Still Here Hollywood

Afleveringen

1. Jason Priestley "Beverly Hills 90210"

   26 oktober 2026 · 48 min

   Afspelen
   Jason Priestley, the actor who became a household name playing Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210, joins Steve Kmetko for an unforgettable conversation about Hollywood fame, friendship, heartbreak, and a terrifying brush with death. Lees meer

   For ten seasons, Jason was at the center of one of television's biggest cultural phenomena. But behind the sideburns, magazine covers, and worldwide fame was a young actor trying to figure out how to survive success.

   In this revealing interview, Jason shares intimate memories of his friendships with Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty, including seeing Shannen just one week before her death and the lasting impact of losing Luke, who was also a close family friend.

   He also recounts his horrific 2002 race car accident, revealing that he lost so much blood that his heart stopped, twice, and that he had to relearn how to speak during his recovery.

   Jason also opens up about:

   Why he started staying home when 90210 fame became overwhelming.

   The real story behind Gabrielle Carteris hiding her age.

   His complicated encounter with Harvey Weinstein.

   What surprised him about legendary producer Aaron Spelling.

   The Hollywood friends he had to cut out of his life.

   The movie role he desperately wanted but never landed.

   His return to television in Private Eyes West Coast on The CW.

   From the Peach Pit to life behind the camera, Jason Priestley reflects on an extraordinary career and the people and experiences that shaped him.

   This is Still Here Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko.

   Subscribe for candid, revealing conversations with the stars you remember and the stories you've never heard.

   Chapters

   00:00 Introduction: Jason Priestley
   01:29 How Beverly Hills, 90210 changed everything
   03:01 When Brandon Walsh became too famous
   05:17 Memories of the 90210 years
   07:04 How Jason's children discovered his fame
   08:11 Gabrielle Carteris and the cast's real ages
   09:05 The downside of worldwide fame
   11:06 Losing his anonymity
   13:39 Remembering Luke Perry and S…

2. Kevin Pollak "Usual Suspects" new

   19 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 10 min

   Afspelen
   Kevin Pollak joins Steve Kmetko for one of the funniest and most revealing conversations yet on Still Here Hollywood. Lees meer

   This episode is sponsored in part by Quince.
   Shop Quince at https://www.quince.com/stillhere
   Thanks to Quince for supporting Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko.

   From performing stand-up comedy at just 10 years old to starring alongside Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Willis, Gabriel Byrne and Kevin Spacey, Kevin shares unforgettable stories from one of Hollywood's most remarkable careers.

   He discusses:

   • The Usual Suspects
   • A Few Good Men
   • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
   • Christopher Walken impressions
   • Jack Nicholson behind the scenes
   • Bruce Willis and their friendship
   • Rob Reiner
   • Aaron Sorkin
   • Tom Cruise
   • Martin Scorsese
   • Barry Levinson
   • Poker
   • Podcasting before almost anyone else

   Kevin also reveals how one casting director told him acting "wasn't for everyone," why he almost passed on The Usual Suspects, and what really happened behind the scenes on some of Hollywood's biggest films.

   This is one of Kevin Pollak's funniest and most candid interviews.

   Chapters
   00:00 Kevin Pollak joins Still Here Hollywood
   02:12 Starting stand-up comedy at age 10
   04:45 The football coach who hated his impression
   07:22 How stand-up prepared him for acting
   10:42 Dana Carvey's audition advice
   12:23 The manager who said he couldn't act
   15:09 Quince sponsor break
   17:13 Christopher Walken and his famous impression
   18:21 Steve's uncomfortable Walken interview
   20:31 The impression that almost got Pollak in trouble
   24:40 Making Christopher Walken laugh
   28:15 The Usual Suspects and its unlikely success
   35:14 A Few Good Men changes everything
   36:00 Jason Alexander almost gets the role
   38:51 Remembering Rob Reiner
   42:00 Rob Reiner's kindness to Kathy Bates
   44:12 Bruce Willis and his family
   46:00 Bruce Willis' unforgettable compliment
   48:35 Jack Nicholson makes Tom Cruise laugh
   50:27 Steve's encounter with Jack Nicholson
   53:03 Hollywood poker games and celebr…

3. Denise Nicholas "Room 222"

   12 oktober 2026 · 53 min

   Afspelen
   Before millions of Americans knew Denise Nicholas as Liz McIntyre on the groundbreaking television series Room 222, she was living through history. Lees meer

   Denise traveled through Mississippi and Louisiana with the Free Southern Theater during the Civil Rights Movement, an experience that put her face-to-face with violence, racism and even death threats. In this remarkably candid conversation with Steve Kmetko, Denise recalls bombs being thrown at the stage, sleeping on the floor of Fannie Lou Hamer's home because of gunfire, and the terrifying moment a police officer put a gun to her head.

