Still Here Hollywood

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Paul Ruddy - Hollywood Casting Director Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

What really happens inside the room where casting decisions are made? Casting director Paul Ruddy has spent nearly three decades shaping careers in film, television, and now the emerging world of vertical storytelling. In this revealing conversation, he explains how actors get cast, why self-tapes changed Hollywood forever, and how star power can be felt in the first 20 seconds of an audition. Paul shares behind-the-scenes stories about discovering talent early, including Sydney Sweeney’s early auditions, the tiny acting choices that win roles, and why memorizing your lines still matters more than anything else. He also dives deep into: • The rise of verticals and micro-dramas • Why pilot season disappeared • The impact of streaming and the Hollywood strikes • Why in-person auditions are unlikely to return • How actors accidentally talk themselves out of roles • The truth about success, ego, and reputation in Hollywood If you’re an actor, filmmaker, or simply curious about how Hollywood really works, this episode pulls back the curtain on the casting process and the industry’s evolution. Subscribe for more insider conversations with the people shaping entertainment. 00:00 Intro: Inside the Room Where Careers Are Decided 01:02 Paul Ruddy’s Origin Story: Scranton, TV Obsession, Law School 03:10 The Leap to Hollywood and the “Lied on My Resume” Move 05:21 The Power of Casting and Changing Lives 05:39 Early Talent Spotting and Sydney Sweeney’s First Jobs 07:42 How Fast Casting Instincts Kick In 07:46 Paul’s Best Advice: Do the Homework, Understand Tone 08:20 The #1 Audition Killer: Not Being Off Book 09:46 Can You Feel Star Power Right Away? 10:10 The Wetsuit Audition Disaster and Growth Over Time 12:39 Estelle Getty and Why Careers Can Start Later 13:20 Casting Directors Have Long Memories 14:05 When Someone Walks In and Wins the Role Instantly 16:20 What Are Verticals and Micro-Dramas? 16:35 TikTok Meets Soap Opera on Red Bull: The Vertical Model 18:40 How Episodes Work: 1–3 Minutes and Constant Cliffhangers 20:10 The Paywall Funnel and Why It’s Exploding 21:20 Why Verticals Are a New Frontier for Hollywood 22:08 Patreon Break 22:57 How Casting Works: Breakdowns, Submissions, Narrowing Down 25:15 Will In-Person Auditions Ever Return? 25:25 Why Self-Tapes Took Over Permanently 27:49 The Reality of Nerves and “Pilot Season” Chaos 31:24 Self-Tapes vs Live Auditions and the 47th Take Problem 32:19 How the Pandemic Accelerated the Industry 10 Years 33:20 How Actors Talk Themselves Out of Roles 33:30 “You Sold It. Don’t Buy It Back.” 38:58 Small Choices That Instantly Elevate an Actor 39:08 The Peephole Choice That Got Attention 40:15 The Orange Slice Prop That Won the Role 42:27 Break 42:43 Calling an Actor With Life-Changing News 44:11 Does Success Change an Actor’s Energy? 44:30 Reputation Matters and Word Travels Fast 46:54 Watching Movies as a Casting Director 47:03 Why Every Role Must Be Cast at a High Level 48:49 Why He Didn’t Become a Full-Time Producer or Director 50:00 Why Verticals Are an Incubator for Future Stars 52:10 “Nothing Is New” and Why People Always Dismiss New Formats 54:00 Verticals, Short Attention Spans, and the Real Competition 56:08 What He’s Proudest Of After 27 Years 57:15 Advice for Actors: Tenacity and Knowing the Business 59:43 Is Hollywood Becoming a Dinosaur? Production Slowdown Explained 1:05:01 Fewer Risks, Fewer Sitcom Hits, and Why Shows Need Time 1:07:13 The Loss of Shared TV Culture and Knowing What Came Before 1:09:20 Closing and Thanks Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Laura Leighton "Melrose Place" Encore Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

Laura Leighton takes us back inside the Melrose Place phenomenon and what it was really like to ride that wave before social media and smartphones changed everything. In this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Laura talks about launching the Melrose Place rewatch podcast Still the Place with Daphne Zuniga and Courtney Thorne Smith, why it feels so freeing to show up without a script, and the surprising emotional impact of revisiting a time that happened more than 30 years ago.

