Dinner’s on Me with Jesse Tyler Ferguson - Ginnifer Goodwin — on marrying her Prince Charming and becoming her own version of a Disney Princess

Episode Date: November 25, 2025

‘Zootopia 2’ star Ginnifer Goodwin joins the show. Over meatballs and spicy fusilli, Ginnifer tells me about her chaotic ‘Big Love’ audition, preparing her kids for the Disney red carpet and her family’s little-known Hollywood history. This episode was recorded at Jon & Vinny’s in Studio City, California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Today on the show, you know her from shows like Big Love and Once Upon a Time and movies like he's just not that into you. It's Jennifer Goodwin. I did walk away from Big Love over nudity, and they came back and gave me the job anywhere, which was amazing. I walked with Big Love Over Nudity, too. And they wouldn't settle, so I had to let it go. This is Dinner's on Me, and I did me.

I'm your host, Jesse Tyler Ferguson. I've been watching Jennifer Goodwin for, it feels like, decades. I absolutely loved her in the Mona Lisa Smile. It's the first movie I remember seeing her in. She was on Ed with my TV sister, Julie Bowen, and he's just not that into you. I mean, come on, that's a rom-com classic. I absolutely loved Jennifer Goodwin's energy. I've met her at different Hollywood events when she was doing big love, and I was doing

modern family. She just seems like a really fun hang. I'm also so excited to talk to her about her new movie, Zootopia 2. If you can't tell, it is a sequel. The first Zootopia came out in 2016. It won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. She's absolutely adorable in the film. She plays a rabbit who's part of the police department. I'm at a restaurant I've been wanting to come to with this podcast for a very long time. It's John and Vinny's in Studio City. It's valley outpost of the beloved L.A. Italian spot from John Shook and Vinizotolo. And don't tell anyone, but this might be my favorite location of theirs. It's also, by the way, a fantastic place to have breakfast. Not a lot of people know about it, but they have incredible breakfasts here.

My favorite is a polenta with a fried egg on top. Also incredible pancakes. The sausage is incredible. The bacon. It's just fantastic. It's also a place that I come to. with my family a lot. In the evening, I like to come here with my husband, share a salad, pizza for the kids, spicy for silly for us. We usually end up ordering a pizza to take home as well, rainbow cookies and soft serve. Listen, I mean, I can go on and on and on. I'm getting so hungry. I hope Jennifer shows up soon. Oh my gosh, I'm getting so hungry. All right, let's get to the conversation. We need to talk, because I do find, like, every once in a while we discover a little gem. Yeah, yeah. Well, I'm very glad this.

is open now on our side of town because I would go over to Burnwood usually. Oh, yeah. Yeah, which was, you know, not horrible, but not super convenient. Have you, have you had breakfast here yet? Do you know they do breakfast? Yes, I need to bring my kids for breakfast. Breakfast is incredible here. That's like the, like, the hack that not many people know about.

Breakfast is John Vinny's, the polenta. And you get it with like a fried egg. Oh, yes. Maybe there's something that kind of pepper on it or something. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's like a little tangy. Yes. I am hoping my stomach does not start making crazy. noises because I have been so excited about this meal that I've not eaten since like very

gorilla. I've had a smoothie. Yes. I've had the alien paper smoothie from marijuana that's it. Because that is a drug. It is so good. I'm so addicted to it that I got the membership so that it's like a whole thing. Okay.

We know what we're doing. You guys said you've been here before. Do you have any questions? I end up going by the very 1950s at every meal. And my husband has just started going like the little lady will have. So please. Please do just order for us because it makes me really happy. All right, I got this.

The little lady and I are going to share Jim Lettuce. The little lady will also share the spicy fusili with me. And we're going to also do the meatballs. The meatballs? Yes. This is so brave for me to be wearing this. By the way, I literally put this on because I was like, if I splash, I'll be okay. Jim Lettis, spicy, fecili, meatballs?

Yes, thank you. We can't get anything else because this is my husband's shirt, and he gets so mad at me when I spill things on myself. We'll deal with it in the moment. I'm going to be so careful. You have two kids, right? Two kids. Five and three.

