Celebrity Interviews

Comedian and actor Marlon Wayans reflects on his incredible comedy education at In Living Color, where he learned from legends like Tommy Davidson, Jim Carrey, Damon Wayans, and Keenan Ivory Wayans. Wayans credits Tommy Davidson with teaching him that there are no small parts, only small actors, emphasizing Davidson's commitment to physicality and energy in every scene. He describes the experience as "comedy college" where watching these performers in their prime shaped him into the comedian he is today, leading to his belief that consistent hard work on the road performing stand-up is essential for longevity in the industry.The conversation explores Wayans' transition to screenwriting, beginning with his childhood inspiration from reading his brother Keenan's script for I'm Gonna Get You Sucka at age nine. He discusses co-creating comedy hits like Scary Movie, White Chicks, and Little Man before launching his semi-autobiographical NBC sitcom Marlon. Drawing from his real-life co-parenting experience, the show depicts a divorced couple who remain friends, vacation together, and prioritize their children's wellbeing—demonstrating that broken hearts and egos don't have to mean broken families. Wayans proudly announces that season two is even funnier than the first, attributing the success to working with a cast of longtime friends who keep each other laughing.

Television legend Demond Wilson takes listeners on an unforgettable journey through his iconic role as Lamont Sanford opposite Red Foxx in the groundbreaking sitcom Sanford and Son. The Broadway-trained actor reveals how he initially rejected the opportunity to do television, finding the premise "despicable" until producers convinced him to play burglars with Clevon Little on All in the Family. Wilson shares fascinating details about his relationship with Red Foxx, explaining how their instant chemistry from their first 2 AM meeting in Foxx's Vegas garage created television magic that couldn't be acted.Wilson discusses the craft of being television's ultimate straight man, revealing that Red Foxx struggled to memorize lines and had to write them on props throughout the set, while Wilson's photographic memory allowed him to master scripts in a single read. The decorated Vietnam veteran opens up about his military service, the challenges of transitioning back to civilian life, and his eventual departure from Hollywood and organized religion. Now 73 and working on a new miniseries project, Wilson reflects on his journey from theater to becoming one of television's most beloved characters while maintaining residuals that continue to support him decades later.

Actress, comedian, and talk show host Aisha Tyler joins Neil Haley to discuss her diverse entertainment career and passion for mental health awareness. Tyler shares behind-the-scenes stories from her role as Mother Nature in The Santa Clause franchise, explaining how these family classics continue to reach new audiences every Christmas season and revealing the challenging costume experience that kept her mentally engaged throughout filming. She reflects on her formative years hosting Talk Soup, describing it as "comedy college" where she learned to be nimble and pivot in the moment.The conversation takes a profound turn as Tyler addresses the tragic suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, with whom she had worked and deeply admired. She emphasizes the critical importance of normalizing conversations about mental health and depression, urging anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts to seek help immediately. Tyler advocates for treating mental illness like any physical ailment, breaking down the shame and stigma that prevents people from getting the support they need, while promoting her late-night talk show "Unapologetic with Aisha Tyler" on AMC.

In this inspiring episode of The Neil Haley Show, host Neil Haley and co-host Eric Couch sit down with supermodel-turned-business mogul Kathy Ireland, whose Kathy Ireland Worldwide generates over a billion dollars annually across furniture, fashion, diamonds, real estate, and FinTech. Ireland passionately opens the conversation by discussing her role as International Youth Chair for the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation, urging listeners to join Team 43—a movement recognizing that 43 children are diagnosed with cancer daily while receiving less than 5% of cancer research funding. She shares how cancer has personally impacted her family, including their pastor's daughter Daisy, and emphasizes the organization's transparency with a 100% Charity Navigator score. Ireland's entrepreneurial journey began humbly at her kitchen table as an "aging pregnant model" in 1993, starting with a single pair of socks after taking out a loan. She and her creative director would load up backpacks, hit the road, and face countless rejections before eventually selling their 100 millionth pair of socks—a milestone she celebrates with genuine gratitude.Ireland credits her success to lessons learned from modeling's constant rejection, her mother's example of pivoting through various entrepreneurial ventures, and mentors including Elizabeth Taylor, Warren Buffett, and Irv Blumkin of Nebraska Furniture Mart. She reveals her unwavering commitment to ethical business practices, conducting surprise factory inspections to combat human trafficking, which she identifies as the fastest-growing illegal business globally. Her faith provides the foundation for everything she does—she found Christ at 18 after her mother secretly placed a Bible in her suitcase, though she admits to neglecting scripture for years before reading it cover to cover and recognizing where she had gone astray. Ireland's business philosophy centers on "J-O-Y" (Jesus, Others, You), a reminder she would post throughout her home when her children were young to maintain proper priorities. When asked about legacy, she quotes Casting Crowns: "I don't want to leave a legacy. I don't care if they remember me, only Jesus." She emphasizes that putting God first at 44 years old—starting with just 15 minutes of prayer and Bible reading each morning—transformed her life, giving her more and better time with her children while building a business empire that funds humanitarian work addressing hunger, poverty, education, veteran care, and human trafficking prevention.

