Show Notes
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 Hollywood01:02 Growing Up in an Artistic Greek Family04:32 The Moment Michael Knew He'd Be an Actor07:01 Surviving Hollywood and a Changing Industry09:00 Michael Sounds Off on AI and Owning Your Image11:32 Tech Giants, Mergers and the Future of Hollywood14:35 Why AI Worries Michael Chiklis23:30 Finally Visiting Greece27:17 "A Hard Guy With a Caramel Center"28:03 Becoming a Grandfather31:07 The Commish vs. The Shield33:40 Creating Vic Mackey39:26 How Michael Reinvented Himself45:11 Fantastic Four and Becoming The Thing48:13 Michael Chiklis, the Musician53:42 Why Failure Is Necessary55:21 What Makes Michael Happiest58:15 The Incredible Elton John Story1:06:45 What's Still Left on Michael's Bucket List1:08:32 Why Michael Won't Talk Politics1:09:12 Remembering Telly Savalas
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