Transcript: June Squibb on Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Full Transcript
Click any timestamp to jump to that moment in the video.- 0:00
Hello everyone. This is Amy Puller.
- 0:01
Welcome to another episode of Good Hang.
- 0:03
I'm in a different studio today, but
- 0:04
don't worry, I have my fake food with
- 0:06
me, so no need to panic. Um, but I have
- 0:09
the great June Squib here today. June is
- 0:12
a legend. She is an incredible artist
- 0:14
and wonderful person, and we talked
- 0:16
about a lot of things today. We're going
- 0:18
to talk about um Eleanor the Great, her
- 0:20
new movie that premiered at Can. We're
- 0:22
going to talk about what it was like
- 0:23
being an actor in New York in the 1950s
- 0:27
her love of sketch comedy, the fact that
- 0:29
we were both in Inside Out. Um, and and
- 0:32
we're going to just talk about her
- 0:34
incredible career and what it's like
- 0:36
being 95. Uh, which June makes it look
- 0:40
real good. So, I always like to do this
- 0:42
at the beginning of every episode. We
- 0:44
talk well behind our guests back and we
- 0:45
have someone who has worked with June in
- 0:47
a great film called Nebraska. He is SNL
- 0:51
alum, an incredible actor, and dear
- 0:52
friend, Will Forte, joining us from a
- 0:55
trailer somewhere on the set of
- 0:56
Something. Hi, Will.
- 1:00
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- 1:04
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[Music]
- 1:41
Hello. How are you
- 1:43
>> Will, Forte?, It, looks, like, you're, in, a
- 1:45
trailer.
- 1:45
>> I, am, in, a, trailer.
- 1:47
>> Where, where, are, we, talking, to, you, from?
- 1:49
>> I'm, I, don't, even, know., I'm, in, I'm
- 1:51
outside of Atlanta somewhere. I'm like
- 1:53
an hour south. Mcdana, I think it's
- 1:56
called Mcdana, Georgia.
- 1:57
>> Um,, we, are, talking, to, June, Squib, today.
- 2:01
>> Get, ready., Very, excited, for, you.
- 2:04
>> I'm, very, excited.
- 2:05
>> You've, met, her, before,, right?
- 2:06
>> You, know what?, We, only, met, once, briefly
- 2:08
at a Pixar event cuz we were both there
- 2:11
for Inside Out 2.
- 2:12
>> Wait,, you, came,, didn't, you, come, to, the
- 2:15
Nebraska screening in New York?
- 2:17
>> Well,, I, don't, remember., I, don't, I, don't
- 2:20
remember things. If you say I was there
- 2:22
sure, but I don't have any memory of
- 2:24
that.
- 2:25
>> I, think, you, might, have, been, there,, but
- 2:26
it doesn't mean you ever met her. Like
- 2:28
like in fact, she might not have even
- 2:30
been there. I in fact, I think she
- 2:32
wasn't there. If someone tells me
- 2:34
something happened, I have to believe
- 2:35
them because I if someone could come up
- 2:37
to me at this point and say like, "We
- 2:38
were roommates in New York." And I would
- 2:41
say "Okay."
- 2:42
>> Yeah.
- 2:42
>> Because, I, cannot, remember.
- 2:44
>> Somebody, asked, me, the, other, day, if, I, met
- 2:47
Oprah Winfrey. And I I couldn't answer.
- 2:51
And I'm like, I love Oprah. I would You
- 2:53
would think that I would know if I met
- 2:55
her or not. I can't remember.
- 3:00
Um, where when do you remember meeting
- 3:02
June?
- 3:02
>> I, met, June, for, the, first, time, uh, about, a
- 3:06
week before we started shooting
- 3:07
Nebraska. Um, we got together to do some
- 3:10
little rehearsals and she was just very
- 3:13
instantly
- 3:15
charming and made me put me right at
- 3:18
ease because I was very nervous about
- 3:20
the experience. She was just so so
- 3:23
wonderful.
- 3:24
>> What, um, what, were, you, nervous, about, at
- 3:26
the time? I just had never really done
- 3:30
a, you know, something that was more on
- 3:33
the dramatic side, even though it's kind
- 3:35
of a a comedy and a drama, but uh, you
- 3:38
know, to do it on that scale with
- 3:42
uh, you know, with the director
- 3:44
Alexander Payne, and then, you know
- 3:46
Bruce Stern and June Squib, it was it
- 3:49
was daunting.
- 3:50
>> And, do, do, you, how, would, you, say, June
- 3:52
works? How does she like to work? Does
- 3:53
she like to rehearse? Is she loose? that
- 3:55
she really
- 3:57
>> from, what, I, remember
- 3:59
June had the entire
- 4:02
script memorized before we even started.
- 4:06
You can ask her if that's true, but I'm
- 4:08
pretty sure that she had memorized every
- 4:11
one of her lines before we even started.
- 4:15
>> Wow,
- 4:16
that's so pretty.
- 4:17
>> I'm, like, I'm, somebody, who, really, like, I
- 4:20
try hard to to make sure that everything
- 4:22
is memorized. that I don't want to be
- 4:24
the person who screws that up, but I
- 4:27
mean I was just blown away by that. Like
- 4:29
I that was way over the top.
- 4:31
>> That's, I, mean, when, I've, been, doing
- 4:33
research on her, she's such a formidable
- 4:36
actress and started out in the theater
- 4:38
and just has like a ton of experience
- 4:40
and training, so it's not surprising to
- 4:42
me, but that is a that's a lot to
- 4:44
memorize.
- 4:45
>> Yeah., And, she, just, was, amazing., It's
- 4:49
such a pro and at the same time so warm
- 4:53
and just you you just love being around
- 4:56
her., You'll, you'll, see., You, know what
- 4:57
I'm finding is so many people, I bet the
- 5:00
you've seen this too, like people 90 and
- 5:03
over, non-agenarians or whatever, people
- 5:06
tend to either speak to them like
- 5:08
they're little kids, like say like, "How
- 5:11
are you?" Like, "Are you having a nice
- 5:14
day?"
- 5:17
Or they assume that they've got a ton of
- 5:21
wisdom that they want to share. like
- 5:24
they assume like they're, you know, tell
- 5:27
us your secrets. Like, and what I've
- 5:30
noticed about when I've done some
- 5:32
research on June is June does not, you
- 5:34
know, she's so together with it and in
- 5:38
the moment. Like, she's not interested
- 5:39
in being like this wise person who's
- 5:42
learned all these lessons. She seems
- 5:44
very current, I guess, is the best way
- 5:46
to put it.
- 5:46
>> Yeah., I, mean,, she, has, that, wisdom, for
- 5:49
sure, but isn't like she doesn't hit you
- 5:51
in the face with it. She's just like
- 5:53
she's just she's per she's like the
- 5:55
perfect person because she's like super
- 5:57
sweet but got a little a little spice to
- 6:00
her also. It's it's it's just a a
- 6:03
perfect combination.
- 6:04
>> Did, she, ever, like, did, she, ever, get, give
- 6:07
you some wisdom?
- 6:08
>> A, few, times.
- 6:10
Few times. Did she ever what?
- 6:14
>> Did, she, ever, give, you, any, wisdom, or, did
- 6:17
she ever give you or did she ever like
- 6:19
have a little sharp tongue like little
- 6:21
spice that you saw while you were
- 6:22
working together?
- 6:23
>> Well,, that's, the, thing, is, like, she's, so
- 6:24
sweet but then she she the part that she
- 6:27
plays in the movie is, you know, she's
- 6:30
defending the family and and she gets
- 6:33
really spicy.
- 6:34
>> Okay., So,, do, you, have, a, question, you
- 6:36
think we should ask June? Anything you
- 6:38
think you'd want to hear on this
- 6:39
podcast?
- 6:40
>> Question., June,, my, question, is,, what, is
- 6:42
your favorite food and why? And will you
- 6:46
please tell me in song?
- 6:50
Answer the question in song, an existing
- 6:54
or madeup song.
- 6:57
>> Well,, I, mean,, hopefully, we, can, get, the
- 7:00
rights to whatever thing she sings
- 7:03
but that's a perfect question, Will.
- 7:04
>> Okay., Okay.
- 7:05
>> Let's, You, want, to, take, it, one, more, time?
- 7:07
Yeah. And and and just play around with
- 7:09
it. Have fun.
- 7:10
>> What, is, the, uh, Oh, my, god., Okay.
- 7:12
>> And, no, pressure,, but, we, are, we, are
- 7:14
getting ready to break for lunch, so
- 7:15
let's whenever you're ready.
- 7:16
>> Oh,
- 7:18
knew this was going to happen. June
- 7:20
hello. I love you and I miss you. You
- 7:22
are one of the most wonderful people
- 7:24
I've ever gotten to work with. My
- 7:26
question to you is this.
- 7:29
What is your favorite food and why? And
- 7:33
please answer this question in song. Uh
- 7:36
and that song must be in the public
- 7:38
domain.
- 7:41
Thank you.
- 7:44
>> Perfect, question., Um,, fore, do, you, think
- 7:46
you're going to live to 95 and do you
- 7:48
want to?
- 7:49
>> I, know, that, I, have, the, Ouija, board, has
- 7:51
said I will be dead at 73 by stabbing.
