Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum

JARED HARRIS: Mad Men Secrets, Richard Harris Chaos & Lessons From Chernobyl

Dec 2, 2025
Jared Harris, known for his roles in Mad Men and Chernobyl, opens up about his tumultuous childhood with father Richard Harris and how it shaped his artistic journey. He shares stories of being written off from Mad Men, the challenges of auditioning, and the significance of embracing failure. With humor and insight, Jared talks about preparing for complex roles, including his transformation into Gorbachev, and how using comedy helps ease on-set tension. His candid anecdotes reveal the chaos, love, and lessons that have influenced his celebrated career.
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ADVICE

Make Decisions And Own Them

  • Directors must choose constantly and own every choice because the film bears their name.
  • Do accept good ideas from others and make them your own to improve the movie.
ADVICE

Pick Directors Who Transform Scripts

  • Evaluate a director early by whether they use the script as a starting point, not a shield.
  • Prefer directors who adapt material imaginatively over those who merely protect the page.
ADVICE

Steal Good Ideas To Strengthen Work

  • Don't cling to the origin of an idea; choose and commit to ideas that serve the film.
  • Encourage collaborative suggestions and adapt them to strengthen the director's vision.
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