Where are you at with the ages? Nine and eleven. Okay, so you're a little ahead of me. I took him to the Disney animation. Like, I had to bring my kids to work day. Okay. Yes, because I'm voicing an animated feature. Right.

And so I thought that they would come watch me and maybe even, like... And this is Utopia, by the way. Yes. When we had them, we thought we were going to keep. keep them as far from the arts as humanly possible just because we were like, as a real life addition, there's nothing like it. However, what, like, what a terrifying life of rejection and, like, you know, it's not the most sustainable lifestyle.

Yeah. Or doesn't allow for the most sustainable lifestyle. Yeah. And we don't want them to know that, you know. But they could be NEPO babies and we'll take care of that. Well, this is true. But then when they were not interested in show business, we were like, what is wrong with us as parents. How could we not have

like made this thing that we're obsessed with like contagious for them? So now we've been like to keep you see how how magical this is. So I thought like having them watch me in the booth and seeing that like it's just a playground of creativity. This is how I pay our bills. Like how nuts is that?

Yeah. Mommy's at a microphone after a lunatic. Yes. Yes. Just embarrassing myself. It's like laughing and snorting and crying and like just like you know and like literally they give me candy for snacks at work. And, yeah, they came out still talking about budgets and business affairs and like the sureness of the building. I don't know about the joints and this like. Right, exactly.

And maybe that angle, if we had used the such and such. And then the other one's talking about like, maybe I want to be a doctor and maybe I want to be an attorney. I mean, great careers. Yeah, it's amazing. Wait, have your, so your kids, when you were, when you did the first Utopia movie. Yes. That was 10 years ago. A decade ago?

It was. So you had a one-year-old. I did. I had, so when I got the call about Utopia 1, I was literally in Mickey Mouse pajamas, pregnant with my firstborn. I was in Canada. And for some reason, Josh and I weren't working this day. Because you were shooting once upon a time up there. Which you met on.

Which, yes. And I had done a tinkerbell, like one of their like straight-tip. We called it video at the time. Yeah, I know. They're straight to video. Straight to VHS. And I feel like it was one of the few voiceover jobs I had had. And so when I had a message that all of my reps were needing to talk to me once, including

the voiceover agent, I was like, oh, my God, I'm getting fired from Tickerbell. And I was so, I'd sit in there my little Mickey flannels. I was like, and I said to my husband, I was pregnant, he's making me breakfast. And I was like, I'm getting fired. and he was like there's no way they're calling to offer you a job like there's they're categorically

like there's no question in my mind that I'm getting fired from Ziparville and anyway it was not in fact the idea of like being fired I know how depressing would that be that would be so depressing but I did in fact

to get to keep that job and they were in fact calling with the job offer and then by the time Zootopia 1 came out I was about to give birth to my second kid okay so it was a few years of me lined also to everyone on set because that NDA is no joke

and I was afraid to tell anyone like where I was going on weekends yeah so they'd be like why are you going back to L.A. again so you're once once upon a time cast did not know you were recording a movie um so I would fly back on weekends and I would and I would and I'd be like I left a sweater in L.A. I got to go back and get it like I literally started coming up which is absurd excuses because, and I felt bad lying, but I was just like, I don't know this thing, this contract I signed. I read every word of my contracts. And I was like, this looks really serious about me not telling anybody I'm in this. Yeah. Mm-hmm. God. And I mean, I know that you are a Disney fanatic. Nut. I almost brought a Donald Duck bag and I was like, it's too much. I'm, you know, save it for

like. So you must have lost your mind. First of all, with the Tinkerbell thing alone. Lost my mind. And then when I got once upon a time, that was like a no, I was obsessed with Lost. I knew the writers from their work on lost and I was like the combination of these worlds is... And you played Snow White, which is just like, come on. And I was I mean, it was the greatest. And then you married Prince Charming, I did. I know,

we're not a cliche at all, met on set. Listen. We're like, well, here we get. It's exactly how it should have been. We filmed an episode of Modern Family at Disneyland. I remember this. So when we film there, you know, when you have a huge crew, and you know this, like

in a large cast of people, You have to put them somewhere. Oh, my gosh. And, you know, it's like, where do you put someone in Disneyland that's not like, that's private, but also out of the way of the people who are also making Disneyland run. Oh, yes. So we were put, our base camp, which is where you would go, you know, between shots, between scenes, was in, they have this thing called the Disney Suite.

