Colman Domingo

[00:00] This episode is brought to you by Allstate. Checking Allstate first could save you hundreds on car insurance. Not checking your pockets before putting clothes in the washer? [00:09] Oof. Enjoy your freshly cleaned and completely destroyed earbuds. Yeah, checking first is a good plan. So check Allstate first for an auto quote. It could save you hundreds. You're in good hands with Allstate. Potential savings vary subject to terms, conditions and availability. Allstate North American Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois. [00:29] . [00:34] Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of Good Hang. We have an awesome guest today, the great Coleman Domingo. And Coleman and I have so much fun. We talk about his beautiful mother Edith and how she shaped his life. We talk about our shared love of dancing and why it means so much to us. We talk about peptides. What are they and who's taking them? And we also celebrate the fact that he is working with Steven Spielberg and his new movie Disclosure Day, which is coming [01:04] Blockbuster, baby. Speaking of Steven Spielberg, Steven joins us as our as our guest today, who's going to talk to us about Coleman. He's going to talk well behind Coleman's back. And if you don't know who Steven Spielberg is. [01:20] I don't know what to tell you. You know, 50 years ago, he made Jaws. Last year, he was, you know, producing Hamnet, and he's made every single movie in between. So, Steven Spielberg, Mr. Spielberg.

[01:33] Are you there? [01:41] This episode of Good Hang is presented by Paul Moliv. Family time isn't just the big moments. It's weeknight dinners, sitting around the table, everyone talking at once. So when the plates are empty and the sink is full... [01:55] use Palmolive Ultra. Palmolive's most powerful formula removes up to 99.9% of grease, leaving your dishes sparkling clean. And the new convenient pump makes cleaning even easier. So you can spend less time tackling dirty dishes and more time together. Shop now at palmolive.com. [02:25] Hi, Stephen. [02:28] Oh, my God. I'm on good hang. Good Lord. We got to get you into the stewed. We tried. We weren't. We couldn't schedule it. Dang. Yeah, we were like, we don't have time. Yeah, I tried. I tried. I got to make a few more hits before I'm ready to get on your show. We were like, we just want to see one or two more things from Stephen before we say this. Yeah, I know. I know. I love the audition process. [02:54] Stephen, you are my subconscious. [02:58] have made is in my brain. You have, you shaped my entire life. You are a Gen X director.

[03:05] through and through. Oh, thank you. Thank you. I love that I'm in your subconscious, and yet you can still be funny. [03:15] with my plethora of comedy, you know? Well, I mean, I feel like I've gotten a chance to, [03:23] Um, [03:24] We've been lucky enough to see you at [03:27] you know, places and events and shows and stuff. And I got to see you recently at the SNL 50th. That was great. That was just great. It was hard to believe. I mean, I, you know, I was there the first show in 1975. I was in the audience. Get out of here. Yeah. It was the very first show. Yeah. I flew all the way to New York because it was in the air. It was, it was one of those things, you know, where my generation suddenly was being included in something that was going to define, define us. [03:57] And [03:58] It was just I just somehow knew I had to be there for it. And I just, you know, got a ticket and went in the audience and watch. Where did you sit and watch? Were you on the floor or were you up in the back? No, no, I didn't know anybody. I just I was I was in the stands. Jaws had come out in June. [04:14] I think the first SNL show is in, [04:17] October or September? October 11th. Yeah. And I was there and it was incredibly, it spoke to me. And after it was over, I left with the audience and somebody came running up and grabbed me and dragged me kind of backstage to Belushi. And so John said, you got to meet the shark movie. And I said, yeah. He says, you got to meet Danny. And he dragged me over to Danny.

[04:47] first. [04:48] the first event that I really became a formal groupie. Because I've always, I've always, I've always gravitated toward comedy and standup and comedians. And, and, and I go, you know, [05:01] Robin Williams was one of my dearest, closest friends of my whole life. And Albert Brooks and I sort of started out together. And so that sort of – but I'm not the funny guy. I'm a good audience for all of you. I'm your best audience. Well, you're here today to talk about Coleman Domingo. And – [05:19] He's a new friend of mine. I actually met him on a dance floor, which I want to talk about because we were kind of, we met just like at a party. It makes sense. It so makes sense. But when did you first meet, Coleman? Where did you guys first meet? I was going to make a movie about Ira and George Gershwin. [05:39] And I was going to make a movie about the process of writing and staging Porgy and Bess. [05:48] And I had a script and I was excited and I was casting it and I was looking for a [05:57] Todd Duncan, who played Porgy. [06:00] Thank you. [06:00] And I met a lot of actors. [06:03] And when Coleman came in to the meeting, that was the first time I – [06:08] I became a certain first time I, [06:11] met Coleman, but I intended after that meeting to cast him as Todd Duncan. Oh, wow. I mean, Stephen, people must come in to meet with you and you must feel their nerves. So how do you get people to relax when they're having a meeting with you? Well, you know, it, you know, it disadvantages me if somebody comes in and I can't find them in a 15, 20 or 30 minute meeting because of, of, of whatever expectations they bring to the meeting,

[06:41] how nervous some of them are. Some of them aren't nervous at all, but a lot of them are. And I had this problem [06:48] Only because of success, because success creates a kind of false front. It's kind of like, you know, I've always seen myself early in my career being successful, but also feeling a little bit like a fake Western Street on a Hollywood back lot. When you walk around behind the facade and there's just a bunch of two by fours holding up the facade. And people only knew how nervous I am and how nervous stressed I get. They wouldn't be so nervous in front of me. [07:18] and I just, I came up with a method [07:20] which I use for a couple of pictures starting with [07:23] Raiders of the Lost Ark. [07:25] And I decided that all the actors that I audition in person, I'm going to meet them in a kitchen and we're going to cook. [07:31] We're going to we're going to actually cook. And and and so for a couple of movies, starting with Raiders, everybody that came in met me in a kitchen and we were cooking stuff. And that's that was how everybody relaxed around good food. That's so smart because you're also you're just getting to do something. It's like, what do I do with my hands, basically, is what you're thinking half the time when you're stressed. [08:01] spills out on the counter. I mean, everybody becomes the best version of themselves. Although there must have been people like, good news, you have an audition. Bad news, you need to learn how to cook in a week. Well, the good news is you're going to be part of a recipe. But the bad news is you're only here for 30 minutes and you're not going to be able to eat what we make. All the actors that came in at the end of the day were able to actually feast on what

[08:31] You guys are – and did you work together on any other films after that? What happened was I was – I had actually cast a lot of the movie, and then I had a – something that doesn't often happen when I'm that far down the line, but I had a kind of second thought. [08:51] about the project. And I decided not to continue making it. [08:57] And that's the only reason Coleman and I didn't work together then. But remembering Coleman as well as I did, I cast him in Lincoln playing... [09:05] Private Green. Right. [09:07] And that was the first time we actually professionally worked together. And what is it like working with him? Kind of like riding in a Waymo where you don't have to do anything but sit in the back seat. Because the car drives very well by itself. And Coleman is, when he graces your set, [09:25] He brings kindness and he brings collaboration. [09:29] And he brings love and love. [09:32] And he brings a real sense of let's have fun while we're working hard. While we're working hard to be serious, can we also have fun? And he makes a director look forward to going to work the next morning. Oh, what a dream. I mean, I'm sure you're at the point in your life and career, too, where you can tell, like, sometimes... [09:55] People are motivated by a lot of things, as you know, as a director, and you have to kind of find out. [10:00] what motivates them. But when someone has talent and ease, yeah, it's not always the case. No, it's not always the case. I've been lucky. I've had actors. I've had a lot of actors who have been such great collaborators, you know, to work with, even on really, really,

[10:18] you know, trying projects. But Coleman isn't about himself. He's about the whole, you know, he's, he's about, it's like the play is the thing of Shakespeare said, he's about the play, he's about the whole. [10:33] He's he's as interested in the actors. He's playing opposite, even more so than he is about his own role in the in the whole. And that's rare. That's really, really rare. He is so full of empathy. And because my movie deals. [10:54] Disclosure Day deals a lot with [10:58] the importance of empathy. [11:01] Coleman was a very easy choice for me to make, to invite him to be part of this company and part of this ensemble. We cannot wait for this movie. [11:12] Another hit, Stephen. Huge. Knock on my wooden head. Listen, I'm calling it right now. Okay, no, I don't believe in jinxes, and I call it as I see it, and I'm telling you something. This movie is, everybody is ready for this movie. It looks so good. I still don't really know what it's about, which is great. I think it has to do with aliens, but you tell me. I don't know. Well, what can I say? Here's looking at you. Here's looking at you, kid. [11:42] Do you have a question for me that I could ask him, big or small? I've been thinking about that. You know, he's such a success, and he's so consistently successful. I'd love you to ask him, was there ever a film he auditioned for that he didn't get and he was desperate to get? Oh, yeah. Yeah.