Laura opens up about the cast bond that never went away, the real conversations happening around a potential Melrose Place reboot, and why creating your own opportunities matters more as Hollywood changes and roles for women narrow with age. She also shares the best thing that came out of Melrose Place, her 26 year marriage to co star Doug Savant, and what it means to raise a big family and now become a grandmother.

You will also hear Laura on the shift from water cooler television to reality TV and TikTok culture, the strange new normal of being photographed everywhere, and why self tape auditions can feel harder than walking into a room. Plus, Laura tells two unforgettable stories from her career, a fan encounter so intense a nurse thought her villain character was real, and the heartbreak moment she had to drop out of a musical film role that later went to Renee Zellweger. She also reveals a major career decision she still regrets, turning down the chance to play Rizzo on Broadway.

If you love Melrose Place, Aaron Spelling era television, 90s nostalgia, Hollywood behind the scenes stories, and honest conversations about career, fame, aging, and reinvention, this one is for you.

00:00 Reboot Buzz and Grandma Life Tease
00:56 Intro: Aaron Spelling, Nighttime Soaps, and Melrose Mania
02:21 Laura’s Rewatch Podcast: Still the Place
03:04 Why Podcasting Feels Easier Than Acting
03:34 Rewatching Your 20s on Camera and the “Ick Attack”
04:21 Melrose Love Story: Meeting Doug Savant
04:52 26 Years Married and Raising Four Kids
05:10 Why Melrose Was a Cultural Phenomenon
05:27 Pre-Internet “Water Cooler TV” and Perfect Timing
06:17 Lightning in a Bottle: You Can’t Manufacture It
06:53 The Reboot: Is It Really Happening?
06:59 Who’s In and Why the Cast Still Feels Like Family
07:20 The Group Text, The Podcast Guests, The Real Bond
08:12 Churchill Quote: If You Want History, Write It
08:34 Aging in Hollywood and Steering Your Own Opportunities
09:03 Reality TV Changed Everything
09:19 The Early Reaction: “What Is This Crap?”
10:10 TikTok and Selfie Culture Is Not Going Away
10:28 Being Photographed Everywhere, Even at the Grocery Store
10:59 Social Media as a Tool, But Also Exhausting
11:59 Podcast Learning Curve: Why Rewatch Makes It Easy
12:33 Sets That Feel Good vs Sets That Don’t
13:03 Fondest Melrose Memory: It Felt Like a Family
14:13 You Don’t Fully Appreciate It Until Later
14:34 What’s Next: Producing and Building Projects
15:30 The Joy of Becoming a Grandparent
16:13 Watching Your Kid Become a Parent
17:07 “I Told You So” and Moms Always Being Right
17:28 Holidays With a Grandbaby and the Photos
18:05 Nana Duties: Teaching Piano, LA Traffic Included
18:37 The Weird Fan Encounter: Nurse Thought Sydney Was Real
19:32 Being Too Convincing Can Backfire in Meetings
20:59 Which Show People Recognize You From Now
21:35 Melrose vs 90210 and Why People Mix Them Up
22:05 One-Word Cast Shoutouts: Heather, Rinna, Grant, Marcia
23:19 Cast Friendships That Stayed Warm and Real
23:43 Missing the Weekly “TV Family” Feeling
24:18 Leaving After Five Seasons: The Contract Turning Point
24:42 The Last Day: Fighting Tears
25:02 Rapid Fire: First Crush, Movies, Pizza, Worst Subject
29:09 Fame Before Cell Phones: Honeymoon Recognition
30:14 Fake Names at Hotels During Peak Fame
30:42 The Morning After Leaving: Relief vs Grief
33:34 Being Married to an Actor: Teamwork, Not Competition
34:10 Doug’s Groundbreaking Gay Character and Pride
35:13 Aging in Hollywood and Fewer Opportunities
36:34 Self-Tapes: Why Auditioning Feels Harder Now
37:54 What Self-Tapes Took Away: Feedback and Connection
39:53 Steve’s Acting Dream and the “Pajamas Job” Idea
41:15 The Role She Lost: Torn ACL, Renee Zellweger Replacement
43:12 The Musical Muscle She Wishes She’d Kept
44:36 TV Movies in Hiatus: The 90s Career Strategy
45:30 The Big Regret: Turning Down Rizzo on Broadway
46:14 Closing Thanks

