopher Walken impressions
• Jack Nicholson behind the scenes
• Bruce Willis and their friendship
• Rob Reiner
• Aaron Sorkin
• Tom Cruise
• Martin Scorsese
• Barry Levinson
• Poker
• Podcasting before almost anyone else

Kevin also reveals how one casting director told him acting "wasn't for everyone," why he almost passed on The Usual Suspects, and what really happened behind the scenes on some of Hollywood's biggest films.

This is one of Kevin Pollak's funniest and most candid interviews.

Chapters
00:00 Kevin Pollak joins Still Here Hollywood
02:12 Starting stand-up comedy at age 10
04:45 The football coach who hated his impression
07:22 How stand-up prepared him for acting
10:42 Dana Carvey's audition advice
12:23 The manager who said he couldn't act
15:09 Quince sponsor break
17:13 Christopher Walken and his famous impression
18:21 Steve's uncomfortable Walken interview
20:31 The impression that almost got Pollak in trouble
24:40 Making Christopher Walken laugh
28:15 The Usual Suspects and its unlikely success
35:14 A Few Good Men changes everything
36:00 Jason Alexander almost gets the role
38:51 Remembering Rob Reiner
42:00 Rob Reiner's kindness to Kathy Bates
44:12 Bruce Willis and his family
46:00 Bruce Willis' unforgettable compliment
48:35 Jack Nicholson makes Tom Cruise laugh
50:27 Steve's encounter with Jack Nicholson
53:03 Hollywood poker games and celebrity friends
57:45 James L. Brooks and his Emmy Awards
01:00:13 Getting older and losing touch with pop culture
01:02:39 The benefits of being a character actor
01:05:52 Kevin Pollak's pioneering video podcast
01:09:50 Closing thoughts

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Before millions of Americans knew Denise Nicholas as Liz McIntyre on the groundbreaking television series Room 222, she was living through history.

Denise traveled through Mississippi and Louisiana with the Free Southern Theater during the Civil Rights Movement, an experience that put her face-to-face with violence, racism and even death threats. In this remarkably candid conversation with Steve Kmetko, Denise recalls bombs being thrown at the stage, sleeping on the floor of Fannie Lou Hamer's home because of gunfire, and the terrifying moment a police officer put a gun to her head.

Then came Hollywood.

Denise takes us behind the scenes of Room 222, shares memories of Karen Valentine and Michael Constantine, and reveals how Carol O'Connor helped turn her from an actor into a television writer on In the Heat of the Night.

She also opens up about her relationship and marriage to legendary singer-songwriter Bill Withers, the unsolved murder of her younger sister, a deeply personal secret about the father who raised her, her decision to walk away from acting, and the writing career that became her passion.

Plus, Denise reveals the current television series that might just convince her to step in front of the cameras again.

It's a remarkable life spanning the Civil Rights Movement, groundbreaking television, Hollywood, love, loss and reinvention.

This is Still Here Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Denise Nicholas joins Still Here Hollywood
01:18 Acting wasn't remotely part of the plan
02:48 Joining the Civil Rights Movement
03:04 Fearing for her life in Mississippi
04:01 Her mother stops speaking to her
05:13 What America gets wrong about the Civil Rights era
06:09 Bombs, gunfire and Fannie Lou Hamer
07:25 From Civil Rights activist to Room 222
10:42 Racism behind the scenes in Hollywood
13:50 A police officer puts a gun to Denise's head
15:10 The truth about Lloyd Haynes
15:21 Remembering Michael Constantine and Karen Valentine
17:31 Old-school Hollywood behind the scenes
19:31 Carol O'Connor turns Denise into a writer
21:25 What happened after Room 222
24:17 Turning down demeaning Hollywood roles
25:28 Race and opportunity in Hollywood
27:49 What Carol O'Connor was really like
29:45 The murder of Denise's sister
31:33 How Denise met Bill Withers
32:35 What Bill Withers was really like
35:00 Why marriage was difficult for Denise
36:03 Her massive celebrity wedding to Jim Hill
37:06 Becoming an author
40:19 Why she called her memoir Finding Home
40:51 Why Denise walked away from acting
42:49 Freshwater Road and owning her words
44:17 The family secret she carried for decades
47:18 The role that could bring Denise back
49:25 What gives her hope
49:53 A surprise message from Tai Babilonia
51:57 Looking back at race in America

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Anson Williams became a television icon as Potsie Weber on Happy Days, but his Hollywood story goes far beyond Arnold’s Drive-In.

Anson joins Steve Kmetko for a revealing look back at more than five decades in show business, including how he stumbled into his first acting job with a young Steven Spielberg, what Garry Marshall taught the Happy Days cast about surviving Hollywood, and the extraordinary day John Lennon secretly showed up on the Happy Days set with his son Julian.