[12:10] I mean, he I bet he has an answer to that because I know that he I mean, when I look at his career, he's really done a ton of different types of work. I mean, Coleman, talk about talk about empathy. He can play. [12:23] He has a huge range. He can play like just a love bomb of a person and he can play a really sinister, scary person too. Yes. Okay. That's a good one. Well, Stephen, thank you so much for your time. It really means a lot. I know Coleman will be thrilled that we talked and I can't wait to talk to him about what it's like to work with you. I can't wait. I can't wait to watch this. [12:46] This episode is brought to you by Visible. How many of you are currently listening to this podcast on your phone? [12:53] Like we all are these days, your wireless network should be too. With Visible, you get unlimited 5G data and unlimited hotspot, all powered by Verizon's 5G network. The perks of big wireless for half the cost. Visible isn't just a wireless plan. It's unlimited wireless designed to always keep you connected and no contract holding you back. Switch today at Visible.com. [13:23] and save $10 on your first month when you use promo code HANG, an exclusive offer for podcast listeners. Terms apply. See Visible.com for planned features and network management details. Oh, my God. Coleman Domingo is here, and he brought me home. I bought you a meal. I bought you an egg. Okay, now I've been starting to get gifts, which is not required. That's when it becomes ridiculous, right? When someone finds out what you like. That you like something, but...

[13:51] Okay, let's discuss this. For the listeners, what did you bring me? I bought you a fake egg. [13:58] It's a keychain. Look at that. Okay, I'm going to describe this while I show it. It is a fried egg on a keychain. Yes. Do you like fried eggs? I love fried eggs. Oh, good. Me too. And sunny side up. I love a sunny side up because it gets things moving. That's why. [14:13] Not to start off there and just go to my bios, but I guess that's where we're going. Let me ask you about your sunny side up. Do you like to, because this yolk is very exposed. [14:21] You like to flip it once and get like. I like that in a little crunch. Me too. A little crunch. And then it bursts with a little hot sauce on there. This is a rubber fake egg. Also, Coleman brought me plastic silverware in case I wanted to pretend to eat it. I'm not a crazy person. Coleman. I don't eat this fake. [14:43] Okay. Oh, my. Okay. Where should it go? This is now going to get ridiculous. Well, I don't want to brag, but we got a couple A-list stuff up here. [14:51] Lawrence. We have... Where did the raspberries come from? Oh, the raspberries. Where did they come from? Oh, MoMA. MoMA sent us fake raspberries. Let's put it next to MoMA's raspberries. I think that's good. Raspberries and eggs. And there's an egg here. There's another egg there. Look at that. Oh, my God. Okay, that's too cute. Oh, my God. I made the board. It's so good. This is already a good hang. A good hang with Amy Poehler. And you know, Ina Garner gave us that giant chicken.

[15:21] That's actually really good. Isn't that really good, Chicken? It's really good. I'm really fascinated by all of this. I know. Isn't it cool? It's very satisfying. It's good. When did the fetish start? Tell us about your childhood. Coleman. Yes. I don't know, but... [15:37] It's like good art. I don't know how to explain what I like, but I know it when I see it. Yeah. I love that egg that you brought me. You're very welcome. [15:48] Because it's realistic. I don't like children's fake food. I'm an adult. Grown people's fake food. Exactly. What are you? You're not nuts. It's so good. [16:01] Coleman Domingo was here. I was really thinking about what to wear because I knew you'd look incredible. Do I look good? I'm fine. I'm wearing a lined green sweater situation. You can wear... [16:10] anything. Really? You look incredible in everything. You have the best style. Thank you. And like the style is bigger than just clothes. Like you have a, you have a way of moving through the world where you like, I find clothes and fashion be kind of confusing for me. Like I'm always trying to figure it out. I don't always feel like it's a world that I understand or that I'm a part of, but whenever I see you wearing whatever you're wearing, you're, [16:40] It's like an invitation. I think it is. I think literally that's what I think it is. It's like, okay, even like what I was supposed to wear, there was a jacket with this. And I thought, oh, no, I'm going to go hang with Amy. She's a friend. You've got to show those guns, babe. I've got to show the guns. I've got to sex it up a little bit. That's what I emailed you. I was like, if you're going to come, bring it. You've got to bring it. Bring that sex. That's what a viewer's want. Okay, so I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. But I thought like, I just want to feel relaxed with you.

[17:10] It's a very serious business meeting with you. But I was like, no, I'm going to feel a little sexy. But that's exactly the point. Like the clothes never wear you. No, it's a feeling. How do I get into this feeling? Right. This character. Yeah. And that is what I have learned about wearing something, like figuring out how to dress is like, basically, how do you want to feel? What do you consider your style to be? When you wear a suit, I can always tell you look so sexy and beautiful in yourself. God bless you. Exactly. You didn't know that this was going to happen today, did you? [17:40] I hoped. I hoped. No, but you do, because also I can tell that you feel very comfortable in your body. It's comfort. Listen, Diane Keaton did that. Diane Keaton was like, she perfected her style in a way that was just her own. Yeah. And she was always cool and chic and it had these masculine vibes to it. And that was her. Who are you wearing? Oh, Paul Smith today. Heard of him. Yeah. [18:06] Okay. We're kind of new friends. [18:10] And I feel like I was trying to remember when we first met. And I think we first really met non-verbally on a dance floor. That's exactly. You do remember. I do. It was at a night before party. Right. One of the Emmy. The Emmy night before parties. And we just, I don't know, the DJ was killing it that night. And you and I, you were wearing a suit, actually. Oh. You were wearing a suit. And you and I, we just cut it up. And I was like, oh, my God, Amy Poehler can dance her ass off. Oh, my God. Thank you for saying that right back at you. I mean. We were killing it.

[18:40] dance. I always love to ask people who love to dance why they love to dance. You know, I grew up, I think, [18:46] My parents used to always throw the best parties. So New Year's Eve was always at our house. And we didn't have, we lived in a row home in Philadelphia. And so the basement, we had a bar down there. Oh my God, we had a basement. Right? Those dark, dank basements. Were your poles carpeted? Oh, absolutely. Carpeted. We had a black Sheba, a velvet on the wall. Like, you know, she's like some black woman with the Afro and tits out and a panther. And I would always look at it and just come to me like. Remember like string art? Yes, absolutely. All of that was down there. [19:16] was down there. Our Christmas toys were in the back, but that's all the thing. Um, but it was really, we would have dance parties down there. So we go down there and the music was cranked up and we danced to, we just dance. I come from a family that loved to dance. My mother, before she passed, my mother passed in 2006. One of the things that my sister, um, always loves to tell me is like, just the week before my mom was dancing in the aisles of Pathmark. She was dancing, like, you know, playing whatever music was playing. She was dancing in the aisles. I'm like, [19:46] mother dancing. So I come from people who like can dance anywhere. Like I have zero shame. Me too. And in fact, you know, I get, it actually helps me expel a lot of my social anxiety. Yeah. Like I'd rather dance than talk. Yes. Same here. We dance like, do you remember that show Dancing on Air? [20:02] Oh, well, we had dance. Well, you're from Philly. I'm from Philly. Dancing on Air was Philly. Or Dance USA. Dance USA. Yeah, exactly. With Kelly Ripa. With Kelly Ripa. Exactly, exactly, exactly. But, like, you and I danced, like, from that generation. Yeah, we're the same age, basically. We're the same age. So, like, when you cut, you tear it down. 100%. We really move, and it's like... Because they don't move like that anymore. We move like we were trying to hurt somebody.

