Digest

This podcast features an in-depth conversation with actress Jean Smart, exploring her career, personal life, and advocacy. Smart discusses her role in "Hacks," her Emmy awards, and the challenges of being an older woman in Hollywood. She shares personal stories about her marriage, the loss of her husband, and raising her children, including adopting at 57. Smart also highlights her advocacy for diabetes and Alzheimer's research, stemming from personal experience. The conversation touches on her ancestry, including a connection to the Salem Witch Trials, her childhood, and her acting process. The episode also includes discussions on the perception of time and aging, reflections on past roles, and admiration for Phyllis Diller. Advertisements for K18 Hair, Romento, Quince, Britbox, Harvard Business School, Amazon Music, Aloha Protein Bars, and Sleep Number mattresses are interspersed throughout.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction to Hair Science and Reflections on Time

The podcast begins with a discussion on K18 Hair Science, a company using a patented peptide for hair repair, and then transitions into personal reflections on the passage of time and generational differences, prompted by social media trends and humorous anecdotes.

00:03:58

Introducing Jean Smart and Her Career in "Hacks"

The guest, Jean Smart, is introduced, highlighting her current success. The discussion focuses on her role in the acclaimed series "Hacks," her Emmy wins, and the significance of playing older women in an industry that often favors youth.

00:07:07

Jean Smart's Personal Life: Marriage, Loss, and Motherhood

This segment delves into Jean Smart's personal life, covering her marriage to Richard Gilliland, his passing, and her experiences as a mother, including adopting a child at 57.

00:07:26

Advocacy for Diabetes and Alzheimer's Research

Jean Smart discusses her personal connection to type 1 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, detailing her advocacy work and efforts to raise awareness and funding for research.

00:08:05

Age, Energy, and Current Projects

Jean Smart shares her perspective on her current age and how she feels, expressing surprise and gratitude for the continued opportunities to take on compelling roles.

00:09:26

Discussing Past Roles and Collaborations

The conversation explores past acting roles, including a "Veep" episode and a movie with James Gandolfini, discussing their working dynamics and the creative process.

00:12:26

Salem Witch Trials Ancestry and Genealogy Discovery

Jean Smart recounts her experience on "Who Do You Think You Are?", revealing her discovery of an ancestor accused during the Salem witch trials and the unexpected path to this genealogical finding.

00:18:05

Childhood, Therapy, and Early Performances

Jean Smart shares insights into her childhood personality, her experiences with therapy, and her early involvement in performances as the "family clown."

00:20:17

Podcast Break and Promotions

A break is announced, followed by promotions for the "Wiser Than Me" newsletter, Romento (a service for preserving mothers' stories), Quince (clothing), Britbox (streaming), Harvard Business School Executive Education, and Amazon Music.

00:26:11

Admiration for Phyllis Diller and Early Career

Jean Smart expresses her long-standing admiration for comedian Phyllis Diller, discussing her pioneering career, artistic talents, and a humorous "fake Seafair Queen" event. The conversation then shifts to Smart's early theater work in Seattle and her move to New York.

00:31:22

The Actor's Process and Character Creation

Jean Smart explains her acting process, focusing on "hearing the voice" of a character and the collaborative role of costume designers, hair stylists, and makeup artists in developing a character's look and performance.

00:33:53

Creating Characters Through Wardrobe and Wigs

The discussion details the process of creating characters' looks, including specific decisions for "Fargo" and the strategic use of wigs in shows like "Veep" and "Hacks" for character transformation.

00:36:41

Playing Comedians and the Fear of Stand-Up

Jean Smart differentiates between playing a stand-up comedian and a comedic role, discussing the unique pressures and rhythms of stand-up and the apparent relaxation of her character Deborah Vance during performances.

00:39:37

Podcast Break and Promotions (Continued)

Another break is announced, followed by promotions for Aloha protein bars, Sleep Number mattresses, and a repeat promotion for Quince.

00:44:42

Mill Food Recycler and Early Relationship Anecdotes

The podcast promotes the Mill food recycler and then shifts to Jean Smart recounting her early relationship with her late husband, Richard Gilliland, including meeting on "Designing Women" and humorous courtship stories.