   Then came Hollywood.

   Denise takes us behind the scenes of Room 222, shares memories of Karen Valentine and Michael Constantine, and reveals how Carol O'Connor helped turn her from an actor into a television writer on In the Heat of the Night.

   She also opens up about her relationship and marriage to legendary singer-songwriter Bill Withers, the unsolved murder of her younger sister, a deeply personal secret about the father who raised her, her decision to walk away from acting, and the writing career that became her passion.

   Plus, Denise reveals the current television series that might just convince her to step in front of the cameras again.

   It's a remarkable life spanning the Civil Rights Movement, groundbreaking television, Hollywood, love, loss and reinvention.

   This is Still Here Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko.

   CHAPTERS

   00:00 Denise Nicholas joins Still Here Hollywood
   01:18 Acting wasn't remotely part of the plan
   02:48 Joining the Civil Rights Movement
   03:04 Fearing for her life in Mississippi
   04:01 Her mother stops speaking to her
   05:13 What America gets wrong about the Civil Rights era
   06:09 Bombs, gunfire and Fannie Lou Hamer
   07:25 From Civil Rights activist to Room 222
   10:42 Racism behind the scenes in Hollywood
   13:50 A police officer puts a gun to Denise's head
   15:10 The truth about Lloyd Haynes
   15:21 Remembering Michael Constantine and Karen Valentine
   17:31 Old-school Holl…

4. Anson Williams "Happy Days"

   5 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 2 min

   Afspelen
   Anson Williams became a television icon as Potsie Weber on Happy Days, but his Hollywood story goes far beyond Arnold’s Drive-In. Lees meer

   Anson joins Steve Kmetko for a revealing look back at more than five decades in show business, including how he stumbled into his first acting job with a young Steven Spielberg, what Garry Marshall taught the Happy Days cast about surviving Hollywood, and the extraordinary day John Lennon secretly showed up on the Happy Days set with his son Julian.

   Anson also tells the remarkable story of how his connection to Dr. Henry Heimlich helped bring the Heimlich maneuver to national television, remembers his late Happy Days co-star Erin Moran, talks about working with Bette Davis and Hollywood legends including Milton Berle and Ethel Merman, and explains how Ron Howard helped inspire his second career as a television director.

   Plus, Anson discusses his newest project, Crazy Mama, starring Linda Purl.

   It’s an hour of Hollywood history from someone who was there for an astonishing amount of it.

   CHAPTERS

   00:00 Anson Williams joins Still Here Hollywood
   01:00 Growing up in Los Angeles and trying to break into show business
   04:00 The disastrous audition that launched his career
   07:24 His first real break
   09:00 How a sit-in at a talent agency changed everything
   12:00 His first acting job, directed by Steven Spielberg
   14:22 Would social media have changed his career?
   17:05 Happy Days becomes his big break
   17:26 The real story of the original Happy Days pilot
   19:37 Why the Happy Days cast became so close
   21:03 What made Garry Marshall special
   22:11 How Anson turned Potsie into a second career
   25:46 How Happy Days helped spread the Heimlich maneuver
   30:34 Who made Anson laugh hardest on Happy Days?
   33:23 John Lennon secretly visits the Happy Days set
   35:43 What changed after Ron Howard left
   37:19 Working with Bette Davis
   41:47 Remembering Marion Ross
   42:43 Becoming a television director
   45:35 Growing up around Hollywood legends
   49:38 Working with E…

5. Linda Purl "Happy Days" / "Matlock"

   28 september 2026 · 1 uur 5 min

   Afspelen
   Linda Purl has spent more than five decades building an extraordinary career across television, film, Broadway and music. In this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Linda joins Steve Kmetko for a funny, candid and surprisingly personal conversation about Happy Days, Matlock, The Office, Andy Griffith, Garry Marshall, aging in Hollywood and the unexpected love story that brought her and Dallas star Patrick Duffy together. Lees meer

   Linda reveals what The Office was really like behind the scenes, why Happy Days had only one bathroom for the cast and crew, and the remarkable story Andy Griffith told her about fighting for his role in A Face in the Crowd. She also opens up about reconnecting with Patrick Duffy during COVID, their nightly Zoom conversations and the moment he finally drove from Oregon to Colorado to see if their friendship could become something more.