- 7:56
But I think I'm going to figure out a
- 7:58
way like whoever makes it through those
- 8:00
Final Destination movies, I'm going to
- 8:03
be that guy and I I will make it to 95.
- 8:05
I believe it.
- 8:07
>> How, about, you?
- 8:08
>> I, hope, so., I, definitely, won., I, want, to
- 8:10
make it to 100 and I June is
- 8:12
aspirational to me. I want to be like
- 8:14
June at 95, working occasionally, having
- 8:17
fun, having fun with my friends, like
- 8:20
being really sharp.
- 8:22
>> I, I, She's
- 8:23
>> She, is, an, amazing, role, model, and, I'm, I'm
- 8:24
with you.
- 8:25
>> Yeah,, I, uh, I, I, can't, wait, to, have, her.
- 8:27
All right. I love you so much. Thank you
- 8:29
so much for getting on and doing this in
- 8:31
the middle of your work day.
- 8:32
>> Have, fun, with, her., I'm, jealous, get, to
- 8:34
talk to her for so long. Thanks, buddy.
- 8:36
But tell her hi for me.
- 8:36
>> Talk, to, you.
- 8:37
>> Love, you., Bye.
- 8:38
>> Bye.
- 8:40
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>> Juna,, I'm, so, happy, to, have, you, here.
- 9:47
Well, I'm thrilled to be here.
- 9:49
>> You, know,, someone, asked, me, today., They
- 9:50
said, "Have you have you met June?" And
- 9:52
I said "Well, we've met in that like
- 9:54
Hollywood way where we've just like seen
- 9:55
each other at events, but we haven't
- 9:57
really been able to show."
- 9:58
>> I, remember, Scarlet, and, I, saw, you, at, the
- 10:00
rehearsal for the Oscar presenters.
- 10:03
>> That's, right., That's, right., Scarlett
- 10:04
Johansson.
- 10:05
>> Yeah., That's, the, last, time, I, think, I, saw
- 10:07
you.
- 10:07
>> And, we, A, lot, of, people, don't, know, that
- 10:09
you have to kind of show up for those
- 10:11
events and rehears them. Yeah. which is
- 10:15
kind of good because you have to see
- 10:17
where to walk and
- 10:18
>> Oh,, I, would, have, been,, you, know,, I, had
- 10:21
never done it before. I'm sure she has
- 10:23
but I I hadn't. And so it was all
- 10:26
completely, you know, new to me about
- 10:29
where you go, what you do, everything.
- 10:31
>> You, were, in, a, new, movie, right, now, that
- 10:34
Scarlet directed.
- 10:35
>> That, Scarlet, directed., Yes.
- 10:37
>> Helen, the, Great.
- 10:38
>> Her, directing, debut
- 10:41
feature, excuse me. Do you like working
- 10:44
with first-time directors?
- 10:45
>> I, do., And, I've, worked, with, quite, a, few.
- 10:48
I really have.
- 10:48
>> What, do, you, like, about, it?
- 10:50
>> Um,
- 10:53
I I find if they're good, they're good
- 10:55
you know, if they know what they're
- 10:57
doing. And firsttime directors so often
- 10:59
do. And I think that many of them work
- 11:02
hard at finding out what to do. You
- 11:05
know, if they're confused or not sure
- 11:08
they try to make sure they find out the
- 11:10
answers. Do you have a a a style or a
- 11:14
way that you like to be directed? Do you
- 11:16
like more thoughts right away? Do you
- 11:18
like rehearsal? Do you like Do you like
- 11:21
Do you like Do you have a way to prep in
- 11:23
a way that you like?
- 11:24
>> I, certainly, prep, in, a, certain, way., Yeah,
- 11:27
I I learn by just going over and over
- 11:30
and over. But in doing that, I'm
- 11:33
studying the script. So, I know that
- 11:36
script backwards and forward by the time
- 11:39
I get on set. I really do. I I I just I
- 11:43
just feel
- 11:44
>> you, know, I, know, everything, about, it.
- 11:46
>> Do, you, think, it, comes, from, your
- 11:47
training?
- 11:49
>> Yeah,, I, think, I, was, in, theater, for, so
- 11:51
many years and the learning process is
- 11:55
different because there you usually
- 11:57
learn as you rehearse
- 11:59
>> and, of, course, with, film, we, learn, and
- 12:01
then go do it. Yeah. Yeah. So, it is
- 12:04
there's a difference, but basically with
- 12:07
theater, God, did we ever learn the on
- 12:11
time thing, you know, which is so
- 12:13
everybody preaches in film all the time
- 12:16
too.
- 12:16
>> Yeah., I, feel, like, I, I, I, mean, I, don't
- 12:19
think enough people know your extensive
- 12:22
theater background and where you started
- 12:24
and you know you were also married to an
- 12:26
acting teacher and you studied a lot and
- 12:29
you did a lot of things and can you tell
- 12:31
me a little bit about what it was like
- 12:33
in the 1950s to move to New York as an
- 12:37
actor? I mean I have a
- 12:38
>> It, was, wonderful.
- 12:40
>> Oh,, I, loved, it., I, loved, it., And, I, I, felt
- 12:43
I breathed really fully for the first
- 12:46
time in my life.
- 12:48
>> And, I, had, had, five, years, at, the
- 12:50
Cleveland Playhouse. So that prepared me
- 12:54
in so many ways for New York. But there
- 12:57
was nothing like New York and being
- 12:59
young in New York, being in the theater
- 13:02
and I was one of the lucky ones that
- 13:04
started working fairly soon.
- 13:06
>> Where, were, you, living, when, you, first
- 13:07
moved to New York?
- 13:08
>> Uh, we, lived, there, were, three, of, us., my
- 13:11
first husband and a very dear friend
- 13:14
Jack Lee who was a Broadway conductor
- 13:17
before his career ended
- 13:19
>> and, uh, we, lived, in, a, funny, apartment
- 13:25
that they took down for Lincoln Center.
- 13:27
>> Oh, wow.
- 13:28
>> Yes., We, we, lived, there, for, two, or, three
- 13:30
years and then they sort of bought us
- 13:33
out
- 13:34
>> and, uh, then, we, moved, though, to, a, very, uh
- 13:39
a duplex in the va in the va village and
- 13:43
it oh Albi moved in after we did
- 13:48
>> Edward, Albby.
- 13:49
>> Edward, Albby
- 13:50
>> the, playright.
- 13:51
>> Yes., Wow.
- 13:51
>> It, was, a, wonderful, apartment., Had, a
- 13:54
garden and everything.
- 13:55
>> Do, you, remember, what, the, rent, was, back
- 13:56
then? I think it was about $200.
- 13:59
>> Yeah.
- 13:59
>> And, that, was, humongous, to, us,, of, course,
- 14:02
at the time. It was like, we can't
- 14:04
afford this. Three of us, you know.
- 14:08
>> What, was, the, vibe, in, being, in, New, York
- 14:11
in that time? Cuz like what was, you
- 14:13
know, the postwar
- 14:16
boommy vibe of the 50s in New York? What
- 14:18
did it feel like?
- 14:20
>> Um,, I, I, think, it, it, I, think, it, was, very
- 14:23
up. I remember that. And of course we
- 14:27
were seeing a lot of theater and we saw
- 14:30
all the big musical. We saw the original
- 14:33
Fair Lady
- 14:34
>> the, original, Music, Man.
- 14:37
>> Uh, the, the, we, saw, Westside, Story, in, its
- 14:40
second or third week of playing.
- 14:43
>> Who, was, on, stage, then?, Do, you, remember?
- 14:45
>> Well,, uh
- 14:46
>> was, it, Cheetah?
- 14:46
>> Cheetah.
- 14:48
>> And, I, knew, a, lot, of, the, dancers, at, the
- 14:50
time and I don't remember their names.
- 14:52
>> Wow,, that's, so, cool., But, it, was, it, was, a
- 14:55
wonderful time
- 14:57
>> in, musical, theater., And, many, people
- 15:00
don't know this. My first 20 years in
- 15:02
New York was spent in musical theater.
- 15:04
That's right.
- 15:05
>> I, did, either, musical, theater, cabaret, uh
- 15:08
reviews, you know, some nightclub. I had
- 15:11
an act with another comic actor.
- 15:15
>> You, did?, Yes., A, comic, act., What, was, your
- 15:17
What kind of stuff would you guys do?
- 15:19
Well, we wrote everything and um
- 15:23
>> I, remember, we, we, wrote
- 15:26
>> I, wore, a, an, ape, head, and, a, beautiful
- 15:30
blue dress, just a real frothy dress and
- 15:34
he sang about loving his girlfriend no
- 15:36
matter what. Well, and then Cabaret did
- 15:38
the same thing afterwards, you know
- 15:41
they they and this was before Cabaret
- 15:44
and we did it in our act.
- 15:45
>> What, happened, to, the, that, partner?, Do
- 15:47
you
- 15:48
>> Barry, Denon?, Well,, we, actually, broke, up
- 15:51
the act because he was offered Cabaret
- 15:55
in London
- 15:57
>> as, the, MC, and, I, was, offered, Happy, Time
- 16:01
>> for, Broadway., So,, we, both, felt, we, wanted
- 16:04
to keep working singly. So, we we broke
- 16:07
up the act.
