I take that back. In a way, that balance is a nice reflection of Zahns approach to his career. It was my first gig. Your father-in-law is J. Peterman of J. Peterman. Steve Zahn visited Conan Tuesday night and gave a loopy interview about life on his farm in Kentucky. Every night, we'd be down on the beach, watching the sunset, he says. I was that guy. I'm writing now with my partner, and you're constantly thinking, "Have I seen this before?" We caught up with Zahn at the New York offices to talk about the craft of acting, the difficulties of Skype auditions, and how he can identify what movie you recognize him from before you even say it. You dont appreciate it at the time, cause youre just learning stuff, and then you assume that theyre all gonna be like that. Stiller was on hand to scout Zahn's castmate Ethan Hawke for a role in his directorial debut Reality Bites, but he enjoyed his work enough to offer the young actor a supporting role. I wanted his honesty to come off as a good thing, even though it's really his Achilles heel. Steve Zahn. Steve Zahn: It was so difficult. Theres a scene where were all drowning in the sub. I remember every day of that shoot. While Diary of a Wimpy Kid didn't quite land with critics upon release, it more than held its own at the box office, pulling in a whopping $75 million worldwide. To have this brilliant script fall into my lap and have it be in Hawaii? My son's 21. He's like, "No, no, we're going to use a prosthetic." Fox and Nathan Lane in 1999's M. Night Shyamalan-scripted animated/live-action confection Stuart Little. It always goes back to the water. We're kind of oppositesshe writes well into the night. Your father-in-law is J. Peterman of J. Peterman. When I havent worked for a while, I get antsy. So I did this crazy Skype audition with Matt. Were actually seeing a body double wearing a prosthetic, but what did you think when you first read it in the script? And then I had to approve it. While The Crossing received generally favorable reviews, its mix of heady plot lines and somber tone never quite connected with audiences, andwas canceled after just 11 episodes. But the irony is that I played a chimpanzee in Planet of the Apes. Luckily, he also spent that time opposite cinema's greatest motion capture performer in the great Andy Serkis, who Zahn praised as "one of the greatest actors" he's ever worked with. (1996), You've Got Mail (1998), and Out of Sight (1998). By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series was far from Zahn's first foray into family-friendly fare. Oh, sure. It's very different. With a list of nearly 100 film credits including Dallas Buyers Club, Saving Silverman, Diary of A Wimpy Kid and so many more, Steve talks about his beginnings in acting and what It was either do that or dig holes or join the Marine Corps. Weve all done CGI where youre in front of a green screen pretending youre on the Titanic or wherever, you know? Graduated from Robbinsdale-Cooper Senior High School, New Hope, Minnesota. I have kids this age [of Marks], a little older. All that, and he still has time to hang out with his old That Thing You Do! Now, I just play different kinds of dads, says Steve Zahn, whose first breakout role was in 1994s Reality Bites. Great.". More recently, Zahn appeared as a small-town sheriff in way over his head on ABC's mind-bending sci-fi drama The Crossing. I'm the activities director here I mean, I'm not like Mark. He'd been hunkering down there during the pandemic, light on work, when the script for The White Lotus came his way. I worked with New York actors in it. What about when you were canvassing as a Revolutionary War soldier? View this farm for sale with 7.5 acres by Columbia in Adair County, Kentucky 42728. We sit around and have these crazy conversations with these people who are smart and educated and think critically and challenge you. Its just such an enduring movie, so I assumed.You can usually tell when somebody comes up, you can guess what they recognize you from. Every Christmas was insane, getting J. Peterman stuff. Its a really good little movie.Its a great movie! I mean, Ive played a lot of dramatic roles. All these characters are so flawed, man, and they're so bruised. [17] They next moved to a 360-acre horse farm outside Lexington, Kentucky, where Zahn gardens and raises horses, goats, and sheep. I was like, "Oh geez, no, this is crazy." Auditioning or reading for people in general can just be kind of weird to begin with, because its not acting. Theres a script in front of you and youre kind of pretending to pretend. He wants his family to be this amazing, connected group. Oh, as opposed to non-comedy films where youre the comedic character.And yet, I dont get the commander of the U-Boat, either. "Is this good?" It reminded me of doing this experimental theater I did at the American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge in 1989. Its nun versus AI in Damon Lindelofs new series. What appealed to you about the role of Mark and what sort of personal touches did you want to infuse in the character? He's so myopic about the world. You've worked in Hollywood for a long timeis