[20:32] difference between how Gen X and Gen Z dance because Gen Z barely moves. They barely move. And Gen X like clear the dance floor. Oh, did you have high school dances and what was playing, what music was playing at those? Listen, they had a high school dance. And I went to high school Will Smith, by the way, that high school dances, but I was, you went to high school with Will Smith. With Will Smith. Incredible. And same grade. He was one right above me. Oh my God. What was he [21:02] actually very friendly and everybody really liked him yeah and he performed at the one ballroom in philadelphia he and jazzy jeff yeah but i was a bona fide nerd i didn't do any of that stuff man no no no i didn't come i didn't turn into this until like second year of college because i decided i didn't want to be like that anymore i was very shy and bookish and very awkward so you weren't like tearing up the dance floor in high school no no no i was dancing at home with my siblings but in high school i didn't go to any dances i know this is where it gets sad [21:32] You didn't go. You're feeling too shy. I went to my prom, but I got there late because my prom date, Terry Hayes, was very late getting her dress made. So we got there very late. So I didn't even dance at my prom. Okay. Okay. This has gotten very tragic. Well, because I feel like I feel like. [21:51] That is, [21:51] This idea of coming into your own and like feeling you're getting in your sense of power and like who you are and all this stuff is like the theme of the for me, your career, your life, your interview, because I find your my experience with you. I feel like you really have worked very hard to know who you are and to like show that person to the world. Basically, I mean, I think, listen, that started. I think one of my first jobs was at Barnes & Noble bookstore in Philadelphia. And I would take care of the self-help section.

[22:21] years old, self-help and travel. Those are sections I took care of. And I would be in the corners and I'd be reading these books on how to become a person, to be very honest, because I felt I was awkward. I wasn't, I wasn't gregarious or anything, but I knew I wanted to become something else. And so I went to self-help books and I was like, oh, to become a different person, you have to do certain things or adopt certain traits. And I think while I was becoming an actor as well, it was very useful. So I was actually trying on these different things and the way I [22:51] spoke, you know what I mean, where I pitched my voice, all of that stuff. So I feel like all of this has been a bit manufactured, you know, because I didn't have, I was [23:02] I didn't have it before. Well, you know, you, you've talked so much about your mom who seems so amazing. You would have loved her. I bet. And what would she tell you in those little awkward times? Like what would she, how would she reassure you or, or just like gently kind of walk by, you know, alongside you while you were feeling awkward? What would she say? I'll tell you this. I have, well, I have to tell you a story now because of that, because you just made me think [23:32] really terrible asthma. And, um, and I, one time I was hospitalized and I was right. And I went in right before maybe about like, [23:40] November 1st or something like that. [23:42] And I was in the hospital and, you know, just breathing and stuff like that, getting myself together. And then when I came out, when I was healthier, I came out and they picked my mom, picked me up at night and we're driving through the city. And there's all these lights up, all the Christmas lights and stuff like that everywhere. And she said and I said, oh, my God, look at all the lights. She says, you know, they all put up their lights to welcome you back home.

[24:05] Oh, come on. And so this, this is the mother that I had. She would make me believe that I was very special and that the world was set up to do me more good than harm. Constantly. She was constantly going against any narrative of what the world was and telling me that I was special, that I was useful, that I can be whatever I wanted. I can travel because I was always, I always had my head in the book. I was looking at images of ancient Egypt and Rome. And she said, when you grow up, you can go to those places. So I always had a huge imagination because of my mother. [24:35] So, so it was in all those moments when she was just like, when I was, wasn't feeling great about myself or anything, she would tell me how smart I was. Yes. [24:44] That was the thing. She always told me I was smart. Yeah. She always said, you're, you're, you're so smart and you're so handsome. That kind of early conditioning. It's, it makes, I mean, I'm saying the obvious, but it's like a, it's like actually a privilege. I'm learning more and more. It's a privilege to have had a parent or parents that said that to you. Yeah. Cause it's, was your parents like that as well? Absolutely. Where they would be like, you can do that whisper [25:14] You're useful. [25:17] you, you, uh, purpose you have. Yes, exactly. There's a reason why you're here, all that stuff. Like when it's said out loud, it changes the course of your life. I think it does. I think I've, I've been given so many beautiful moments by people throughout my life who told me something that I didn't, maybe I didn't see in myself. Even how I became an actor. One of my early college teachers, I took an acting class just as an elective to, again, my mother said, take a class

[25:47] class and I took this class. And then this teacher, Chris Wolf, he said to me, first time I ever heard this from anyone, truly. He said, have you ever thought about acting as a profession? I was like, I don't even know what that is. I don't know how I'm a kid in West Philly. I don't know. What were your parents' jobs? No, my mom was, my mom worked at a bank for a long time. She cleaned houses and then she kept going back to school. Eventually she worked in customer service at like first Pennsylvania bank. My dad sanded hardwood floors. He was my stepfather and he was [26:17] money. So they were very much like, just like, just good working class folks. And they wanted you to go to college and be better than them. So they were just like, at least trying to prepare you for things. But I'd never heard. [26:30] Until I got to college, someone said, I would be curious if you follow this path as an actor. He said, because I think you have a gift. [26:38] And I realized that I'd never heard that. [26:41] Someone tell me I had a gift at something. Right. And so suddenly I was like, gift. And he said, and then he said this, it was like a challenge. He said, I'd be very curious. [26:50] if you follow that path. [26:52] that was like mic drop i mean because we i mean i don't i want to get into this this early but coleman and i are both enneagram eights yeah we are yeah we are yeah yeah yeah exactly we love a challenge we got that from tina fay was like what's your tina made coleman take the test on the set of the four seasons yes he got an eight i was thrilled um and please explain that again what what the eight oh god my audience is going to be like but we're the challenger we're i guess the point is he

[27:22] curious what you do with that gift. And that is a motivating factor for us is like a little bit of a challenge is exciting for us. Sometimes it's like our way through, like we like a little challenge. I mean, we're so easy. Everyone, everybody has their ways that like we think we're not manipulated, but we respond well to when someone says, I bet you can't do that. We're like, I bet I can't do that. It's true. I'm the same way when someone's like, maybe, maybe that's not for you. I'm like, no, it's a hundred percent for me for the rest of [27:52] Oh, my God. Where are you from? From Boston. I'm right around the park. It's right around the park from Philadelphia. Exactly. But it's a city of underdogs as well. Yeah, totally. Like Tina and I, we always talk about that. Totally. We're like, there's something that Philly in us, like, yeah. Philly makes Boston look like London, England. [28:11] Tina and I always talk about it. It's true. It's true. Philly is wild. It is wild. I mean, look at our mascots. [28:22] fanatic. I mean, that's insane. I don't even know what that is. It's an insane person. I mean, we have the Mummers parade. The Mummers is like just... [28:30] drunk iris people on new year's day the only time i've ever been called a c word to my face is at the philadelphia airport wait what when tina and i were when tina and i were touring and we wouldn't give a guy um uh one of the weird like you know autograph people there when they follow you around the airport it gets really stressful and we were like oh you're stressing us out a little bit and um and then he flung the c word and tina turned me and she goes welcome to

[29:00] honor, though. Oh, yeah, of course. Yeah, exactly. They like me here. But I want to say, but you getting out of Philly, you go to San Francisco, but I just want to say with one thing that I love, Coleman, about you is like also being. [29:13] There's like these there's a shy kid trying to find his way. Mom, who told him he was special and Christmas lights were for him. You go from Philly to San Fran. Why San Fran? Why do you move there? [29:26] because I had a couple college buddies. It always happens. This is usually the story. I have a couple of college buddies, actually three of them that were living in a studio apartment in the Tenderloin district. They were like, San Francisco is amazing. I was struggling in school. I was working two jobs and trying to matriculate. And I was like, my mom was like, you know, you can take a semester off and you can always go back to school. And so I have these friends of mine that moved out to San Francisco. They're like, come out. I was like, great. Like literally [29:56] I just made my own joke. I was going to come out. You would come out and also just come out everywhere. Sure. I mean, great. So then I moved to San Francisco and it was four guys living in a studio apartment in the Tenderloin District. And if anyone out there doesn't know the Tenderloin District, tell everybody about that. You know, ladies of the night and, you know. Yeah, it was a really wild and exciting time in the 90s. Very exciting. The 90s, that's when it was like crisp. Yeah. What was your rent? Do you remember how much your rent was? [30:26] for that studio was... [30:29] 625. Split four ways. Split four ways. And we're just like there to like, and I literally slept, this is also a terrible joke, but I literally slept in a closet.

