In this powerful and deeply personal episode of STILL HERE HOLLYWOOD, host Steve Kmetko sits down with acclaimed actor Mykelti Williamson, best known as Bubba in Forrest Gump, for an unforgettable conversation about his life, career, and unwavering artistic integrity. Mykelti opens up about the real story behind landing the iconic role, why he’s never eaten at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., the life lessons he brings to the screen, and his passion for mentoring young actors. He also teases his new film The Last Rodeo and shares candid thoughts on Hollywood, family, and his spiritual foundation. If you're a fan of Heat, Con Air, or Fences, or just love hearing untold Hollywood stories—this is a must-watch. #MykeltiWilliamson #ForrestGump #TheLastRodeo #StillHereHollywood #SteveKmetko #HollywoodPodcast #TomHanks #ActingMasterclass #BehindTheScenes #MovieLegends
Steve Kmetko:
Yes, I'm Still Here Hollywood. And coming up on today's episode, from unforgettable films to acclaimed television roles, today's guest has carved out a career that spans decades delivering powerful and deeply humid performances along the way. You know his face, you know his voice, and you definitely know one of his most beloved characters, A role that stole hearts alongside one of the biggest stars of our time. This is Still Here Hollywood. I'm Steve Kmetko. Join me with today's guest, Bubba from Forrest Gump, Mykelti Williamson.
If this is your first time watching or listening to still hear Hollywood, what took you so long, even if you're a longtime fan, I have a favor to ask. If you feel it in your heart, please like and follow us on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to us, or if you watch on YouTube, please subscribe. And with both, it would be great if you raided and commented on your favorite episodes. Thank you so much.
And now on with the show, Mykelti Williamson. Thanks for coming in.
Mykelti Williamson:
To Friends.
Steve Kmetko:
To Friends.
Mykelti Williamson:
If you consider yourself someone who would always respect me and be a friend, you're allowed to call me T.
Steve Kmetko:
Why wouldn't I do that otherwise?
Mykelti Williamson:
A Men. So, you may call me T Sir.
Steve Kmetko:
Thank you.
Mykelti Williamson:
Thank you.
Steve Kmetko:
And you may call me Steve.
Mykelti Williamson:
Okay. I thought you was going to say 24/7. I thought I was all the way in with you, like 24/7, man. Hit me up.
Steve Kmetko:
There's not much else you can do with my name that hasn't been done already. Tell me, one of the things I want to know is, do you still get a free pass at Bubba Gump?
Mykelti Williamson:
I've never been you speaking of the restaurant?
Steve Kmetko:
Right.
Mykelti Williamson:
I've never been to one in my life.
Steve Kmetko:
Any particular reason? Do you like shrimp? Yeah,
Mykelti Williamson:
Absolutely. Well, not necessarily. I think it's good. I've had it, but I don't really eat it. You know, I was working.
Steve Kmetko:
Right.
Mykelti Williamson:
Right. And creating, and I wanted to come up with something that would land on people and motivate people to laugh, to cry, to be moved, to see what war does the kind of people you end up missing when wars land on people that didn't expect it. Right?
Steve Kmetko:
You sound like you're speaking for personal experience.
Mykelti Williamson:
Well, I'm speaking from an American African experience, you know, and it's a real one, man. I mean, I don't go around preaching about how black I am. People can feel me, you know? But I'm not able to be bought because I'm already sold to the God I serve. You feel me? So, I can't be bought, man. And sometimes people take that like, it's arrogance. It's not, I don't put a lot of pressure on my representatives. They'll tell you; I'm like in the trenches working. I have relationships everywhere personally, which enhances their ability to do their job. We're not competing. I think one of the things that I would recommend to actors, if a working actor asks me for advice, stay prayed up and maintain your relationships. It's vital. And the best way to do that is to love on people.
Some people I love really close right here. And some people I love as far away from me as I can get them. And I mean that, but I still love them. But they got to go. I have got to give you the gift of distance because it's a gift of both of us, because now we can maintain a relationship when that person gets themselves together. If they do, it'll return. And if it doesn't, they're off on their journey somewhere else. And I'm on my path, right? So, I really don't waver. I don't have a bunch of girlfriends. I have one girlfriend, she's a 1953 Chevy Pickup Truck, and her name is girlfriend, and she's faithful just like my wife, Sondra.
Steve Kmetko:
There we go, huh?
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah. So, keep your life right and everything will work out. And I've not taken big paydays. Now we'll get back to the restaurant. The only reason I've never been was because I don't feel I was properly invited. Sometimes when you invite someone somewhere, it should be respect. I won't say respectful. I'll say it should be highly considerate of what the possibilities could be. With a union like you and I meeting today, there's tremendous possibility and upside here. There's value here, there's value here. But if you invite someone, if I invite you somewhere just to exploit you and buy you a meal and fly you out, well, that's pimp game. That's not even, that's really not a high level of intelligence. That's an appetite, is what that is. And I understand that. So, I've never been to a restaurant because it's, I've never been properly invited where I could participate in something that I helped create, because what I brought to the screen was not on the page.
It wasn't even close. When I did Gump, what was, I had two students come in and I for the same role, Bubba, and I coached each of them. Each of them. And I explained to them why I thought, and they said, nah, coach, nah, nah, T nah, coach T. No, I'm not feeling that. I said, okay, I apologize. Let's go where you really feel it. And they did. And we shaped it. And they went in, no, call back, second guy, same thing. No, I don't want to do it that way. I'll do it my way. I said, okay, great. No call back. I called my students. I said, hey, man, listen, I want you guys both on the phone at the same time. I'd like to go in on this role. So, you guys didn't get a call back. I'm going to reach out to these cats, man, and just, you know, old school, try my shot.
