Julia Louis-Dreyfus recalls her childhood passion for acting and the impact it had on her career.
The podcast discusses the topic of aging and the joy of family milestones.
Deep dives
Childhood theater company and love for performing
Julia Louis-Dreyfus reminisces about her childhood in Washington, D.C. and her involvement in a theater company with her creative friends. She fondly recalls their make-believe games and their passion for acting, particularly their production of 'Sorry Wrong Number.' While she was disappointed by a line mistake made by a fellow performer, she still cherished the experience and developed a lifelong love for performing.
The joy of pretending and performing
Louis-Dreyfus reflects on her childhood fascination with pretending to be someone else, especially older individuals. She found solace and control in embodying different characters and attributes. She recounts how she and her friends would imagine themselves as sophisticated college students and enjoy activities like drinking hot chocolate and laughing at college-style jokes. She compares the thrill she felt then to the similar joy she experiences in her work as an actress now.
Embracing the love for work
Louis-Dreyfus expresses her genuine passion for work and emphasizes how much she enjoys it. She discusses the impressive career of her guest, Rhea Perlman, and highlights her own appreciation for working as an actress. She finds joy and fulfillment in her work and credits it as a significant aspect of her life. While she also values her family and friends, she particularly loves the drive and satisfaction that comes from working on creative projects.
Reflections on aging and the importance of family
During the conversation, Louis-Dreyfus and Perlman discuss their experiences with aging and family. Perlman shares her excitement and love as a new grandmother, and Louis-Dreyfus expresses her joy for her guests' family milestones. They touch on the complexities of relationships and the importance of supporting and being there for one's children. Perlman also reflects on the challenging aspects of getting older while embracing the shifts and changes in life.
This week on Wiser Than Me, Julia spends time with 75-year-old actress Rhea Perlman, who recently became a grandmother for the first time. Julia and Rhea trade stories of being pregnant on set and reminisce about working together 40 years ago on Saturday Night Live. Then, Julia tells her mom Judith that Rhea has read a lot of Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh’s work, which inexplicably prompts a laugh-out-loud funny story from Judith.