Anson also tells the remarkable story of how his connection to Dr. Henry Heimlich helped bring the Heimlich maneuver to national television, remembers his late Happy Days co-star Erin Moran, talks about working with Bette Davis and Hollywood legends including Milton Berle and Ethel Merman, and explains how Ron Howard helped inspire his second career as a television director.

Plus, Anson discusses his newest project, Crazy Mama, starring Linda Purl.

It’s an hour of Hollywood history from someone who was there for an astonishing amount of it.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Anson Williams joins Still Here Hollywood
01:00 Growing up in Los Angeles and trying to break into show business
04:00 The disastrous audition that launched his career
07:24 His first real break
09:00 How a sit-in at a talent agency changed everything
12:00 His first acting job, directed by Steven Spielberg
14:22 Would social media have changed his career?
17:05 Happy Days becomes his big break
17:26 The real story of the original Happy Days pilot
19:37 Why the Happy Days cast became so close
21:03 What made Garry Marshall special
22:11 How Anson turned Potsie into a second career
25:46 How Happy Days helped spread the Heimlich maneuver
30:34 Who made Anson laugh hardest on Happy Days?
33:23 John Lennon secretly visits the Happy Days set
35:43 What changed after Ron Howard left
37:19 Working with Bette Davis
41:47 Remembering Marion Ross
42:43 Becoming a television director
45:35 Growing up around Hollywood legends
49:38 Working with Ethel Merman
50:28 Remembering Erin Moran
52:19 The most important lesson he learned as a director
53:37 Learning to direct science fiction
56:03 Crazy Mama and Linda Purl
1:01:07 Anson Williams looks ahead

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Linda Purl has spent more than five decades building an extraordinary career across television, film, Broadway and music. In this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Linda joins Steve Kmetko for a funny, candid and surprisingly personal conversation about Happy Days, Matlock, The Office, Andy Griffith, Garry Marshall, aging in Hollywood and the unexpected love story that brought her and Dallas star Patrick Duffy together.

Linda reveals what The Office was really like behind the scenes, why Happy Days had only one bathroom for the cast and crew, and the remarkable story Andy Griffith told her about fighting for his role in A Face in the Crowd. She also opens up about reconnecting with Patrick Duffy during COVID, their nightly Zoom conversations and the moment he finally drove from Oregon to Colorado to see if their friendship could become something more.

Plus, Linda talks about returning to the stage, her lifelong love of music, handling criticism, getting older without “giving up,” and how she and Patrick turned a 70-year-old family sourdough starter into Duffy's Dough and a mission to help fight food insecurity.

It's Linda Purl, still working, still laughing, still singing and very much Still Here.

#LindaPurl, #PatrickDuffy, #HappyDays, #TheOffice, #Matlock, #AndyGriffith, #GarryMarshall, #RonHoward, #Dallas, #StillHereHollywood, #SteveKmetko

YOUTUBE CHAPTERS

00:00 Linda Purl Is Still Here
01:02 Growing Up in Japan
07:34 Becoming an Actor
10:42 Auditioning for The Office
12:17 Garry Marshall and the Happy Days Family
14:49 The Truth About Improv on The Office
16:20 The Lasting Bonds of Happy Days
18:26 Returning to Happy Days as a Different Character
20:16 Working With Andy Griffith on Matlock
21:58 Andy Griffith's Wild Elia Kazan Story
24:30 Linda's Advice for Young Actors
27:43 Criticism and Bad Reviews
29:21 Social Media and the New Hollywood
32:37 Aging in Hollywood
34:20 Linda's Other Career as a Singer
38:55 Her New Album, From My Heart
41:33 Reinvention and Gregory Harrison's Life Lesson
44:22 Playing 16 Characters in Crazy Mama
47:55 Falling in Love With Patrick Duffy
53:05 Patrick's 70-Year-Old Sourdough Starter
56:36 Turning Duffy's Dough Into a Business
1:03:33 What Linda Hopes People Remember

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Elisa Donovan became forever recognizable as Amber, Cher Horowitz's fabulously overdressed rival in the 1995 classic Clueless. But behind one of the most memorable characters of the '90s is an actress, writer and mother whose life took turns she never could have imagined.

Elisa joins Steve Kmetko for a candid conversation about landing Clueless, creating Amber from the mean girls she knew growing up, working with Alicia Silverstone, and the Clueless joke she didn't even understand when she delivered it.

She also opens up about Brittany Murphy, sharing a hilarious memory from the Clueless set and revealing the troubling signs she says she witnessed the last time she saw Brittany before her death.

Elisa talks about nearly landing the lead in Showgirls, climbing into bed with Jason Priestley on her first day of Beverly Hills, 90210, her frustration during Sabrina the Teenage Witch, losing her father to cancer, and the extraordinary dreams that changed the way she thinks about grief and death.