- 16:08
>> Wow.
- 16:08
>> But, we, did, very, we, did, some, television.
- 16:11
We did little
- 16:12
>> Yeah., What, did, you, do?, What, television
- 16:13
did you do back then? I mean, your IMDb
- 16:16
June, is incredible. I feel I feel like
- 16:18
I could shout out a million shows to
- 16:20
you. You'd be like, maybe I was on it
- 16:22
maybe I wasn't.
- 16:23
>> But, what, did, you, what, television, did, you
- 16:25
do?
- 16:25
>> It, was, some, review, thing., I, don't, even
- 16:27
remember what it wasn't. I think it was
- 16:29
local.
- 16:30
>> Yeah.
- 16:30
>> But, we, also, we, did, u, the, some, of, the
- 16:34
small clubs in New York.
- 16:36
>> Wow., I, I, just, I, just, feel, like, I, it
- 16:39
would be so cool to time travel back to
- 16:41
that time.
- 16:42
>> It, was, wonderful., I, mean,, and, I, think
- 16:45
that everybody was like eager to be
- 16:49
there. I mean, it was like the place to
- 16:52
be in the world
- 16:53
>> to, all, of, us,, you, know.
- 16:55
>> It, still, feels, that, way,, though., I, have
- 16:56
to say, you know, I moved to New York in
- 16:57
96 and it still felt like
- 17:00
>> when, you, arrived, there,, at, least, for, me,
- 17:03
it felt like some version of your life
- 17:05
was beginning.
- 17:06
>> Yeah.
- 17:06
>> Basically.
- 17:07
>> Yeah., I, felt, Well,, I, lived, there, for, 65
- 17:10
years before moving out here.
- 17:13
>> Yeah., Wow., Um,, your, family, um,, your, mom
- 17:17
had had a job that is it's such a great
- 17:22
job because it's it just doesn't exist
- 17:23
anymore, which is your mother. What was
- 17:25
your mother's job?
- 17:26
>> My, mother, played, piano, for, silent, films.
- 17:31
>> How, did, she, start, doing, that?, and
- 17:32
>> well, she, was, a, piano, player, and, my
- 17:35
grandfather owned a music store so they
- 17:38
were sort of into all the music that was
- 17:41
happening in the area. He had a store in
- 17:45
I grew up in Vanelia Illinois and there
- 17:48
was another store in Centriia Illinois
- 17:51
that he owned. So he they were big in
- 17:53
the music and I'm sure that's how it
- 17:55
happened.
- 17:56
>> So, were, you, was, your, mom, teaching, you
- 17:58
how to sing and play from an early age?
- 18:00
No, she she played the piano and she
- 18:03
taught piano
- 18:04
>> and, um, because, she, taught, piano, and
- 18:09
played piano. I didn't want to have
- 18:10
anything to do with the piano and they
- 18:13
she tried to teach me and it didn't work
- 18:16
out. So she sent me to another teacher
- 18:19
in Bandelia and that didn't work out and
- 18:22
so the teacher said I think June maybe
- 18:24
should give up on the piano. So she sent
- 18:27
me back to my mother. So my mother said
- 18:29
"Well, I'm going to try again." So she
- 18:31
was giving me a lesson and she went
- 18:34
outside. For some reason, she came back
- 18:36
and I was playing the piano with my
- 18:38
feet.
- 18:40
I never had to touch a piano again.
- 18:44
I got out of it. She saw me and she
- 18:48
said, "This is it. This is it." I mean
- 18:50
it it's Isn't it funny that it's kind of
- 18:53
like the last thing you want to do often
- 18:55
is the thing your parents are doing.
- 18:57
Yeah.
- 18:58
>> Um, and
- 18:59
>> did, you, what, did, they, think, about, you
- 19:01
being an actor moving in? Like were they
- 19:03
supportive? Were they
- 19:04
>> They, were, not, support, My, father, was
- 19:07
somewhat supportive. My mother was
- 19:09
never. She saw me on Broadway doing a
- 19:13
supporting role in a big musical and
- 19:16
said, "Well, do you think you'll come
- 19:17
home now?
- 19:20
I I don't think so. And I was married
- 19:22
again. I mean, you know, it was
- 19:24
ridiculous. But in her mind, yeah, I was
- 19:27
I might decide to come home again.
- 19:29
>> Well,, I, don't, think, people, remember
- 19:31
that, you know, now in this world where
- 19:34
everybody is like, you know, creating
- 19:36
content and being, you know, famous and
- 19:39
trying to be like I don't think people
- 19:41
remember during that time acting was a
- 19:44
very treacherous.
- 19:45
>> Oh,, yeah.
- 19:46
>> Uh,, you, know,, uneven, profession., Many
- 19:48
people didn't make it. I mean
- 19:51
>> I, I, have, been, lucky, with, my, career, and, I
- 19:54
I would think you feel the same way.
- 19:56
>> Absolutely., Yes., And, so, many, really
- 19:58
talented people. I don't I mean it's a
- 20:01
very difficult you know it's a difficult
- 20:04
>> career, to, to, want, let, alone, to
- 20:08
>> what, I, see, you, do, that, I, feel, like, I
- 20:11
relate to is like I've always wanted you
- 20:13
know um kind of diversity and longevity
- 20:16
in my career and half the battle is
- 20:18
hanging in there like just kind of in
- 20:20
getting rejected a lot and just kind of
- 20:22
hanging in and believing in yourself
- 20:24
because it's
- 20:25
>> it, is, it, can, be, a, really, long, runway
- 20:27
before you feel
- 20:28
>> yeah, Who, was, someone, that, you, worked
- 20:30
with when you were young and you thought
- 20:32
I feel like I'm in the right place?
- 20:34
>> I, think, with, Ethel, Murman, with, Gypsy., Uh
- 20:38
and I was with that show eight eight
- 20:41
months in on Broadway and then eight
- 20:43
months on the road with her. And um she
- 20:48
was an amazing woman, an amazing woman.
- 20:51
And everybody loved her that was in the
- 20:54
company. She was very much a house fra.
- 20:58
She loved gossip. She loved to hear
- 21:02
everything she could about anybody in
- 21:04
the show.
- 21:06
>> And, she, used, to, tell, me, dirty, jokes
- 21:09
>> all, the, time., She, would, be, we, were
- 21:11
getting ready. I was behind a scrim. I
- 21:14
was so I was doing my light bulbs and
- 21:17
she was getting ready to come on and she
- 21:19
would sidle up behind me. June tune. And
- 21:22
then she would tell me a dirty joke
- 21:24
>> right, before, your, queen., What, do, you
- 21:26
mean doing your light bulbs?
- 21:28
>> Well,, I, had, uh, a, costume
- 21:31
>> and, you, had, to, do, your, own, light, bulbs.
- 21:32
>> Yeah.
- 21:33
>> Oh,, wow.
- 21:33
>> And, the, on, the, on, the, front, and, in, the
- 21:36
rear and the crotch. I had bulbs that
- 21:39
lit up
- 21:40
>> and, you, did, the, but, you, did
- 21:42
>> I, did, the, buttons, like, this., I'm, sure
- 21:43
they do it entirely differently now
- 21:46
because it's running on Broadway right
- 21:48
now. But then that's what and these long
- 21:51
wires went all the way up and it was
- 21:54
heavy because I had this huge battery in
- 21:57
my behind.
- 21:59
>> I, mean, that, term, doing, my, doing, my, light
- 22:01
bulbs like sounds like it could be an
- 22:04
old Broadway term like he he was u he
- 22:07
was fired for trying to do my light
- 22:09
bulbs.
- 22:09
>> Do, my, light, bulbs.
- 22:11
Well, I had that a few times too.
- 22:16
>> I, mean, I, bet, you, did., I, mean,, Judy,, you
- 22:18
have I mean, you could probably write a
- 22:21
book about how the how so much has
- 22:23
changed in the industry and I can only
- 22:26
imagine that you had to deal with
- 22:29
>> a, lot, of,, you, know,
- 22:31
>> inappropriate, behavior., It, was, it, was, a
- 22:34
completely different time, right?
- 22:35
>> Well,, you, know,, it's, funny, because, I
- 22:37
have friends and we were both dancers. I
- 22:40
mean, I danced a lot and we used when
- 22:43
the me too thing started
- 22:45
>> we, we, looked, at, each, other, and, said,, "Me
- 22:48
too. What I mean, you know, I know."
- 22:50
>> And, then, we, talked, about, it, and, you
- 22:53
know, we both said, "Oh my god, if we'd
- 22:56
had this when we were coming up, you
- 22:58
know, but you we both said the same
- 23:02
thing. We both knew when to say no. I
- 23:06
knew when it was going to be not good
- 23:08
for me." So that was it, you know
- 23:10
>> but, I, I, I, feel, you, like, when, I, when, when
- 23:15
my generation kind of looks at the
- 23:17
generations below and notices the things
- 23:20
that they don't put up with anymore and
- 23:22
it really makes you take stock of the
- 23:25
stuff that you put up with
- 23:26
>> that, you, that, you, did, put, up, with., Yeah.
