June Squibb - Good Hang with Amy Poehler Recap
Podcast: Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Published: 2025-11-11
Duration: 1 hr 1 min
Guests: June Squibb, Will Forte
Summary
Veteran actress June Squibb shares her experiences in theater and film, reflecting on her career journey and the evolving entertainment industry.
What Happened
June Squibb, known for her extensive theater background, shares her experiences from moving to New York in the 1950s, highlighting the vibrant theater scene and her early career start. She discusses her time working on iconic productions such as 'Gypsy' with Ethel Merman, illustrating the camaraderie and challenges of theater life. Squibb also recounts her transition into film, mentioning her roles in 'About Schmidt' and 'Nebraska,' and her collaborative experiences with directors like Alexander Payne.
Throughout the episode, Squibb emphasizes the importance of preparation in her acting process, crediting her theater training for her ability to memorize scripts thoroughly. She fondly recalls her role in 'Nebraska,' where she worked alongside Will Forte and Bruce Dern, noting the supportive and collegial environment on set.
Squibb reflects on her personal life, sharing anecdotes about her family background in music and her late husband, Charles, who was an influential acting teacher. She discusses the impact of her Midwest upbringing on her work ethic and straightforward approach to acting and life.
The conversation also touches on Squibb's perspective on aging and longevity in the entertainment industry. She admires the vitality and continued contributions of her peers who have aged gracefully and remained active professionally well into their 90s.
Squibb shares her thoughts on the evolving dynamics of the industry, particularly how younger generations approach content creation and career longevity. She expresses a desire to continue working and learning from younger actors and directors.
Finally, Squibb humorously answers questions from Will Forte, including a playful request for her to sing about her favorite food, revealing her light-hearted and adaptable personality.
Key Insights
- June Squibb's theater career began in the 1950s New York scene, where she worked on productions like 'Gypsy' alongside Ethel Merman, highlighting the era's vibrant theatrical environment.
- Her transition to film included significant roles in 'About Schmidt' and 'Nebraska,' where she collaborated with directors such as Alexander Payne and actors like Will Forte and Bruce Dern.
- Squibb attributes her ability to memorize scripts thoroughly to her theater training, emphasizing the importance of preparation in her acting process.
- She observes that the entertainment industry is evolving, with younger generations approaching content creation and career longevity differently, and expresses a desire to continue learning from them.