Paul Giamatti on Respect, Pride, and Finding Joy in the Work
The award-winning actor says it’s not always fun to be on stage or on camera, but part of his job is to make it fun.
Photo illustration by Lisa Larson-Walker. Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage via Getty Images.
Listen to this episode of The Moment with guest Paul Giamatti:
This week on The Moment, Brian Koppelman talks to Paul Giamatti, the well-respected and accomplished actor who stars with Damian Lewis in Showtime’s upcoming series, Billions. They discuss working together on the set of the show (which Brian co-created) and about Paul’s complicated relationship with performing on stage and in front of cameras.
Also, Paul revisits his roles in Donnie Brasco, Sideways, and Cinderella Man, and recalls waking up in the middle of the night, in character, as John Adams. Plus, Paul reflects on his time as a young actor and how, after more than 20 years, he keeps the work fresh and alive for himself.
Topics this week:
Billions
Yale School of Drama
Donnie Brasco
Safe Men
Cinderella Man
John Adams
Choate Rosemary Hall
Peer Gynt a play by Henrik Ibsen
Glengarry Glen Ross a play by David Mamet
Speed-the-Plow a play by David Mamet
Man on the Moon
Sideways
American Splendor
Election
“Hurt So Good” by John Cougar Mellencamp
People this week:
Paul Giamatti
Sophia Loren
Johnny Depp
Russell Crowe
Maggie Siff
Marcus Giamatti
Kenny Aronoff
Alexander Payne
Thomas Haden Church
Twitter: @briankoppelman
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