- 23:28
>> Yeah., Yeah., Who's, your, favorite, dancer?
- 23:31
>> Uh
- 23:34
Jacques Dambo. Oh
- 23:36
>> and, I've, seen, him, dance, up, close., I
- 23:39
mean, you were real, not just television
- 23:41
or film.
- 23:42
>> You, have?, Where, did, you, Where
- 23:43
>> I, I, I, saw, him., He, was, a, guest, at, um, a
- 23:50
theater in
- 23:52
I guess it was Kansas City
- 23:56
or no, Dallas too. All these big
- 23:58
theaters. I worked a lot in those. and
- 24:01
>> and, um, he, was, doing, a, a, leading, role, in
- 24:05
one of them and I saw I saw the
- 24:07
rehearsal of it.
- 24:08
>> Wow.
- 24:09
>> But, I, just, think, his, career, I, mean, and
- 24:12
he's still
- 24:14
>> going.
- 24:15
>> He, is.
- 24:16
>> He, he, has
- 24:17
>> How, old, is, he, now?
- 24:18
>> A, group, Well,, I'm, sure, he's, in, his, 80s
- 24:20
or 90s now.
- 24:22
>> Everybody's, in, their, 90s, now.
- 24:24
>> 90s,, right?, Yes,, they, are., I, I'm, glad
- 24:27
you said that.
- 24:28
>> It's, really, true., So, many, people, in
- 24:29
there non non-aggenarians.
- 24:31
>> We're, all, living, so, much, longer.
- 24:34
>> I, mean, I, you, can't, get, rid, of, it.
- 24:36
>> It's, fantastic., I, mean, it's, a, I, mean
- 24:39
there are there's so many people in
- 24:40
their 90s now.
- 24:42
>> It's, fantastic., I, mean, you, know, my, my
- 24:44
dear friend who passed um Norman Lear
- 24:47
who
- 24:48
>> Oh, yes., um, he, made, it, to, 101
- 24:52
and he uh and Carl Riner and um who
- 24:57
passed and um Mel Brooks who's still
- 24:59
like there's just a lot of
- 25:01
>> I, mean
- 25:02
>> it's, almost, like, to, 100., Okay., I, mean,
- 25:05
you know
- 25:05
>> do, you, want, to, make, it, to, 100?
- 25:06
>> Oh,, sure., Yeah.
- 25:08
>> Yeah.
- 25:08
>> Yeah., That's, a, great, number, to, make.
- 25:10
>> My, agents, say, I'll, still, be, working,, so
- 25:13
I don't know about that.
- 25:16
Um, I I I know you love Singing in the
- 25:19
Rain. You also love Jean Kelly, too
- 25:21
right? I know. I I
- 25:22
>> I, loved, his, dancing.
- 25:24
>> Me,, too., I, loved, him, as, a, dancer.
- 25:25
>> I, think, it's, some, of, the, best, dancing
- 25:27
and and I love Donald Connor. I thought
- 25:30
he was
- 25:31
>> His, dancing, was, rather, in, underrated
- 25:34
really. I think he was so much better
- 25:36
than many people realized.
- 25:39
>> And, Debbie, was, good., Debbie, was, very
- 25:41
good in it. Yeah
- 25:42
>> they, all, were., And, that, wonderful, woman
- 25:44
who was so funny who played the actress.
- 25:48
>> I, have a, laptop., I, can, find, out, who, it
- 25:49
is. Look
- 25:51
>> I, can't, remember, her, name.
- 25:52
>> I, mean,, I, can't, June., I, can't, remember
- 25:55
anybody's name. So, okay. Singing in the
- 25:58
rain.
- 26:00
>> She, played, I, can't, remember, her
- 26:02
character name, but it was the
- 26:03
>> Jean, Hagen.
- 26:04
>> Jean, Hagen., Yeah., Was, she, was, so, funny.
- 26:07
You grew up in the Midwest
- 26:09
>> and, uh
- 26:12
uh I people think I grew up in the
- 26:15
Midwest because I did a show that took
- 26:16
place in a fictional town in Indiana.
- 26:18
But what I love about people from the
- 26:21
Midwest is a real uh you know a real
- 26:24
sense of um community
- 26:27
>> and, forthrightness., Do, you, think, that
- 26:30
that is true? Do you do you find that to
- 26:31
be true? Like do you
- 26:33
>> Yeah,, I, think, um, the, forthrightness
- 26:37
is I think because everybody just sort
- 26:39
of always says what they think.
- 26:41
>> Yeah,, I, think, it's
- 26:42
>> it's, true., Yeah,, I, think, they, do., Even
- 26:44
to the detriment of perhaps the person
- 26:47
listening, but they say it.
- 26:49
>> Yeah,, I, think, that, there's, a
- 26:50
straightforwardness that is that's very
- 26:53
nice to be I find it very nice to be
- 26:54
around.
- 26:55
Do you find like as like in your life
- 26:57
did any of that Midwest stuff travel in
- 27:00
any of your work or
- 27:01
>> Oh,, very, much, so., Yeah,, I, think, it, did
- 27:04
very much. I I think there's a
- 27:07
stickuitous tuitousness
- 27:11
and I I think that that's very
- 27:13
Midwestern.
- 27:14
>> Agree.
- 27:15
>> I, mean,, it's, like, you've, got, a, job,, so
- 27:18
you do it. And no matter what that job
- 27:20
is, if it's yours, then you you have to
- 27:22
do it. I spent some years in Chicago. I
- 27:25
just feel like there Yeah, there was a
- 27:26
sense there of um
- 27:29
>> of, exactly, what, you, just, said,, one, foot
- 27:31
in front of the other.
- 27:33
>> There, wasn't, a, ton, of, I, don't, know
- 27:35
complaining.
- 27:36
>> You, don't, complain.
- 27:37
>> Yeah.
- 27:37
>> You, just, do, what, you're, supposed, to, be
- 27:39
doing.
- 27:39
>> Do, you, feel, you, do, that?
- 27:41
>> I, think, I, do., Yeah., I, think, I, think
- 27:43
that's something that, you know, has
- 27:46
been a part of me. And we were very far
- 27:50
south. We were on a line with St. Louis
- 27:53
Missouri, which is considered a southern
- 27:55
city really. And
- 27:58
I I my accent I still had a southern I
- 28:02
probably still do have a southern sound.
- 28:05
>> And, they, tried, to, take, I, remember, when, I
- 28:07
went to the Cleveland Playhouse, one
- 28:10
actor went out of his way to take the
- 28:13
Midwest Southern out of my voice and he
- 28:16
did for the most part.
- 28:18
>> Interesting., So, by, the, time, I, went, into
- 28:20
New York, it was more
- 28:22
>> you, know,, it, wasn't, as, southern.
- 28:24
>> It, was, like, voice, voice, lessons, to
- 28:26
flatten that out. Yeah.
- 28:28
>> Or, not, flatten, it, out., Maybe, take
- 28:29
>> not, flatten, it, out., Lemon.
- 28:32
>> Which, one?
- 28:32
>> Lemon., That's, lemon.
- 28:37
>> Gotcha., Lemon.
- 28:38
>> Lemon.
- 28:39
>> Lemon,, brothers.
- 28:41
>> Lemon.
- 28:42
>> I, had, lemon, in, my, tea.
- 28:43
>> Lemon., Lemon.
- 28:45
>> Lemon.
- 28:45
>> Oo,, that's, a, good, one., Do, you, remember
- 28:47
any other ones? Leman. Leman.
- 28:50
>> Let's, see.
- 28:51
>> I, know., I, know., With, my, Boston, accent,, I
- 28:54
had a hard time when I would do when I
- 28:55
would and I had to say it a lot on Parks
- 28:57
and Wreck where I had to say the word. I
- 28:59
still have to swallow before I say it.
- 29:03
>> Government.
- 29:04
>> Government.
- 29:05
>> Something, about, my, Boston, accent, makes
- 29:07
me want to say
- 29:09
>> government.
- 29:10
>> Oh,, yes., I
- 29:11
>> get, rid, of, that., But, it's, government.
- 29:13
>> Government.
- 29:14
>> Government., That, was, a, hard, one, for, me.
- 29:16
>> Yeah., Um,, and, when, you, get, does, your
- 29:19
accent come back at all when you're with
- 29:21
people?
- 29:21
>> If, I, get, tired,, it, does, too., I, I, get
- 29:24
very southern if I get tired. Picture.
- 29:27
>> Picture.
- 29:28
>> Picture., Yeah,, that's, another, one.
- 29:30
>> Do, you, like, doing, accents?
- 29:32
>> I, don't., I, I'm, not, great, at, accents., And
- 29:37
supposedly if you have a southern
- 29:40
accent, it's harder for you to do
- 29:42
accents.
- 29:43
>> I, don't, know, why., I, think, it's, the
- 29:45
slowness that you're I don't know, but
- 29:47
I've been told that or or read that or
- 29:49
something.
- 29:50
>> Have, you, ever, had, to, do, an, accent, in, a
- 29:52
film or a part that was challenging?
