Digest

In this episode of Inside of You, Michael Rosenbaum welcomes actor Tom Hopper, known for his roles in "Umbrella Academy," "Black Sails," and "Smallville." The conversation delves into various aspects of Hopper's life, including his acting journey, his experience with an autistic son, and his personal health struggles. Hopper expresses his appreciation for long-form conversations, contrasting them with the formulaic, short-form interviews he often encounters during press tours. He values the opportunity to have genuine conversations and delve deeper into topics. He also discusses the challenges of parenthood, particularly the constant feeling of getting things wrong, and emphasizes the importance of patience. Hopper shares his experience with his son Freddie, who is autistic, describing the challenges they faced when Freddie stopped developing "normally" and the impact it had on their marriage. He also highlights the unique perspective Freddie brings to life, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and connection with nature. Hopper acknowledges the significant role physical appearance plays in casting decisions, particularly for actors who often play "big guy" roles. He emphasizes the importance of discipline and maintaining a certain physique to be considered for a wider range of roles. He also discusses the physical demands of his role in "Umbrella Academy," including wearing a muscle suit and undergoing martial arts training, and shares his experience with chronic back pain and his journey with stem cell therapy. Hopper reflects on the significance of "Umbrella Academy" in his life, describing it as a huge chapter that has taught him a lot about himself. He expresses his deep affection for his on-screen siblings and the strong family bond they formed during filming. He also discusses the impact of his role in "Smallville," acknowledging that it took years to fully appreciate its significance. Hopper opens up about his recent experience with anxiety, triggered by the pressure of playing a Navy SEAL in "The Terminal List." He describes the physical symptoms and how his wife helped him through it. He also shares how a group workout with his castmates helped him overcome his anxiety, believing that feeling like part of a team and having a sense of belonging can alleviate anxiety. The conversation concludes with Hopper sharing the best advice he's received from his friend Toby Stevens: to relax and be present when acting. He believes that relaxation allows for genuine emotions to come through, making the performance more authentic.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Car Trouble

Michael Rosenbaum welcomes listeners to Inside of You and introduces his guest, Tom Hopper. They briefly discuss Tom's new car and how a wrench can unexpectedly disrupt even the smoothest of plans.

00:00:02

The Importance of Long-Form Conversations and Acting Career

Tom Hopper expresses his appreciation for long-form conversations on podcasts like Michael's, contrasting them with the formulaic, short-form interviews he often encounters during press tours. He values the opportunity to have genuine conversations and delve deeper into topics. He also discusses his acting journey, sharing his experience with a drama class where he enjoyed the attention and laughter he received from his classmates. He describes the feeling of being alive and energized when he acts, comparing it to the "electricity" described in the movie Billy Elliot.

00:00:39

Tom Hopper's Health Journey and Parenthood

Tom discusses his personal health journey, revealing that he wasn't always health-conscious. He shares his experience with an extreme diet and training regime for a role, which led to an obsession with staying lean. He eventually realized the importance of balance and finding a sustainable approach to health. He also discusses the challenges of parenthood, particularly the constant feeling of getting things wrong. He emphasizes the importance of patience, especially when dealing with children who are experiencing a wide range of emotions.

00:11:01

Physical Appearance in Acting and Family Background

Tom acknowledges the significant role physical appearance plays in casting decisions, particularly for actors who often play "big guy" roles. He emphasizes the importance of discipline and maintaining a certain physique to be considered for a wider range of roles. Tom shares that his parents were in the Royal Air Force and that he had a traditional upbringing. He emphasizes the importance of unconditional love from parents, highlighting how it can shape a person's sense of security and self-worth.

00:16:05

Tom Hopper's Experience with an Autistic Child

Tom shares his experience with his son Freddie, who is autistic. He describes the challenges they faced when Freddie stopped developing "normally" and the impact it had on their marriage. He also highlights the unique perspective Freddie brings to life, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and connection with nature.

00:33:56

Imposter Syndrome and Auditioning

Tom discusses imposter syndrome and the fear that many actors experience when auditioning. He shares how he learned to reframe auditions as opportunities to act and showcase his interpretation of a character, rather than tests to be liked.

00:45:21

The Physical Demands of Acting and Tom Hopper's Health Challenges

Tom discusses the physical demands of his role in Umbrella Academy, including wearing a muscle suit and undergoing martial arts training. He shares his experience with chronic back pain and his journey with stem cell therapy, which provided significant relief.