Plus, Elisa explains why she believes Hollywood is losing the kinds of movies that once gave actors and storytellers room to take chances.

This is Still Here Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko. Join us with today's guest, from Clueless, actor Elisa Donovan.

00:00 Elisa Donovan joins Still Here Hollywood

01:54 Knowing she wanted to become an actor

04:04 The personality trait that helped her survive Hollywood

05:32 Her first television break on Blossom

07:01 The Showgirls role she desperately wanted

10:14 Learning from rejection in Hollywood

11:41 Did anyone know Clueless would become a classic?

13:19 The intimidating Clueless audition

15:34 Learning how television really works

15:50 Her first day in bed with Jason Priestley on 90210

18:04 Nearly walking away from acting after Sabrina

19:53 Behind the scenes of Clueless

20:00 Remembering Brittany Murphy on set

22:00 Learning Brittany Murphy had died

22:46 The troubling signs Elisa says she witnessed

25:52 Still Here Hollywood

27:12 Breckin Meyer and remembering Brittany

28:25 The real girls who inspired Amber

30:07 Why Amber was so much fun to play

31:13 How Clueless changed Elisa's life

34:22 The improvised moments that made the movie

35:48 The Clueless joke Elisa didn't understand

36:29 Why Clueless still connects 30 years later

38:09 What Hollywood has lost

41:44 Becoming a writer

44:41 What writing gave her that acting couldn't

46:05 Writing Wake Me When You Leave

48:13 Losing her father and losing her way

50:32 The dreams that changed everything

53:18 Writing through grief

56:01 What Elisa would tell Amber today

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Emmy and Golden Globe winner Michael Chiklis joins Steve Kmetko for a remarkably candid conversation about The Shield, Fantastic Four, The Commish, Hollywood, artificial intelligence, reinvention, family, failure, and the future of the entertainment business.

Chiklis opens up about the dramatic changes he's witnessed in Hollywood and why he believes the industry has contracted far more than many people realize. He discusses his concerns about AI, actors losing control of their own likenesses, and what happens when technology companies become some of Hollywood's most powerful players.

Michael also reveals how his wife helped convince him to completely reinvent himself after The Commish, how he developed Vic Mackey for The Shield, and why he still proudly defends his Fantastic Four movies and his portrayal of Ben Grimm, The Thing.

Away from Hollywood, Chiklis gets emotional talking about finally visiting Greece, becoming a grandfather, his family, and what he's learned about failure after decades in show business.

And then there's Elton John.

Michael tells an extraordinary story about randomly encountering Elton John in a Boston Versace store, discovering Elton was a fan of The Commish, and ultimately watching Elton change his concert for Michael's wife and perform "Candle in the Wind" especially for her.

It's Michael Chiklis, candid, funny, thoughtful, occasionally profane, and completely unfiltered.

This is Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko.

00:00 Michael Chiklis Joins Still Here Hollywood
01:02 Growing Up in an Artistic Greek Family
04:32 The Moment Michael Knew He'd Be an Actor
07:01 Surviving Hollywood and a Changing Industry
09:00 Michael Sounds Off on AI and Owning Your Image
11:32 Tech Giants, Mergers and the Future of Hollywood
14:35 Why AI Worries Michael Chiklis
23:30 Finally Visiting Greece
27:17 "A Hard Guy With a Caramel Center"
28:03 Becoming a Grandfather
31:07 The Commish vs. The Shield
33:40 Creating Vic Mackey
39:26 How Michael Reinvented Himself
45:11 Fantastic Four and Becoming The Thing
48:13 Michael Chiklis, the Musician
53:42 Why Failure Is Necessary
55:21 What Makes Michael Happiest
58:15 The Incredible Elton John Story
1:06:45 What's Still Left on Michael's Bucket List
1:08:32 Why Michael Won't Talk Politics
1:09:12 Remembering Telly Savalas

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Richard Kind has seemingly worked with everyone, and he has the stories to prove it. The beloved character actor joins Steve Kmetko for a hilarious, candid conversation about his unlikely path from Second City to Mad About You, Spin City, Scrubs, Pixar and beyond. Richard remembers working alongside Michael J. Fox and Charlie Sheen, explains what Christopher Walken taught him simply by watching him act, talks about his experiences with Disney and Pixar, and reveals why he still considers himself an actor rather than a comedian.

And then there is George Clooney.

Kind shares a hilarious prank involving Clooney's Oscar, a TSA agent and a very heavy suitcase, before telling a far more revealing story about the man Clooney was before ER made him a superstar. During the Los Angeles riots, Kind planned to leave town with friends. Clooney had another idea.

