Bobby’s First LA Friend, Kevin Durand
Digest
This podcast episode features a conversation between comedian Bobby Lee and basketball star Kevin Durant. They discuss a wide range of topics, including their early careers, personal experiences, and their perspectives on life. The conversation begins with Bobby Lee sharing an anecdote about his first encounter with Russell Peters, highlighting the comedian's perception of Lee's Asian features. Lee then recounts his own experience with 23andMe, revealing his French Canadian heritage and surprising his friend Kevin Durant with the news. They reminisce about their early days in Los Angeles, recalling their first meeting on the set of an Ampium commercial. They discuss their shared experiences in the industry and how they've supported each other's careers. Bobby Lee shares stories about his early stand-up career, starting at the age of 13, and his experience working with Jim Belushi on the film "K9 PI." He also discusses his roles in "Wolverine" and "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," highlighting the challenges and rewards of his acting career. The conversation delves into their approaches to fear and how they've learned to embrace life's challenges. Lee shares his experience with anxiety and how he sought help to overcome it, leading to a newfound sense of clarity and confidence. They also discuss the importance of positive thinking and how it can impact one's life. The conversation shifts to their personal lives, focusing on their relationships and experiences with love. Bobby Lee shares a heartwarming story about how he transformed himself to become a better person for his wife, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and growth in relationships. He also discusses his experiences with being tall and the challenges he faced during his childhood, including bullying. The conversation explores the concept of love and relationships, using the analogy of Scotch tape to illustrate how repeated breakups can diminish the intensity of future encounters. They discuss the importance of working on oneself and embracing healthy, consistent love. The episode concludes with Bobby Lee discussing his upcoming projects, including the "Naked Gun" reboot and his own movie. He shares details about the cast and the premise of his film, which is a dark and personal story about a former hockey star struggling with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
Outlines
Early Encounters and Surprising Discoveries
Bobby Lee shares an anecdote about his first encounter with Russell Peters and reveals his French Canadian heritage through a 23andMe test, surprising Kevin Durant.
Acting Career and Accents
Bobby Lee discusses his acting career and his ability to absorb accents, which has led to some misunderstandings with his wife. He shares a story about his childhood friend who was Filipino and how his wife disapproves of him mimicking Filipino accents.
Shared History and Industry Support
Bobby Lee and Kevin Durant reminisce about their early days in Los Angeles, recalling their first meeting on the set of an Ampium commercial. They discuss their shared experiences in the industry and how they've supported each other's careers.
Early Stand-Up Career and Overcoming Fear
Bobby Lee shares a story about his early stand-up career, starting at the age of 13. He describes how he won a competition for Thunder Bay's funniest person and how his mother initially doubted his comedic abilities. He also discusses his approaches to fear and how he's learned to embrace life's challenges.
Overcoming Anxiety and Embracing Life
Bobby Lee shares his experience with anxiety and how he sought help to overcome it, leading to a newfound sense of clarity and confidence. He and Kevin Durant discuss the importance of positive thinking and how it can impact one's life.
Acting Experiences and Personal Growth
Bobby Lee shares his experience working with Jim Belushi on the film "K9 PI" and discusses his roles in "Wolverine" and "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes." He also shares a heartwarming story about how he transformed himself to become a better person for his wife, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and growth in relationships.
Upcoming Projects and Personal Reflections
Bobby Lee discusses his upcoming projects, including the "Naked Gun" reboot and his own movie. He shares details about the cast and the premise of his film, which is a dark and personal story about a former hockey star struggling with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. He also reflects on his personal journey and how his life truly began at the age of 40.
Chance Encounters and Prioritizing Family
The conversation begins with a humorous anecdote about a chance encounter with actor Shawn Ashmore, known for his role as Iceman in the X-Men franchise. The speaker recounts how he initially didn't recognize Ashmore but later realized his identity, leading to a lighthearted discussion about the encounter. The conversation shifts to the topic of parties and family life. The speaker shares his preference for spending time with his family over attending industry events, highlighting the importance of prioritizing loved ones.