00:51:21

The Meaning of Umbrella Academy and Smallville

Tom reflects on the significance of Umbrella Academy in his life, describing it as a huge chapter that has taught him a lot about himself. He expresses his deep affection for his on-screen siblings and the strong family bond they formed during filming. Tom reflects on the impact of his role in Smallville, acknowledging that it took years to fully appreciate its significance. He discusses how the show put him on the map and how he's come to realize the importance of the decisions he's made in his career.

00:57:55

The Butterfly Effect of Life and Umbrella Academy Season 4 Spoilers

Tom Hopper talks about the butterfly effect in his life, how small decisions and encounters have led to significant outcomes. He believes that fate sometimes guides us, and we should embrace the present moment. Tom Hopper reveals a major spoiler for the final season of Umbrella Academy: the characters discover they are the cause of the world's end and must sacrifice themselves to reset the timeline. He discusses the emotional impact of the ending and the possibility of future spin-offs.

01:02:30

The Terminal List Prequel and Overcoming Anxiety

Tom Hopper shares his excitement about working on the prequel season of The Terminal List, an Amazon Prime show based on Jack Carr's books. He discusses the authenticity of the show and his experience playing a Navy SEAL. Tom Hopper opens up about his recent experience with anxiety, triggered by the pressure of playing a Navy SEAL in The Terminal List. He describes the physical symptoms and how his wife helped him through it.

01:09:27

The Power of Team Bonding and A Look Back at Tom Hopper's Career

Tom Hopper shares how a group workout with his castmates helped him overcome his anxiety. He believes that feeling like part of a team and having a sense of belonging can alleviate anxiety. The host praises Tom Hopper's career, highlighting his roles in Smallville, Black Sails, and Umbrella Academy. He expresses admiration for Hopper's dedication to his craft and his positive outlook on life.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the challenges Tom Hopper has faced in his acting career, particularly in relation to his physical appearance?

  Tom has often been typecast as the "big guy" and has had to work hard to maintain a certain physique to be considered for a wider range of roles. He has also had to deal with the pressure of physical demands for certain roles, such as wearing a muscle suit and undergoing martial arts training.

• How has Tom Hopper's experience with his autistic son, Freddie, impacted his perspective on life?

  Tom has learned a lot from Freddie about the importance of simplicity, connection with nature, and finding joy in the basic things in life. Freddie's perspective has helped Tom to re-evaluate his own priorities and approach problems and solutions in a different way.

• What are some of the key takeaways from Tom Hopper's discussion about imposter syndrome and the fear of auditioning?

  Tom emphasizes the importance of reframing auditions as opportunities to act and showcase your interpretation of a character, rather than tests to be liked. He encourages actors to focus on serving the character and delivering their best performance, regardless of the outcome.

• What are some of the key insights Tom Hopper shares about the importance of unconditional love from parents?

  Tom believes that unconditional love from parents is essential for a child's sense of security, belonging, and self-worth. He emphasizes that it can shape a person's ability to form healthy relationships and navigate challenges in life.

• How does Tom Hopper describe the feeling of acting and the impact it has on him?

  Tom describes acting as a source of energy, excitement, and a "dopamine hit." He enjoys the camaraderie of working with a team and the feeling of being alive and energized when he's performing. He also values the opportunity to connect with audiences and make a positive impact on their lives.

• What was the biggest impact of Tom Hopper's role in Smallville?

  Tom Hopper's role in Smallville put him on the map and gave him a career. It took years for him to fully appreciate the significance of the show and the impact it had on his life.

• How does Tom Hopper view the butterfly effect in his life?

  Tom Hopper believes that small decisions and encounters have led to significant outcomes in his life. He sees the interconnectedness of events and how seemingly insignificant actions can have a large impact.

• What is the major spoiler for the final season of Umbrella Academy?

  The characters discover they are the cause of the world's end and must sacrifice themselves to reset the timeline. This leads to a powerful and emotional ending, with a sense of hope for the future.

• What is the best advice Tom Hopper has received about acting?

  The best advice Tom Hopper has received is to relax and be present when acting. He believes that relaxation allows for genuine emotions to come through, making the performance more authentic.

• How did Tom Hopper overcome his anxiety?

  Tom Hopper's anxiety was triggered by the pressure of playing a Navy SEAL in The Terminal List. He found relief through a group workout with his castmates, which helped him feel like part of a team and overcome his self-doubt.

Show Notes