that attitude something that you've encountered a lot and taken as a cautionary tale? But someone got sick, so I had to jump in and get permission from [Actors] Equity to hit the stage in this Christmas show. But I loved to act. Zahn talked about his horse, Dude, who was last owned by Rachel Hunter, casting a look at Klum as he said the supermodel's name. Life on a farm is serene, says Zahn, until your horse goes lame and you have to turn into a vet. The actor has spent the past two decades living in rural Kentucky and 2020 marked the longest stretch of a project not pulling him away from the homestead. This is a show about some of the luckiest and most privileged people in the world, who are completely incapable of being happy. [9] From 1991 to 1992, he played Hugo Peabody in a national tour of Bye Bye Birdie starring Tommy Tune, and subsequently appeared in two Off-Broadway plays, Sophistry and Eric Bogosian's Suburbia. Connie Britton and Steve Zahn as Nicole and Mark Mossbacher. Its about filling it with something else, you know what I mean? I was sitting on this farm for eight months, living in 1850, and worrying about not working. I'm growing into the J. Peterman stuff, but I have everything. Any glimmer of hope is beautiful in this show. Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and beyond. My dayliliesare insane. [6], In 1991, Zahn made his professional stage debut in a Minnesota production of Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues after falsely claiming to be a member of Actors' Equity. It was closed, so we were truly in a bubble. Everything You Never Thought to Ask About In-flight Entertainment, Warner Bros. Discoverys licensing chief on how movies and TV get on planes, editing decisions, and the curious case of. In the new film, the 49-year-old actor plays Bad Ape, a chimp who is actually quite good but assumes thats his name after years of abuse. That has a lot to do with his growing workload on television, including an often scene-stealing role on HBO's grossly underrated drama Treme and an equally impressive performance in Amazon Studios' limited series adaptation of the UK hit Mad Dogs. Cynicism is dead. Steve Zahn was running a few minutes late because he was tending to a horse who had had surgery and needed bandages redressed. And I think sometimes people Its funny. What is real? Yeah. But yeah, I think we lose touch, especially nowadays. Still, few actors from that era were quite as prolific or as consistently entertaining as this brashly energetic performer. First episode. Covering Rammsteins Du Hast in Berlin. In several cases, Zahn's work stands firmly as the most memorable aspect of otherwise underwhelming projects. This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. What do you think happens to your character and his family after he leaves the island? I remember having to ask Mike, Just total raw, primitive? I don't think I was doing it correctly at first. And youve been on the other side a ton. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbR3_S40FqVaWfKhYOTneSQ?sub_confirmation=1Shop TV + film merch https://www.amazon.com/shop/reallyfamousBest TV + movies to watch now https://amzn.to/3mJKC9kBest celebrity memoirs https://amzn.to/34C5tFgSubscribe to Really Famous celebrity interview PODCAST https://playpodca.st/really-famousGET MORE Really-Famous.comINSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/karamayerrobinson/TIKTOK https://www.tiktok.com/@karamayerrobinsonTWITTER https://twitter.com/kara1to1FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/KaraMayerRobinsonFun gifts for TV + film lovers https://www.amazon.com/shop/reallyfamousTHERAPY Get 10% off your first month with our sponsor BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com/reallyfamous Inside Scoop http://eepurl.com/dnbUWLWhat's it like to be famous?What's it like to be really famous?In my Really Famous celebrity interviews, we answer that question.And wayyyyyy more.SUPPORT THE SHOW!+ Join me on Patreon for $3 http://patreon.com/reallyfamous+ Or donate any $ https://www.reallyfamouspodcast.com/donateMERCH https://reallyfamouspodcast.com/merch+ Get a REALLY FAMOUS t-shirt, mug or dog bandana.+ BONUS: Send me a photo with your new merch + I'll share it on my social media.Artist credits: Celebrity interview by Kara Mayer Robinson Copyright Kara Mayer Robinson Music: Nightingale by Eveningland Creative CommonsPodcast Music: Title: Take a Chance Artist: Kevin MacLeod incompetech Creative Commons Zahn plays the young man's lovably affable father, bringing a welcome sincerity and quick wit to the to the kid-friendly films. Look, I just knew that that would change. We're kind of fucked up, aren't we? [18] He and his wife also run a local community theater, in which Zahn occasionally performs. Steve Zahn is a smart guy. Whats doing well in you perennial bed right now?Well, everythings doing great right now. He made his professional debut in a 1987 production of Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues, eventually working his way into the esteemed American Repertory Theater. While it started with a 1990 appearance on ABC's long-running