Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade Billy Crudup on Working with Adam Sandler & George Clooney + Theater Horror Stories
Dec 4, 2025
Billy Crudup, acclaimed for his roles in The Morning Show and Prefontaine, shares captivating theater tales and behind-the-scenes stories from his career. He recounts a chaotic preview experience where he faced a panic attack while performing naked onstage. The discussion shifts to his edgy role in The Morning Show and his upcoming film Jay Kelly, co-starring Adam Sandler and George Clooney, exploring themes of success and the American Dream. They also delve into the art of live performance and the challenges of adapting classic Westerns for the stage.
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Forgetting Lines Led To A Live Debacle
- Billy Crudup recounts forgetting his lines during a preview and having a panic attack onstage.
- The performance became a memorable train wreck that he later cut 20 minutes from to salvage the show.
A Pause Turned Into Powerful Acting
- Crudup describes another onstage lapse where pausing made co-actors shift to genuine listening.
- Martha Plimpton's reaction turned an awkward pause into an unexpectedly powerful moment.
Role Sculpted To An Actor's Rhythm
- Crudup explains his Morning Show character fit because writer Carrie Aaron tailored monologues to his rhythm.
- The role worked because the character thinks in long paragraphs and the show needed that breath amid high-stakes drama.