They said, okay. I did. I called the casting person, said, someone's, I won't say casting. I someone, the message I got from my agent was, they don't know who you are. He just said they, right? So, I said, they who? Right? Because I'm one of their brothers. You know, I stick my nose in it if necessary. So, he said, they don't know you. I said, they just saw two scrubs I'm trying to teach. What are you talking about? I've got credits. I'm you guys, what's going on? So, I called the New York office, and I spoke with my agent at the time, Harry, right? I just said, call him Harry. He a wonderful man, by the way. I said, Harry Abrams. So, I called Harry, I said, Harry, he's in New York. I said, this is Mykelti said, listen, you know, I don't bug you a lot, but I know I can bug you anytime I want to, but I'm bugging you because I need you to consider something. And I told him, I said, if I can't get in on this and two scrubs can, I don't have a choice but to find another place to be Harry, you feel me? And he said, Mykelti, I'm with you a hundred percent. And Harry Abrams stepped in and I got a call, right?
Nina Pakula was my agent. I actually went to Harry with Nina and Martin Lesak, right? So, I get over there, Nina calls me and she says, hey, Mykelti say, hey, what's up Nina? Tell Arthur, I say, hey, right? And the dogs, ah, she says, you're going in on this thing on a Saturday. I don't think you're being taken seriously. I think it's being done just to appease you and keep you from leaving the agency. She said, when you go in there, kill him. She said, it's not on our side. It's, listen, this guy really needs to get in. They at least record him on tape. They didn't. When I got there, it was a Saturday, janitor let me in had a great session with an assistant, and forgive me for not remembering the name. I was young. They, you know, this is 30 years ago now, right?
So, I go in, I audition, and she says, what is your, I said, you even know my name, man, that's cold, right? So, she starts laughing, I'm sorry. So, she said, I said, can you find the camera somewhere? So, she found a camera down the hall, made a phone call. The janitor let us in there, and the ladies let us her relationship. Right? See, this is why you love on people. We were in somebody else's office using their stuff, right? And so, because everybody didn't have cameras like that at the time, it was new technology pretty much.
So, they put me on tape. The next thing I hear is, Mr. Robertson Mecca would like to match you up with Tom Hanks. I said, okay, do you know Tom Hanks? I said, I met Tommy Hanks. I know Rita. I've worked with Rita, but I've met Tommy, right? He said, Tommy, I said, well, you call him Tom if you want to, but that's Tommy Hanks to me. I got love for him. Right? So, we go in, they match me up with Hanks, and Hanks is Tommy's sitting across the table from me, and he's kicking me under the table, like how much he liked it. He was like, just like kick like, dude, you're killing it. You're under the, and he finally, after we were done, he looked at me, he says, oh my gosh. And that was it. That was it, man, you know, I got the job. And thank God, you know, I was persistent.
Steve Kmetko:
Do you know what he was saying? Thank God about?
Mykelti Williamson:
Yes.
Steve Kmetko:
Tell me?
Mykelti Williamson:
We had found each other. He could see the value in both of us and what that exchange was going to be. Just like when I walked in here, it's like, your audience missed like a whole bunch of the real me because of the way I enter a room and da da da da da. That's why I was saying, man, next time I come in here, y'all better be rolling when I hit the door, bro. Because you'll miss it, you know. Because that part's done. I'm not a performative guy. That part's done. Y'all miss that part, but we'll do it again.
Steve Kmetko:
Okay.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah, man.
Steve Kmetko:
Tom and Rita are terrific people. I've encountered them on a number of occasions. In fact, one time it was at the film festival in Do Ville, France. And those were always kind of odd situations for me, because I am an American and a lot of the people that they're bringing in are from other parts of the world who don't know who the hell I am, right. Tom and Rita were at that film festival, and at one point Tom said, Rita, look somebody from home, it was, and he brought her over. Nobody was bringing anybody over to me, you know? And of all people, Tom Hanks, geez he said a terrific guy. What did you, do you think you learned anything from him?
Mykelti Williamson:
I think we both learned a tremendous amount from each other. We entered the relationship. Actors are always a little cautious. What kind of guy is this guy? Who's this guy? What kind of guy is this guy? And you see a person's humanity in their art. You can see it. I tell people all the time, this is my ministry. This is not really my gig. This is my ministry, man. You know, the music that I do, you know, my songwriting, my directing, it's my ministry. So, when kindred spirits find each other, it's a, oh my gosh, bonanza, you know. And then when you find out there's, there's levels to this, a person really capable of loving you as much as they love themselves. That's me. I can love you as much as I love me. I don't care what you do. It isn’t my cheese. You know what I'm saying? You do whatever you want to do. Sometimes. I mean, I want to look at it, but you know, I got love for you. But Hanks knows a kindred soul. When he saw one, as did I, we helped each other tremendously. The work you saw us do, we all did together, including Gary Sinise, Bobs Amikes (Uncertain Name). It just, you know, the list goes on. Every individual on the set would help us by encouraging us being moved by us. And we move them first. If you move the human beings on your set, you'll move anybody anywhere in the world.
Steve Kmetko:
I would like to backtrack just a little, because something you said caught my ear. And you said what you brought to the role was not on the page. What was it? What did you bring? What do you feel confident in?
Mykelti Williamson:
Well, you're familiar with the show, Gilligan's Island. The relationships--
Steve Kmetko:
Yes. A three-hour tour.
Mykelti Williamson:
Right. A three-hour tour. The relationship between the skipper and Gilligan. I'll protect your little buddy. That was the version in the book. Big strong guy takes forest under his wing. I got your back homie. I got your back my friend, right. We came up with the Hanks and I came up with the brother’s thing, right. What's the matter with your lip? Gary Sinise line, total Improv. Because he and I were going for it, because if I catch you slipping as an actor, I'm knocking you off the stage because you don't belong here. So, Gary Sinise belongs here. There are many of us who belong here. This is our domain. This is what we do. And there's some people who are getting better and will eventually do it at the same level, we do it at.