It's funny, thoughtful, wonderfully unpredictable and very Richard Kind.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Richard Kind Is Still Here
01:17 The Character Actor Dining Society
03:40 George Clooney's Oscar Prank
06:13 Richard Kind's Second City Years
08:08 "The Harvard of Comedy"
09:19 Chasing the Dream of Acting
11:07 Did His Family Think He'd Make It?
13:20 Why Li'l Abner Should Come Back
14:12 Songs That Have Aged VERY Badly
16:17 Richard's First Television Job
18:38 Learning Television With Mary Tyler Moore
21:40 How Richard Met George Clooney
22:39 "I'm the Luckiest Guy in the World"
24:04 Richard Says He's NOT a Comedic Actor
27:02 Why He Prefers Single-Camera Acting
28:45 Remembering Linda Lavin and Tony Roberts
31:30 Spin City, Michael J. Fox and Charlie Sheen
32:59 What Actors Actually Do
37:20 The Torturous "Drive Home"
39:18 Mid-Century Modern and James Burrows
42:49 Why Fans Still Love Him on Scrubs
43:04 Richard Kind Calls Bill Lawrence a Genius
46:27 Recording Family Guy and American Dad
50:11 The Truth About Working for Disney
52:09 Richard Kind vs. Marvel Movies
57:40 What Richard Really Thinks of Amal Clooney
1:00:30 George Clooney Before He Was Famous
1:00:47 The Incredible LA Riots Story
1:03:46 Richard Says Goodbye

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gail O’Grady became one of television’s most recognizable faces as Donna Abandando on the groundbreaking ABC drama NYPD Blue. In this encore episode of Still Here Hollywood, Gail joins Steve Kmetko for a candid conversation about the role that changed her career, why she decided to leave the hit series, and why she now wishes she had stayed longer.

Gail also remembers legendary producer Steven Bochco, reveals the unusual way she created Donna for her NYPD Blue audition, talks about working with Sharon Lawrence, and shares stories from Desperate Housewives, Law & Order: SVU, Boston Legal and more.

She opens up about becoming a mother in her 40s, moving back to Chicago to care for her father, the confidence she wishes she had when she was younger, and the advice she has passed along to her son.

Plus, Gail recalls getting actually slapped while filming Desperate Housewives, being starstruck by Henry Winkler during her first days in Hollywood, meeting one of her acting heroes, Anne Bancroft, and working on J.J. Abrams’ Duster.

00:00 Gail O’Grady on Still Here Hollywood
01:03 Success and Emmy Recognition on NYPD Blue
02:06 Why Gail O’Grady Left NYPD Blue
02:49 The Decision She Now Regrets
03:05 Remembering Steven Bochco
04:10 How Gail Landed NYPD Blue
06:18 Sharon Lawrence and the NYPD Blue Cast
07:03 Leaving Los Angeles
08:34 Advice for Young Actors
11:30 Becoming a Mother in Her 40s
12:56 Behind the Scenes of Desperate Housewives
14:39 Working on Law & Order: SVU
15:32 The Career Gail Might Have Chosen
16:14 Moving Home to Care for Her Father
17:20 Career Highs and Lows
18:56 How NYPD Blue Changed Everything
19:56 Meeting Anne Bancroft
21:13 Gail's Favorite Childhood Memories
22:17 Bad Habits and Belinda Carlisle
23:10 Advice for Her Son
24:18 Getting Robbed in Rome
25:22 Fame and Fan Encounters
27:31 Her Hilarious Henry Winkler Encounter
29:09 Near-Death Experiences
30:15 Her Favorite NYPD Blue Storyline
31:20 The Confidence She Wishes She Had
33:42 Her Father Became Her Scene Partner
34:48 Gail Talks About Duster

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From Raiders of the Lost Ark to Spider-Man 2, Boogie Nights, Frida and Broadway, Alfred Molina has built one of Hollywood's most extraordinary and versatile careers.

In this revealing conversation with Steve Kmetko, Molina looks back at making his movie debut for Steven Spielberg, and admits he was so inexperienced he didn't even understand the marks on the floor. He shares the story behind becoming Doctor Octopus, explains how Doc Ock's famous mechanical arms really worked, and reveals the nickname he and the puppeteers gave themselves.

Molina also takes us behind the scenes of Boogie Nights, including the line he improvised that Paul Thomas Anderson kept in the film, and talks about Salma Hayek's extraordinary fight to get Frida made with the cast she wanted.

Then the conversation gets personal. Molina discusses the times he considered giving up acting, being told he wasn't leading-man material, therapy, his unusual theory about what drives actors, his feelings about awards and the role he'd still love to play.

After five decades on stage and screen, Alfred Molina is very much still here.

