Guest Ed O'Neill shares his journey from an Ohio steel mill to Al Bundy, discussing his football career, role in Married... with Children, and why he almost said no to Clipped. They touch on Hollywood icons, family ancestry, and the transition from football to acting.
Physicality and mindset from boxing skills enhance acting abilities.
Meeting with boxing legend provides insights into dedication and sportsmanship.
Balancing portrayal of morally ambiguous figures on screen is a challenging task.
Deep dives
Boxing and Acting Skills
Having developed boxing skills from past experiences, the speaker realized the advantage it offered in acting, particularly for a role involving boxing scenes. By mastering the physicality and mindset necessary for boxing, the speaker found that these skills translated well into his acting abilities, enhancing his performance and lending a unique authenticity to his roles.
Meeting Jack Dempsey
The speaker's encounter with Jack Dempsey, a boxing legend, left a lasting impression. Dempsey's humble and practical approach to fighting resonated with the speaker, illustrating the wisdom gained from years of experience in the ring. This meeting with the iconic boxer provided valuable insights into dedication, sportsmanship, and the mindset needed for combat sports.
Transition to Acting and Role in a Broadway Show
After reflecting on his previous experiences and skills, the speaker decided to pursue acting and auditioned for an understudy role in a Broadway show at the Helen Hayes Theater. His background in boxing proved beneficial in teaching another actor how to appear proficient in boxing scenes. This opportunity marked a significant step in the speaker's acting career, showcasing his versatility and dedication to honing his craft.
Humbling Experience at Emmy Awards
After being nominated for five Emmys and winning several in a row for a popular comedy show, the speaker reflects on the humor and lessons learned from not winning an award, despite feeling like a strong contender. The experience of losing amid a successful series underscored the unpredictability and transient nature of success in the entertainment industry, offering a humorous perspective on the ups and downs of awards shows and industry recognition.
Portrayal of Donald Sterling and the Role of Flawed Characters
The podcast episode delves into the intricacies of portraying real-life figure Donald Sterling, the former owner of the LA Clippers, in a TV series and navigating his complex character flaws. The discussion highlights the challenges of embodying a complex and flawed individual, balancing the portrayal between depicting his faults and seeking to humanize his character, culminating in reflections on the nuanced approach to portraying morally ambiguous figures on screen.
Ed O’Neill’s his early days working in an Ohio steel mill and contemplating a potential career hustling for mobsters didn’t seem like a path to Hollywood. Nor did his days playing football and coming up short during NFL tryouts. But his working class Irish background wound up making Ed the perfect portrayer of Al Bundy, a performance partially based on his own uncle. Ed talks with Marc about everything that led up to Married… with Children and Modern Family, and why he was determined to say no to the new FX on Hulu limited series Clipped, right up until he said yes.