Steve Kmetko:
Back with more in a moment. If you'd like to be more involved with us at Still Here, Hollywood, you definitely can just visit patreon.com/still here, Hollywood. You can support us for as little as $3 a month. You can get our episodes a day before they post anywhere else. You can see what guests will be coming up and submit questions for them. You can even tell us what stars you want us to have on as guests. You'll see what goes on before and after the episode. Plus, exclusive behind the scenes info picks video and more. Again, that's patreon.com/StillHereHollywood.
Was Sally Field on the set at all when you were there?
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah. Well, I saw, I remember seeing Sally. No, we spent time with Sally in rehearsal. We sat for a full, I won't tell you what period of time, but it was an extensive period of time. We needed it. And we sat in a room and read the script with Bob Z., right? The everybody, we were all there. The core group, the writers, director, actors. And we worked and we talked about it. We commented on one another's journey, the journey we felt where we thought we could possibly go with this journey. And then that would take my character to this journey. And if that were a possibility, and you talk about journeys, but every hero's got two. It's the ops obstacles you see on the outside. And it's the internal journey. Every character's got two. Every human being has two journeys, right? And we forget that, or we haven't been taught properly. And so, you miss that. But when you find yourself with a group of, I've got a film coming out soon called The Last Rodeo. It's opening Memorial Day.
Steve Kmetko:
Oh, coming out very soon.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yes.
Steve Kmetko:
Right, this month.
Mykelti Williamson:
This month, 2025. When you see the kindred spirit between the last rodeo and what we captured when we made Forest Gump, you'll feel it. You'll feel it. You're going to be moved by this movie. You're going to laugh. You're going to cry, and you're going to share it. You're going to tell people because it's a really good place to go. And so, we're very excited about it. The last rodeo.
Steve Kmetko:
You give me the impression that that doesn't happen a lot. Where, where a crew cast sit around and discuss beforehand. What you're going to do with these people.
Mykelti Williamson:
Right, right, right. The budgets because of, because our industry has, there's a sector of our industry that is necessary and is extremely corporate. They haven't fully understood everything that we really understand about making movies and how to make the best movies. But they look at numbers and they chase numbers. You got to chase hearts, man. If you chase numbers, you going to miss it every now and then. And that's like, ha, what number? Nah, man, stop gambling, messing up movies, burning up people's time, pouring stuff on people in audiences. Stop doing that and bet on the human heart. And stop trying to reprogram everybody to stuff. Stop, leave people alone. Tell good stories and stop playing with people. And that's me. That's how, why I make the movies I make and the why. I don't make the ones that I don't make it.
Steve Kmetko:
Where did you learn this?
Mykelti Williamson:
My mom taught me. My mom was always there for me. And my mom got me in the entertainment industry. She actually is very instrumental in me being as capable as I am in this industry. Yeah. But I learned it at home through southern parents with Southern American values with very specific African-American tribal family values. And I still emanate those. I still walk in those, you know, it's like I told you earlier, I can't really, I can't be bought, man. I can't really explain it, but I cannot be bought. I'm just not, like I said, it's because I don't serve, man. I don't, I just don't. I'm in service of man, and there's a difference, you know. Yeah. That's it.
Steve Kmetko:
Are you happy doing what you do?
Mykelti Williamson:
Absolutely. Listen, man,
Steve Kmetko:
I knew the answer to that question before I asked it.
Mykelti Williamson:
No, man, listen, don't get me started, because you go, what planet does he live on? His life's that good. I'll just say, you know what? I feel blessed. I'll just keep it simple. Yes. I feel very blessed.
Steve Kmetko:
You're not going to share with us.
Mykelti Williamson:
Well, sometimes you can overshare.
Steve Kmetko:
Yeah. This is true. Too much information. TMI.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah. TMI, you know.
Steve Kmetko:
Did the role in Forrest Gump, did it limit you in what you wanted to do? Were you typecast?
Mykelti Williamson:
Well, it was an attempt to typecast me, but it didn't work. Right. It just, it can't, how could it Right. If I won't allow it. So, when I first got, when the Gump was released for, I hired a publicist and gave it a shot, right? And so, the reason I hired a publicist after Gump was because people thought I actually looked like that with a lip. Like the industry's perception was that was the way my, this guy's face was distorted. I've been in this business for years, right? And so, I had to hire a publicist to take me out and tie me to different things Gump related so people could see the difference. They go, oh, that's the guy who. But the money I made on Gump, I spent all of it on the publicist to like keep my career from going in the dirt. Because it was headed there quickly, man, brother. There's a very popular black publication. I won't call the name, told my manager, I'm sitting on the phone with my manager Lori Gilbert. And they told Lori on the speaker phone, because we strategizing and we working, and I just lay in the cut. This black publication said, oh no, he is not attractive. And I'm sitting there like, yes, I'm. I am not hard to look at, right? But I'm sitting there listening and Lori's trying to navigate it, and I just went nowhere. And she--
Steve Kmetko:
Thanks, but no thanks.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah. No, no, no, no. So, a lot of people have missed it because they didn't open the gate in time. But everybody gets it. Some people get it now. Some people get it later, and some people get it too late, like the last minute, oh, I'd like to have a second chance. Nah, you get it now. You get it later or you get it too late. But everybody gets it eventually. You know what I mean?
Steve Kmetko:
Yeah.
Mykelti Williamson:
Everybody's going to get it, man.
Steve Kmetko:
Yeah. Who do you like watching on screen or in on television? Are there certain people that you have developed an app real appreciation for
Mykelti Williamson:
Absolutely.
Steve Kmetko:
Care to share?