00:48:11

Pregnancy, Type 1 Diabetes, and Motherhood Challenges

Jean Smart discusses navigating pregnancy with type 1 diabetes, the medical management required, and the experience of delivering her son at 38. She also shares the lengthy adoption process for her son and the profound love experienced.

01:00:03

Coping with Loss and Grief

Jean Smart shares her experiences with profound loss, including the unexpected deaths of her first husband and later her second husband, Richard Gilliland, and her journey to reclaim optimism.

01:03:57

Navigating Grief and Heart Surgery

The complexities of grief are explored, including supporting her children through their losses. Jean Smart also reveals undergoing major heart surgery shortly after losing her husband.

01:06:49

Dating After Decades of Marriage and Career Transitions

Jean Smart discusses the challenges of dating again after a long marriage, meeting her current partner, and navigating age differences. She also reflects on the ending of "Hacks" and the bonds formed during long-term projects like "Veep."

01:12:57

Reflections on Life, Aging, and Self-Perception

The speaker offers advice to her younger self about life's gray areas and reflects on aging, the importance of health, and the shifting perspective on beauty and self-perception over time.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is K18 Hair Science and what makes their products unique?

  K18 Hair Science is a company focused on hair repair through scientific innovation. They developed a patented K18 peptide that targets broken parts of the hair structure to restore strength and health, offering immediate and lasting results with their molecular hair mask.

• How does Jean Smart feel about aging and her career?

  Jean Smart, at 74, expresses amazement at continuing to receive offers for wonderful roles, defying expectations for her age. She feels physically younger some days than others but is grateful for her ongoing career success.

• What significant discovery did Jean Smart make about her ancestry?

  On the show "Who Do You Think You Are?", Jean Smart discovered that her eight-times great-grandmother, Dorcas Hoar, was accused of witchcraft during the Salem witch trials and confessed after being convicted.

• How did Jean Smart manage her type 1 diabetes during pregnancy?

  Jean Smart followed a rigorous daily regimen of blood sugar monitoring, insulin injections, and specific eating and exercise plans, working closely with a specialist to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

• What are the challenges of dating again after a long marriage, according to Jean Smart?

  Jean Smart describes dating after 30+ years as "insanely demoralizing," feeling older, less attractive, and struggling with conversation, despite meeting a new partner she likes.

• How did Jean Smart cope with the unexpected death of her husband?

  She found strength in watching her children overcome their grief and thrive. While her optimism was shaken, she is slowly regaining it, finding comfort in their happiness and resilience.

• What was Jean Smart's experience with heart surgery?

  Jean Smart underwent major heart surgery, which was a significant event that frightened her children. She recovered well, with the surgeon minimizing scarring, and is now fine.

• How does Jean Smart approach playing comedic roles versus performing stand-up?

  While she has never done stand-up, Jean Smart draws on her love for watching comedians. She focuses on making the character's humor her own and finds that her character, Deborah Vance, is most relaxed during stand-up scenes.

• What was the speaker's experience with the TV show "Hacks"?

  The speaker mentioned that "Hacks" is ending after its fifth season, marking another significant career transition. She compared the experience to her time on "Designing Women," noting the different dynamics of single-camera versus multi-camera productions and the strong bonds formed with the crew.

• How did the speaker feel about leaving the show "Veep"?

  The speaker expressed being "gutted" about leaving "Veep" after seven seasons. She described the cast and crew as becoming like a family due to the intense time spent together, especially during location shoots, making the departure very difficult.

• What advice would the speaker give her 21-year-old self?

  She would advise her younger self that many perceived absolutes in life are not so, and that life involves numerous changes and stages. She'd emphasize that people come and go, and there's more "gray area" in life than one might realize.

• What is the speaker's perspective on aging and beauty?

  The speaker believes one shouldn't take health for granted and that youth is often wasted on the young. She notes that looking back, younger selves often looked fantastic without realizing it, a perspective that changes with age and experience.

Show Notes