- 29:54
>> Yeah,, I, do., I, I, can, do, Irish, fairly
- 29:57
well. I've done that on stage and in
- 29:59
film and uh but I I'm just not I don't
- 30:05
have that kind of ear. I really don't
- 30:07
>> know, what, you, mean., I, think, you, either
- 30:09
have it or you don't. It's amazing to
- 30:11
watch like real mimics, people who can
- 30:14
pick it up fast.
- 30:16
>> And, I, I, mean,, you, know,, it, it, amaz, Some
- 30:18
people could just read and do it. I
- 30:20
mean, you know, oh, what do you want?
- 30:22
Polish. Okay. I mean, I can't do that.
- 30:25
>> I, mean,, I, can, do, it, if, I, work, at, it, a
- 30:28
long time. But it, you know, you can't
- 30:30
just throw something like that at me or
- 30:32
I can't do
- 30:32
>> I, won't, I'm, not, going, to, throw, it, at
- 30:34
you.
- 30:35
>> Oh,, good.
- 30:37
We're going to do the rest of this
- 30:38
interview and we're going to pretend
- 30:39
we're French.
- 30:40
>> French., Okay.
- 30:42
>> Having, come, from, musicals,, are, you
- 30:44
hoping to do more musical stuff? Like
- 30:46
do you want to ever have you been able
- 30:49
to do anything musical
- 30:51
>> lately?, I, did, a, Glee, and, I, we, I, I, think
- 30:56
I did three numbers in it.
- 30:58
>> What, did, you, sing?, Do, you, remember?
- 31:00
>> Memories, from, Cats., Chris, Kouler, and, I
- 31:03
sang that.
- 31:04
>> You, guys, are, buddies., Yes,, we, are, heavy
- 31:07
duty buddies. Uh, and we did another we
- 31:11
I don't I can't even remember what what
- 31:12
numbers it was, but memories was the big
- 31:15
one that we had.
- 31:16
>> What, uh, what, do, you, what's, so, great
- 31:17
about Chris? What do you What do you
- 31:18
love about Chris Kouler? Seems like a
- 31:20
peach.
- 31:20
>> Oh,, well,, I, met, him, on, Glee, and, he, had
- 31:24
written the script and was doing the
- 31:26
lead and it was Peter Pan and I was
- 31:29
playing Wendy.
- 31:31
It's a whole story, but anyway. So it it
- 31:35
we worked together so closely and I
- 31:38
think we were shooting there. It was big
- 31:40
scenes and
- 31:41
>> I, think, we, shot, like, a, week, and, a, half
- 31:44
or two weeks. It was a long shoot
- 31:47
>> and, I, just, sort, of, got, to, know, him, and
- 31:49
liked him a lot and um
- 31:53
so we we started then having dinner
- 31:56
together and he has a great partner Will
- 31:59
Shared who I adore too. So, it was just
- 32:03
you know, great fun.
- 32:04
>> What, do, you, what, do, you, get, what, do, you
- 32:06
learn from and get out of people who are
- 32:08
younger than you?
- 32:09
>> Because, I, I, mean,, as, an, older, person,, I
- 32:11
feel like what happens is people want to
- 32:14
ask you for a lot of wisdom.
- 32:16
>> Oh,, no., No., They, know, they're, not, going
- 32:18
to get it. So, they don't they don't ask
- 32:22
that at all from me in any way.
- 32:24
>> Yeah., And, I, feel, like, people, really
- 32:26
project on that on on people that are
- 32:28
older that that they have something they
- 32:31
want to share when in my my experience
- 32:34
younger people teach me stuff all the
- 32:36
time. Like I learn a lot from them. What
- 32:38
do you learn from people like Chris and
- 32:39
your other I know you have a lot of
- 32:40
younger friends.
- 32:41
>> Yeah., Um
- 32:43
I, don't, know., I, mean, I, I I, I, just, if, I
- 32:47
like someone I don't think I ever think
- 32:50
in terms of how old they are. you know
- 32:52
if if I feel an affinity, you know, that
- 32:55
there's something here that I want to
- 32:58
>> to, be, more, a, part, of,, you, know.
- 33:01
>> Yeah.
- 33:01
>> I, mean,, why, would, I, tell, anyone, what, to
- 33:04
do?
- 33:05
>> Well,, because, I, I, think, people, in, their
- 33:07
90s are treated like astronauts. I think
- 33:09
people are like, you you're you got to
- 33:13
go somewhere. You're there and what are
- 33:16
you bringing back? like they I think
- 33:17
people really, you know, I mean, it's
- 33:20
people, you know, we're all afraid to
- 33:22
die. Mortality is the thing we're
- 33:24
obsessed with. And when people are in
- 33:26
their 90s, I think there's some uh
- 33:29
people want to know the secret. They
- 33:30
want they they think you've got
- 33:32
something in your pocket.
- 33:34
>> Well,, I, don't, think, any, of, my, friends
- 33:35
feel that way. Let's just put it that
- 33:37
way. We're sort of on an even keel, you
- 33:41
know? Keep me happy or forget it.
- 33:43
>> What, age, do, you, feel, you, are?, 35.
- 33:47
I always feel I'm 35. I don't know what
- 33:50
I felt when I was younger than 35, but
- 33:53
as I got older, I kept referring back to
- 33:56
35. I don't know why.
- 33:58
>> I, deeply, remember, my, 35th, birthday,, too.
- 34:01
Yeah.
- 34:02
>> Maybe.
- 34:03
>> Where, were, you, when, you, were, 35?, What
- 34:04
year was that? Where were you?
- 34:06
>> Well,, I, was, in, New, York., I, don't, know.
- 34:11
I I I don't remember why 35 is so
- 34:15
important. I think it's because I
- 34:17
remember my mother at 35.
- 34:21
>> There, was, something, very, grand, about, her
- 34:23
at 35 which I did not always find
- 34:27
>> as, she, got, older, or, even, younger, than
- 34:29
that.
- 34:30
>> But, somehow, her, my, mother, at, 35, was
- 34:34
great. I agree with you that when we
- 34:36
meet people, I feel like we meet them
- 34:39
and, we, meet, very, old,, wise, 25, year olds
- 34:42
and we meet really like all over the
- 34:45
place, hectic 95year-olds. We meet all
- 34:48
of those people. Like the age doesn't
- 34:50
have a lot to do with where you're at.
- 34:51
>> No,, it, really, doesn't.
- 34:53
>> Yeah.
- 35:00
It makes me think about um what we're
- 35:02
talking about kind of makes me think
- 35:04
about
- 35:06
what we worked on together, this film
- 35:08
Inside Out. Inside Out 2, because
- 35:10
>> it's, kind, of, there's, some, themes, in
- 35:12
there too about the idea of time
- 35:14
passing. And
- 35:17
>> for, people, who, haven't, re, who, haven't
- 35:19
recognized June's voice yet as they've
- 35:20
been listening to it, but you played
- 35:22
nostalgia.
- 35:23
>> Nostalgia., What, I, loved, about, nostalgia
- 35:26
when she comes in and she's drinking her
- 35:28
tea is that it's it was kind of it's
- 35:31
kind of Buddhist what nostalgia does cuz
- 35:33
nostalgia kind of says remember
- 35:37
>> remember, basically, remember, when, we, were
- 35:39
all getting along but she but she she
- 35:42
comes in she keeps coming in during
- 35:43
chaos
- 35:44
>> to, like, kick, everybody, back, to
- 35:47
>> um, let's, just, take, a, minute, and, remember
- 35:50
which is like it feels very like I don't
- 35:52
know
- 35:53
>> but, because, they, keep, pushing, her, out
- 35:56
all the time.
- 35:58
>> I, know., It's, kind, of, interesting, why
- 35:59
they don't want to get nostalgic in that
- 36:01
moment. How what did you what is your
- 36:03
relation? Are you a nostalgic person?
- 36:05
>> Not, terribly.
- 36:07
>> Yeah.
- 36:07
>> I'm, really, not.
- 36:08
>> Yeah.
- 36:09
>> I, I've, always, been, like,, "What's, going
- 36:11
to happen?" Even as a young person, I
- 36:14
was like that.
- 36:15
>> Yeah., What's, next?
- 36:16
>> Yeah.
- 36:17
>> Yeah., And, do, you, think, that's, one, of, the
- 36:20
reasons why you've worked so much and
- 36:22
had such a long career as you've been
- 36:23
thinking?
- 36:23
>> I, think, it, probably, has, a, lot, to, do, with
- 36:25
a career. Yeah.
- 36:27
>> Yeah., And, you, the, the, working, so, much, I
- 36:31
mean you know when I started out I would
- 36:33
have done anything and I think you have
- 36:36
to I think when you're just starting you
- 36:40
know either out here in Hollywood or in
- 36:42
New York where wherever you are or
- 36:45
Chicago cuz there's a big group there.
- 36:48
>> Um, you, have, to, do, everything., you, you
- 36:51
can't say no to anything
- 36:54
>> because, it's, it's, working, keeping, that
- 36:57
thing going that that is going to save
- 37:00
you you know
- 37:01
>> I, know, you, describe, yourself, as, a
- 37:02
character actor
- 37:04
>> and, that, and, I, love, the, way, you, talk
- 37:06
about how you approach you know I you
- 37:08
know you're obviously done these amazing
- 37:11
films in which you've led them and been
- 37:13
number one on the call sheet and been
- 37:14
nominated for awards and you've done so
- 37:16
much work where you have been um part of
- 37:20
an ensemble, part of a like and you talk
- 37:23
a lot about how you treat them the same.