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah. Every actor I see, I enjoy watching them. Some are green, they're on their way. And some are so surprisingly wonderful that you can't anticipate. We're all trained actors. We all have a technique and people fresh off technique who've not really fully learned how to live through the tools, right? They, you don't, you hope they get there because you see the potential. And I see potential in everybody. Even the person who's maybe a musician, a rap musician. I'm a musician, and they want to do this. Why not? But do it right. Here's my life philosophy on the entertainment industry, I teach this to my students. The word, the etymology of the term, of the word entertain means to enter and hold captive. When you contain something, you hold it captive. When you retain information, it's held captive. When you're being detained, et cetera, entertained to enter and hold captive. That's powerful. It's dangerously powerful because the people we enter and hold captive have no idea of the skill sets. We have to take them anywhere we want. And with that comes a tremendous responsibility. I tell my students, do not ever abuse this. You make a fair exchange with your art. I'll play a villain. Well, can you, no, I'm not a squeaky-clean character. Oh, I only want do, I can drink milk. I'm like, I'm not that. I can't stand milk, dude. Right.
Steve Kmetko:
Or shrimp.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah. I'm not a shrimp guy. Not really. You know what I mean?
Steve Kmetko:
Right.
Mykelti Williamson:
I think it's good. I like it, but it's just not something I do a lot of. And but anyway, I can go on and on and on, man. I just, you know.
Steve Kmetko:
I'm counting on it.
Mykelti Williamson:
All right. So hopefully I answered your question.
Steve Kmetko:
Oh, yeah. What is the favorite role you've ever done? What's the favorite job you had in Hollywood
Mykelti Williamson:
Role, I'd say all of them.
Steve Kmetko:
All of them?
Mykelti Williamson:
Absolutely. Yeah. These are human beings. Everybody's somebody's child. So even if I play a villain, you'll see the realization that they're blowing it. You'll see it. And they're self-realization that they're blowing it. So, yeah. But that, you know, that's just kind of the way I like to do my work.
Steve Kmetko:
You've mentioned students several times. Now, do you actually teach in a brick-and-mortar school, or is this something you do in your free time?
Mykelti Williamson:
Well, it has to be, I have to carve out a window. I have to design a window for that. But being able to be remote, I don't have to do my workshop. I take 10 working actors. I know they know how to get a job. They got that part down. I don't have to teach that. And I teach them character. They each have the same monologue. It's called the Character Workshop. That's my workshop. They all have the same monologue, two different characters, word for word. You may not change the language, live the language, right? And then I did it once in, in Hollywood at a theater. I won't name the theater, but right off sunset. And brought some, some of the casting industry in. And they watched 20 different human beings lived through the same exact words. And they hung around after that. I'll just say that, right? Because they know it's possible. That's they know it too, you know.
Steve Kmetko:
And how did you get into directing?
Mykelti Williamson:
I was mentored by a gentleman by the name of Mike Jones, who was a news director when I was a young man. I was in high school. My mom landed a job at; she's an accountant by trade. She landed a job certified accountant at ABC television on Prospect Avenue.
Steve Kmetko:
Oh, yeah.
Mykelti Williamson:
Right.
Steve Kmetko:
Been there know it.
Mykelti Williamson:
Right. And prior to that, she was involved in other businesses, but she worked her way up from like working in a laundry, washing towels, putting herself through school, da da da. And then she gets landed at this job at ABC, right? Single mom. She meets people there, because my, when you know my mother, you know me, so, you know my mom, right? So, my mom is outgoing, she's fun, she's really smart. And she's not to be played with just like her son. I'm not, you know, like I said, I give people the gift of distance. So anyway, she met Mike Jones and would talk about her family and her kids. And because she was teaching us how to cook over the phone. She's at work. And she'd re leave the instructions.
We'd write it down and we would put this in the pot. That in the pot. This in the pot. Because We would latchkey kids, right. My sister siblings and I, and then we called mom at work, you know, let her in know we're home safe from school. Okay, mom, I just put the onions in, da da. Okay, now baby, do this. And so, she taught us how to cook over the phone, right?
So, she met the cat, Mike Jones, a news director. Mike Jones met me. I went to a screening and she said, you have to meet my son. So, I met him and we talked and he said, I hear you want to be a director. I said, yes, sir. He said, but you're an actor. I said, yes, sir. He said, how serious are you? I said, it's everything for me. I'll figure it out though. You know, but I just don't like wasting my time with stupid stuff, right? So, he said, okay. So, he started mentoring me another gentleman, photographer, Miguel Vallejos, right from West Hollywood. I don't know where Miguel Vejas is today, but he taught me camera still and cinema. And so, I had different mentors, gene Evans, and, and on and on and on. But people poured into me. And that's the only way I got to where I am today, is like you pouring into me this invitation. This is very cool. I told you. Thank you, man. I appreciate it.
Steve Kmetko:
Well, thank you.
Mykelti Williamson:
Thank you, Steve.
Steve Kmetko:
We're appreciative of you being here too. Who's been the most surprising CoStar you've worked with over the years?
Mykelti Williamson:
Well, I won't say most, but I'll name like a top two or three. Is that okay?
Steve Kmetko:
Yes.
Mykelti Williamson:
My dear friend and sister Angela Bassett my dear friend Al Pacino, my dear friend and brother Denzel and my dear brother, Delroy Lindo, I would say those cats. And I would include Glen Turman. I actually learned from Glen Turman. I tell people he taught me so much, but not directly. He was like, okay, run to the store for me. Do this, do that. And then I would get to hang around him and listen. And that's where I learned. And I watched. And then he would explain things. And I was like, so, yeah. But that, you know.
Steve Kmetko:
I had several good experiences with Denzel Washington. He's just the greatest. And he takes the time much like you to believe that you're really interested in what he has to say, which I was every time. One year when, you know, every year when they announced the Oscar nominations, this is long before he had ever won one, but he was invited to make the early morning announcements on television. And then he came over and did an interview with me, and he was so good and gracious. And then there have been a number of other things I've interviewed him for. And he's just a really cool guy.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yes, he is.
Steve Kmetko:
And his wife is too.
Mykelti Williamson:
Oh, come on, Paul Leonard. Come on, man. Yeah.
Steve Kmetko:
And talented too. And you know what, I'll tell you an experience I had recently, not, well, not that recently. And now I can't remember the name of the movie.