Love, Relationships, and Finding Safe Harbor
The conversation explores the concept of love and relationships, using the analogy of Scotch tape to illustrate how repeated breakups can diminish the intensity of future encounters. The speaker shares his personal struggles with this concept and seeks advice from his friend. They discuss the importance of working on oneself and embracing healthy, consistent love. The conversation touches upon the speaker's experiences in the entertainment industry and the challenges of navigating a world of "misfits." He shares how he has learned to prioritize safety and consistency in his relationships, recognizing the importance of finding "safe harbor" after a history of chaotic relationships.
Life Begins at 40 and Aging in Hollywood
The speaker reflects on his personal journey and how his life truly began at the age of 40. He shares his experiences with both challenges and triumphs in his 40s and 50s, emphasizing that life can be fulfilling at any age. The conversation touches upon the unique challenges of aging in Hollywood, particularly for actors who have been physically "hit with a shovel a couple times." The speaker acknowledges the need for time to grow into characters and the evolving nature of his career.
Keywords
Russell Peters
Russell Peters is a Canadian stand-up comedian, actor, and writer known for his observational humor and impersonations of various ethnicities, particularly South Asian and Asian cultures.
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns. He is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, known for his scoring prowess, versatility, and athleticism.
23andMe
23andMe is a personal genomics company that provides genetic testing services to individuals. The company analyzes DNA samples to provide information about ancestry, health, and traits.
Ampium
Ampium is a brand of automotive fluids and lubricants, known for its high-quality products and commitment to innovation.
Comic Con
Comic Con is a convention dedicated to comic books, science fiction, fantasy, and related popular culture. It is a major event for fans, creators, and industry professionals.
"Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"
"Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" is a 2022 science fiction film that serves as a sequel to "War for the Planet of the Apes." The film explores the conflict between humans and apes in a post-apocalyptic world.
"Wolverine"
"Wolverine" is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. He is a mutant with superhuman senses, healing factor, and retractable claws.
"Matilda"
"Matilda" is a 1996 fantasy comedy film based on the novel of the same name by Roald Dahl. The film tells the story of a young girl with extraordinary intelligence who uses her powers to overcome adversity.
"The Twin"
"The Twin" is a 2022 horror film that follows a group of criminals who kidnap a young girl, only to discover that she is a vampire. The film is known for its suspenseful plot and strong performances.
Q&A
What is Bobby Lee's ethnicity?
Bobby Lee is of French Canadian descent, as revealed by his 23andMe results.
How did Bobby Lee and Kevin Durant first meet?
They met on the set of an Ampium commercial in the late 1990s.
What is Bobby Lee's upcoming movie about?
It's a dark and personal story about a former hockey star struggling with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, addiction, and his relationship with his daughter.
What is the premise of "The Twin" movie?
A group of criminals kidnap a young girl, only to discover that she is a vampire and it's feeding day.
What is Bobby Lee's favorite part of his journey so far?
His experience working on "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" was the most fun he's ever had.
What is the most terrifying villain Bobby Lee has ever seen on television?
Miss Trunchbull from the film "Matilda," played by Emma Thompson.
What is Bobby Lee's opinion of Comic Con?
He initially had a fear of conventions but has come to enjoy them, finding it a positive experience to connect with fans.
What advice did Kevin Durand's father give him to overcome bullying?
Kevin Durand's father advised him to "hit them right between the eyes," which surprisingly worked in stopping the bullying.
What analogy did the speaker use to describe the potential impact of repeated breakups on future relationships?
The speaker used the analogy of Scotch tape, suggesting that the more you use it, the less sticky it becomes, implying that repeated breakups can diminish the intensity of future encounters.
What does Kevin Durand believe is the key to finding lasting love?
Kevin Durand believes that finding lasting love requires self-awareness, growth, and a willingness to work on the relationship. He emphasizes the importance of prioritizing healthy, consistent love over chaotic, passionate relationships.
Show Notes
Bobby reconnects with his AMPM commercial co-star, Actor Kevin Durand (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, X-Men Origins). We chat fryer Bob, getting sticky, Thunder Bay’s funniest person, guessing Trunchbole, ComicCon, large French-Candians, and skating at Sandler’s.