[30:40] Every morning you'd come out of the closet. Because we had a walk-in closet, and so I was the fourth guy moving in there, and I literally slept in a walk-in closet. And you're too tall. I mean, for people that don't know or can't or haven't been next, had the pleasure of being next to you, you're 6'2". 6'2". That's right. Congrats. Tall drink of water. That's what I'm going to say. [30:59] tiny actors. There's a lot of actors. There's a lot of little actors. Yeah, there are. And, and I, and you know, I kind of get it because like, you know, it's, it, it, but I love being in, in a scene with the six, two gentlemen. It's kind of hot, right? Also, it's just a great view. Like it's a great angle. Like when we turn around, the camera is going to be up here. Okay. So you go to San Fran, you're there, you're working as a bartender, you're writing plays. Do you remember the first play that you wrote? What was it about? The first play I wrote was called Up Jump Springtime. [31:29] the title of a Stan Getz and Abby Lincoln song. And it goes, I was out promenading and high hopes were fading that dreams ever really come true. Then up jumped springtime. I got to look at you. And it was a play that I wrote. I adapted a bit of a novel and I sort of embedded my work in there

[31:59] We had three actors. We played all the roles. We played men, women, lovers, mothers, fathers, sisters, whatever. But it was really about the experience that nobody was writing about at the time. It must have felt so good to be a successful playwright while you were also auditioning and being an actor. I think so. But to be honest, I didn't consider myself a I consider myself a writer at that time. And then I grew into becoming a playwright. What year was this that you're writing? I started writing about 1997. The last play I've written plays and musicals. [32:29] Donna Summer Musical. Oh, I want to talk about that. It was on Broadway. I wrote a musical about Matt Kinkle. You wrote the book for the Donna Summer Musical. Yeah, I know, right? I mean, again, in that [32:39] High school world of like the dances we were at or we weren't at Donna Summer. [32:46] Her music was so important to our generation and to every generation. But I feel like Donna Summer doesn't quite get spoken about. She doesn't. And she was one of the greatest singers, I think, that has ever walked this planet. I agree. Because also her voice, she could do anything with her voice. Yeah. She could sing opera. She could sing country. She could sing, you know, disco. I think that her voice, I mean, she even famously talked about her voice. She was like, no, I make music. And you just never know where I'm going to be angled in that way.

[33:16] pause to talk about because is it around this time that you meet your husband? Oh, no. I met my husband and 21 years ago. So in 2005. Okay. So not in San Francisco. You met him in. No, funny. It's a weird thing because I lived in San Francisco for 10 years, moved to New York. I go back to San Francisco to do a show at Berkeley Rep. Yeah. I go to Berkeley, California. I'm crossing paths, going into a Walgreens with the most beautiful person I think I've ever seen. [33:45] Not even just beautiful aesthetically, but like just energetically. We never speak. [33:50] Three days later, I'm trying to buy a used computer on Craigslist. I couldn't stop thinking about him. [33:56] And I thought about posting one of the Craigslist misconnections ads. Oh, it's so analog. It's so analog, right? I used to read them like crazy. Yeah. And I get to the second page. [34:05] And third one down, I remember exactly the placement. And it said, saw you outside of Walgreens Berkeley. He placed it just an hour before I looked. So we were looking for each other. And then we met. And I'm so uncool. And we met three days later, had our first date. [34:21] And I literally was like, I think I love you. You're going to change my life. That's how uncool I am, though. But that's so good. It's so direct. Also, everyone that took a look at Raul, like everyone would be like, I love you. [34:34] Maybe you got that a lot. Like, I love you. I mean, I get it. You got to lock that down really fast.

[34:42] Yeah, but that's you. Like, you're, I mean, what I'm learning about you. You're in the moment. [34:51] about getting to know you is you... [34:54] there's not a lot of like, like you, people know how you feel. Yeah. There's no question. That's a, but that's a love language. Like, I'm going to just tell you how I feel now. I'm going to take that risk. I'm like, that's, that's what vulnerability is. Like, I'm just going to tell you right now. I love you. Like, that's amazing. And like no games at all. And I'm always telling people to like, don't play any games. Just be straight. Just be straight. If you don't like it, you don't like me or whatever. Just tell me. That, that, that takes time away from, you know, [35:21] Just move away. Get out the way then. Yes. Because the people who receive that, they're going to be right there with me. And so you guys have been together 22 years, 21 years? 21 years, yeah. You know, here at Good Hang, we only allow a few... [35:32] a few spouses to come because, you know, you don't want to have, you don't want to have everybody's wife and husband around. And we've had the most amazing group of people we've had, [35:42] Raul's here today. Yeah, he is. We've got, he's in the green room. Hi, Raul. [35:46] I love you. [35:50] Raul's here today. We had Carol Burnett bring her husband, Brian, and we've had Viola Davis's husband, Julius. Oh, that's great. And that's it. That's it. That's it for the good hang. That's it. No more spouses. No. Raul's like a cat. He's sort of like, you know, you barely even know he's here. Well, and the cheekbones. What? We bought them for the cheekbones. I mean, both of you guys are like cheekbone city. You guys could open up a cheekbone shop.

[36:16] adventure. And it's funny because sometimes when we're with other people, they can't even tell that we're, it's, I guess it's a compliment. They can't tell that we've been together for so long. Yes, that is a compliment. And they can't tell because we're still like very [36:29] in love with each other. Yes. And we have fun and we're touchy-feely. Yes. But also then... [36:34] Even when we're in groups of people, they're like, oh, my God, how do you guys know each other? Oh, that's my husband. They're like, oh, my God, that's my bro. But that's also my husband. He's like a lot of fun. Yeah. And I wish you two could have children together. I know. Like just the two of you. We'll wait for the science to happen. Many things can happen. Because just the face is alone. You just want those cheekbones on a baby. Just the cheekbones on that baby. Maybe we'll have four cheekbones. [37:00] This episode is brought to you by Ultima Replenisher. You know what no one has time for? Over-the-top wellness trends. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for taking care of yourself, but being healthy should make your day better, not harder. And that's where Ultima comes in. With all six essential electrolytes, Ultima provides balanced hydration that fits right into your day. Available in delicious plant-based flavors with no sugar, calories, or carbs. Shop Ultima on Amazon or in-store at Target and Whole Foods Market. [37:30] This episode is brought to you by PayPal. Imagine getting to the checkout at Sephora, a card full of your favorite beauty products and saying to yourself, I don't have to pay the full amount today. [37:41] Crazy, right? [37:43] Wrong. With PayPal Pay in 4, you can buy what you love now and pay the rest later. With no fees, no interest, and no impact on your credit score. Pay in 4 with PayPal. Subject to approval. Learn more at paypal.com slash payin4. PayPal Inc. NMLS 910457.