Mykelti Williamson:
Is with D?
Steve Kmetko:
With his son.
Mykelti Williamson:
Okay. Oh, which one? Which?
Steve Kmetko:
I'm not, not certain, but all, I'll tell you why.
Mykelti Williamson:
Act actor or director?
Steve Kmetko:
Actor.
Mykelti Williamson:
Okay. Alright.
Steve Kmetko:
I was--
Mykelti Williamson:
That's John David.
Steve Kmetko:
That it. I was watching a movie that he was in and I didn't relate at all to the name at first. And then I started watching a little more closely because he drew me in and then all of a sudden, my ear went, that sounds like Denzel. And then I waited around, of course, for the credits. And the kid's last name is Washington. And I'm like, hmm, aha.
Mykelti Williamson:
Right, right, right, right.
Steve Kmetko:
It runs in the family.
Mykelti Williamson:
But yes, it does.
Steve Kmetko:
He's very good.
Mykelti Williamson:
Now, listen to, here's an inside Nugget. And I'm sure that the Washington family wanted mind me sharing it. I was with I was on Chicago PD. I'm a director on I've directed for Dick Wolf on Chicago PD and some other things. But my friend and brother, another director brings in Olivia. He says, this is Dee's. I said, man, I know her from church man. So, she's sitting in the lobby. So, I see Olivia and I just did like this because other actors are watching, you know, but when she saw me, I just went and went on in. Because I can hug her inside away from all these. I don't want to throw their game. But that's the actor in me, so I'm aware of it.
So, I said, I didn't hug you out there because I don't want to throw nobody off thinking nah. I said, nah, it's, you know, I know you got it. So, I hugged her, man, she crushed it. All the other, we said, can you please stay? So, Olivia hung out and it was Eric LaSalle and I. So, Eric and I just. We pulled to the side and we stepped to the side. And it's like, man, she's amazing. She blew all the competition away. Chicago's got some really good actors, but this group of actors, they were very performative. And Olivia is, man, you and I'm so happy. You see how amazing John David is? I wait until you see Olivia.
Steve Kmetko:
Okay.
Mykelti Williamson:
Because that whole family's just like the truth. You know, Malcolm, his debut as a director. Did you see the piano lesson?
Steve Kmetko:
Yes.
Mykelti Williamson:
Man, come on. What? No nominee. Oh, really? Okay, man. All right. Y'all need a new weed, man. If you missed that one, whoa. Either put down the weed or get you a new weed person.
Steve Kmetko:
Well, this is, you know, this is not the kind of business where honesty and forthrightness are commonplace.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah. But don't be that blatantly off the Mark. It's like anybody can see excellence. How did that end up with a nomination? And not that's the part I don't get mad.
Steve Kmetko:
You can't. Yeah. But you can't ask yourself those questions, because there's no rational explanation.
Mykelti Williamson:
There's no rational. Right. Absolutely. Absolutely. You know, there's a shift in the academy. This upcoming award season.
Steve Kmetko:
There, well, they started, well, they started nominating 10 movies per category just about. Which one, which shift are you talking about?
Mykelti Williamson:
Well, there's an interesting shift that just came down to the membership. No longer may you vote on an artist unless you've seen everything. There's an, unless you've seen everything.
Steve Kmetko:
I read that.
Mykelti Williamson:
Within the parent, within that category. Alright. So, now people will do their work and they won't. I think it's going to help us miss less we've missed in the past, because we would, some of that's is intellectually dishonest. Oh, I'll vote, but I didn't say everything, but I'll vote. Okay. But it's fixed. Hopefully. Yeah.
Steve Kmetko:
And we'll be right back.
What are you looking forward to right now, apart from the opening of your new movie?
Mykelti Williamson:
The future.
Steve Kmetko:
Anything in particular?
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah, just, the journey of humanity. You know, there is a brand I have a lot of confidence in. It's the Angels Studios team that behind distributing our film, the Last Rodeo. Solid people bringing amazing content. That's the future I'm excited about. You know, is that partnership moving forward? Neil McDonough, you know, the McDonough Company independent division, my company.
Steve Kmetko:
It doesn't have anything to do with rodeos, does it? I have to ask.
Mykelti Williamson:
Absolutely. It does.
Steve Kmetko:
Oh, it does.
Mykelti Williamson:
It's, yeah. Professional bull riders.
Steve Kmetko:
I watched them on Saturday mornings on CBS.
Mykelti Williamson:
PBR, right. As do I. As do I. Well, this just in a nutshell, the journeys about a busted up 50 something year old bull rider, Neil McDonough, when I say busted up, bad back, just knee, just don't ever look at another bull as long as you live. Has become a bit of a recluse. Turned his back on his best friend after his wife passed on the outs with his daughter. Loves his grandson. Like there's no tomorrow. The only child, only grandson. Neil McDonough finds out his grandson, or he finds out Joe finds out his grandson needs a brain operation. That's a quarter million bucks. Where's the old busted up? 50 something year old Bull Rider going to get it. Well, I'm going to have one Last Rodeo.
In order to achieve it, you got to figure out a way to navigate your relationship with your daughter. You know, you got to save your grandson with everything you got. And the best way for you to get there is your best friend. You turned your back on Charlie. You got to suck it up and do what you got to do to save your grandson. And he has to suck it up. He has to deal with his journey with his daughter, and we're doing it to save his grandson. It's a powerful film. John Avnet is our director, KIPP Con Weiser's also producer John, producer, writer, producer, director, and Neil McDonough. Sarah Jones, you'll get a chance to enjoy. Sarah Jones, the amazing Sarah Jones. And Christopher McDonald blessed us and came on board. And he's just fantastic all the way around.
Steve Kmetko:
Well, the idea of it, I'll use a term the kids use nowadays giving me the feels. It feels like it could be very moving.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah, moving. Exciting. You know, if you like?
Steve Kmetko:
Scary!