- 37:25
>> I, do.
- 37:26
>> Yeah.
- 37:26
>> Yeah.
- 37:27
>> Why?
- 37:28
>> Well,, I, to, be, honest, with, you,, I, feel, if
- 37:31
I'm doing it, it's the most important
- 37:32
thing in the film.
- 37:34
>> I've, always, felt, that.
- 37:36
>> And, that, just, carries, through., I, mean,
- 37:39
you know, and I I think too, you know
- 37:43
you've seen films where somebody comes
- 37:45
in and does one scene and you, Wow
- 37:49
who's that? I mean, you just don't know.
- 37:52
>> Yeah.
- 37:53
>> And, and, I, just, I, like, the, work., I, enjoy
- 37:57
doing what you do to get get it up there
- 38:00
on the screen.
- 38:01
>> When, you, worked, on, your, performances, in
- 38:04
about Schmidt and Nebraska are so good.
- 38:07
Your Thelma is so great. You and Fred
- 38:11
are so great in that together. And then
- 38:13
Ellen are great. When you work on films
- 38:16
like that with directors like and you've
- 38:19
got you you've memorized your script, do
- 38:21
you like to come in feeling like you
- 38:24
know who you are already or are you are
- 38:27
you hoping that that gets kind of shaped
- 38:29
as you're working?
- 38:31
I think it's more shaped as as it goes
- 38:34
on and you know and I think I know a lot
- 38:38
>> but, I, I, also, work
- 38:41
with no idea of what I'm going to do. I
- 38:44
have none.
- 38:45
>> Yeah.
- 38:46
>> So, the, what, happens, is, what, happens, hits
- 38:49
me and then that's how I react.
- 38:52
>> Who, are, some, of, your, favorite, scene
- 38:53
partners? people where you felt like you
- 38:56
were in the scene with them and you
- 38:58
there was a a vibe that was really
- 39:00
working.
- 39:02
>> Uh, well,, Richard, Roundtree, and, Fred, in
- 39:07
Thelma. I think they were both kind of
- 39:09
amazing.
- 39:10
>> Yeah.
- 39:11
Um and and Elellanar u
- 39:15
Aaron as the young girl that we have so
- 39:18
much together
- 39:20
>> and, um, well, Jack, Nicholson, I, mean, he, was
- 39:24
he was so great and so wonderful to work
- 39:27
with and he always made me feel like a
- 39:30
peer. He never once
- 39:32
>> well, he, better, you, are, a, beer.
- 39:34
>> Yeah., Well,, but, you, know,, I, came, in, and
- 39:37
and uh he could he could so easily have
- 39:40
been I'm Jack Nicholson and you're not.
- 39:42
You know that one of those and he never
- 39:44
ever that I I I appreciate that so much
- 39:48
with him.
- 39:49
>> Love, to, hear, that.
- 39:51
>> Um, did, you, ever, have, a, a, young, actor, in
- 39:54
their first role or film and you've
- 39:57
thought, "Oh, they're very good." and
- 40:00
then see them, you know, ascend over
- 40:03
like do does anyone come to mind?
- 40:06
>> Uh,, I, did, sendable, woman
- 40:10
and oh god, what is his name?
- 40:12
>> We, can, look, it, up., We've, got, Albuccino,
- 40:14
Chris O'Donnell, Philip Seymour
- 40:15
>> Philip.
- 40:19
>> Wow., Oh, yeah,
- 40:20
>> it, was, so, funny, because, I, had, a, a, I, had
- 40:23
a scene with both Chris and and
- 40:25
Philillip and I came home and I said
- 40:29
"Boy, I just worked with this young kid
- 40:31
and he is going to be so big." I said
- 40:33
"This kid's going to be a star." I knew
- 40:36
it immediately.
- 40:41
>> What, did, you, see?, What, did, you, remember
- 40:43
seeing in him?
- 40:43
>> I, don't, know, what, it, was., There, was
- 40:46
something about him and he he was he was
- 40:49
he was never like standing out. He was
- 40:52
always a part of he and Chris he and the
- 40:55
other boys, you know this. I mean, he
- 40:58
didn't push anything. He was amazing.
- 41:02
But you knew I I knew just the minute I
- 41:05
worked with him.
- 41:06
>> He, was, such, a, talented, actor.
- 41:08
>> Yes.
- 41:09
>> Did, you, get, to, work, with, him, again?
- 41:10
>> No,, I, never, did., They, used, to, tease, me
- 41:14
because my character's name was
- 41:15
Hunsacker. So they called me the Hun
- 41:19
and they would tease me all the time.
- 41:22
And we lived in this motel, all of us
- 41:25
cuz we were shooting outside of New
- 41:27
York. And he and Chris constantly were
- 41:31
trying to get me to go have booze and
- 41:33
beer in the bar downstairs.
- 41:36
And I would go once or twice, but I was
- 41:40
a big Knicks fan. And so I would sit
- 41:42
there watching the Knicks and they'd be
- 41:44
up at the bar drinking.
- 41:46
>> Yeah., Are, you, a, basketball, fan?
- 41:48
>> I, am.
- 41:48
>> Um, who, what, you're, a, big, sports, fan, in
- 41:51
general?
- 41:52
>> Not, not, hugely., I, played, basketball, in
- 41:56
high school and I loved it. And I
- 41:59
started watching the Knicks when I lived
- 42:01
in New York.
- 42:02
>> Were, you, a, guard?, I, mean,, you, don't, have
- 42:03
the height.
- 42:04
>> I, was, a, guard.
- 42:05
>> I, was, a, guard.
- 42:06
>> You, didn't, have, the
- 42:08
>> I, I, could, have, stopped, anything., I, was
- 42:11
really good at it.
- 42:12
>> That's, cool., Wow., And, and, and, do, you
- 42:15
were you a sporty kid? Were you?
- 42:17
>> Yeah,, I, ran., I, I, was, pretty, good, runner.
- 42:20
And uh the tumbling, you know, that you
- 42:23
do in the gym and I was a cheerleader.
- 42:25
You had to be sort of sporty for that.
- 42:27
>> Yeah.
- 42:28
>> And, um, a, drum, majorette.
- 42:30
>> Yeah.
- 42:31
>> And, they're, all, sort, of, sporty.
- 42:34
It's more or less. And like in your, you
- 42:37
know, 70s, 80s, and 90s
- 42:41
what do you, how do you stay? I mean
- 42:43
you're very physically fit. What do you
- 42:46
do?
- 42:47
>> Uh,, I, do, Pilates
- 42:49
uh once a week for an hour
- 42:51
>> on, the, reformer, or, on, floor.
- 42:53
>> Some, on, that,, but, some, just, stretching
- 42:55
and and weight stuff.
- 42:58
>> Yeah., Um, I, have, two, different, massagers,
- 43:01
masseuses
- 43:03
and um I try to walk. I try not to just
- 43:07
sit all the time. Now you have a you we
- 43:10
spoke a little bit about your late
- 43:11
husband who was an acting teacher and
- 43:13
who taught I thought this was really
- 43:16
wonderful
- 43:17
>> taught, uh, worked, with, Margot
- 43:19
Martenddale's
- 43:20
>> husband, or, and, you, got, you, and, Margot
- 43:23
were neighbors
- 43:24
>> neighbors
- 43:25
>> and, are, still, remain, very, good, friends
- 43:27
>> and, Margot, is, such, a, terrific, actress.
- 43:29
>> She's, heaven
- 43:30
>> and, um, is, this, a, true, story, that, she, got
- 43:34
the script for
- 43:35
>> Nebraska?, Nebraska., Yes,, it, is, true.
- 43:38
What's that story?
- 43:39
>> I, was, coming, out, of, my, apartment, and, she
- 43:42
was coming out of hers and she said
- 43:44
"Hey," she said, "Have you heard about
- 43:47
this new film, Nebraska?" And I said
- 43:49
"No." And she said, "You've got to tell
- 43:51
your agents about it." She said, "You
- 43:54
should be doing this role." And uh she
- 43:57
said "They sent it to me." But she
- 43:59
said, "I'm too young." She said "I
- 44:01
really am too young." And she said
- 44:02
"It's a wonderful role." So that sort of
- 44:06
started it. And so I tal I I talked to
- 44:11
the my agents about it and they kept up
- 44:14
and since I had already done uh about
- 44:17
Schmidt with with Alexander and the
- 44:21
thing was that they didn't Alexander and
- 44:23
the casting director both thought I was
- 44:25
wrong for the for Nebraska. And I said
- 44:30
they think I'm that little lady from
- 44:32
about Schmidt. And that's exactly what
- 44:34
it was. And my agents kept at them to
- 44:39
the point where they finally said
- 44:42
>> "Have, her, send,, you, know,, we'll, send, the
- 44:45
script or send some scenes and have her
- 44:47
send a a uh tape in." So that's what
- 44:50
happened.
- 44:51
>> Wow.