[38:03] This episode is brought to you by Subaru. Most cars just stick to the asphalt, but hybrids can be found on dirt roads, back roads, and everything in between. Because the Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid and Subaru Forester Hybrid were built for adventure. With up to 597 miles per tank in the Crosstrek Hybrid and 581 miles in the Forester Hybrid, love goes the extra mile in the Subaru Forester Hybrid and Crosstrek Hybrid. Visit Subaru.com slash hybrid to learn more. [38:33] Maximum range based on EPA estimated combined fuel economy and a full tank of fuel. Actual mileage and range may vary. [38:41] This episode is brought to you by Burlington. Here's a question for you. When was the last time you stopped by a Burlington? Oh, they just do coats? That's what you're going with? Well, they got way more going on. Sure, you can pick up a coat, but you're probably going to leave with a dress, sneakers, brand name beauty, something for your dog, and a candle you didn't know you needed. At Burlington's prices, you can just get it all. You don't need to sacrifice style for savings. [39:11] should pop by. It's better than you remember. Find a store near you at Burlington.com. [39:19] When I've been looking at your career, which you've done so many things, so many different parts all over the spectrum, like Coleman, you just, you play really intense, like kind of joyous love bomb characters. You play deeply complicated and oftentimes scary and terrifying characters. You can do it all. You have done so many different parts, but what I love is your career.

[39:44] path is, is the one that I recognize because we're the same age of like what all actors kind of did to start because you didn't have an in, you were just like, how do I get started making the work? And so you do, you're like learning on the job. And I mean, you're even in law and order, which exactly, exactly. What, what you were on, what did you play? Do you remember your character? I was on like, I love to ask three or four law and orders. I was on different characters. Yeah. [40:14] Law and Order Criminal Intent. Of course. And I played a schizophrenic heroin addict. Okay. I played an attorney. Perfect. I played an attorney on one of them with Dennis Bucateras. You went from that schizophrenic heroin addict to an attorney? Yeah, exactly. That's acting. That's acting. I also was a bartender at a leather, at a gay leather bar. Great. Exactly. Like unpacking the various ball gags as you were telling them about. Because you know, what I love about Law and Order is that they're so busy. [40:44] busy when the cops are talking to them. They're just like, New Yorkers didn't have time for everybody. They're like, I'm sorry, I got to pack these bags while you're talking to me, officer. What? I got to get the fruit off this truck. I don't have time for that, dad, girl. It's incredible. I love watching in particular for that. I'm like, the walk and talk. We're too busy for these officers to talk to us. I love it. Totally. So I was a very busy bartender. Yes, exactly. And was exciting to get those parts at the time. That was a big gig. Because if you didn't get law and order, you felt like you were garbage. You were like, I never got law and order. No,

[41:14] is my dream. If I could go back in a time machine, if I could back to the future of my life, the one thing I would do differently. And maybe it would change my whole, maybe it would change. Book a law and order. I would book a law and order. [41:27] I would. That was my goal. But listen, when I lived in San Francisco, the gig was to get booked on Nash Bridges. Because that was, yeah, I played every dumb criminal on that show. I played one of them. Exactly. And yes, and I literally, wait, there's one episode and people can watch it. [41:44] I kidnapped Don Johnson's daughter and then he found me. And I happened to be wearing a Coogee sweater while I was working out. Okay, sure. I was wearing, you know that Bill Cosby Coogee sweater? I was wearing a Coogee sweater like while I was working out and he busts through the door and I'm like, oh! And I throw the weights off and I'm running. Then he kicks me in the ass through the window. Then he picks me up and he slaps me around. He's like, where is she? I'm like, ah, ah, ah. It's my favorite episode. It's so crazy and rabid. And you're like, what is happening? You're wearing. [42:14] While I'm working out, I'm bench pressing. [42:16] I was like, but also I was a young actress. I didn't question it. I'm like, they want no more than I do. That's what we're wearing. At the time I didn't work out. So I don't know. I thought people worked out in Coogee sweaters.

[42:29] Acting is so embarrassing. I love it so much. I love it. Okay. Then you go to New York, you're doing a million plays on Broadway and the West End. And I do have some important theater questions because I have such respect for people who do that grind. It is such a grind. It is the hardest job. I mean. [42:45] to have the hardest part of your day be at the end of your day to have, to show up every day and do the same thing. And you're not getting paid a lot of money when you're doing theater and you are, you know, you're like being asked to do a lot, but I, I'm always curious about a couple of things. I'm like, Oh, Coleman will tell me the truth. Okay. Yeah. Have you ever thrown up on stage? Okay. No, I haven't. Cause these are some of my stage fears, like my anxieties. Have you, what do you do if you have to, in the middle of the scene, go to the bathroom? [43:15] Bye. [43:16] You just, you just hold it. You hold it. You hold it. Although I did, there was a situation. Where your character went the bathroom. You said, you know what? Listen, I like, I make sure before I go out, it's a practice. Yeah. You have to go, you have to make that happen. Yes. Whatever. Number one, number two has got to happen right before you go on stage. You got to have a egg over easy. You got to make it happen. You got to make it happen. Have you ever forgotten lines on stage? No. [43:41] No. No, but I've had to work with some people who sometimes would flub some things. You'd have to help support it. My biggest nightmare, which is like someone skips ahead. Oh, yeah. When you're in a scene. Oh, I fully have that. They skipped ahead. Oh, wait, wait, exactly. I'm a living stress dream. Yeah, exactly. Oh, no, it's true. And it happens. But that's but I think that's the joy of it, too. For sure. So you see, you're like, that makes you wily.

[44:11] Happens somehow. I love it. You're such a challenger. Have you ever forgotten a prop? Like been like, gone in a scene? Oh yeah. And you reach in your pocket for the... I think I forgot a gun. [44:24] I forgot a gun. And I was like... I'd hold it like this. I was real strong. They're looking at me like, where's the gun? And I'm like, it's right here. Tough. You didn't just point your finger? I didn't point the finger. I was smart enough to not do that, but I just was strong. [44:41] And I was a threat. [44:45] But there was no gun. Exactly. Have you ever had to say, is there a doctor in the house? [44:50] No. But somebody said that on my flight the other day. And I was like. They did? And I literally thought. Well, I played a doctor. And I thought. That's not what they want. [44:59] I'm sorry. If someone needs a medical emergency. Is there a doctor on board? And I was like. Literally for a second. I thought. What? I literally thought I was a doctor for a second. I love you. God. I really thought about it. I'm like. I can't do anything. I'm not getting anything. When did you play a doctor? I played a doctor on The Nick. Oh, yeah. Yeah. That show is great. [45:20] I mean, it must be to be a doctor. And when you hear this, this is why, you know, you're not a doctor. Because when you hear, is there a doctor on board? And you're like, Ooh, but a real, a regular doctor must be like, Oh God. They must be. They must be. But also you start thinking like doctors do different things. There's not one, right? So you think like, well, I have a doctorate. But you really do.

[45:43] I have a doctorate. I have a doctorate. You have a doctorate. I mean, I do not have a doctorate yet. I have a doctorate. [45:50] But but it just must be like, oh, God, I can't. Can I pretend I'm not a doctor? They're like, I'm just watching. I just. Yeah, I'm watching this movie. I'm going to finish this. Yeah, I'm almost done with this season of Summer House. [46:05] You you you have a doctorate. [46:07] I do. I just got two in a month. Isn't that crazy? Congratulations. It's kind of greedy, though, too, I think. I just got one from Swarthmore College. I'm a doctor of arts as of [46:17] four days ago. Fantastic. And I got one from my alma mater, Temple University. That must have been really something. It was really wonderful. You went back and didn't you have to give a speech? I gave the commencement address at Temple and I gave a little acceptance speech at Swarthmore. And I think what I loved about it, especially right now, I feel like, [46:36] Something about being with young people and students and just like them, because I feel like they really need to hear some words out here. Like, how's it going to be? And they need to be inspired. What was your kind of, what was your organizing principle for your temple talk? Love. Yeah. I really feel like the more that I distill things of what I care about right now, what I inspire people to do is to love more and whatever that means. I feel like that, that encompasses a lot. Yeah. If I'm talking about love and service. Yeah.

