William H. Macy

I've had my ups and downs, but I've always been optimistic and sometimes downright Pollyanna-ish. And I've loved my career. I married a great broad, got lucky there. My kids are extraordinary, two fabulous women. So it's all good. And I'm upright, you know, in good health with the exception of a few leaks here and there. And it's all it's all good.

I've had my ups and downs, but I've always been optimistic and sometimes downright Pollyanna-ish. And I've loved my career. I married a great broad, got lucky there. My kids are extraordinary, two fabulous women. So it's all good. And I'm upright, you know, in good health with the exception of a few leaks here and there. And it's all it's all good.

Was it weird to become an actor when you became an actor? Because I always think about like it must you were in Chicago, Midwest. It's not like there wasn't much of a path, right?

Was it weird to become an actor when you became an actor? Because I always think about like it must you were in Chicago, Midwest. It's not like there wasn't much of a path, right?

No, but my parents were totally behind it, and I think my parents were smart enough to know, I'm not sure he can do anything else, so let's support this. I was not a good student. They totally supported it, and I... I actually never looked back from about age 20 on.

No, but my parents were totally behind it, and I think my parents were smart enough to know, I'm not sure he can do anything else, so let's support this. I was not a good student. They totally supported it, and I... I actually never looked back from about age 20 on.

You just didn't... What do you mean by that? You just didn't consider how you got... You didn't look down, so to speak? You just keep walking?

You just didn't... What do you mean by that? You just didn't consider how you got... You didn't look down, so to speak? You just keep walking?

Yep. Good stuff happened on a regular enough basis that... I mean, every once in a while, I'd say... I'm thinking of giving this up, but mostly I was trying to get laid in sympathy, but I never actually did. And I'm one of those lucky actors. My favorite part of this. is when everybody gets quiet and it's my turn to talk. I just love that moment.

Yep. Good stuff happened on a regular enough basis that... I mean, every once in a while, I'd say... I'm thinking of giving this up, but mostly I was trying to get laid in sympathy, but I never actually did. And I'm one of those lucky actors. My favorite part of this. is when everybody gets quiet and it's my turn to talk. I just love that moment.

I'm not crazy about the business or career stuff, the biz of the biz, but I really like acting.

I'm not crazy about the business or career stuff, the biz of the biz, but I really like acting.

You said something, and I don't know if you said it. Someone told me you said this to them. You said, when you see an actor taking a long dramatic pause, most of the time they're trying to remember their lines.

You said something, and I don't know if you said it. Someone told me you said this to them. You said, when you see an actor taking a long dramatic pause, most of the time they're trying to remember their lines.

I'm sorry, fellow actors, but it's true. And it's true with me too. A lot of times that deep thought is just, the fuck is that word? Yeah.

I'm sorry, fellow actors, but it's true. And it's true with me too. A lot of times that deep thought is just, the fuck is that word? Yeah.

But the idea that you like... So when you say you really like it when it's your turn, do you ever judge yourself for that? Is that a lack of generosity on your part as an actor? Isn't the ideal of acting in the moment, in the space, feeling the scene out, but you're saying in some ways like, no, I'm concerned about doing my part of this job.

But the idea that you like... So when you say you really like it when it's your turn, do you ever judge yourself for that? Is that a lack of generosity on your part as an actor? Isn't the ideal of acting in the moment, in the space, feeling the scene out, but you're saying in some ways like, no, I'm concerned about doing my part of this job.

No, no. The part of this job that I love when I say that is... There's a lot of, as you will know, there's a lot of people on that set and it's hustle and bustle. And at one point it gets quiet and no one gets to go home until we actors do it right. And that's what I'm calling my turn.

No, no. The part of this job that I love when I say that is... There's a lot of, as you will know, there's a lot of people on that set and it's hustle and bustle. And at one point it gets quiet and no one gets to go home until we actors do it right. And that's what I'm calling my turn.