Laura Leighton's Melrose Place rewatch Podcast is:

STILL THE PLACE

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/still-the-place/id1754955354

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gabrielle Carteris "Beverly Hills 90210" Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Gabrielle Carteris helped define a generation as Andrea Zuckerman on Beverly Hills 90210. But the story behind the show is bigger, deeper, and more surprising than you think. In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Gabrielle opens up about the truth behind landing 90210, including the age secret she kept when she was cast as a 16-year-old. She reflects on overnight fame, Beatles-level chaos, and how the show shaped her adult life in ways she is still unpacking. But this episode goes far beyond nostalgia. Gabrielle reveals the devastating on-set injury that temporarily left her partially paralyzed and unable to speak, the lawsuit that followed, and why she refused to sign an NDA after winning her case. That experience ultimately led her into leadership, where she became President of SAG-AFTRA and helped guide the union through historic negotiations. She also discusses: • The real impact of the Hollywood strikes • Why AI and voice replication are changing the entertainment industry • The merger of SAG and AFTRA • Losing Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty • The isolation of extreme fame • Aging in Hollywood and rejecting shame • Why family matters more than celebrity From 90s television icon to labor leader and activist, Gabrielle Carteris shares what she has learned about power, resilience, identity, and what no longer scares her. This is one of the most revealing Beverly Hills 90210 interviews you’ll see. Subscribe for more conversations with the stars you grew up with.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Introduction
01:00 Gabrielle Carteris on Aging and Growth
02:32 Learning to Stop Performing for Approval
04:41 Aging in Hollywood and Saying “I’m 65”
06:55 The 90210 Age Secret Revealed
07:57 Overnight Fame and Losing Anonymity
09:45 The Power and Pressure of Being Known
12:33 Looking Back on the 90210 Era
12:47 How Fox Saved Beverly Hills 90210
14:09 Did Andrea Shape Gabrielle or Vice Versa?
15:21 How the SAG-AFTRA Merger Happened
16:29 “I Am an Activist”
17:49 The On-Set Injury That Changed Her Life
20:05 Relearning Speech and Movement
21:35 Refusing to Sign an NDA
22:50 Why Safety Became Her Mission
24:04 Patty Duke, Sean Astin, and Hollywood Legacy
25:14 The Hollywood Strike and the Rise of AI
29:25 Remembering Luke Perry and Shannen Doherty
31:14 Still Close with the 90210 Cast
35:40 Beatles-Level Fame and Fan Chaos
36:25 What Matters Most Now: Family
37:53 Becoming President of SAG-AFTRA
39:25 Leadership and Unsung Heroes
40:02 “I’m Okay” — Owning Her Legacy
41:03 Dubbing for Netflix and Amazon
42:05 Fear of Returning to the Stage
43:25 What No Longer Scares Her
45:22 What She’d Tell Her Younger Self
45:50 “The Girl I Was Is the Woman I Am”
46:23 Closing

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Joanna Cassidy "Blade Runner" Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