[47:06] is for them. So I feel like I'm talking a lot about that because I feel like that's what we need to hear. I don't want to, oh, you know, make this world yours and do this. I don't need to do all that. But if you do it with love, whatever you're doing, just participate and feel like that, you know, you have a voice and you can be the change. You know, there's, and don't be afraid of what's out there. There's probably jobs out there that aren't even... [47:28] don't even have a name yet that you're going to create. So I just want to inspire that with their imagination as well. You know, I mean, the word that I've heard described, a word that is used to describe you a lot is empathy is the, the empathetic way in which you not only work with people because you learn a lot by somebody. [47:47] about somebody by how they work. But that is, that makes perfect sense that that's what you would be talking about. Because I mean, in all the characters that you've played, you have even characters that feel like they're really the villain of the story. There is, you are always approaching them with that, [48:06] with basically that they're a human being. I think so. I think I have to love every character that I play. And I feel like even though the villainous ones are like, well, I'm playing a pimp or a Mr. Nicola Purple or Joe Jackson. I feel like I've never tried to take the lens of what everyone else says about the person. I do my study and my research and I find out who that person is and find my way in. Usually that person's connected to some part of me in some way. You're working Color Purple. You're working in Michael.

[48:36] Hmm. How did that change? I mean, that that that portrayal was so beautiful and also just like a part that met you at the time when you were ready for it. Yes. Did it feel like that? It did. It felt like we were meeting each other when we needed each other. Yeah. Like this this role, this moment to pull by arresting out of the for people who don't know. By arresting was the organizer of the March on Washington. He was an openly gay man at a time, of course, when it was not cool to himself. [49:06] body or, or him having momentum in this world. Yeah. And he defied all that. And he was brilliant. No one could deny that he was brilliant and he was smart, but he was always on the sidelines of history. And I felt like, and I can, maybe I'll say it. [49:20] In this way, too, I felt that my career was very similar in that way. I would show up. I would do the work. I was a practitioner. But I was always sort of a bit marginalized. And in a way, just like, oh, yeah, that's great. But that serves that purpose. But it's never the engine or something. But I knew I could be the engine. Yeah. And so when I finally got this opportunity, it felt like we were meeting each other. We're like, oh, I know this guy. I've lived with him. He's a part of me as well. And then also, I just have to talk to you about Sing Sing. [49:50] Bye. [49:51] Coleman. Hmm. Coleman, I watched that on an airplane. Hmm. [49:55] And I love to cry on an airplane. Me too. Me too. It's the best thing. I love... I bet we're similar. I like to cry by myself on an airplane. Yeah. And hopefully under a blanket. Yeah. Exactly. Yeah.

[50:11] That must have felt like such a work of talking about love. Like it must have felt like a... What was it like to make that film? I think that's exactly what it felt like. Yeah. It felt like I knew that I... [50:22] I had the opportunity to help tell people, [50:25] the story of these men. [50:26] in a really complex way. Incarcerated men. These men were incarcerated, you know, with this beautiful arts program in the center of it. And they hung on to it like it was their... [50:37] Um, [50:39] It was a new path for them to... [50:44] exhibit empathy and joy and dance and art and all this other stuff. So it was really like healing them in many ways. And I worked with a group of formerly incarcerated men who went through the program and I really, you know, led this film and we produced it as well. But I knew it was something that like, you know, I think I got paid like $150 a day and we had a very tight schedule. Yeah, it looks like a labor. And this is the kind of work that you're like, oh, this is why I can do [51:14] Yeah. And so we created with like, we locked arms together and that's what it felt like locking arms. And it was a great, beautiful challenge for me because these men have the lived experience of being incarcerated and going through this program. And it was the first time that I think I was challenged with actually giving even more of myself of like putting myself in those circumstances. Like, yeah, I could be wrongfully accused of something. I could be in the wrong place at the wrong time. A lot of people in prison are not, they don't belong in prison.

[51:44] I think it was a bit more bearing of my own soul and that work. And I think that's what the difference is for me. I can see it, which is why I feel like I haven't watched the movie that often because I feel when I watch it, I feel, you know, when you watch something, you're like, oh, it takes you right back to this field. Yeah. It's basically what I always, I have like a somatic experience if I'm watching something I've done much more than remembering like even the plot or story or like, I just remember the feeling I had making it. Yeah. That must've been an intense feeling. It's pretty intense. Yeah. [52:14] You're so good in it. You're such a natural leader. Thank you. And you can tell in that film that you're leading people through the film while being in the moment in the character. Well, the funny thing is I did that movie after Rustin. Yeah. And I really felt like I still— Were you doing them at the same time, basically? A little bit, because I had to do pickups for Rustin right after, and then I started to color purple. But I literally felt like sort of that trio of— [52:37] films really ignited that true leader in me on sets. [52:43] You know, I feel and as a leading actor, too, I sort of I literally moved into my leading actor. Yeah. In a way. Yeah. Like sort of. But I feel like I needed all those years of supporting and and being sort of that utilitarian actor and plays and things like that. I needed all of that. Yeah. And but I was always even when I was doing work on stage, I was always the equity deputy. So I was always the one that everyone came to to me to write the wrongs or, you know, advocate for actors or practices or something like that. [53:13] being willing. But now I really

[53:15] had the role and the opportunity. And so then I took that into my leadership of Sing Sing and it's just kept going. It's such incredible work. I loved it so much. I wish we were friends then because I would have texted the shit out of you. Okay. So as we're wrapping up, we're going to talk about your new movie Disclosure Day, which is going to be a gigantic hit. Holy shit. And Four Seasons, which I love you on. Let's get to the fact that you've worked with and have been [53:45] Yes, truly. Your mother being the first, Edith, who I just everything I read about her, I just love. I love her face. And I love I just she just seems like a wonderful person. Thank you. And I love the story of Edith writing letters to Oprah Winfrey, who, of course, was a producer and in the color in the color purple version that you did. And can you just tell that story about how your mom wrote letters when you were? Oh, my God. I love that story. [54:15] She would... [54:16] When I was starting out as an actor in San Francisco in the 90s, [54:20] I would call my mom. We would talk a couple of times a week and, you know, I would have my struggles as an actor. And she's like, she would always say, well, you know, I wrote Oprah today. I was like, why? And she said, well, you know, she can help you. I was like, what's she going to do? She helps people, you know, she can help you.

[54:50] was like maybe I would say eight times my mom wrote Oprah and I was, and I was so frustrated. Oh my God, will you please stop writing Oprah? I'm like, that's, it feels crazy. So anyway, cut to years later. I just have to sidebar say this. My mother always, she was like, okay, [55:08] She was so hopeful. And she would say, oh, my gosh, I just need I just want Spike Lee to know you and Steven Spielberg. And they should they would love you. They would just love you. And I'm about to cry. I think about this. She always had that much faith that people, even if I didn't see it, she thought these people just got to know you. They would love you the way I love you. Yeah, that's that's literally I'm like, because I look at my life now and all these people are in my life. Yeah. Amazing. [55:38] I do believe that sometimes people have dreams for you. You don't even have for yourself. And at some point they meet. Yeah. And so I had this moment. I was in Maui with Oprah walking on her beautiful mountain. Incredible. And we're hiking. Suddenly I said, oh, my God. [55:54] It just occurred to me, I said, my mother used to write to you. [55:58] over and over again. [56:00] And she says, really? [56:02] I say, yeah. [56:03] And she sort of stops and says, [56:06] One hour. [56:08] I don't know if I got the letters, but I know I got the message. [56:11] Thank you. [56:12] And then we just continue to walk hand in hand. And I really do believe it's like, I know that like... [56:19] How can I say it? I think that

[56:22] I know that like when I lost my mom in 2006 and I lost my mom and my stepfather in the same year, [56:28] I just, I knew that like my friend Melissa said when I was very bereft and I said, what am I going to do with all this love? I know that I was a good son. If I know, if I wasn't anything else, I was a good son. And she said, we're going to put the love into everything that you do. Yeah. Yeah. And, and let, and that will be, you'll do it in dedication to your mom. And so literally I feel like, because I've been leading that way. Yeah. I've been meeting every person. It's like my, my mother's own Wizard of Oz. I've been meeting every person that she laid out for me. Yes. [56:58] way that she loves me. Yes, Coleman. And so it leads me to like, with Disclosure Day, it's like, she wanted me, she wanted Steven Spielberg to know me. She didn't know me. [57:07] Steven Spielberg would love me, but we love each other now. And he's my family. You know, I love that. I love Edith so much. When I tell you, you, and I don't say this lightly, you would love her. She was fun and sweet and like to dance. I think I'm a lot like her, to be honest. And she talked to everybody. She would, she would really, when I was a kid, it was annoying. I was like, mom, can we just go into the in and out of the bank? And she was like, how are you, how are you doing? She flirted with everybody. She was like, look at your legs. [57:37] So cute, Amy. Oh, my God. She would do that. Well, you know what's kind of fun? When you're a woman of a certain age, I just realized it the other day. I was like, watch it, Amy. [57:47] You get to a certain age where you start going, you're beautiful. Yeah.