   Plus, Linda talks about returning to the stage, her lifelong love of music, handling criticism, getting older without “giving up,” and how she and Patrick turned a 70-year-old family sourdough starter into Duffy's Dough and a mission to help fight food insecurity.

   It's Linda Purl, still working, still laughing, still singing and very much Still Here.

   #LindaPurl, #PatrickDuffy, #HappyDays, #TheOffice, #Matlock, #AndyGriffith, #GarryMarshall, #RonHoward, #Dallas, #StillHereHollywood, #SteveKmetko

   YOUTUBE CHAPTERS

   00:00 Linda Purl Is Still Here
   01:02 Growing Up in Japan
   07:34 Becoming an Actor
   10:42 Auditioning for The Office
   12:17 Garry Marshall and the Happy Days Family
   14:49 The Truth About Improv on The Office
   16:20 The Lasting Bonds of Happy Days
   18:26 Returning to Happy Days as a Different Character
   20:16 Working With Andy Griffith on Matlock
   21:58 Andy Griffith's Wild Elia Kazan Story
   24:30 Linda's Advice for Young Actors
   27:43 Criticism and Bad Reviews
   29:21 Social Media and the New Hollywood
   32:37 Aging in Hollywood
   34:20 Linda's Other Career as a Singer
   38:55 Her New Album, From My Heart
   41:33 Reinvention …

6. Elisa Donovan "Clueless"

   21 september 2026 · 57 min

   Afspelen
   Elisa Donovan became forever recognizable as Amber, Cher Horowitz's fabulously overdressed rival in the 1995 classic Clueless. But behind one of the most memorable characters of the '90s is an actress, writer and mother whose life took turns she never could have imagined. Lees meer

   Elisa joins Steve Kmetko for a candid conversation about landing Clueless, creating Amber from the mean girls she knew growing up, working with Alicia Silverstone, and the Clueless joke she didn't even understand when she delivered it.

   She also opens up about Brittany Murphy, sharing a hilarious memory from the Clueless set and revealing the troubling signs she says she witnessed the last time she saw Brittany before her death.

   Elisa talks about nearly landing the lead in Showgirls, climbing into bed with Jason Priestley on her first day of Beverly Hills, 90210, her frustration during Sabrina the Teenage Witch, losing her father to cancer, and the extraordinary dreams that changed the way she thinks about grief and death.

   Plus, Elisa explains why she believes Hollywood is losing the kinds of movies that once gave actors and storytellers room to take chances.

   This is Still Here Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko. Join us with today's guest, from Clueless, actor Elisa Donovan.

   00:00 Elisa Donovan joins Still Here Hollywood

   01:54 Knowing she wanted to become an actor

   04:04 The personality trait that helped her survive Hollywood

   05:32 Her first television break on Blossom

   07:01 The Showgirls role she desperately wanted

   10:14 Learning from rejection in Hollywood

   11:41 Did anyone know Clueless would become a classic?

   13:19 The intimidating Clueless audition

   15:34 Learning how television really works

   15:50 Her first day in bed with Jason Priestley on 90210

   18:04 Nearly walking away from acting after Sabrina

   19:53 Behind the scenes of Clueless

   20:00 Remembering Brittany Murphy on set

   22:00 Learning Brittany Murphy had died

   22:46 The troubling signs Elisa says she witnessed

   25:52 Still Here H…

7. Michael Chiklis "The Shield" / "Commish" / "Fantastic 4"

   14 september 2026 · 1 uur 11 min

   Afspelen
   Emmy and Golden Globe winner Michael Chiklis joins Steve Kmetko for a remarkably candid conversation about The Shield, Fantastic Four, The Commish, Hollywood, artificial intelligence, reinvention, family, failure, and the future of the entertainment business. Lees meer

   Chiklis opens up about the dramatic changes he's witnessed in Hollywood and why he believes the industry has contracted far more than many people realize. He discusses his concerns about AI, actors losing control of their own likenesses, and what happens when technology companies become some of Hollywood's most powerful players.