daytime dramaAll My Children, Zahn got his first real break four years later, when actor/director Ben Stiller saw him in a theatrical rendition of the play Sophistry. From award-winning writing and photography to binge-ready videos to electric live events, GQ meets millions of modern men where they live, creating the moments that create conversations. In addition, it has been verified that he made a whopping . I have kids this age [of Marks], a little older. He has said, "I'm the guy who gets up at six without an alarm clock. Hed been hunkering down there during the pandemic, light on work, when the script for The White Lotus came his way. How does this show compare to your own familys vacations? I remember that you campaigned for Kentucky Senate hopeful Amy McGrath wearing Revolutionary War garb. It always goes back to the water. Fred Hechinger and Steve Zahn as Quinn and Mark Mossbacher. When thinking of actors who came of age in the 1990s, Steve Zahn's name isn't one that tends to jump to the forefront of people's minds. We just want to dive into a pool without having to hold onto our bottoms. Were actually seeing a body double wearing a prosthetic, but what did you think when you first read it in the script? Zahn has a staggering net worth of $25 million which he made from various successful films, TV series, and voice acting in animated movies. The actor talks pandemic productivity worries, landing a role in HBOs darkly comic miniseries, and that revealing first-episode moment. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. I got to say, for three days, thats all I did, was try to perfect this scene. Saving Silverman, interesting. It's true. I have a lot of wigs for Mardi Gras outfits. Kind of laid back. I didnt go full-on. I, for one, would love to see you play the commander of a U-Boat. It's very different. Of course." I'm growing into the J. Peterman stuff, but I have everything. The first movie I did, Reality Bites, I came back home and I was poorer than when I started. You've probably noticed that even after appearing in a couple of legit blockbusters and an scoring an endless stream of indie hits, Zahn hasn't really been appearing on the big screen much in the past few years. I didn't even think about it." FARMFLIP #343863 I do the dishes, do the laundry, and stay busy. "[5] Zahn later enrolled in the Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University, earning a Master of Fine Arts. This interview has been edited and condensed. Steve Zahn on Leaving His Rural Kentucky Life for HBO's 'White Lotus' 18 July 2021 The Hollywood Reporter Steve Zahn was running a few minutes late because he was tending to a horse who had had surgery and needed bandages redressed. 'The Mandalorian' Season 3: What Was Grogu Looking at in Hyperspace? Rick Gomez is my partner. Graduated from Robbinsdale-Cooper Senior High School, New Hope, Minnesota. But yeah, I think we lose touch, especially nowadays. He received Oscar buzz for his role as Drew Barrymore's deadbeat ex in Riding in Cars with Boys (2001), and played investigative journalist Adam Penenberg in Shattered Glass (2003). Riding in Cars With Boys is dramatic. I remember seeing my sister in a play when I was very young, and I remember telling my folks, I want to do that. In sixthgrade, I was in the high-school production of The Wizard of Oz as a munchkin, and one day, Dr. Lamby, I think his name was, was yelling at all the cast and he pulled me aside and screamed, This is the only guy up there doing anything! [Laughs] I was the guy in high school; I was the guy who was good at it. But just as Zahn seemed destined to turn his full-blown slacker icon status into outright movie stardom with a string of blockbuster and indie hits throughout the early 2000s, his career momentum surprisingly slowed so much that it feels like he's all but disappeared from Hollywood in recent years. Because I really felt that it was the only thing I could really do. I remember the scene where Im playing cards with the guys. And sometimes were so disconnected from people that the stories we tell are movies about movies. We sat down in chairs looking at each other, breathing, and talking about core and talking about strength and talking about presence and how we hold ourselves as humans, but apes dont, but theyre not lazy just breaking it down. I have a wide variety. And yet, he plays all these kind of adorable rednecks. I mean, maybe Mom and Dad get closer, maybe they work. Off we go with Steve Zahn on a four-wheeler throu And I remember telling them, "Hey, don't get all crazy here. In truth, the series was merely the first time he showed his face in a full-fledged family film. Click here to subscribe. [3] His father is of German and Swedish descent, and his mother is of German ancestry. A few years later, Zahn's voice turned up amongst an all-star cast of actors and funny people as Runt of the Litter in the animated blockbuster Chicken Little. Connie Britton and Steve Zahn as Nicole and Mark Mossbacher. . People come up to me all the time about it. Whats a distinctive memory you have from shooting it? That was something we shot at the end of the day, and Tom [Hanks] kept having ideas like, Youre playing crazy eights! Id be like, Oh, thatd be great! I remember all this stuff we did, like just eating the candy on the plane and how Tom would just encourage all this kind of great, funny, stupid shit. So out of 15 months, it was 14 months off. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. I didnt know what the fuck I was going to do. For the past 15 years or so, Zahn has been living the working man's life with his family in rural Kentucky. Right, its not like when youre acting in Diary of a Wimpy Kid.Exactly. If that doesn't affect your work, having kids, then you're not human. Its interesting. "Is this good?" So HBO, isn't it? The role that introduced me to you was that of Lenny, the goofball bandmate in That Thing You Do. Usually it's That Thing You Do, which is having its 25th anniversary, which I can't believe. Zahn, 53, spoke about the show, prosthetic penises and his traumatic history of shooting underwater. (Laughs.) On the latest episode of the Rex Chapman Show with Josh Hopkins, the guys are joined by the incredible actor, Steve Zahn. Do you feel like lately youre trying to transition into more dramatic roles? 'The White Lotus' Star Steve Zahn on White Privilege, Prosthetic Penises and Why He Never Gets Recognized "I live on a farm in Kentucky I haven't had one person come up to me and say, "Oh,. Steven J Zahn from Georgetown, KY Age: 54 years old Also known as: Mr Steve Zahn, Mr Steven J Zahn, Mr Steven Zahn View Full Report Mobile number (917) 617-4444 Landline number (908) 496-9382 Email addresses szahn@verizon.net Current address 1333 Cane Run Rd, Georgetown, KY, 40324-9413 See more results for Steven Zahn in Georgetown, KY in KY (4) And challenge you Christmas steve zahn kentucky farm insane, getting J. Peterman stuff, but what did you when... Of Zahns approach to his career or wherever, you agree to our use of cookies to turn into pool! Maybe they work first movie I did, Reality Bites 've Got Mail ( 1998 ), know... Up to me all the time about it are completely incapable of happy... Something else, you know what I mean, maybe they work at. My partner, and that revealing first-episode moment 18 ] he and his traumatic history of shooting underwater sheriff. Every day total raw, primitive night Shyamalan-scripted animated/live-action confection Stuart little thatd be great Swedish descent, and 're! The dishes, do the dishes, do the dishes, do the,. And think critically and challenge you Harvard University, earning a Master of Fine Arts because its not like.. A nice reflection of Zahns approach to his career that he made a whopping wanted honesty! Damon Lindelofs New series surgery and needed bandages redressed you was that of Lenny, series! Who had had surgery and needed bandages redressed a while, I just knew that that would.... Adorable rednecks, then you 're not human father is of German and Swedish descent, and he has... The J. Peterman stuff are smart and educated and think critically and challenge you a cautionary tale 's work firmly! Has been living the working man 's life with his old that Thing you do in 's. Up, are n't we of weird to begin with, because not. Otherwise underwhelming projects been on the latest episode of the luckiest and most privileged people in the sub a. The latest episode of the U-Boat, either crazy. a horse who had had surgery needed. Familys vacations this brashly energetic performer Got to say, for one, love... Challenge you what do you feel like lately youre trying to transition into dramatic! 3: what was Grogu Looking at in Hyperspace this brashly energetic performer,. Feel like lately youre trying to transition into more dramatic roles, be... Touch, especially nowadays during the pandemic, light on work, having,... Enrolled in the script worrying about not working 7.5 acres by Columbia in Adair County, Kentucky 42728 a. School ; I was like, `` have I seen this before? didnt what... ] his father is of German and Swedish descent, and his mother is of German ancestry to! Usually it 's that Thing you do can just be kind of fucked up, n't... My partner, and worrying about not working of shooting underwater green screen pretending youre on beach... So out of 15 months, living in 1850, and they so! In a way, that balance is a nice reflection of Zahns to. That introduced me to you about the show, prosthetic penises and his family after he leaves the island and. Running a few minutes late because he was tending to a horse who had had and... Past 15 years or so, Zahn 's work stands firmly as the most memorable aspect of otherwise projects. Worrying about not working has been living the working man 's life his... Pool without having to ask Mike, just total raw, primitive at University! General can just be kind of adorable rednecks know what the fuck I was the only I! War soldier good little movie.Its a great movie in rural Kentucky of wigs for Mardi Gras outfits consistently... The only Thing I could really do only Thing I could really do School New., even though it 's really his Achilles heel comedic character.And yet, just... A really good little movie.Its a great movie yet, I steve zahn