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1223: William H. Macy | What Shameless Taught Him About Being Shameless

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Oct 14, 2025

Guest

William H. Macy

William H. Macy, a seasoned actor known for acclaimed roles in Fargo and Boogie Nights, dives deep into the intricacies of acting. He reveals how he truly learned to act at 60, emphasizing that character is defined by action, not words. He shares insights on the importance of genuine attention in performances, how desperation can fuel compelling artistry, and why it’s vital for actors to focus on their strengths. With candid anecdotes from his career, Macy offers a refreshing perspective on both the challenges and joys of being an actor.

01:09:38

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Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Actions Define Character

Character is defined by actions more than words or backstory.
William H. Macy says what you do reveals who you are and drives the scene's truth.

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ADVICE

Use A Simple, Real-Time Objective

Figure out a clear, real-time objective you can actually do in the scene.
Let the objective drive your choices and trust emotions to follow naturally.

insights

INSIGHT

Not Caring Makes You Bulletproof

Not caring about approval makes an actor bulletproof and bold.
Macy says strong choices free you from pleasing others and create memorable performances.

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Why Jack Buck Helped a Burn Victim

03:03 • 2min

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Playing Real People vs. Fictional Characters

04:33 • 2min

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Blunt Honesty and the Actor's Personality

06:31 • 5min

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David Mamet and the Practical Aesthetic

11:06 • 2min

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Why Desperation Works on Screen

12:42 • 4min

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Being 'Bulletproof' as an Actor

16:18 • 2min

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When To Act and When To Do Nothing

18:13 • 1min

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Playing Subtle Physical Details Effectively

19:14 • 1min

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Giving Notes with Your Partner and Between Actors

20:37 • 2min

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How Shameless Taught Him to 'Really Look and Really Listen'

22:36 • 6min

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Crashing the Fargo Audition and Fighting for Roles

28:48 • 1min

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Why an Actor Must Avoid Desperation in Auditions

30:10 • 5min

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Comedy Mechanics: Let the Writing Be Funny

34:50 • 3min

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Finding Humor in Tragedy and Inappropriateness

37:29 • 3min

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Respecting Great Writing While Staying Improvisational

40:10 • 2min

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Actors Who Overreach and Ruin the Script

41:48 • 1min

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From Angry Artist to Calm Professional

42:48 • 1min

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What He Learned Acting on Shameless in His 50s and 60s

44:04 • 2min

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Accepting Yourself and Focusing on Strengths

45:59 • 5min

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Education, Early Career Choices, and Finding Theater

50:31 • 1min

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Family, Directing, and Collaborative Critique

51:57 • 6min

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Recognition, Travel, and Everyday Encounters with Fans

57:33 • 5min

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Alternate Careers: Carpentry, Motorcycles, and Whiskey

01:02:31 • 60sec

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Advice for Aspiring Actors: Auditions and Luck

01:03:30 • 3min

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Why He Chose Soul on Fire and Playing Jack Buck

Richard Osman's House of Games

101 New & Classic Games from the Hit BBC Series

Alan Connor

Richard Osman

This book features over 101 games from the popular BBC series, including wordplay, logic puzzles, trivia quizzes, and more. It's designed to entertain and challenge readers of all ages, providing a fun way to engage with friends and family.

Oleana, de David Mamet, es una obra de teatro que explora la dinámica de poder entre un profesor universitario y una estudiante. La obra presenta una crítica feroz al sistema universitario y a las élites, mostrando cómo la desigualdad de poder puede llevar a situaciones de abuso y manipulación. El conflicto central gira en torno a una acusación de acoso sexual, dejando al espectador cuestionando la verdad y la moralidad de ambos personajes. La obra es una metáfora de la lucha de poder en la sociedad, donde los privilegios y las estructuras de poder se enfrentan a la rebelión y la búsqueda de justicia. La complejidad de la obra radica en la ambigüedad moral de sus personajes y la falta de una resolución clara, lo que la convierte en una pieza pertinente para el análisis de las relaciones de poder en la sociedad contemporánea.

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American buffalo

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In 'American Buffalo: In Search of a Lost Icon', Steven Rinella takes readers across the continent to explore the buffalo’s past, present, and future. The book visits sites such as the Bering Land Bridge, buffalo jumps used by Native Americans, and the Detroit Carbon works, a plant that processed buffalo bones into various products. Rinella’s storytelling combines outdoor adventure with historical, biological, and environmental observations, highlighting the significant role the buffalo has played in shaping American identity.

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Love Letter

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George Saunders

George Saunders' "Love Letter" is a poignant short story presented as an epistolary narrative. It explores themes of political disillusionment, family relationships, and the complexities of moral choices in a dystopian near-future setting. The story unfolds through a grandfather's letter to his grandson, grappling with the ethical dilemmas of a society under authoritarian rule. The narrative masterfully blends humor and pathos, forcing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about complicity and resistance. The story's power lies in its ability to evoke empathy for the characters while highlighting the insidious nature of political oppression.

Acting is weird, brutal work. Fargo star William H. Macy breaks down why desperation makes great art — and how he finally learned to act at age 60.

Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/1223

What We Discuss with William H. Macy:

Character is defined by action, not words or backstory. What you do reveals who you are, making desperation and relentlessness compelling on screen.
The best actors are bulletproof against criticism of their craft because they commit fully to their choices without seeking approval or worrying about being flattering.
William didn't truly learn to act until his 60s on Shameless. Getting his 10,000 hours taught him to drop baggage and focus only on what's essential in the moment.
Really look and really listen. This simple technique transforms performances because genuine attention makes others self-conscious and creates authentic reactions.
Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. Happiness comes from accepting who you are and doing what you're naturally good at rather than fixing every flaw.
And much more...

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