Joanna Cassidy has never fit neatly into one lane, and that is exactly why she is unforgettable. In this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Joanna takes us from Syracuse University as an art student to a cross-country leap that landed her in Los Angeles and changed everything. She talks about her first film set experience with Walter Matthau and Bruce Dern, the shock of realizing she could actually act, and how her creative life has always lived in two worlds, performance and painting. We also dive into the legacy roles that keep getting rediscovered. Joanna shares what it was like stepping into Blade Runner as Zhora, working with Ridley Scott’s meticulous vision, and why that film’s impact only grew with time. She opens up about Six Feet Under and her love of dark humor, the craft difference between comedy and drama, the realities of aging in Hollywood, and what she believes keeps a creative person alive. Plus: animals, modernism, bungee fitness in Burbank, and the mindset that keeps her curious and working. Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko. New episodes weekly. Support the show and get early access and extras at patreon.com/stillherehollywood

00:00 Intro: The unforgettable Joanna Cassidy
00:56 From Syracuse to San Francisco to Los Angeles
02:35 First steps into acting and a surprising first role
03:35 The Laughing Policeman: Walter Matthau, Bruce Dern, and set nerves
05:19 Joanna the artist: painting, portraits, modernism
06:42 Almost quitting, and the many lives she has lived
07:51 Misconceptions: beauty, comedy, and being underestimated
10:29 Age, image, and America’s obsession with youth
12:29 Early work she is proud of, and Blade Runner’s slow-burn legacy
13:43 Acting vs art: the frustration of not being able to fine-tune
16:52 Roles she wanted but did not get
17:40 Blade Runner: first reaction to the script
18:32 Philip K. Dick, sci-fi love, and “the only actor with the snake”
19:18 Animals, cats, and the deep bond with them
21:22 Ridley Scott’s imprint and artistic vision
22:22 Six Feet Under and the joy of dark humor
23:36 Blade Runner stunts, revisiting Zhora, and the snake dance
25:10 New generations discovering Zhora
26:17 Cult status and Comic Con moments
28:54 Comedy vs drama: timing, speed, and stillness
30:57 Who she watches now: Emma Stone, Jessica Lange
32:07 TV’s best lesson: be on time, know your lines, hit your marks
33:17 Actors who made an impact: Gene Hackman, Nick Nolte, Bob Hoskins
35:42 Taking risks and going all-in
37:40 Dabney Coleman memories
39:58 Staying creatively alive: health, grounding, flow
41:05 Mentors, independence, and asking for a hand
44:01 Confidence, her father, and being an observer of Hollywood
45:45 Film talk and character-study movies
47:13 What brings her joy now
49:43 Directing notes and the on-set process
50:42 Roles she wants now, plus recent and upcoming projects
52:40 Worries that shifted with time
53:27 Dating, privacy, and a new chapter
56:16 Bungee fitness in Burbank and loving the feeling of flight
57:28 Closing

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Paul McCrane "ER" "Robocop" Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