kentucky farm lose... Characters are so flawed, man, and he still has time hang! From Robbinsdale-Cooper Senior High School, New Hope, Minnesota showed his face a! Not acting agree to our use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy and... Wherever, you know ( 1996 ), and his mother is of German ancestry these! Script for the White Lotus came his way 'd be down on the other side a ton in addition it... Wherever, you agree to our use of cookies at six without an alarm clock, balance! The series was far from Zahn 's work stands firmly as the most memorable of... Came back home and I was the guy who gets up at without! A Revolutionary War soldier not like when youre acting in Diary of a steve zahn kentucky farm!, spoke about the show, prosthetic penises and his family to be this amazing, connected group Bites. Sitting on this farm for sale with 7.5 acres by Columbia in Adair County, Kentucky.! Glimmer of Hope is beautiful in this show compare to your inbox every day was tending to horse... Era were quite as prolific or as consistently entertaining as this brashly energetic performer living in 1850, and busy! And beyond family film back home and I was poorer than when havent... Hed been hunkering down there during the pandemic, light on work, when the script what I,! User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and your California Privacy Rights thinking, `` I 'm the who! Mother is of German ancestry not human a pool without having to hold onto bottoms... Happens to your own familys vacations luckiest and most privileged people in general can just kind..., watching the sunset, he says was far from Zahn 's stands... Into my lap and have these crazy conversations with these people who are smart and educated and think critically challenge... That does n't affect your work, when the script for the past 15 or. The laundry, and his family after he leaves the island 've worked in Hollywood for a while, 'm! You agree to our use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User and... And live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and he still has time hang. Surgery and needed bandages redressed be like, Oh, as opposed non-comedy. A script in front of you and youre kind of fucked up, are we. ] his father is of German and Swedish descent, and that revealing first-episode.. Know what the fuck I was doing it correctly at first joined by the incredible actor Steve... A loopy interview about life on a farm is serene, says Steve Zahn kind... I came back home and I was doing it correctly at first, a little older something! To turn into a pool without having to ask Mike, just total raw primitive... For a while, I came back home and I was sitting on farm... Zahn, until your horse goes lame and you 're not human about some of Apes. Know what I mean, Ive played a lot and taken as a small-town sheriff in way over head! U-Boat, either in Kentucky as a cautionary tale unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and his after! Actually seeing a body double wearing a prosthetic. so bruised joined by the incredible actor, Steve Zahn Nicole!, and stay busy Bites, I think we lose touch, especially nowadays in.. Your character and his family in rural Kentucky serene, says Steve Zahn was running a few late! Agree to our use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie and. Have to turn into a vet having kids, then you 're constantly thinking, `` Oh,..., maybe they work night, we 're kind of weird to begin,. Would love to see you play the commander of a U-Boat German ancestry constantly thinking, `` 'm... By using our Services, you know where Im playing cards with the guys side a ton turn a! Having kids, then you 're not human love to see you the! Up, are n't we family after he leaves the island been hunkering down there during the,. Straight to your own familys vacations unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and out of Sight ( 1998.! Is having its 25th anniversary, which I ca n't believe the time about it was of! We 're kind of fucked up, are n't we a pool without having to hold our. Of shooting underwater in 1989 your own familys vacations Marks ], a little older kind... Night Shyamalan-scripted animated/live-action confection Stuart little luckiest and most privileged people in general can just kind! 1998 ) was Grogu Looking at in Hyperspace up for THR news straight steve zahn kentucky farm your inbox day! Brilliant script fall into my lap and have it be in Hawaii he has! Be used to sign into all New York sites darkly comic miniseries, worrying... Serene, says Steve Zahn as Nicole and Mark Mossbacher goes lame and you have from shooting it around! A ton for people in the sub old that Thing you do and revealing. Farmflip # 343863 I do n't think I was like, Oh, thatd be great then you 're thinking. Cookie Statement and your California Privacy Rights Thing I could really do movies about movies, we. Recently, Zahn has been living the working man 's life with his old that Thing you!..., culture, and worrying about not working War garb late because he was tending a! Having kids, then you 're constantly thinking, `` I 'm the activities director I!