00:00 Alfred Molina: Still Here Hollywood
01:01 His First Movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark
02:17 Alfred Molina Was Completely New to Filmmaking
04:52 Why Spielberg Told Him to Stop Watching Dailies
07:18 Why Raiders Changed Adventure Movies
08:43 Auditioning for Steven Spielberg
10:22 Learning From Hollywood's Greatest Directors
12:20 The One Director He Couldn't Understand
14:33 Regretting Not Paying Attention in School
15:08 Classical Acting Training at Guildhall
17:08 Did Classical Training Help in Hollywood?
19:01 Becoming Doctor Octopus
20:00 The Secrets Behind Doc Ock's Tentacles
23:10 The Movies Alfred Molina Loves
25:34 Why Young Fans Know Him as Doc Ock
27:04 Does He Take His Characters Home?
29:52 Why He Keeps Returning to the Stage
31:31 The Incredible Boogie Nights Firecracker Story
34:40 Actors, Directors and Happy Accidents
38:32 Film vs. Television vs. Theater
40:38 The Roles He Still Wants to Play
43:34 Playing Tevye and Diego Rivera
44:53 Salma Hayek's Fight to Make Frida
47:00 Alfred Molina Gets Candid About Awards
50:09 Why He Doesn't Really Watch the Oscars
51:24 The Best Acting Advice He Ever Received
53:18 He Thought About Quitting Acting, A Lot
55:42 Alfred Molina on Therapy
56:04 His "Genetic Flaw" Theory About Actors
58:00 The Role He Still Dreams About
59:59 The Career Moment He'd Love to Relive
1:02:06 Inside Hollywood's "CADS" Group
1:04:09 Why Their Friendships Matter

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jeff Kober has spent more than four decades disappearing into some of television’s most unforgettable characters, from China Beach and The Walking Dead to Sons of Anarchy, General Hospital and now The Pitt.

Today, Kober joins Steve Kmetko with something remarkable to celebrate, Emmy recognition for both The Pitt and General Hospital.

Kober reveals how a last-minute self-tape nearly went completely wrong before helping land him his role on The Pitt, what it is really like working opposite Noah Wyle, and why the acclaimed medical drama feels different from almost anything else he has done.

But this conversation goes far beyond Hollywood.

Kober opens up about the anxiety and darkness he experienced earlier in his life, the unusual path that led him from Montana to acting in Los Angeles, his relationship with his son, the transformative role meditation has played in his life, and why, after decades of pl

00:00 Jeff Kober Has Two Emmy Nominations
01:11 Joining The Pitt
02:09 What Noah Wyle Is Really Like
04:20 The Audition Disaster That Landed The Pitt
05:37 The Truth About Self-Tape Auditions
07:40 Why Jeff Initially Avoided Watching The Pitt
09:40 What Makes The Pitt Different
12:08 Why Jeff Connected With His Pitt Character
16:10 Does Jeff Kober Want to Win the Emmy?
18:12 How Jeff Kober Accidentally Became an Actor
19:40 Finding His Way Out of an Emotional Mess
23:53 China Beach and Dana Delany
25:14 The Walking Dead and Andrew Lincoln
26:30 Bringing Darkness Into the Light
29:51 General Hospital and the Brutal Pace of Daytime TV
33:40 The Most Fulfilling Role of His Career
35:30 What Jeff Kober Still Wants to Play
37:15 Life, Purpose and Finding Meaning
40:02 How Meditation Changed His Life
41:43 Is Jeff Happier Today?
42:40 Why Acting Gave His Darkness Value
44:44 The Fear He Finally Let Go
45:17 Why He Still Loves Walking Onto a Set
47:34 Was Jeff Kober a Good Father?
49:03 Would He Ever Revisit China Beach?
50:12 Jeff Kober Is Writing a Memoiraying dangerous and troubled men, he finally feels comfortable being himself.

Plus, memories of China Beach, Dana Delany, Andrew Lincoln and The Walking Dead, the brutal pace of General Hospital, and why The Pitt allowed Kober to let himself be seen in a way he never had before.

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Maria Conchita Alonso has lived one of Hollywood's most fascinating lives.

She joins Steve Kmetko to discuss escaping Cuba, growing up in Venezuela, becoming an international music star, starring alongside Robin Williams, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sean Penn, Danny Glover and Nicolas Cage, and why she sacrificed career opportunities to stand up for her beliefs.

She also reflects on aging, fame, animal rescue, Broadway, activism, and what truly matters most after four decades in entertainment.

00:00 Opening

00:37 Cuba, Venezuela and finding home

03:30 Lessons from her parents

06:47 Beauty pageants and Hollywood

10:08 Arriving in Hollywood

11:39 Robin Williams memories

15:29 Arnold Schwarzenegger and The Running Man

18:03 Venezuela today

20:55 Why activism changed her career

23:16 Her animal rescue foundation

27:09 Rescuing Cookie

29:49 Colors, Sean Penn and Danny Glover

35:42 Hollywood memories

38:47 Hollywood then vs. now

40:46 Social media and today's entertainment business

42:10 Acting vs. music

44:49 Her new album Caliéntame

47:50 Politics and career consequences

49:21 Aging and growing wiser

51:00 Regrets and forgiveness

53:02 Legacy and helping others

55:35 Closing

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Before Animal House became one of the greatest comedies ever made, Tim Matheson was already building one of the longest and most fascinating careers in Hollywood.