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah, scary. If you like cowboy fights and stuff, we got all that good stuff. But you can rest assured when you get there, we're not going to pour stuff all over. You and your family come and see the last rodeo. I'm telling you. It's the way human beings, they really want to make good movies, makes movies.
Steve Kmetko:
What do you do for fun.
Mykelti Williamson:
I just keep walking, man. I just get up. Sometimes I play a little harmonica. Sometimes I play some percussion and sometimes I just go away, grab my bride. Because I married my dream girl and we go away, or I jump in, she and I jump in girlfriend and we take girlfriend. My girlfriend takes us to the beach and, you know, the 53 Chevy. So, but that's me, man. That's, you know, I try to keep it local. I stick around hug on my mom, my kids, all three of my daughters are here, you know they're amazing. Maya, the baby, Niki Sky that's our middle and Phoenix. Yeah. I call her coconut.
Steve Kmetko:
Why?
Mykelti Williamson:
Because, when she was born, she had the most perfect, beautiful round little head, and it was like a little baby coconut. And so, I just kissed her on the top of her coconut and then that I said, Hey, coconut. And I just, and that it just stuck, just so she’s my coconut.
Steve Kmetko:
Do you still call her that today?
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah, I do.
Steve Kmetko:
Don't she appreciate it.
Mykelti Williamson:
Don't you try it?
Steve Kmetko:
No, I won't.
Mykelti Williamson:
Oh, she's extremely assertive. She's intelligent. She's kind, but she's tough. And she's a young producer. Phoenix Williamson, is she produced a spot for Puma.
Steve Kmetko:
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
Mykelti Williamson:
And I just, she just asks for advice. She grew up in it. So, she asks for advice, I give it to her, and then she executes. It's cool. And they're all that way.
Steve Kmetko:
Do you have a role or project that you worked on that fans rarely ask you about?
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah. I think there's a film I did with my brother Kiefer Sutherland and Brad Merman called Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.
Steve Kmetko:
Which is the actual name of a place?
Mykelti Williamson:
Right, right. But that's because there was a, what we were told when we were actually filming around truth of Consequences is its name came about as a result of that show. And that channel being able to, that's the best show they could get at any time of day, was truth, the consequences and everything else came through like garbage. Yeah. But Truth, the consequences came through. So, they just named it, well, at least we have Truth the Consequences. So, that's what I'm told. That's what the locals told.
Steve Kmetko:
Well, I had not heard that story. I traveled there with my parents. One of the things my parents used to do is pile us in the car and drive us around the country.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah. Station wagon?
Steve Kmetko:
No.
Mykelti Williamson:
Okay. Car.
Steve Kmetko:
Probably a 53 Chevy.
Mykelti Williamson:
Okay. All right.
Steve Kmetko:
Okay. I was born in 53. So, it's a good chance. What's been the most creatively fulfilling?
Mykelti Williamson:
The people I work with, because they're so creative, they inspire me, man. Everybody inspires me. They do. It's just, and watching the evolution of cinema, that's inspiring to me. I remember film, right? Videotape. One inch, two inch, three quarter, you know, then VHS Beta Super--
Steve Kmetko:
Reel to reel.
Mykelti Williamson:
Reel to reel. Yeah. All of that.
Steve Kmetko:
Those reels were like huge thick.
Mykelti Williamson:
Thick. Right. But just the evolution of where we are now, it's inspiring for me because there's no reason to ever sit still and, and oxidate, you know what I'm saying? You don't need the oxidation brother.
Steve Kmetko:
That's what I do best. Is there anything, going back to Tom Hanks for a second, is there anything that you encountered backstage or off screen that his fans would be surprised to learn about him? Without speaking out of school or anything?
Mykelti Williamson:
No, no, no, no, no, no. He's just as kind as you think. He's not faking it in front of the camera. He's the same. And maybe that would surprise people.
Steve Kmetko:
Maybe!
Mykelti Williamson:
But yeah. Because they would expect him to be a, you know, like a phony, like a slice of bologna kind of dude. But he's not, you know, he's not, he, Tommy Hanks is the real deal, as is Gary Sinise. What you see is what you get.
Steve Kmetko:
I interviewed Gary when he shortly after Forrest Gump. And he's from Chicago, so. And Steppenwolf Theater, I think. What's coming up for you?
Mykelti Williamson:
The Last Rodeo.
Steve Kmetko:
Apart from that?
Mykelti Williamson:
Right. On the television, on the streaming side we just thanks to my team, you know I'm at Paradigm and more meta voice. So, my whole team presented an opportunity and we were able to execute it and set it up. And we're going to do a show called Dark Matter. So, I'll be on Dark Matter this season. I won't tell you more. Just tune in Dark Matter.
Steve Kmetko:
Okay. Alright. What--
Mykelti Williamson:
As an actor.
Steve Kmetko:
Where will it be? Where will we find it?
Mykelti Williamson:
Well, dark Matter is streaming. You can find just search it online and you'll find it. Alright. Yeah.
Steve Kmetko:
I kind of like that idea now. I don't know if you're old enough to remember, but you know, it used to be when it was just a few networks. You sat down when they felt like showing you. And now, you call the shots. I like that.
Mykelti Williamson:
Exactly. I like that a lot. It gives audiences a lot more control. It's like yeah. It just gives people a lot more control over the kind of content they want to see.
Steve Kmetko:
And when they see it.
Mykelti Williamson:
And when they see it. Right. They can just put it in a folder, stack it up, just check it. I'm going to watch it and, you know, get a reminder and then off you go. You know. But and I like that. See that's the kind of stuff that gets me excited, is people can now take you anywhere on the planet and enjoy you anywhere on the planet. I--
Steve Kmetko:
Or off the planet or off space too.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah. And outer space as well. I was a fan a couple days ago. I was in Provo, Utah. I was with the Angel Studios family. And there was a gentleman there who did my Spanish voiceovers for all the movies that I'm in, including Forrest Gump. And I got, I won't say his name because I don't think he wants, he's that kind of person. Yeah. He is like, man so, but it was a treat for me. So, we took pictures and now we're in contact, but I didn't know. I'm like, this is the cat that does all my movies. He can Spanish, he can sound like me in Spanish. Same timber in my voice. Yeah. He just, it blew me away. I was like, wow, man. Pretty cool. So, there's a lot to be excited about.