   Michael also reveals how his wife helped convince him to completely reinvent himself after The Commish, how he developed Vic Mackey for The Shield, and why he still proudly defends his Fantastic Four movies and his portrayal of Ben Grimm, The Thing.

   Away from Hollywood, Chiklis gets emotional talking about finally visiting Greece, becoming a grandfather, his family, and what he's learned about failure after decades in show business.

   And then there's Elton John.

   Michael tells an extraordinary story about randomly encountering Elton John in a Boston Versace store, discovering Elton was a fan of The Commish, and ultimately watching Elton change his concert for Michael's wife and perform "Candle in the Wind" especially for her.

   It's Michael Chiklis, candid, funny, thoughtful, occasionally profane, and completely unfiltered.

   This is Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko.

   00:00 Michael Chiklis Joins Still Here Hollywood
   01:02 Growing Up in an Artistic Greek Family
   04:32 The Moment Michael Knew He'd Be an Actor
   07:01 Surviving Hollywood and a Changing Industry
   09:00 Michael Sounds Off on AI and Owning Your Image
   11:32 Tech Giants, Mergers and the Future of Hollywood
   14:35 Why AI Worries Michael Chiklis
   23:30 Finally Visiting Greece
   27:17 "A Hard Guy With a Caramel Center"
   28:03 Becoming a Grandfather
   31:07 The Commish vs. The Shield
   33:40 Creating Vic Mackey
   39:26 How Michael Reinven…

8. Richard Kind "Spin City" Encore

   7 september 2026 · 1 uur 4 min

   Afspelen
   Richard Kind has seemingly worked with everyone, and he has the stories to prove it. The beloved character actor joins Steve Kmetko for a hilarious, candid conversation about his unlikely path from Second City to Mad About You, Spin City, Scrubs, Pixar and beyond. Richard remembers working alongside Michael J. Fox and Charlie Sheen, explains what Christopher Walken taught him simply by watching him act, talks about his experiences with Disney and Pixar, and reveals why he still considers himself an actor rather than a comedian. Lees meer

   And then there is George Clooney.

   Kind shares a hilarious prank involving Clooney's Oscar, a TSA agent and a very heavy suitcase, before telling a far more revealing story about the man Clooney was before ER made him a superstar. During the Los Angeles riots, Kind planned to leave town with friends. Clooney had another idea.

   It's funny, thoughtful, wonderfully unpredictable and very Richard Kind.

   CHAPTERS

   00:00 Richard Kind Is Still Here
   01:17 The Character Actor Dining Society
   03:40 George Clooney's Oscar Prank
   06:13 Richard Kind's Second City Years
   08:08 "The Harvard of Comedy"
   09:19 Chasing the Dream of Acting
   11:07 Did His Family Think He'd Make It?
   13:20 Why Li'l Abner Should Come Back
   14:12 Songs That Have Aged VERY Badly
   16:17 Richard's First Television Job
   18:38 Learning Television With Mary Tyler Moore
   21:40 How Richard Met George Clooney
   22:39 "I'm the Luckiest Guy in the World"
   24:04 Richard Says He's NOT a Comedic Actor
   27:02 Why He Prefers Single-Camera Acting
   28:45 Remembering Linda Lavin and Tony Roberts
   31:30 Spin City, Michael J. Fox and Charlie Sheen
   32:59 What Actors Actually Do
   37:20 The Torturous "Drive Home"
   39:18 Mid-Century Modern and James Burrows
   42:49 Why Fans Still Love Him on Scrubs
   43:04 Richard Kind Calls Bill Lawrence a Genius
   46:27 Recording Family Guy and American Dad
   50:11 The Truth About Working for Disney
   52:09 Richard Kind vs. Marvel Movies
   57:40 What Richard Really Thinks of Amal Clooney
   1:00:30 Ge…

9. Gail O'Grady "NYPD Blue" Encore

   31 augustus 2026 · 36 min

   Afspelen
   Gail O’Grady became one of television’s most recognizable faces as Donna Abandando on the groundbreaking ABC drama NYPD Blue. In this encore episode of Still Here Hollywood, Gail joins Steve Kmetko for a candid conversation about the role that changed her career, why she decided to leave the hit series, and why she now wishes she had stayed longer. Lees meer

   Gail also remembers legendary producer Steven Bochco, reveals the unusual way she created Donna for her NYPD Blue audition, talks about working with Sharon Lawrence, and shares stories from Desperate Housewives, Law & Order: SVU, Boston Legal and more.