In this episode of Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko, Tim shares unforgettable stories about John Belushi, Lucille Ball, Steven Spielberg, Henry Fonda, Ryan Reynolds, Mel Brooks, Anne Bancroft, Meghan Markle, Aaron Sorkin, Clint Eastwood and many more.

He reveals what Belushi was really like before fame changed everything, how Spielberg personally tracked him down in Las Vegas, the acting lessons he learned from Henry Fonda, directing Meghan Markle on Suits, working opposite Mel Brooks, starring in Animal House, The West Wing, Fletch, Van Wilder and Johnny Quest, and why he finally decided to write his memoir.

If you love classic Hollywood, behind-the-scenes stories and the golden age of film and television, this episode is packed with incredible moments.

Subscribe for new celebrity interviews every Monday.

00:00 Intro, Tim Matheson arrives

00:46 Knee replacement and getting older

01:46 Leave It to Beaver and becoming a child actor

04:02 Working with Steven Spielberg

07:18 The Hollywood legend who influenced him most, Lucille Ball

11:03 Henry Fonda's unforgettable acting lesson

13:48 John Belushi and making Animal House

16:50 Belushi's death and Hollywood's cocaine culture

20:30 Directing Meghan Markle on Suits

21:47 Why Tim finally wrote his memoir

24:11 Ivan Reitman, Animal House and comedy history

27:18 Growing up in broken home and finding Hollywood

36:33 Becoming Johnny Quest

41:22 The West Wing and Aaron Sorkin

44:29 Buying National Lampoon

46:52 Clint Eastwood's advice about aging

47:52 Ryan Reynolds before superstardom

50:32 Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft stories

54:25 Final thoughts

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

https://www.wingsofrescue.org/

David Chokachi returns to Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko for an inspiring conversation about purpose, perseverance and second chances.

The Baywatch star discusses returning to the franchise that made him famous, rescuing hundreds of dogs after the Los Angeles fires, working with Wings of Rescue, and why helping animals has become more rewarding than Hollywood itself.

He also shares behind-the-scenes stories from the new Baywatch series, explains how social media has changed casting, and reflects on aging, fitness and finding meaning beyond fame.

00:00 Preview

00:48 Why David Stayed During the LA Fires

03:34 Saving Hundreds of Rescue Dogs

08:32 Life Before Hollywood

10:03 Flying Rescue Missions Across America

15:21 The Heartbreaking Truth About Animal Shelters

18:03 Why Spaying and Neutering Matters

20:05 Celebrity Volunteers Saving Animals

25:13 Patreon

25:56 The Baywatch Reboot

29:55 Fighting His Way Back Onto Baywatch

33:24 When Baywatch Premieres

36:48 Returning Cast Members

39:45 Staying in Incredible Shape

42:21 What Happened to Cody Madison

46:58 Meeting His Wife

49:18 Social Media and Hollywood

52:10 Life Today

53:08 Pamela Anderson

53:31 What Aging Has Taught Him

57:30 Until Next Time

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

John O'Hurley became television history as the unforgettable J. Peterman on Seinfeld, but his remarkable career goes far beyond one iconic role.

He joins Steve Kmetko to reveal how he nearly turned down Seinfeld, explains the secret that made the show's comedy so brilliant, shares stories about Jerry Seinfeld and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, recalls the terrifying night he sang Sinatra to Frank Sinatra, and talks about Broadway, Family Feud, the National Dog Show, voice acting, and even becoming part owner of the real J. Peterman Company.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

00:38 How John Almost Turned Down Seinfeld

04:24 The Voice That Built His Career

07:50 Animated Characters & Voice Acting

10:59 Working With Jerry Seinfeld

13:43 Julia Louis-Dreyfus Behind the Scenes

16:39 The National Dog Show

19:18 His Rescue Dogs

24:45 Becoming the Real J. Peterman

28:13 Broadway & One Man Show

30:08 Singing Sinatra...To Sinatra

35:38 Did Seinfeld Typecast Him?

38:02 Creating Jay Peterman

41:09 Family Feud Stories

43:38 Gray Hair & Chazz Palminteri

46:50 Closing

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Baywatch icon Erika Eleniak joins Steve Kmetko on Still Here, Hollywood for a raw, honest conversation about fame, body image, and reinvention. Before she became one of the most recognizable faces of 90s television as lifeguard Shauni McClain on Baywatch, Erika stole hearts as the babysitter in Steven Spielberg's E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. In this episode, she opens up about being personally cast by Spielberg at age 12, the real story behind that iconic E.T. kiss scene, and what it was actually like filming Baywatch's famous slow-motion beach runs in freezing January water.