Do you know about the Disney Suite? So the only room, it's a suite, it's like a two-bedroom house that's above, Like the Pirates of the Caribbean I almost said Pirates of Pinsands That's how That's amazing The Pirates of the Caribbean ride And it's in like the New Orleans area

And it's this beautiful Two bedroom apartment almost Which is enchanted Which is enchanted They have this thing called the Good Night Lights That you turn off this light And basically the whole room Comes alive with a show

Like Literally things are singing on the nightstands and there's a train that, like, goes around the perimeter of the room on, like, a track that looks like, you know, a railing. It's insane. It's, like, everything except for Walt walking in the door. Exactly. Which I wouldn't be surprised if they figured out. Like, literally a starshoots over ahead.

Yeah, right, right, right, right. There's some, the fireplace does the fireworks show in the fireplace. The fireplace does a firework show. So this is where we just had, this was like our hangout era. It's so funny because, like, Sarah Highland is a massive Disney freak as well. And she was losing her mind. And then, like, you know, Sophia, who appreciated all of this, but was also like, I, what are you doing with the nightlight again?

Like, you know, she just had no idea. By the fact, I was laughing because I heard on one of your episodes, I remember she said something about the, um. Thank you. Anything about the plane waiters? The plane waiters. Which my kids have also said to me. Really?

So it made me laugh doubly hard. Thang waiters. Spicey. Thank you so much. For the room, we got some chill excited. I know, I know, we have microphones. No, that's okay. Food Tetris.

Thank you. Okay. Enjoy. Can I bring you a parm, chili, today? What do you think, Jennifer? Do you anything else? I'm good with however it's been done. Enjoy it?

Is that good? Is that good? Okay. By the way, we just shot. Kiwi Kwan is in Zootopia 2 with me, and we were at the park. We've been doing some, like, before the sun comes up, before the park is open. And we were there working with one of the characters. Yeah, that's ASL for character.

Yeah. And we actually, because we're also not like behind the scenes, we had to interact with the cast member as the character. Okay. So we were advised to like the crew in handling that character, the director, everyone was asked to speak to the character. as the character, not as an actor inside the... Filarious.

The costume, which I was like, there are a million reasons why I can see why this would be important. And also really fun for us in not breaking the magic for us. Oh, my God. Now for a quick break, but don't go away. When we come back, Jennifer tells me what her kids are most nervous about with the Zootopia 2 premiere, and the movie role she didn't get and isn't afraid to admit it hurt.

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Fly better. And we're back with more dinners on me. Have your kids watch. the first movie? They have. So my kids have no interest in seeing basically anything my husband

or I have done. Yeah, that's how that track where I think. Same? Yeah. Really? Didn't engage big love? Right. But even like,

I feel like I've done a lot of kids' things. Zootopia? They are obsessed with but they didn't know that was me when they started watching it. They didn't like perk up

when they heard that no and in fact I once, I over heard and like I'm not doing a voice of any kind. It's your voice. It's my voice. My,

kids would watch the movie, and I once heard a friend, a grown-up friend, say to them, you know that that's your mommy, which also, by the way, I could kill said friend. I love you, said friend, if you're listening to this, if you're watching this, but I was like, no, that was my, that was going to get, that was going to be my thing. But then my eldest's response was, no, it's not. And then I feel like for a couple of days, like nothing was said, and then I overheard him saying, my mom thinks she sounds like that rabbit, but she does not. Like, well, we're good.

That's amazing. Yeah, right? But it's the only thing that they have watched that I have done. But it's also they're not watching you do that. Like, I think for my kids seeing, because I did that thing where I tried to protect them from like, I thought it would be weird if like as a kid you're seeing your caregiver, you're the person who's supposed to put you to sleep on TV.

