JULIANNA MARGULIES - I came from chaos before ER and The Good Wife
Oct 1, 2024
auto_awesome
Julianna Margulies, the award-winning actress known for her iconic roles in ER and The Good Wife, opens up about her chaotic upbringing and the journey to stardom. She shares heartfelt stories of her first love and the impact of family dynamics on her adolescent self. Reflecting on her time in the acting world, Julianna discusses the challenge of sobriety amidst fame and the emotional bond formed with her co-stars. She also expresses excitement about returning to the stage, eager to embrace the intimacy of live performances once again.
Julianna Margulies discusses how her chaotic childhood and emotional repression influenced her acting career, allowing her to draw from buried feelings.
She shares the transformative impact of landing her role on ER, navigating rapid fame while striving to balance her public image with private life.
Deep dives
Julianna Margulies' Challenging Childhood
Julianna Margulies reflects on her tumultuous childhood, marked by her parents' divorce and her mother's chaotic lifestyle. She discusses how the instability and unpredictability, including living with various partners of her mother and frequent relocations, shaped her need for order in adulthood. This environment fostered her ability to suppress emotions, as she felt pressure to maintain a 'sunshine' persona for her family. Ultimately, this repression became a wellspring for her acting career, allowing her to pull from deeply buried feelings when performing.
The Power of Supportive Relationships
Margulies shares how her early relationship with Kuhl McQuaid during her teenage years provided her with stability and comfort amid familial chaos. As a skilled mechanic who exuded confidence, he offered her a much-needed support system during a challenging time in her life. Their bond not only kept her grounded but also allowed her to feel empowered while balancing the difficulties at home. This relationship underscored her values concerning trust and loyalty, which have remained significant throughout her life.
Entering the Spotlight with ER
Margulies discusses the drastic changes in her life after landing her role on ER, experiencing rapid fame at a young age. Initially, she remained in a bubble, focused on her demanding shooting schedule and unaware of the show's massive success until returning to England, where fans recognized her. This newfound recognition introduced challenges of balancing public perception with her private life, yet she maintained a grounded approach by continuing her everyday activities. The experience highlighted the influence of the show on both her career and the lives of viewers across the globe.
Returning to the Stage
Margulies expresses her excitement and nervousness about returning to the stage for a Broadway production after an 18-year hiatus. She highlights the demanding nature of theater, particularly with an eight-show-per-week schedule, which makes it a significant departure from work on television. Her motivation to return stems from a desire for personal growth and the thrill of live performance, where immediate audience feedback shapes the experience. This return not only represents a professional transition but also offers a chance to reconnect with the intimacy of stage acting and showcase her evolving artistry.
Star of The Good Wife, and Cush's on-screen best friend, award-winning actress Julianna Margulies joins Cush to talk about her upbringing.
Cush and Julianna reflect on their time filming The Good Wife, and Cush's nerve-wracking first day - where she was told by the director 'it will get better'.
Julianna gives unique insight into her challenging, chaotic childhood, about falling in love as a teenager for the first time, and how, aged 25, she landed a huge role in ER (she starred in as Carol Hathaway throughout the 90s).
A Sony Music Entertainment production
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow us at @sonypodcasts
To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email podcastadsales@sonymusic.com