Actor/Comedian - Kevin Pollak

Kevin Pollak has had a long and prolific career as a standup comedian, impressionist, character actor, and director. He has appeared in over 90 films, including The Usual Suspects, A Few Good Men, Casino, Grumpy Old Men, and the award-winning original show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. He has worked with some of the biggest stars and directors in the industry over the course of his career including Martin Scorsese, Jack Nicholsen, Tom Cruise, Barry Levinson, Robert De Niro, Sophia Loren, and so many more. In this episode of Actors Guide to Success Kevin and Bernard talk about how Kevin got his start in the industry, tell some hilarious tales from the movie sets he’s worked on, and share his philosophies on acting, auditioning, and directing.  

Show Notes:

4:47 - Kevin reminisces about his early interest in comedy

8:50 - Kevin talks about his start as a stand-up comedian

10:38 - Kevin examines his talent as an impressionist

11:58 - Bernard “interviews” Kevin’s Christopher Walken impression

12:45 - Kevin talks about how impressions and comedy helped him to create characters

15:35 - Kevin discusses “bombing” as a comedian and rejection in auditions

17:06 - Kevin names his main inspirations in standup comedy

17:37 - A brief tangent about James McAvoy in Cyrano de Bergerac and other powerful stage performances

19:07 - Kevin confesses his insecurities about being an actor 

21:17 - Kevin talks about what it was like on the set of A Few Good Men

23:22 - Kevin tells the story about when his mother flirted with Jack Nicholson

28:10 - Kevin further elaborates about what it was like on set and not being able to “get there” in an intense scene

32:08 - Kevin talks about the subtle anti-Semitism in the classic court scene of A Few Good Men

34:32 - Kevin remembers when he stood in for Jack Nicholson

37:44 - Bernard asks Kevin where he developed compassion for others

39:49 - Kevin talks about Barry Levinson and auditioning for Avalon

46:33 - Kevin shares his advice for actors just getting started in the business

54:53 - Bernard and Kevin discuss the process and heartbreak of auditioning

55:28 - Kevin talks about the transition from auditioning to getting offers; agreeing to a role in The Usual Suspects

1:02:30 - Bernard and Kevin discuss the importance of taking risks and being a poker player

1:04:38 - Kevin talks about being a character actor and the character actors he has admired; Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau

1:08:14 - Kevin reminisces about working with Sophia Loren

1:11:08 - Kevin gives further advice on acting and being intentional

1:13:29 - Kevin explains what he still loves about the industry; The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

1:15:32 - Kevin advises actors to create their own material and adapt their favorite stories

1:17:47 - Kevin talks about Casino and working with Don Rickles and Martin Scorsese