Steve Kmetko:
Can I ask, is there a significance to neck necklace you're wearing?
Mykelti Williamson:
I rock beads from different parts of the world, and I keep it simple, you know, and I'll go right to tribes and purchase beads. And if the beads have a story, great. If they go, nah, we just make them. I just see people making them. I'm like, okay, well I'll take one you just made. And then here you go. And I'm not the guy that's going to rock the diamonds and the floss. I'm like, I think we're doing too much. I think we're telling people we're endangering our own lives because people are different and they may not appreciate it, or they may figure see it as an opportunity. These are beads, man. I usually buy two. So, if you, you know, you want this one, you know. No problem. I have one more.
Steve Kmetko:
Oh, great. I'll keep that in mind. If I ever need a gift. What's the most physically demanding role you've ever taken on?
Mykelti Williamson:
That's a very good question. Because they've all got their challenges. I mean, Gump getting in military shape, marching with the Captain Dale die and staying out in the woods overnight. And this dude waking you up. Alright, you like, dude, we're in a movie, man, what's wrong with you? But that's what we did. I signed up for it. I was like, well, I'm not quitting before this dude quit. I am not going to quit before this fool quit. So, I guess I'm signed up. I guess I'm good. So, we did it Sunise and I did it right. And it was unfortunately for Hanks; he had to go and do other stuff during the night after we were done. He was, this was pre-production. He, after rehearsal, he had to go do other things. And so, he would join us like sometimes. But they were like, man, that cat was spinning plates.
I admire Tommy Hanks, man. He gets it done. And when he shows up, he's present. And when he's gone, you miss him. He's such a big old slice of love, man. It isn’t even funny. You know what I mean? So yeah. But we had a challenging time getting ready for that. But it was fun. And that's probably, that's about it. I did realize I needed to, needed to stay in better shape to do my own stunts. I was on a project and the director wanted my character to jump over a four-foot fence chasing someone and run up a hill driveway. So, I was like, cool. So, I took off and did it before he could say anything. And then I came back and I met the stunt person because he had the stunt guy there.
So, he looked like me. He resembled body type, but he was about, he was larger than I and wasn't muscle. And when this boy jumped over that fence and ran up the hill and his booty was jiggly, I said, no, I got it, man. I, nah, I got it, bro. Trust me, I don't want my booty jiggly like that old TV on screen on a 40, 50-foot screen. Look at the big old two. I said, no, man. So, I knew I had to stay in good enough shape to step in if I needed to. But that was probably the funny moment that motivated me to stay in pretty good shape.
Steve Kmetko:
What does your workout regimen look like today?
Mykelti Williamson:
Stretch this morning. This when I'm done here, I'm going to go for a chiropractic adjustment because every time I travel, I realign. And then I get back to my lifestyle. And then spending some time with my mama working on my mama's house. That's so therapeutic. So, I'll stop for an adjustment and then I'm with mama after that.
Steve Kmetko:
You won't need readjusting after that.
Mykelti Williamson:
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. And I rock a back brace. Nothing's wrong with my back, but I rock a back brace and knee supports when I'm working, because I'm up, down, up, down, up, down, you know I saw a cameraman hit the floor, wooden floor. He would go down, he would go, boom. And you could feel it resonate through the floor. And I was like, he couldn't be on a cinema set because if actors are talking and you go boom, somebody else, they'll find somebody who doesn't go boom. It's just that simple if you can't do it. So, I pulled him aside and I said, hey man, can I share something with you? I said, ask me for some advice. I said, then I'll give it to you. And he asked me, I said, okay, you asked me, right? And I told him, I said, if you want to do cinema, either get a knee pad that silences the boom, but I felt you, you dropped here and then you went here, you dropped here, and then you moved over here and you dropped there. That was your third position when such and such was on the stage. He went, yeah. I said, yeah, I know you were boom, boom, boom. So, fix it. He said, thank you. But that's just how I roll, man. You know, it's like, if I have something that'll help you, I'm going to give it to you.
Steve Kmetko:
I'm surprised the audio people didn't say something to them.
Mykelti Williamson:
Well, I don't know.
Steve Kmetko:
Everybody has their.
Mykelti Williamson:
Everybody has their thing, yeah, man.
Steve Kmetko:
We'll be back in a moment.
Are you still asked to do your shrimp monologue
Mykelti Williamson:
Every now and then? Somebody has too much to drink.
Steve Kmetko:
Okay, I'm sober.
Mykelti Williamson:
And all kind of stuff comes out of their mob. I'm like, no, what's wrong with you? It's like some, I was with Richard Pryor years ago and somebody came up to Richard and did a Richard Pryor joke. And Richard looked and went when, and then Richard just turned around and looked at us like, and I feel like that when people come up and take my material, because there were really only five different types of shrimp in the film, right in the script, something like that. Five, four or five. And so, it wasn't a big deal. But Bob Z and I got to talking and I said, what'd you think about it Bubba? Just being a shrimping, just a shrimping fool. He said, sure, why not? I said, okay, just loves shrimp. He said, okay. I said, alright. I got it. First day we started shooting, we shot the bus scene.
That was the first time they put Tommy and I together. The first thing we shot together was that scene, right? Bob Z designed that. Steve Starkey, those guys put that together, right? So, when I did the routine for the, for the character, I had about 40 in my mind. I'd been studying it for a couple of weeks. Because Bob Z said, yeah, you can make him just a shrimping fool. I said, all right, you got it. And we started going and I kept going. I gave about 15 and I stopped. And then Zi said, is it that many in the script people said, no, but boy, that is hell funny, right? They were roaring. So, I said, you could tell when you land on audiences, because you going to land on your crew. First, they were on the floor. So, then Bob Z was like, okay, great.