- 44:51
>> And, Alexander, again, said,
- 44:55
>> "The, minute, I, saw, it,, I, knew, you, should
- 44:57
do it." But he said it was so funny
- 44:59
because for about Schmidt he had cast it
- 45:04
>> from, somebody, out, here, and, I, I, was, in
- 45:08
New York and my agents kept pushing me
- 45:11
pushing pushing me. Finally they again
- 45:13
said just tell her to send a tape in.
- 45:15
I'm sure they thought that would be the
- 45:17
and Alexander told me he said I saw that
- 45:19
tape and knew you had to do it. Well, we
- 45:22
do this thing on this podcast where we
- 45:23
have people talk to me before I talk to
- 45:26
the guest and give me a question to ask
- 45:29
>> and, we, kind, of, try, to, talk, well, behind
- 45:31
people's back. So, I was talking with
- 45:33
Will Forte earlier.
- 45:35
>> Isn't, he, the, greatest?
- 45:36
>> I, adore, him.
- 45:37
>> I, know., And, he, and, he, adores, you.
- 45:40
>> Yes.
- 45:40
>> And, he, was, on, set, of, a, new, movie, in, a
- 45:43
trailer and we got him on Zoom to um to
- 45:46
tell us what it was like working with
- 45:48
you and then just to give you a
- 45:49
question. um uh to give me a question to
- 45:52
ask you. Um what was it like working
- 45:54
with Will?
- 45:55
>> Oh,, he's, great., And, he, was, so, scared
- 45:58
because, you know, he kept saying, "I
- 46:00
I'm a comic. I'm a comic." And we all
- 46:03
No, you're an actor now, Will. Just shut
- 46:05
up and do it, you know. And so that, you
- 46:08
know, he was wonderful. He was so great.
- 46:11
Oh, God. And then he he went to can the
- 46:13
first time I went, he and I and Bruce
- 46:16
>> D., Yeah., What, was, it, like, working, with
- 46:18
Bruce?
- 46:18
>> Oh,, Bruce, is, great., This, is, one, hell, of
- 46:20
an actor. He really is a great actor.
- 46:23
>> Yeah,, you, guys, were, great, together.
- 46:25
>> Yeah.
- 46:26
>> Um,, so, Will, wanted, me, to, ask, you,, um,
- 46:29
this was his question for you
- 46:31
and and he wanted me to tell you, June
- 46:34
I love you. Um, I I love everything
- 46:37
about you. Um, what is your favorite
- 46:41
food?
- 46:42
And could you tell us about it in song?
- 46:51
So, no no pressure, Jane.
- 46:54
>> Well,, my, favorite, food, are, papooseas.
- 47:02
I have a I have a cook who's from s one
- 47:05
of the islands that she her mother makes
- 47:07
papooseas for me all the time.
- 47:09
>> Sounds, like, a, good, title, of, a, song.
- 47:10
>> Let, me, see., Papooseas.
- 47:14
Papooseas.
- 47:16
Papoo says, "I love you."
- 47:20
>> Yes.
- 47:22
>> There, Will, Forte, the, one, of, the, lost
- 47:25
songs from South Pacific.
- 47:30
Oh, that's beautiful. Um that's like the
- 47:33
new um um Peaches song that Jack Black
- 47:36
sang. Um
- 47:38
>> so, the, the, other, thing, I, wanted, to, ask
- 47:39
you about is I'm the mother of boys. You
- 47:41
have a son and he is a in the business
- 47:44
too, right? writer, director. Um, what
- 47:47
was it like? You know, uh, you were a
- 47:49
working mother, uh, in the 70s. What was
- 47:53
it like being a working mother in the
- 47:54
70s? It's much different.
- 47:56
>> He, was, born, in, 70s.
- 47:58
>> He, was, born, in, 70., So,, you, were, Yeah.
- 47:59
So, 80s, I guess.
- 48:00
>> The, 80s.
- 48:01
>> What, was, it, like?
- 48:02
>> Well,, by, then, he, was,, I, think,, in, high
- 48:04
school. So, he was pretty, you know, in
- 48:08
New York. He was pretty loose. And
- 48:09
>> Oh,, yeah., You, guys, were, in, New, York.
- 48:11
Yeah.
- 48:12
>> And,, um,
- 48:13
>> do, you, ever, work, together?, Do, you?
- 48:14
>> Yes,, I, did., I, did, some, films, for, him., I
- 48:18
did in New York and out here both.
- 48:21
>> And, um
- 48:23
>> gosh,, he, would, I, don't, know., It, was, just
- 48:25
a little family of three, you know.
- 48:28
>> And, I, went, off,, but, he, had, his, dad, there
- 48:32
always. And um
- 48:33
>> and, you, and, uh, your, ex-husband, Charles
- 48:36
was an acting teacher. Did you work with
- 48:39
him on your stuff? That must have been
- 48:41
really interesting. What did you learn
- 48:42
from him? Well, everything truly because
- 48:47
you know my work as a per as a performer
- 48:50
really in musicals and I mean I
- 48:53
considered myself pretty realistic and
- 48:56
and I was considered one of the more
- 48:58
realistic actors doing musical theater
- 49:02
but u Charlie when I met him and we met
- 49:06
doing a musical in stock and he said you
- 49:09
could be a really fine actress if you
- 49:11
really do what you you're doing.
- 49:14
>> And, he, was, right., I, mean,
- 49:16
>> and, he
- 49:18
I remember going into his class
- 49:22
>> and, it, was, hard, because, I, mean, it, was
- 49:24
like tearing down everything that I
- 49:26
believed or thought I was doing, you
- 49:28
know, and to put something else in
- 49:30
there.
- 49:31
>> And, I, was, crying, and, he, was, yelling, at
- 49:34
me and the c the all the kids in the
- 49:36
class were laughing. They thought, "Oh
- 49:38
this is pretty funny." So, we went
- 49:40
through this awful screaming and yelling
- 49:42
and everything, but I mean truly, I
- 49:45
wouldn't be doing what I'm doing if it
- 49:47
were not for him.
- 49:48
>> Well,, honestly,, it, seems, very
- 49:49
passionate.
- 49:50
>> It, was., I, mean,, he, was, determined,
- 49:52
almost more determined than I was to do
- 49:54
it. He was determined I was going to do
- 49:57
it.
- 49:57
>> That, must, have, been, nice, to, have, someone
- 49:59
in your corner like that. And it was
- 50:01
interesting because I we worked together
- 50:05
then for years and I was auditioning for
- 50:09
a um regional theater a a a script that
- 50:14
I liked a lot and wanted to do and uh he
- 50:17
always helped me at home and I said you
- 50:21
know I I have this audition. He said I'm
- 50:23
not going to help you. And I said no I
- 50:27
need help. And he said no you know what
- 50:29
you're doing. you do it.
- 50:30
>> This, is, very, exciting, foreplay, that
- 50:32
you're talking about
- 50:33
>> and, yeah, and, no, it, wasn't., It, was, like
- 50:37
you know but we kept and then I got the
- 50:40
role and I said you've got to help me.
- 50:42
He refused again. He died about 6 months
- 50:47
later.
- 50:47
>> Wow.
- 50:49
>> And, do, you, think, he, knew?
- 50:50
>> I, think, he, knew, somehow, that, he, had, to
- 50:53
like push me out out of the nest is what
- 50:56
he did.
- 50:57
>> June, that's, wild., He, maybe, he, sensed
- 51:00
something
- 51:01
>> some, I, think, so.
- 51:02
>> So, do, you, feel, like, in, the, early, days
- 51:04
you were kind of dependent on his
- 51:06
>> Oh, very, much, so., Yeah., I, couldn't, I, I
- 51:08
felt you know I couldn't do it if he
- 51:10
didn't help me set me straight.
- 51:13
>> Yeah.
- 51:13
>> And, he, just, and, that, was, he, just, refused
- 51:16
and he never once helped me after that.
- 51:19
>> And, how, old, were, you, when, he, passed?
- 51:21
>> Uh, 99
- 51:25
1999.
- 51:27
>> Right., So,
- 51:28
>> how, old, was, I, have, no, idea.
- 51:30
>> I, mean,, I, can't, do, that., I, mean,, let's
- 51:32
not do it. Let's not even try it. That's
- 51:34
outrageous. And did your you ever um
- 51:38
consider dating or did you date after
- 51:40
that?
- 51:40
>> I, did, date, a, little, bit,, but, I, dated, a
- 51:44
little bit in New York and I dated some
- 51:46
out here.
- 51:47
>> What's, What's, dating, like, in, your, 80s?
- 51:49
>> Uh,, not, very, interesting.
- 51:55
>> It, really, wasn't., Yeah,
- 51:57
>> I, did,, you, know,, no,, nobody, came, along
- 52:01
that really excited me and I was working
- 52:04
all the time, you know, so it just sort
- 52:07
of went by the wayside.
- 52:08
>> Well,, you, know,, and, I, mean,
- 52:11
do you feel like what like I I ask a lot
- 52:13
of my guests this, but you have
- 52:14
friendships now, especially female
- 52:16
friendships that probably, you know
- 52:18
they span many decades. What do they
- 52:20
what have they continue to do for you
- 52:23
even, you know, into your 90s? Well, I
- 52:25
think mentally I think without them I
- 52:28
would, you know, um I need that. I think
- 52:32
you know the the mental push
- 52:35
>> the, mental, excitement.
