Show Notes
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
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