In this powerful episode of The Neil Haley Show, host Neil Haley and co-host Dr. Deborah Matthew welcome music icon Gloria Gaynor for an intimate conversation about the song that has defined resilience for four decades. Gaynor reveals the deeply personal circumstances surrounding the recording of "I Will Survive" in 1978—she was recovering from surgery, wearing a thick plastic back brace from her hips to her armpits, and grieving her mother's recent passing. She explains that even before hearing the melody, she knew the lyrics would resonate with anyone facing insurmountable trials. The disco legend discusses how she has evolved the song's message over the years, stopping mid-performance to share that while she's been telling audiences "I will survive" for decades, she never told them how—then changing the lyrics to acknowledge that "only the Lord could give me strength, not to fall apart" and "because He made me somebody new."Gaynor opens up about her faith journey and how Christ Jesus has been the foundation of her survival through every challenge in life. She emphasizes that God's love is "undying, unchanging, and unconditional," and what He has done for her, He would do for anyone. The conversation explores the importance of authenticity and transparency with fans, with Gaynor crediting her genuine connection with audiences as key to her enduring success. She also discusses her latest project, the faith-based film "Thursday Nightclub," where she plays a doctor guiding young people who seek signs from God to direct them toward giving back to their communities. Gaynor shares her wellness regimen, including CrossFit three times a week—even pushing a 200-pound "tank"—and emphasizes the importance of taking care of the "wonderfully made body that God has given each one of us." Looking ahead, she reveals plans for a new Grammy-caliber gospel album and an upcoming documentary about her life heading to film festivals, proving that at every stage of her career, she continues not just to survive, but to thrive.

Actor John Kapelos, best known for his iconic roles in The Breakfast Club, 16 Candles, and as the sniffing accountant on Seinfeld, joins The Neil Haley Show to discuss his extensive career as a working actor across film and television. John reflects on how the modern media landscape has fragmented from the old "monoculture" of three networks into countless streaming platforms, making recognition highly dependent on which shows audiences watch. He shares behind-the-scenes stories from his diverse roles including Jack Ruby in The Umbrella Academy, appearances on Modern Family, Lincoln Lawyer, Justified, and the vampire cop series Forever Night where he shot 48 episodes from late afternoon until early morning. John discusses his mentor's advice to "do everything" rather than turning down opportunities, explaining that while this approach has led to some questionable projects visible on his IMDB, it's also allowed him to work with great actors and explore various genres without phoning in performances based on the medium or role size.The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities of the entertainment industry's technological evolution, with John expressing both fascination and concern about artificial intelligence's impact on acting. He discusses examples of AI cloning podcasts, generating music that competes with legitimate artists on Spotify, and the potential for voice replication that could replace traditional looping processes, while emphasizing the importance of Screen Actors Guild protections requiring actors to perform their own voice replacements. John shares his current projects including a dark comedy film awaiting producer approval, a long-form series called The Mayor of Koreatown where he serves as story editor, and a role playing John Hamm's father in a project tentatively titled Shortwave bound by non-disclosure agreements. When asked about the most important life lesson he's learned, John shares his mother's wisdom about always looking inward to see how one can improve even when blameless in a situation, emphasizing that good work should be fulfilling regardless of external rewards and that aspiring to constant improvement reflects the philosophy that has guided his varied and enduring career in Hollywood.

John Ondrasik, Grammy-nominated platinum-selling artist from Five for Fighting, joins the show alongside his wife Carla Ondrasik to discuss her transformative new book "Stop Trying." Carla shares insights from her 20 years of research into how the word "try" holds people back from achieving their goals. The couple discusses their partnership dynamic, with John reflecting on how Carla discovered him as a music publisher and has been his biggest supporter throughout his career. Carla explains the neuroscience behind why saying "I'm going to do" versus "I'm going to try" literally changes brain activity and actions, moving from neutral to drive mode.The conversation explores how Carla built her career after arriving in California at 17 with just a suitcase, forcing her way into success without the luxury of trying. John shares how this philosophy has influenced his own career, including navigating record label closures and achieving number-one hits. They discuss the importance of eliminating excuses and embracing accountability in both personal and professional life. Carla emphasizes that honesty and truth-telling are the most important values she's learned. The episode concludes with discussion of her promotional tour and John's upcoming Five for Fighting shows, demonstrating how their mutual support system continues to drive both their successes.