Actor and director Paul McCrane joins Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko for a funny, honest, and surprisingly deep conversation about building a career by leaning into the roles people remember most. Paul talks about intentionally pivoting into “bad guy” parts, his first reaction to reading RoboCop, and the night a massive explosion on set got a little too real. He also looks back on ER and what it was like joining the biggest show on television, plus how the stability of a long-running series can change your life outside the job. The conversation goes beyond credits and into craft. Paul breaks down why self-tape auditions can feel like sending your work into a void, why in-person collaboration matters, and what directing taught him about managing pressure, people, and performance. He also shares one of the most valuable lessons of his career: how a brutal review early on forced him to learn how to truly do the work, and how Jason Robards showed him real generosity in the process. If you love behind-the-scenes stories, acting talk that’s actually useful, and Hollywood history with some bite, this one’s for you. Support the show and get early access and bonus content at Patreon: patreon.com/StillHereHollywood 00:00 Intro, Paul McCrane from ER and RoboCop 00:42 What Paul would be doing if he wasn’t acting today 01:09 Songwriting, music, and creative curiosity 01:19 Becoming “the bad guy” on purpose 02:41 First reaction to the RoboCop script 03:18 The infamous RoboCop explosion story 06:11 Did he expect RoboCop to become iconic 06:28 How RoboCop reshaped his career 07:55 Why he became an actor, his father and backstage magic 08:27 Other careers he could have pursued 09:06 Turning the interview back on Steve 10:10 Fame, the movie, and early terror on set 11:44 Shooting Fame on the streets of New York 12:33 Did he ever consider quitting acting 14:03 Patreon break, then critics and insecurity 16:30 Retirement, insecurity, and why actors do this 18:38 Chevy Chase, SNL, and success myths 19:03 ER and staying close with the cast 20:43 Why Paul hates self-tape auditions 22:07 The danger of isolation in modern acting 28:33 How ER changed his life and stability 29:29 Fame, perspective, and avoiding distortion 31:20 Philadelphia roots and football fandom 31:37 “Paul McCrane dies at the end” reel 32:15 What the ER set was really like 34:33 Is he happy with his career 36:11 What fans recognize him for most 37:27 Directing vs acting, what he loves more 43:04 Overthinking, directing pressure, and communication 44:06 The role that taught him the most 46:38 The New York Times review that crushed him 50:00 Jason Robards’ advice and generosity 55:21 Learning to survive criticism 56:50 Memorizing ER medical dialogue 57:01 The origin of the famous RoboCop line 58:25 Final thoughts and wrap Paul McCrane interview Paul McCrane podcast Paul McCrane Still Here Hollywood Paul McCrane Steve Kmetko Paul McCrane actor interview Paul McCrane RoboCop RoboCop behind the scenes Paul McCrane RoboCop explosion scene story Paul McCrane villain RoboCop Paul Verhoeven RoboCop cast stories Paul McCrane ER Dr Robert Romano ER Paul McCrane ER helicopter scene ER behind the scenes Paul McCrane ER cast reflections Paul McCrane Fame movie Fame 1980 behind the scenes Paul McCrane Fame audition story Fame movie cast interview Paul McCrane acting advice Paul McCrane directing career Actors on self tape auditions Why actors hate self tapes Directing vs acting Paul McCrane Career longevity themes Character actor Hollywood career Villain roles in Hollywood How actors survive bad reviews Jason Robards acting advice Broadway failure lessons Culture + philosophy hooks Why actors feel insecure Human connection vs technology acting Why collaboration matters in film Modern acting industry problems Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Joyce Bulifant "Mary Tyler Moore Show" Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Book: My Four Hollywood Husbands

https://a.co/d/bTbuNAj

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Amy Yasbeck "Wings" Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Amy's Foundation in memory of her husband John Ritter is https://johnritterfoundation.org/

Another favorite charity of Amy's is https://angelfood.org/

Show Credits

Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko

All things technical: Justin Zangerle

Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein

Music by: Brian Sanyshyn

https://stillherehollywood.com

http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood

Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com

Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com

Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ted Lange "The Love Boat" Encore Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

In this unforgettable episode of Still Here Hollywood, Ted Lange, forever known as Isaac from The Love Boat, joins Steve Kmetko for a deep, funny, and brutally honest conversation about classic television, Hollywood power dynamics, racial inequality in entertainment, and the long game of creative survival. Ted takes us behind the scenes of one of the most iconic shows in television history, sharing stories about Gene Kelly, Diahann Carroll, Cloris Leachman, Howard Keel, and the revolving door of legendary guest stars that made The Love Boat a cultural phenomenon. He reveals what really went on when the cameras stopped rolling and how respect, chemistry, and mentorship made the cast a family. But this episode goes far beyond nostalgia. Ted opens up about the realities of being a Black actor in Hollywood, the battles he fought for equal treatment, fair representation, and meaningful storylines, and how he learned to “pivot” rather than become bitter. His stories about pay disparity, industry politics, and subtle discrimination are powerful, eye-opening, and still painfully relevant today. We also dive into Ted’s remarkable second act as a writer, director, and playwright. From directing television to writing over 27 plays, including historical dramas about forgotten figures like John Hanson and Mary Bowser, Ted explains how storytelling can reclaim lost history and give voice to those erased from textbooks. His passion for uncovering untold stories turns this episode into something far bigger than a Hollywood interview. Plus, he shares hilarious and unexpected stories about working with Jenna Jameson on the “Ask Isaac” advice column, his Shakespeare adaptations, directing The Fall Guy, and the surprising friendships that shaped his career. This is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and navigating Hollywood with intelligence, humor, and integrity. Ted Lange proves he is far more than a TV icon. He is a historian, a playwright, a director, and a truth teller who is very much still here. Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Maxwell Caufield "Grease 2" Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