Alright Mykel. Oh, just do the shrimping thing. I said, okay, alright. So, I would do it and stick it on the back of other things, right? And we stitched it all navigated with Bob Z of course, but we stitched it in there and people just really enjoy it to this day. But every now and then, somebody would come up. I used to get prawns sent to my table. I'd go tell them, come on out. I'd give them a hug and give them the prawns. Thanks man. And then photo op, and then I'm out. I don't do autographs, I do photographs. I saw some children get hurt one time rushing to get my autograph and the adults crushed them.
And it landed on me so profoundly. I was so hurt that I autographed for the kids. And I said, these are the last autographs. You guys are getting them. I may rarely do them, but you all got my last autographs. Okay. They said, okay. And off they went and I was done with it. And but I take pictures. But sometimes paparazzi try to be slick. They'll bring you a picture in the frame so they can like lie to people and autograph it later and cheat. So, I'm like, you can't bring that in the photo, man. Come on, you take a picture with me. But don't bring a bubba gum hat, nothing. Just you and me. Let's take a picture. We aren’t advertising nothing. And then then I'm good. But it's, there's always someone looking to try to make a dollar. But I think it's better when you make a dollar in consideration of other people and with their participation as opposed to their, as a result of their exploitation. You know? I think we exploit the art, but not people. I think we get the best we can out of art and story. For me, the people say, what's your approach as an actor? For me, the script is the star.
If the script is the star and you respect it, like it's the star and you want to make it look good and look like real, like real humanity, then you script is the star. Not Mykelti Williamson:, not whomever, no man script. And then you land on audiences and they go, man, we love what you're doing. Hey, my family, we saw you. Is it okay? We come over, absolutely. Jump up, take a picture. That's what I love about these phones. Now you people take pictures with people right there and you don't because I don't autograph. And so, but it's a privilege and an honor to do the work we do. Like I said, as an entertainer, to enter and hold captive, there's a tremendous responsibility. And that is to give the audience the best exchange. Because they're monetary exchange is representative of their time.
Steve Kmetko:
And it costs more and more every time you go to the movies.
Mykelti Williamson:
Exactly. Exactly. So, the last thing I want people to feel is like, they had stuff just poured all over them. It's like, oh yeah, I thought I was escaping. Just for now. Just give me two hours.
Steve Kmetko:
You mentioned early on that what was on the screen was not necessarily on the page that you were given originally. What did you change or what did you add?
Mykelti Williamson:
Well, the humanity, it's when I came in, there was something different I wanted to do. I forgot to mention when I went in on the audition, I stuck my lip with tissue, wet tissue. And, and so that's part of what helped. But what I add is the humanity, the journey. I told you every hero's got two journeys, right? So, we map those out as a collective with directors and writers, and then you take people on that journey. And that for me, that's my hot button. That's what keeps me doing it, is I have a passion to do this work. Like I said, it's my ministry.
Steve Kmetko:
It shows. And besides which everybody talks about Marlon Brando sticking stuff in his cheeks to get the Godfather.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah. The Godfather. Yeah. Right.
Steve Kmetko:
Yeah. And that's what did it for him.
Mykelti Williamson:
Right.
Steve Kmetko:
Of course. He was an incredible actor.
Mykelti Williamson:
Yeah, that too. That part. Yes sir.
Steve Kmetko:
What was it like to go from an ensemble like Forrest Gump to more intense dramas like Heat or Con Air?
Mykelti Williamson:
You're talking about Michael Mann and Jerry Bruckheimer now giants’ friends, you're on a journey. Every time you're around Michael Mann or Jerry Bruckheimer, you're going to learn a lot if you remain a sponge. They do expect you to contribute, but you contribute best when you're aware of what other people do and when you're not blowing it, you know what I mean? When you're enhancing what it is they do there's a reason Michael Mann is top shelf. His stuff is way up top as is Jerry's and, you know, but it I learned a lot working with those gentlemen. That's what I'd say.
Steve Kmetko:
When did you first come to Hollywood?
Mykelti Williamson:
I'm from what's called South Los Angeles, not South Central, south Los Angeles. That's where I grew up, I was an Air Force kid. We finally settled in California Los Angeles. And I've been here since ever since. But I think being raised by southern parents is something that I cherish. And I try and infuse it in all my characters, just a little bit of that southern guy, whether it's a dangerous Southern guy or it's like a, you know, bubba blue type southern guy.
Steve Kmetko:
What's the most meaningful fan encounter or message you've received?
Mykelti Williamson:
Thank you. And I would say equal to that is when people can actually say my name. Then I know they've been paying attention. If they start that Kelty, all those other, and I'm like, it's, my name is Simple, it's Mykelti and my name, I just did a legal name change because this journey of life that I was on. My mom left the south when I was a very young guy because she was threatened. And so, we changed our names around quite a lot to avoid some folks that thought my mother talked too much and had too big of a mouth and need to be put in her place. So, we left the south and my mom moved us around quite a lot and made a new life for herself with a name, some name changes as well. And here we are, you know, but unfortunately, we had to flee the south. And but we did it in style, man. I think it was a Pontiac. I came out here.
Steve Kmetko:
Step up from the Chevy.
Mykelti Williamson:
Oh, man, yeah. Yeah. The Pontiac man picked us up in Memphis and brought us to California in a Pontiac, man. It was like, wow.
Steve Kmetko:
Mykelti?
Mykelti Williamson:
Yes sir.
Steve Kmetko:
Thank you!
Mykelti Williamson:
Steve, thank you Ben. I Appreciate you.
Steve Kmetko:
I enjoyed this. Thank you. Still Here Hollywood is a production of the Still Here Network. All things technical run by Justin Zangerle. Theme music by Brian Sanyshyn and executive producer is Jim Lichtenstein.