Entertainer and entrepreneur Ray J joins Dr. Christopher Hall to discuss his journey from founding Scoooty Bike seven years ago to building Raycon Global into a platinum-status company. Ray J explains how a conversation with CEO Ray Lee led him to focus on affordable premium earbuds priced at $79.99, entering the market when it was still "the wild, wild West" about four years ago. The company has achieved remarkable growth, starting with under $8 million in sales the first year, jumping to $36 million in year two, and exceeding $72 million in year three, reaching over 1 million customers in just 30 months.Ray J emphasizes his evolution as an entrepreneur, explaining how he learned that success requires hiring expert teams with strong CEOs, CFOs, and CMOs rather than relying solely on family and friends. He describes himself as "a hard worker, not a celebrity" and discusses how professional strategic marketing combined with the right team creates powerhouse companies. Beyond Raycon, Ray J promotes his upcoming VH1 show "Couples Retreat" and three shows on the Zeus network, demonstrating how he balances multiple ventures while keeping his main focus on scaling Raycon Global. His mission remains clear: provide quality products at prices everyone can afford, with Raycon offering over 10 colors and superior sound quality that competes with premium brands at a fraction of the cost.

Comedy legend Rich Little takes listeners on a journey through his decades-long career as one of the world's greatest impressionists. Performing at the Tropicana in Las Vegas Sunday through Wednesday for the past seven years, Little discusses his re-released book "People I Have Known and Been," available on Amazon, which chronicles funny encounters with celebrities throughout his career. He performs spot-on impressions of presidents including Ronald Reagan, Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Stewart, while sharing touching memories of his relationships with Hollywood icons like Jack Benny, George Burns, and Dean Martin.Little reflects on the challenges of modern comedy in an era of cancel culture, revealing that his audience at the Tropicana is now predominantly conservative and that some liberals have walked out during his Joe Biden impression. He shares hilarious stories, including the time Richard Nixon didn't realize Little was impersonating him at a San Clemente party, with George Burns later suggesting Little drive back to Canada for his own safety. The master impressionist also discusses why today's actors are harder to imitate than the distinctive voices of the 1940s and 50s, and expresses his wish that American Movie Classics would feature him discussing the classic stars he can bring to life through his incredible vocal talents.

Former Cleveland Browns running back Eric Metcalf joins the show to reflect on his NFL career and the journey that took him from following in his father Terry Metcalf's footsteps to becoming a three-time Pro Bowler. Despite being considered undersized for the position, Metcalf dominated at every level of football from age seven through his professional career, consistently being the best player on his teams. He discusses how he was recruited by nearly every major college program before choosing the University of Texas, where he played four years and won 24 games despite never beating rivals Oklahoma or Texas A&M.Metcalf shares candid memories of his time with the Cleveland Browns, including the heartbreak of losing the 1989 AFC Championship game to Denver when the team believed they were Super Bowl-bound. He opens up about the unique challenges of being a smaller running back in an era that favored larger, ground-and-pound players, expressing how he would thrive in today's spread offense systems that value versatile backs like Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara. The conversation also touches on his experience being traded to Atlanta in 1995, just before the Browns' controversial move to Baltimore, and his lifelong regret of never running out of the tunnel at a Super Bowl despite a stellar career.

Ryan Serhant, star of Bravo's Million Dollar Listing New York, joins the show to discuss his role as the 2021 National Ambassador for the American Cancer Society's Real Men Wear Pink campaign. After learning that 41% of Americans delayed medical care during the pandemic and that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, Serhant was motivated to take action. He shares the personal story of a friend who skipped her mammogram due to COVID fears and was later diagnosed, emphasizing how early detection saves lives.Serhant has already raised over $50,000 toward his $75,000 goal and explains how listeners can join his team at serhantswearspink.com. He emphasizes that breast cancer affects men too, though at much lower rates, and encourages everyone to use their platforms for selfless causes. The real estate mogul also discusses how he leverages his massive social media following—typically used for real estate sales—to activate his audience for meaningful change. With his signature marketing expertise, Serhant proves that when success meets preparation and compassion, extraordinary impact becomes possible.