Erika also gets candid about her Playboy pictorial and the career obstacles it created, her decision to walk away from Baywatch after just two seasons, working alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey on Under Siege, her ongoing struggle with body image, and how becoming a single mother reshaped everything she thought she knew about resilience, fame, and what she wants next.

Whether you grew up watching Baywatch reruns or you're discovering Erika Eleniak's career for the first time, this episode is a candid, unfiltered look behind the red swimsuit and the Hollywood machine.

🔔 Subscribe to Still Here, Hollywood for more candid conversations with the stars who shaped pop culture. ❤️ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/stillherehollywood

#ErikaEleniak #Baywatch #StillHereHollywood

Chapters

00:00 – Intro 00:47 – Saturday Plans With Her Daughter 01:13 – The Meaning Behind Her Tattoos 02:05 – Getting Cast in E.T. by Steven Spielberg 03:25 – Crying Over the Kiss Scene 04:22 – The Improvised E.T. Kiss 04:56 – Not Knowing What E.T. Was About 06:00 – Growing Up in the San Fernando Valley 06:41 – Landing Baywatch 07:49 – The Camaraderie on the Baywatch Set 08:13 – Freezing Cold Beach Shoots 09:41 – The Truth About the Slow-Mo Run 10:36 – Handling Sudden Fame 13:07 – Feeling Boxed In After Baywatch 13:56 – Filming Under Siege 15:38 – Why She Left Baywatch After Two Seasons 16:44 – Passing the Torch to Pamela Anderson 17:41 – Why Baywatch Became a Global Phenomenon 19:06 – Her Proudest Roles: Beverly Hillbillies & The Opponent 20:02 – The Toughest Stretch of Her Career 22:29 – How She Ended Up in Playboy 24:25 – Playboy's Professional Fallout 25:40 – Being Labeled a Sex Symbol 28:38 – Body Image and Eating Disorders 31:04 – Teaching Acting in Rehab 33:33 – What Life Looks Like Now 36:27 – The Spark That Started Her Acting Career 37:41 – Her Superpower: Resilience 39:30 – The One Thing She'd Change 41:47 – A Pep Talk for Hollywood 42:45 – The Day She'd Relive 43:24 – Her Wildest Fan Encounter 44:13 – Advice for Young Actresses 46:59 – Did She Keep the Red Swimsuit? 47:19 – Outro

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From Forrest Gump to The Last Rodeo, actor, director, and musician Michael Tyrone "T" Williamson sits down with Steve Kmetko on Still Here Hollywood for a raw, soulful conversation about the role that changed his life. In this episode, T shares the real story behind landing the role of Bubba Blue opposite Tom Hanks, how he improvised some of the film's most iconic lines, the surprising reason he's never eaten at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and what it's really like working alongside Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Al Pacino, and Gary Sinise. He also opens up about his new Angel Studios film The Last Rodeo, his upcoming role in Dark Matter, his philosophy on faith, family, and staying true to yourself in Hollywood, and heartfelt stories about his daughters, his mother, and the journey from South Los Angeles to the big screen.

👍 Like, subscribe, and comment your favorite moment below!
🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts and everywhere you get your podcasts.
💛 Support the show: patreon.com/StillHereHollywood

#MichaelTWilliamson #ForrestGump #BubbaGump #TomHanks #StillHereHollywood #HollywoodInterview #TheLastRodeo #DenzelWashington