- 52:37
>> Yeah., Yeah., And, someone, who, kind, of
- 52:39
knows your story.
- 52:40
>> Yeah.
- 52:41
>> Yeah., Yeah.
- 52:42
>> And, we, still, I, mean, I, have, two, female
- 52:45
friends that I'm very very close to and
- 52:49
I see them all the time so it's great.
- 52:52
>> Yeah.
- 52:53
Um, what are you what are you doing
- 52:56
right now? What do you listen to, watch
- 52:59
read that makes you laugh?
- 53:03
You know, when you want to laugh, when
- 53:05
you want to check out
- 53:06
>> Well,, I, watch, Saturday, Night, Live, or
- 53:09
what?
- 53:09
>> Do, you?
- 53:10
>> Oh,, yes.
- 53:11
>> Every, week.
- 53:11
>> Not, every, week,, but, a, lot.
- 53:13
>> So, good., Who, are, some, of, your, fave
- 53:15
performers on that show right now?
- 53:17
>> Uh,, I, love, Colin., I, mean,, I, just, think
- 53:20
he's he and Michael Chay together just
- 53:22
knocked me out.
- 53:23
>> But, so, you, like, sketch, comedy.
- 53:24
>> Yeah.
- 53:25
>> Yeah.
- 53:26
>> Yeah., And, I, did, it,, you, know,, so, I
- 53:28
really sort of
- 53:29
>> I, I, have, a, thing., I, understand, it,, you
- 53:31
know.
- 53:32
>> Were, you, a, big, like, uh, What, kind, of
- 53:34
shows did you like in the comedy? Were
- 53:36
you like a Monty Python fan? Were you
- 53:38
>> I, love, Monty., I, liked, laughing.
- 53:41
>> Yeah.
- 53:41
>> Buzzy, was, a, really, good, friend, of, mine.
- 53:43
>> Ruth, Buzzy, was, a, friend, of, yours., We
- 53:46
worked together in reviews in New York
- 53:49
actually in Province Town.
- 53:51
>> Tell, me, about, that., What, was, Ruth, Buzzy
- 53:53
like?
- 53:53
>> Well,, uh,, she, and, I, worked, in, the, same
- 53:56
little group.
- 53:56
>> I, love, that, you, called, her, Buzzy.
- 53:58
>> Yeah.
- 53:58
>> Yeah., Sorry.
- 53:59
>> That's, what, everybody, calls.
- 54:01
>> I, didn't, know, that., I, always, called, her
- 54:03
Ruth Buzzy.
- 54:03
>> Ruth, Buzzy.
- 54:05
>> Buzzy.
- 54:05
>> And, um,, so, we, worked, together., We, did, a
- 54:08
ship. We did a a cruise ship together
- 54:12
and we did some nightclubs in New York
- 54:14
together. And then she had gone to
- 54:17
Province Town the year before and they
- 54:21
needed someone the summer coming. It was
- 54:24
a summer job and she suggested me. So
- 54:28
they talked to me and then they hired
- 54:29
me. So we had the whole summer together.
- 54:32
>> Oh,, that's, fun.
- 54:33
>> Yeah., Do, you, ever, watch, The
- 54:35
Neighborhood?
- 54:36
That to me is
- 54:37
>> with, Max, Greenfield?
- 54:39
>> Yes.
- 54:40
>> And, uh, Cedric?
- 54:41
>> Yes.
- 54:42
>> Yes., So, funny.
- 54:43
>> They, are, funny., They're, really, funny.
- 54:45
Max is so funny. And I I used to watch
- 54:48
Cedric the Entertainer.
- 54:50
>> He, used, to, be, part, of, those, like, comedy
- 54:52
Def Jam where there'd be like a bunch of
- 54:54
standups together. And he was so funny.
- 54:57
>> That's, a, good, So, I, I'm, I'm, amazed, at
- 55:00
him. I watch him on the show.
- 55:03
>> Yeah.
- 55:03
>> Because, of, how, he
- 55:06
he knows he's going to do it and it's
- 55:09
comedy, but he's just sort of like I
- 55:11
don't know. He's wonderful. Did you ever
- 55:13
see um that got arrested on stage? Uh
- 55:16
>> oh,, I, know, who, you, mean.
- 55:17
>> Okay,, let's, play, this, game., Let's, see
- 55:18
how long. Okay, I heard that for memory
- 55:22
you shouldn't look things up. You should
- 55:24
try to
- 55:25
>> visualize, putting, Okay,, we're, going to
- 55:27
do it. Putting the um
- 55:29
>> Lenny, Bruce.
- 55:30
>> Bruce
- 55:33
got
- 55:34
Lenny Bruce. Oh
- 55:37
>> I, did, see, him, in, Chicago.
- 55:39
>> I, knew, you, would, see, him., What, was, that
- 55:41
like? Do you remember seeing him?
- 55:42
>> Yes,, I, remember, that, everybody, oh,, you
- 55:45
know, because he would say these things.
- 55:47
>> Yeah,, he, was, an, interesting, guy, and, that
- 55:50
and I mean I think that's had going back
- 55:53
to where we started our conversation.
- 55:54
There's something about I would have
- 55:56
loved to have been and it must have been
- 55:58
so cool to have been in the city during
- 56:01
that time in the 50s and 60s when
- 56:03
everything was just starting to unravel
- 56:05
in an interesting way. You know, I I
- 56:07
keep thinking I can remember being
- 56:09
worried about things and again it passed
- 56:14
and I hope that's what happens with us
- 56:18
now. It too will pass but I don't know.
- 56:22
>> I, don't, know.
- 56:23
>> Well,, I, think, that, is, the, one, thing, that
- 56:25
a long life gives you is you get to see
- 56:29
>> I've, seen, a, lot, pass., Let's, just, say
- 56:31
this.
- 56:32
>> Yeah.
- 56:33
>> Yeah.
- 56:33
>> Yeah., Um,, I, love, our, time, together,
- 56:36
June. Thank you for coming and doing
- 56:39
this.
- 56:40
>> It's, been, so, great., I, I, mean,, I, just, I
- 56:43
think you're such an incredible talent.
- 56:45
>> Thank, you.
- 56:46
>> And, um, I'd, love, to, be, your, friend., And, I
- 56:50
know this is awkward, but I tend to
- 56:52
bully people into being my friend.
- 56:56
>> So,
- 56:57
>> if, you, don't, have, to, bully, me.
- 56:58
>> Okay., So,, if, it's, if, you, would, accept
- 57:00
the invite
- 57:01
>> I, would, love, it.
- 57:01
>> I, would, love, to, be, considerate., I'd, love
- 57:04
for us to be new friends.
- 57:05
>> Yeah.
- 57:06
>> And, I, know, it's, awkward., I'm, asking, you
- 57:07
on this podcast. I mean, what are you
- 57:09
gonna do? Say no. What if June just
- 57:11
hands me June hands me her card and it's
- 57:14
just 555 555.
- 57:19
>> I'll, call, you, next, week.
- 57:24
>> Thank, you, so, much, for, doing, this., This
- 57:26
has been the best. I hope you had a good
- 57:28
time.
- 57:29
>> I, did., I, had, a, great, time., Great.
- 57:31
>> And, I, got, a, mocha.
- 57:32
>> Oh, gosh,, your, mocha., We, didn't, even, sip
- 57:34
it. Sip some of that mocha. It's going
- 57:35
to be watery now.
- 57:37
>> It's, still, good.
- 57:40
>> Thank, you, so, much,, June, Squib,, my, new
- 57:42
best friend. You heard it here. She
- 57:44
can't take it back. Uh we recorded it.
- 57:46
June, you're the best. Uh so such a
- 57:49
great artist and and person. Thank you
- 57:51
so much for coming in. And um June
- 57:54
talked about a lot of exciting musical
- 57:56
theater. So, for today's Polar Plunge, I
- 57:58
just want to just take a moment to say
- 58:01
that Westside Story
- 58:03
was so important to me um as a young
- 58:07
person and that being able to even
- 58:11
picture the original musical uh and
- 58:14
seeing it on stage in its first week or
- 58:16
two that June talked about, I just I
- 58:19
don't know. If you haven't seen the
- 58:20
film, watch it. Um, I'm sure there uh
- 58:23
are productions, local productions
- 58:25
happening right now. Um, the original
- 58:28
film with um with the from the the 60s
- 58:32
is so beautiful and the music is so
- 58:34
beautiful and I'm sure we can't afford
- 58:36
to sing this, but I would like to say
- 58:43
I am
- 58:46
anyway. Thank you for listening.
- 58:51
Um uh and uh see you soon.
- 58:56
>> You've, been, listening, to, Good, Hang., The
- 58:58
executive producers for this show are
- 58:59
Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman, and me
- 59:01
Amy Polar. The show is produced by The
- 59:03
Ringer and Paperkite. For The Ringer
- 59:05
production by Jack Wilson, Cat Spelain
- 59:08
Kaia McMullen, and Alia Xanerys. For
- 59:10
Paperkite, production by Sam Green, Joel
- 59:13
Levelvel, and Jenna Weiss Berman.
- 59:15
Original music by Amy Miles.
- 59:18
wasn't really good at