Actor and producer Kirk Cameron joins Neil Haley and Greg Hanna for a powerful conversation about his pro-life film "Life Mark," which tells the extraordinary true story of David Scotton. The film chronicles an 18-year-old woman who chose adoption over abortion in an unplanned pregnancy, believing she'd never see her child again, only to reconnect 19 years later when her son came not with anger but with gratitude and love. Cameron, who is an adoptive father to four of his six children and whose wife is also adopted, discovered David's documentary "I Lived on Parker Avenue" through a friend and immediately knew it would make a powerful movie. Partnering with the Kendrick brothers, he produced and starred in the film as the adoptive father, with the movie's release coinciding providentially with the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade—a timing Cameron describes as something they couldn't have planned but that God orchestrated perfectly.Cameron shares remarkable stories of the film's real-world impact, including an introverted Uber driver who saw "Life Mark" and felt compelled to speak up when he realized he was taking a young passenger to an abortion clinic. The driver asked if she'd be open to talking with someone and watching the movie, which led to her connecting with a pregnancy resource center, reconciling with her estranged family, renewing her faith, and ultimately choosing adoption for her child. Cameron emphasizes that adoption appears throughout scripture—from Joseph adopting Jesus in the Christmas story to Moses being saved from government-mandated abortion and adopted into royalty—showing that God loves adoption and uses it to bring salvation and new beginnings to the world. He passionately articulates that America's foundation on "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" must prioritize life first, as there can be no liberty or pursuit of happiness without it, regardless of one's religious beliefs or background.When asked about his entrepreneurial journey from Growing Pains star to Christian film leader, Cameron humbly deflects credit for strategic brand management, instead explaining that he simply tries to be faithful with what God puts in front of him each day. He lives by the biblical principle that "he who is faithful in the little things will also be entrusted with big things," acknowledging he doesn't deserve his opportunities but is grateful for them. Cameron's core philosophy centers on the truth that people are more important than things—the two greatest commandments being to love God and love others. He warns against the traps of money, power, and fame that destroy relationships, advising that for married people, the most important relationships are with God and one's spouse, as these form the foundation their children will build upon for the next 50 years. His message is clear: in difficult circumstances like unplanned pregnancies, we must look through the lens of love toward everyone involved—the woman, the man, and especially the child—and recognize that adoption is the loving choice that can transform crisis into miracle.

Actress Tara Reid joins hosts Neil Haley and Caregiver Dave Nissani for an intimate conversation about her remarkable journey in Hollywood. Reid, best known for her iconic roles in American Pie, The Big Lebowski, and the Sharknado franchise, opens up about the foundation of her success—her parents, who were both teachers and ran the Donna Reed's Child Development Center. She reveals a personal detail that even Google gets wrong: her middle name is actually Darlene, not Donna, a combination of her grandmothers' names Darcy and Eileen.The conversation takes a nostalgic turn as Reid reminisces about attending Professional Children's School (PCH) in New York alongside future stars like Sarah Michelle Gellar, Christina Ricci, and Macaulay Culkin. She shares amusing stories about how students would skip tests by claiming they had auditions, with classmates staying behind to gather information for the next day. Reid's big break came unexpectedly when she was cast in The Big Lebowski at age 22, though she had been working as a child actress long before that, starting with her first role in a Stephen King adaptation after being discovered by a talent manager in a New Jersey food court.Reid discusses the phenomenon of American Pie, admitting she never anticipated it would become such a cult classic that she wouldn't need to audition again for the rest of her career. With nearly 100 films under her belt, she reflects on how the franchise changed her life and led to a three-picture deal with Universal. The actress also touches on the unexpected success of Sharknado, which introduced her to a whole new generation of young fans who couldn't watch her earlier work.Throughout the interview, Reid displays the grounded personality she credits to her upbringing, discussing her psychic abilities and intuitive gift for reading people—traits she says run in her father's family. Currently residing in Arizona among the red rocks, she speaks about feeling connected to nature and using her intuition to guide both her personal and professional decisions. She remains close with her fan base through social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Cameo, where she maintains genuine connections with supporters.

Legendary actor Ed Begley Jr. joins hosts Neil Haley and Greg Hannah to discuss his journey from Hollywood icon to environmental entrepreneur. The son of renowned actor Ed Begley Sr., Ed reflects on his early acting career, beginning with his first role on "My Three Sons" in 1967 when he kept his makeup on after filming, hoping for recognition. He candidly admits he was "clueless" starting out, delivering newspapers on his bicycle while pursuing acting work. His breakthrough came with "Room 222," where he finally felt comfortable in front of the camera, though he later realized being merely "comfortable" wasn't enough—great actors like Joaquin Phoenix and Meryl Streep always have something compelling happening beneath the surface. His six-year run on "St. Elsewhere" came from a script better than any feature film he'd worked on at the time, proving that sometimes not getting what you want leads to something far better.

Actor Greg Grunberg joins The Neal Haley Show to discuss his deeply personal project, "The Caregiver Series," a partnership with Jazz Pharmaceuticals. As a caregiver to his 26-year-old son Jake, who has epilepsy, Grunberg brings authentic understanding to this production that travels the country meeting caregivers and celebrating their often-overlooked dedication. The series takes participants on personalized adventures—from driving vintage cars to painting sessions with art therapists—creating space for caregivers to reconnect with hobbies they've sacrificed while caring for loved ones. Grunberg emphasizes the universal nature of caregiving, noting that whether dealing with epilepsy, cancer, or other conditions, caregivers share a common bond and shorthand understanding that transcends specific diagnoses.