[57:51] Look at your butt. Wow. He's got nice arms. And everyone's like, oh, that little old lady is so nice. That was my mother. But you got to be careful. You got to be careful. But you just go, wow, look at her face. My mother was old school, so she would reach out and touch it too. She would, let your little butt. Oh, yeah. My grandmother used to be like, oh, look at the chest on him. And I'd be like, Nana, you can't touch. Now you're becoming that lady. And I'm becoming that. Good. And how is it like working with my wife for life, Tina Fey? We have such good time together. [58:21] The wildest thing is, it's funny, when I first met Tina, I was... She's shy, too. She's very shy, but I thought... [58:27] I didn't know what to think of her when I first met because I thought she was very... [58:30] I thought she's very, she's like a scientist, especially when it comes to comedy and being very thoughtful. But she's also very, I find her to be very tender and very sweet. She's very sweet. She's very sweet. And she's, she's, she's. [58:43] more touchy-feely than I knew. And I love that we sort of, [58:48] become, I feel like she's becoming one of my good friends. Yeah. Cause I love, yeah. I text, she texts right back. She's always in my corner. She's just, um, once I found out she's a Taurus too, she's a Taurus. What are you? Sagittarius. Oh yeah. Once she says she, I found out she's a Taurus. I'm like, I got you figured out. I lived with one for 21 years. So I got you. Um, she wanted me to ask you, uh, what peptides are you on? I'm not, I feel like I want to, I feel like, [59:18] He's in the writer's room right now, and she said, ask Coleman. The writers want to know, where does he get his energy? What peptides do you feel? They all think I'm on something because they're like, how are you possibly doing all this stuff? But it's just, it's like natural energy. We've got to get peptides. I mean, my dream is that while I'm recording these podcasts, we're all getting peptides at the same time. I feel like whatever peptides is doing, people are looking good. You know what I love about peptides is people are like, I'm getting all these peptides, and it's like, what's in it? And they're like, I don't know. Yes, everyone's doing the same thing.

[59:48] it in and they're like [59:49] Hope for the best. Hope for the best. I don't know. Okay. You're getting them every day. And it's what's in it. It's called B128. Yeah. But you're right. No one can describe what it is. No, no one knows what it is. In fact, it's better not to know. Just like, let's just go. Let's just peptide it up. You and I, let's do it. Peptide this shit up. Okay. You're in the [1:00:19] We talk to people before our podcast and we find out more about them. We talk well behind their back and we talk to Steven Spielberg. Oh, you know you did. Yes. You did what? [1:00:28] Yes. We talked to Steven Spielberg. I was very nervous. I actually realized as I was talking to him, I was like, I almost was like, Mr. Spielberg, you know? And I said to him, like, your work is in my body. Like, your work is in my subconscious forever. You've shaped our childhood. Every single summer, every version of like an unknown world you brought us into. He's just so... He's singular. [1:00:58] A couple of times. Yeah. So before we get to the great stuff he talked, he said about you, what is so great about working with him? What's it like to work with him? He's just lovely. Yeah. He's funny and warm. He gives you, he's got a sparkle in his eye that make you believe you can do anything. Even if he's giving you the wildest task of saying these lines while going through an explosion and there's, you know, the camera work is all intensive. He looks at you and believes you can do it.

[1:01:28] And so you have that belief. You're like, oh, great. We're going to make something together. We're taking a leap of faith together. He's really just lovely and he's kind. Yeah. And he's right there with you. He likes his portable monitor and he's right in the action with you. He's not at chairs. He's not at Video Village. No, there's no ego about the work. Yeah. And he's also just like, you know, what do you think about this? You know you can bring your ideas. Oh, let's think about that. So he's very collaborative. And that's what I enjoy about him. It's his kindness. Yeah. [1:01:58] he feels like [1:01:59] How can I say it? He feels like he's just starting out. Like, yeah, he's that excited. He's like, oh, let's try that. Let's. Oh, I have an idea. I have an idea. OK, great. And he's like, OK, let's let's try it. So he feels like he's a kid assembling his favorite craftsman around and he's playing with you. You're all playing together. I mean, this is like a big is going to be a big summer movie, like a blockbuster. But also, I think it's a movie we all need right now. For sure. It is a movie. After I saw it, I've seen it twice now. [1:02:29] And I've cried both times. That'll just tell you. And I won't tell you why I cried, but it really did feel like. [1:02:36] it's a movie that's trying to connect us again, all of us, you know, especially like the idea of inviting people, [1:02:44] the idea that there's something bigger than all of us that we're a part of. So I think that's why I cried. I called him right after and I said, you really care about us. You really care about us. [1:02:55] humanity, you know, and what we're wrestling with right now in our times. Yeah. And then what can unite us? Well, he said the same thing about you. He basically was like, yeah, let me tell you. Okay. You know what? Forget about Steven. Let me tell you what he said. What did he say about me? What did he say about you? Well, first of all, he said that. Real Housewives episode now.

[1:03:15] Okay. That would be really funny. This is the first podcast where I'm like, he actually said some shit. [1:03:25] self-driving car. Like, you know that you're going to like, you have it, you're, you're in the zone. Like there's very little that he has to do because he has such faith in you. But what you lead with as a person on set in an ensemble is empathy and love and respect. So like what you get is this act, [1:03:47] but also a really wonderful person. And I think the privilege of when you get to a certain age and you work, you get to want to surround yourself with those kinds of people. Like, that's important. And it's not always the case. I think when you're younger, you're kind of like, maybe complicated, difficult people are there to challenge me in different ways. And I'll learn something from them. And I know for me anyway, like as I get older, I'm like... [1:04:09] Also, I want to be around people. That's it. Good people. Absolutely. Life is short. Yeah, life is short. This should be fun. How lucky are we? Truly. And his question was kind of like a, because we were talking about auditioning, and I was asking him, like, how do people not get nervous around him? Like, how does he deal with people's nerves? Because he must have people coming and being like, nice to meet you. And he wanted me to ask you, did you ever not get a part of him? [1:04:37] that you tried hard to get. And like, what did you, what did you do with it? When you like, what did you do with the feeling when you didn't get it? So many, oh my God, that was like most of my career. I was, I was booking a lot. I really felt like I was like, even things you felt like you really wanted, or you really, um,

[1:04:54] were skilled for at some point you had to divorce yourself from the idea of getting the role. You're like, okay, I'm prepared for this, but it's not up to me. It's like someone, cause maybe that's the thing I pride myself on. I'm like, when they want me, they want all of me. Yeah. So that means they want, it's okay if they want someone else. Yeah. So for me, I, I, it became a practice of being very sober about it and saying, you know, it's okay if they didn't want me. Cause like what I give is very different than that other guy. Yeah. It's not that he was better than me or, but they wouldn't know he was useful to them and well, [1:05:23] all that he was going to bring to it. And that's cool. So for me, it was like, and maybe that was a healthy thing that I needed to give myself. Yeah. So I can give myself grace and continue to be a practitioner of this art form. Yeah. And not let it be about my ego. But doesn't it feel like it's a learned skill? That's hard to do when you're young. It is a learn, because also when you're young, but also there are times when you're, I mean, listen, I've had moments where there were things that I thought I was perfect for. Yeah. And I didn't get, and it shattered me. But to me, I'll be very honest on Amy, I'd never really imagined [1:05:52] the place that I'm in right now in this industry. I just wanted to be a working actor. And also you're so famous and successful too.

