Confessions of a Working Actor

“I’m so much more interested in helping the many, instead of just the few.” Now there’s an actor who’s also clearly an activist! Michelle Hurd has done it all: theater, Film, TV… Hmmm, let’s do some math: Law & Order SVU 25 episodes, Another World 52 episodes, Leap Years 20 episodes, The Glades 43 episodes, Blindspot 27 episodes, Hawaii 5-O 8 episodes, Daredevil 6 episodes,  Star Trek: Picard 19 episodes AND THAT’S ONLY A FEW OF HER CREDITS CHOSEN AT RANDOM, AND THAT’S ALREADY 200 EPISODES OF TV!!!! Chris and David hear about what got Michelle so fired up about acting - and activism - an a young age; why she says you all have to “be your own biggest fan;” and of course why she got the SAG-AFTRA President’s Award For Union Service, “No matter the size of the role, come to set with the same respect, intention, and preparation as if you are number 1 on the call sheet” Damn good advice.

“It’s a miserable life. But you should really, really, probably do it.” Who told Daniel Sauli that and why? This week, Chris and David have got a guy. He’s more than just a guy who knows a guy. He’s Tommy Longo from “The Deuce.” He’s Joe Martini from “NYC 22." He’s Patrick Parisi from “The Sopranos.” Daniel Sauli is an intense, dedicated actor and a gift to anyone lucky enough to share a stage or a screen with him. Is it true he has no idea what happened to the film "This Is The Night” that he did with Naomi Watts and Bobby Cannevale? And is acting really still doing it for him, or not? “I need and want to MAKE things!” Advice about acting, writing, not trying too hard (i.e. “not giving a shit”), and inspiration abounds.

“Wanna go to a whorehouse? Or a cockfight? Or should we see a play?” This week’s guest got her first job as a monkey on “Planet of the Apes.” On an interesting solo-hosting adventure this week, David talks with accomplished actor and long time friend Kelly Stables. They did 64 episodes of “The Exes” together, and it shows! You also know Kelly as the bubbly, bright receptionist on “Two and a Half Men” and from shows like “Superstore” and films like “The Ring 2.” How did stunt work lead to this amazing acting career? What’s an under 5 foot tall human to do when confronted with casting bias? Why, turn that into a plus, of course! There’s no shortage (see what we did there?) of good advice from Kelly, and some great stories, too.

“One of the things I love most about actors is when they elevate the script in a way I could never have imagined.” We’ve got something a little different for you this week. Yes, the show is called “Confessions of a Working Actor,” but in this episode Chris and David talk to…wait for it...a writer/producer. Emmy nominated writer Ted Sullivan has been a producer, staff writer, and co-executive producer of some major TV shows like “Riverdale,” “Star Trek,” “Pure Genius,” “Supergirl,” “Revenge,” and “Rizzoli & Isles.” And all that experience with actors has generated some wisdom you’re gonna want to hear. Like this gem: “I want confidence from an actor, I don’t want to have to babysit them or teach them.” Has he ever had to do that? What’s his advice from the other side of the table? Wanna find out? Tune in!

“I always felt like I was pulling something over on everyone.” This week’s guest is making a comeback, and we’re so glad. He’s such an inspiration, what a journey he’s been on. Edward Furlong became a HUGE movie star at just 13 years old after starring in “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” Then he did films like “Pecker," directed by John Waters, "Before & After" by the amazing director Barbet Schroeder (where he starred with Meryl Streep!) and "The Grass Harp” with Walter Matthau, Jack Lemon, and Sissy Spacek. And of course there was “Detroit Rock City,” “Green Hornet,” and the highly underrated “American History X.” David explains why he thinks this is one of Furlong’s -  and Ed Norton’s -  best performances ever, and he and Chris go deep into Eddie’s acting insights. Throw in some honest talk about addiction and sobriety, and ya gotta listen to this.

“Hey actresses: those couple of pounds that you’re stressing about? Or those bangs? Or whatever you’re trying to do to be perfect? All of that doesn’t fucking matter!” This week David and Chris talk to a wonderful actor and, we think, a comedy genius. Emmy nominee Erinn Hayes has been on shows you know like “Parks and Rec,” “The New Girl,” “Transparent,” “Kevin Can Wait” and more. She also plays “Jane Bales” on the hit comedy “The Goldbergs,” and was a lead in the hilariously absurd comedy series “Medical Police.” And of course you may know her best from her 67 episodes as Dr. Lola Spratt on “Children’s Hospital." Hear Erinn talk about “Bill & Ted Face The Music” - is Keanu Reeves as kind as people say he is? And we’ll find out about her most recent film "A Christmas Story Christmas” with an all grown up Ralphie! Don’t miss this one!

“My specialty is playing troubled youth.” This week we’re talking to another brilliant up-and-coming actor, Jack DiFalco. David did a terrible horror movie with him a while back, but that’s not his claim to fame. He’s been on TV shows like Blue Bloods, FBI, Daredevil, Prodigal Son, and more. And, he’s a serious Broadway guy, too — he's starred in plays like The Ferryman, Torch Song, and Marvin’s Room. What does Jack mean when he says that “It’s a never ending string you have to keep pulling on?” How is the out-of-town tryout in Boston for Sing Street going? And, here’s an interesting twist: he was discovered while in the foster system! 

“To walk into a room and make people smile, that to me is such a gift.” You’ve never met a nicer, more compassionate badass than Leah Remini — trust us. She’s Bensonhurst through and through, and she knows it and flaunts it. Also, she’s as famous and as humble as they come. Did Jimmy Burroughs really throw her under the bus at a sitcom taping, telling her, “I disagree Leah, I think the president of the network is a lovely guy, you’re wrong”...right in front of that president? What did Leah learn in some of her earliest acting classes? There’s a lot to unpack here, and the laughs abound. What about the time the casting folks and producers talked the whole time she was auditioning? Did they like her audition? “No, they said they didn’t like YOU as a person.” Damn, rejection is cold, but Leah Remini somehow makes it heartwarming.

“Stay in your own lane!” This week, just out of SuperMax…it's “Linda” from “Orange Is The New Black!” Yep, we found her. Really, it’s the brilliant actress who played Linda and so many other great roles, Beth Dover. She’s been in SO many shows, including "Burning Love,” "Another Period,” and the hilarious "Children’s Hospital.” David and Chris recently had her husband on the podcast, actor Joe Lo Truglio, and Beth might dispute a few things he said. “Wait a minute, did my husband tell you that?” Oh yes he did! David and Christ talk with Beth about “The Donor Party,” written by Rob Corddry, growing up a military brat, and knowing she wanted to be an actor from age 3. What’s something Beth wishes she’d known back when she was doing the Miss Pre-Teen Osan Air Force Base pageant? We’ll find out!