Relive the wild ride of Grease 2 with actor Maxwell Caulfield, the man behind Michael Carrington, in this full episode of Still Here Hollywood with Steve Kmetko. Maxwell opens up about knowing early he was meant to act, his London roots, and the moment everything changed when he auditioned for Grease 2 and suddenly found himself stepping into a Hollywood spotlight that can make or break you. Maxwell shares what it was like working alongside a young Michelle Pfeiffer, why Grease 2 didn’t hit the way the studio hoped at release, and how the movie later found its true life as a cult classic with a passionate fanbase. He also dives into the behind-the-scenes reality of movie-making, including a hilarious “Bike Heaven” moment that did not go how he wanted. Beyond Grease 2, Maxwell talks about his love of live theater and what the stage gives an actor that the camera never can, plus what he’s working on now, including a one-man play centered on Pontius Pilate. And yes, we go there on the big career chapters too, from Hollywood momentum to TV fame, including his run on The Colbys and the long view of staying in the game. Wikipedia If you grew up on 80s movies, movie musicals, backstage stories, and the art of actually lasting in show business, this episode is for you. Want to get more involved with the show? Support Still Here Hollywood on Patreon for early access, behind-the-scenes extras, and the chance to submit questions for upcoming guests. Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Juliet Mills "Nanny and the Professor" Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

She was born into show business royalty, made her film debut at just 11 weeks old, and grew up surrounded by legends like Noel Coward, Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, and more. On this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Steve Kmetko sits down with the luminous Juliet Mills, the beloved star of Nanny and the Professor, to trace a life and career that spans West End theater, Broadway, classic television, and unforgettable Hollywood collaborators. Juliet shares how her family and upbringing shaped her worldview, why gratitude became one of her guiding principles, and what it was really like stepping into the spotlight as “Nanny” during a time when television was far more “tea and nightgowns” than romance and realism. She also looks back on the global success of the show, her bond with co-star Richard Long, and why she believes the series might have lasted longer if the on-screen relationship had been allowed to evolve. Plus, Juliet tells behind-the-scenes stories from her career highlights, including working with Billy Wilder and Jack Lemmon on Avanti! (yes, the role that required her to gain 35 pounds, a true acting challenge if spaghetti is involved). She also opens up about love, marriage, and fate, as her husband Maxwell Caulfield joins the conversation for a charming, honest look at how their relationship began during The Elephant Man, with a cameo appearance from Natalie Wood in the origin story. If you grew up with Nanny and the Professor, love classic Hollywood, or just want to hear a joyful, thoughtful conversation with an icon who’s still full of wonder, this one’s for you. Support the show and get episodes early, behind-the-scenes extras, and more at patreon.com/stillherehollywood Show Credits Host/Producer: Steve Kmetko All things technical: Justin Zangerle Executive Producer: Jim Lichtenstein Music by: Brian Sanyshyn https://stillherehollywood.com http://patreon.com/stillherehollywood Suggest Guests at: stillherehollywood@gmail.com Advertise on Still Here Hollywood: jim@stillherenetwork.com Publicist: Maggie Perlich: maggie@numbertwelvemarketing.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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