[1:06:04] I got so famous. But you're right. And also the contentment part, that's the goal. Yeah. Like satisfaction and contentment. It's the hardest thing to find. It can, you know, it doesn't matter what you do. Yeah. Yeah. [1:06:16] Hell is wanting more. It's like hell. That's suffering, man. It is suffering. Listen, I got a beautiful, beautiful message from this guy when I was turning 50. This guy was driving me in a car in Toronto, and he was 70 years old. And I said, do you have any words of wisdom for my 50th? He said, listen, I wish I knew this years ago. He said, it's interesting. [1:06:39] It's important too. [1:06:41] You want to hope for everything but want for nothing. [1:06:44] And I was like, oh, wow. [1:06:48] To eliminate want, you know? Yeah. So I know that like when I walk into a room, like you say, I walk into these rooms or in sets. I don't really want anything. Yeah. I hope that it can be. There's other things that I hope that it can be. But I'm not coming to get something. Oh, yeah. You know what I mean? I'm coming to hopefully be in service and also to give something. Yeah. I think that's the best we all can be. So if everyone's coming from that place, we all win. Yeah. You know? Yeah. The problem is only when somebody's coming in just like to want to take shit. And that's ego in the room. [1:07:18] And that's some dark forces. And you try to just protect yourself against that, you know? We've got to talk about those egos offline. Exactly. Those dark forces. Okay. I love that we're the same age, by the way, because I've said this before. We look good, don't we? We look great. You look great. You look great. Thank you. But we're making 50, 55, 56. We're doing great. I'm turning 55 very soon. I'm older than you. You're 56, right? Yeah. And what's your favorite part about your 50s? I love my 50s. You know what's funny to me?

[1:07:48] Lately, it feels like things are moving faster. Like I just turned 56. I'm like, I'm not going to be 57 this year. That doesn't make any sense. And once you get past 55, I don't like the second half of the decade. Because like we like 50, I'm 54, 55. And then you're like, I'm about to hit 60. And then you're like, you know what? 60, 60, 61, 60, 63, 64, 65, 67. I do feel like my 50s are my best. Me too. Yeah. I felt my 40s. I was, it was, it was fine. Yeah. [1:08:18] it's getting better yeah i agree also i feel like we have to you have to be conscious of you have to take care of yourself that's right that's right in a different way um show up in a different way for yourself yeah so i feel like we're getting better yeah i feel like the our our obsession with youth is is like i think it's changing i think our generation is helping i think like one of the legacies of gen x i've said this before is that of which we are proudly proud members of we're not boomers we are gen x we're gen x we rock yeah we don't give a shit we really don't [1:08:48] We made our own dinner. We had a key around our fucking neck. Exactly. We had a job when we were eight. Exactly. We had a key. We were like, fuck around, find out generation. Exactly. We're tough. 100%. We are tough. We really are. And we, and we, and nobody remembers us and nobody gives us any respect. Nobody gives us any respect. It's true. We're the toughest generation. We're never going to have a president. The Gen X president. Anyway. But we don't care. We don't care. We don't care. The system is broken.

[1:09:18] I always knew that. [1:09:21] But one of the things about it is like, is that we've, oh, I've completely lost my train of thought. [1:09:28] I'm too old. I'm too old. I forgot what I was talking about. Who cares? You know what? Who cares? [1:09:39] Okay. Last question. Last question, Coleman. What has been making you laugh these days? I know you love to laugh. [1:09:48] Comedy? Yes. What are you listening to watching like [1:09:52] What do you go to when you want to check out, laugh, like dumb, highbrow? What is the thing? I always go back to watching Melissa McCarthy in Spoon. [1:10:04] Spy. Oh my god. Okay, let's watch her right now. I got a laptop. Spy is my any clip. Spy is I will watch it. Melissa McCarthy is so funny. She makes me feel myself. She's so funny. Have you guys met? I love her. Yeah, we, we, we, she came to, I saw, I met her backstage at SNL when she was there for Jack Black. And I just like, I really, I think we're becoming friends because we exchanged numbers, but I really want to be her friend. Give me a little credit. What do you think I'm going to do? Run over there and be like, hey, I'm a crazy lady. Where's the buffet? I'm from the Midwest. [1:10:34] Yeah, because she's like, she comes across as this mousy woman who works for the CIA. And then you find out she's an agent as well. And then she goes on this whole journey. Like she was like really like, you know, laying back. And then you find out she's like the most wildest one of them all. She's wild. Yeah. You like all these great disguises, which are really one is funnier after the night.

[1:11:04] Verna's in it. She's out of control. This is a comfort movie for you. I will watch it at any time. That and The Color Purple. I know it's very weird. I'll watch the whoopee version of it. Or this. So either I want to cry hard or I want to laugh harder. Oh God, I'm with you. I'm the same way. I want to cry. You know what I don't want to be anymore? Bored. Scared. Don't want to be scared? No. I don't want to be scared. No, I don't want to be scared. I don't want to horror anything. No more horror movies. No, no more horror. No, no, no. No more. I just saw [1:11:34] I won't even say it. And I was like, you don't want that. I don't want that. I don't know more movies about being attacked in your own home. No, no, no. That's terrible. Those are terrible movies. I never watched those movies. Me neither. I don't want that. No, no more. We either want to laugh or we want to cry. Like laugh or cry, period. The end. That's it. Well, I feel like you should do a movie with Melissa McCarthy. I think I should, too. I would love that. God, you're so funny, Coleman. Oh, thank you. So you can do anything. [1:12:04] Thank you. You can wear a lime green. You can pull it off. [1:12:09] Well, thank you for my egg. Oh, this has been so great. So fun. We've been talking for an hour and a half and it just went by so fast. So good. And I just love being able to call you a new friend. I feel that way too. Thank you for doing this. Congrats on everything. I'm always excited about whatever you're doing and like a true, true fan of your work. So thank you. I'm a fan of you in every single way. Thank you so much for doing this.

[1:12:34] Coleman, thank you so much. It's so fun to be around you. You're just a joy. And thank you so much for doing this show. And, you know, Coleman and I talked about a lot of things. We have a lot of shared similar experiences being pretty much the same age growing up in the East Coast. But we did mention Dance Party USA. And for those of you that haven't seen any clips of that, do yourself a favor and go to YouTube and watch Dance Party USA. It kind of was like... [1:12:59] a very suburban version of American bandstand, like Soul Train, you know, without the soul. And it was on in the 80s. There's such incredible hair, such 80s hair, tons of hairspray, incredible outfits. And it's just kids dancing to the hits at the time. And what was so fun about Dance Party USA was, of course, Kelly Ripa was on there. That was the first time I saw Kelly. [1:13:29] different name, but, um, [1:13:31] But also they just would like [1:13:34] Talk about the relationships that they were having and that people were dating and breaking up. So it was like a it was like a soap opera with no lines and lots of dancing. Dance Party USA. Check it out. It's a time capsule. [1:13:48] Thank you so much, everybody, for listening to this episode of Good Hang and all the episodes. And can't wait to do more for you. Thank you. Bye. See you soon. [1:13:57] You've been listening to Good Hang. The executive producers for this show are Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss-Berman, and me, Amy Poehler. The show is produced by The Ringer and Paper Kite. For The Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Kat Spillane, Kaya McMullen, and Alaya Zanaris. For Paper Kite, production by Sam Green, Joel Lovell, and Jenna Weiss-Berman.

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