   She opens up about becoming a mother in her 40s, moving back to Chicago to care for her father, the confidence she wishes she had when she was younger, and the advice she has passed along to her son.

   Plus, Gail recalls getting actually slapped while filming Desperate Housewives, being starstruck by Henry Winkler during her first days in Hollywood, meeting one of her acting heroes, Anne Bancroft, and working on J.J. Abrams’ Duster.

   00:00 Gail O’Grady on Still Here Hollywood
   01:03 Success and Emmy Recognition on NYPD Blue
   02:06 Why Gail O’Grady Left NYPD Blue
   02:49 The Decision She Now Regrets
   03:05 Remembering Steven Bochco
   04:10 How Gail Landed NYPD Blue
   06:18 Sharon Lawrence and the NYPD Blue Cast
   07:03 Leaving Los Angeles
   08:34 Advice for Young Actors
   11:30 Becoming a Mother in Her 40s
   12:56 Behind the Scenes of Desperate Housewives
   14:39 Working on Law & Order: SVU
   15:32 The Career Gail Might Have Chosen
   16:14 Moving Home to Care for Her Father
   17:20 Career Highs and Lows
   18:56 How NYPD Blue Changed Everything
   19:56 Meeting Anne Bancroft
   21:13 Gail's Favorite Childhood Memories
   22:17 Bad Habits and Belinda Carlisle
   23:10 Advice for Her Son
   24:18 Getting Robbed in Rome
   25:22 Fame and Fan Encounters
   27:31 Her Hilarious Henry Winkler Encounter
   29:09 Near-Death Experiences
   30:15 Her Favorite NYPD Blue Storyline
   31:20 The Confidence She Wishes She Had
   33:42 Her Father Be…

10. Alfred Molina "Spiderman" / "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

    24 augustus 2026 · 1 uur 5 min

    Afspelen
    From Raiders of the Lost Ark to Spider-Man 2, Boogie Nights, Frida and Broadway, Alfred Molina has built one of Hollywood's most extraordinary and versatile careers. Lees meer

    In this revealing conversation with Steve Kmetko, Molina looks back at making his movie debut for Steven Spielberg, and admits he was so inexperienced he didn't even understand the marks on the floor. He shares the story behind becoming Doctor Octopus, explains how Doc Ock's famous mechanical arms really worked, and reveals the nickname he and the puppeteers gave themselves.

    Molina also takes us behind the scenes of Boogie Nights, including the line he improvised that Paul Thomas Anderson kept in the film, and talks about Salma Hayek's extraordinary fight to get Frida made with the cast she wanted.

    Then the conversation gets personal. Molina discusses the times he considered giving up acting, being told he wasn't leading-man material, therapy, his unusual theory about what drives actors, his feelings about awards and the role he'd still love to play.

    After five decades on stage and screen, Alfred Molina is very much still here.

    00:00 Alfred Molina: Still Here Hollywood
    01:01 His First Movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark
    02:17 Alfred Molina Was Completely New to Filmmaking
    04:52 Why Spielberg Told Him to Stop Watching Dailies
    07:18 Why Raiders Changed Adventure Movies
    08:43 Auditioning for Steven Spielberg
    10:22 Learning From Hollywood's Greatest Directors
    12:20 The One Director He Couldn't Understand
    14:33 Regretting Not Paying Attention in School
    15:08 Classical Acting Training at Guildhall
    17:08 Did Classical Training Help in Hollywood?
    19:01 Becoming Doctor Octopus
    20:00 The Secrets Behind Doc Ock's Tentacles
    23:10 The Movies Alfred Molina Loves
    25:34 Why Young Fans Know Him as Doc Ock
    27:04 Does He Take His Characters Home?
    29:52 Why He Keeps Returning to the Stage
    31:31 The Incredible Boogie Nights Firecracker Story
    34:40 Actors, Directors and Happy Accidents
    38:32 Film vs. Television vs. Theater
    …

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