YouTube Chapters

00:00 Intro: Bubba From Forrest Gump Joins the Show 01:08 Why You Can Call Him "T" 01:42 The Real Reason He's Never Eaten at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 04:05 Girlfriend the 1953 Chevy & Staying Grounded in Hollywood 06:00 The Forrest Gump Audition Story: No Callback to Landing the Role 10:18 Tom Hanks Kicking Him Under the Table 10:55 Meeting Tom & Rita Wilson at the Deauville Film Festival 13:25 What He Brought to Bubba That Wasn't on the Page 14:48 The Gary Sinise Line That Was Total Improv 15:33 Sally Field, Rehearsals & the Two Journeys of Every Character 16:44 Announcing New Film "The Last Rodeo" With Neil McDonough 18:27 Why Hollywood Should "Chase Hearts, Not Numbers" 19:30 Is He Happy? Life Philosophy & Southern Family Values 20:07 Getting Typecast After Forrest Gump 22:33 Actors He Admires & His Character Workshop for Students 27:08 How He Got Into Directing: Mentors Mike Jones & Miguel Velejas 30:08 Favorite Costars: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Al Pacino 31:45 Denzel Washington's Kindness & Interviewing Him Over the Years 32:03 The John David & Olivia Washington Story 34:41 Malcolm Washington's Directorial Debut, "The Piano Lesson" 35:34 Oscar Voting Rule Changes & Academy Membership Shift 36:35 The Last Rodeo Plot Explained: Bull Riders, Family & Redemption 39:59 What He Does for Fun & His Three Daughters 41:14 Why He Calls His Daughter "Coconut" 42:00 An Underrated Role: Truth or Consequences, New Mexico 43:21 Most Creatively Fulfilling Part of the Job 44:16 Backstage Truth About Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise 45:47 Upcoming Role in "Dark Matter" on Streaming 47:46 The Meaning Behind His Beaded Necklace 48:56 Training for Forrest Gump: Military Boot Camp With Dale Dye 50:25 The Funny Stunt Double Story That Kept Him in Shape 51:36 His Daily Workout & Recovery Routine 53:36 The Real Story Behind the Iconic Shrimp Monologue 59:07 How He Reworked the Script to Add Humanity 1:00:14 Marlon Brando Comparison & Working With Michael Mann/Jerry Bruckheimer on Heat and Con Air 1:01:34 Growing Up in South Los Angeles as an Air Force Kid 1:02:16 Why His Family Fled the South & Changed Their Name 1:03:49 Closing Thoughts & Where to Find More

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Heather Thomas became one of television's biggest stars as Jody Banks on The Fall Guy alongside Lee Majors. During the height of her fame, her posters covered bedroom walls around the world and she became one of the defining television icons of the 1980s.

But behind the scenes, fame came with a darker side.

In this candid conversation with Steve Kmetko, Heather opens up about the terrifying stalking incidents that ultimately pushed her away from Hollywood, her battle with substance abuse, working with Lee Majors, life as an 80s sex symbol, raising a family, activism, writing, and finding happiness beyond fame.

From The Fall Guy to the recent movie reboot, Heather shares stories and perspectives you've probably never heard before.

#HeatherThomas #TheFallGuy #LeeMajors #StillHereHollywood #SteveKmetko #ClassicTV #EightiesTV #HollywoodStories #TVLegends #JodyBanks

Chapter Markers

00:00 Intro
00:36 How Heather Thomas Got Started In Television
01:48 Landing The Fall Guy
03:37 UCLA And Breaking Into Hollywood
05:24 Why Heather Walked Away From Fame
06:18 The Terrifying Reality Of Stalkers
08:16 Raising Chickens And Family Life
10:06 Being Typecast As A Sex Symbol
11:48 Activism And Charity Work
12:29 Keeping In Touch With Lee Majors
12:50 Writing Novels And Screenplays
16:09 Doing Her Own Stunts
16:26 Substance Abuse And Rehab
17:32 Becoming An 80s Sex Symbol
19:03 Being Sexualized In Hollywood
20:00 How Hollywood Has Changed For Women
23:47 Why She Became An Activist
25:31 Working With Ted Lange
26:19 Advice For Today's Stars
27:20 The Fall Guy Movie Cameo
27:58 Her Romantic Paris Wedding
30:25 Did Her Looks Hurt Her Career?
31:20 Family, Grandchildren And Life Today
33:21 Finding Happiness

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Before becoming Cliff Clavin on Cheers, John Ratzenberger spent years traveling the world, building houses, performing improvised comedy across Europe, and chasing adventure wherever it led.

In this encore episode, John shares the remarkable story behind his famous Cheers audition, his friendships with Hollywood legends, his long-running relationship with Pixar, and why he believes young people should learn practical skills before pursuing fame.

It's a funny, thoughtful conversation filled with stories only John Ratzenberger could tell.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
00:52 A Lifetime of Travel and Adventure
04:26 Landing the Role of Cliff Clavin
06:28 Leaving Carpentry for England
07:21 Building an Improv Career in Europe
10:02 Learning to Act Without Training
12:53 Star Wars and Early Film Roles
14:27 Why Building Things Matters
16:48 First Impressions of Los Angeles
19:19 Being Recognized in Public
20:24 The Early Struggles of Cheers
22:56 Working with Hollywood Legends
24:12 Remembering Frances Sternhagen
28:07 The Famous Cheers Audition Story
35:39 Memories of Kirstie Alley
37:43 Inventing and Building Products
41:58 The Importance of Trade Skills
45:05 Advice for Young Actors
47:11 His Son's First Fish, A Shark
48:39 Family, Career and Success
50:18 Dancing With The Stars Challenge
53:34 Toy Story 5 and What's Next
57:38 His Hollywood Heroes
01:03:12 Faking a Foreign Language at an Audition
01:04:51 Leaving Cheers for the Last Time
01:06:05 Advice for Surviving Hollywood
01:08:42 A Frightening Fan Encounter
01:11:08 Final Thoughts

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.