Like, I don't know, I just feel like that. And like caring also maybe for other children. Exactly. I can see where that gets weird. Exactly. Yeah. I did an episode of Sesame Street, though. I did an episode of Sesame Street, and I was like,

I showed my kid's dad at a very young age. Yes, and what was the reaction? I feel like this is the time to show. If I'm going to get any sort of reaction out of this, this is the age that they're going to be excited about it. They were very excited. Like, well, and it's just something that they just accepted. Like, oh, yeah, my dad, he knows picky monster.

He taught him about the word fragile. You know. And were you able to use this, by the way, in times when you needed, like, to pull out the interdiscipline, Plinarian and be like if Cookie Monster finds out. I've never tried it. Good tactic, though.

We can still use it. Yeah, I can still use it. Listen, you know how I know Cookie Monster? No, right. Do you want Daddy to call? I would call Cookie Monster. Now, have you done, because we're facing for the first time ever,

my children campaigned repeatedly, as we have never taken them to any even Hollywood-adjacent kind of event. They've been on a couple of film sets. On days when we felt like there was, it was really like kid-friendly material and they would sit at Video Village with headphones on.

Right. So my children campaigned to come to the Zootopia 2 premiere and now they're going on the entire international crazy press tour with me. Oh, wow. Yes. And we had big talks about how to keep them from being like overexposed, but also how do we like, I want to keep this within sort of like the bowling alley. bumper like you know those gutter bumpers when you're at the bullying eye like how do we put those

up in this situation and so we said okay you can walk on the red carpets with us but we're not posting you on social media but we're gonna like practice with them because they were also like so well they were like well we were talking about photographers oh thank you right and my kids said and that could be very terrifying actually because like that those premieres shut down Hollywood Boulevard and so they said remember when we went to the Knicks game and I was like yeah and they were like remember when we left and there were all those photographers Jesse there were like two photographers and I was like yeah and they were like will it be like that and we were like oh dear we need a we need a drive run we're gonna have to like actually practice because you guys that's thinking that's

thinking ahead right so your kids are excited about Zootopia too because they've seen the first one They know another one's coming. Yes. Have they, like, watch the promo. Everything. I mean, now I make them watch everything. I'm like, look, Mommy's got a new trailer. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

I saw it last night, by the way. You're the first person hearing this. Oh, yeah. What did you think? It's so exciting to watch those things come together. I'm, like, I cried. My husband and I had a private screening, and I felt a lot. I was nervous, not because I don't, I was worried that it wouldn't be wonderful,

but, like, it's been 10 years. And, like, You know, there's like a different, like, there was like a shuffling of people, new people. Like, I just didn't know what to expect, even though I made the movie for the past couple of years. I was like I still did not know what to expect. Because also I find that with animation, unlike with what we do in live action, I feel like this character is like, is a team effort. So I feel like she's a compilation of so many people that are, like, you know, whoever is my lead animator on it.

like she's hurt her you know what i mean like she like so many people like had their hands on it and so i feel weird like toting the horn of like whatever i've done but i'm like it's incredible it's an incredible movie like i wept through it i was like i can't believe i get to do anything on this like it's it's it blew me away so it's so it's also i mean i've done a i've only done one animated film i was a llama the dali lama and one of the Ice Age films. Yes. Oh, I love those movies.

What's crazy about it is, you know, you create a whole performance in a solitary environment. It's like a vacuum. It's in a vacuum. And you're just doing your lines and someone might be reading them. Sometimes you hear how the actor might be saying another line, but that was recorded weeks ago. Yes. And sometimes they like the way you say your line and their line now. That doesn't make sense anymore.

So they have them re-record their line. So it makes sense with the way you've said. It's like patchwork. It's patchwork. And I don't think people understand, like, sometimes how difficult it is putting an animated film together. Yes. It's just wild. It's wild.

I also know, because I was listening to your conversation with Justin Long, who also did this podcast. But I didn't know that you were part of the Frozen readings. Oh, my gosh. So you worked on that movie, like, when they were, like, trying to put it together and figure it out. I auditioned for Olaf. Did not get it. You and me both, honey. Um, but, yeah, I mean, like, you're actually, like, in, you were, you were working on it.

That was a heartbreak. I can imagine. You know, I didn't tell anybody until that podcast when I told Justin. It's not like, I'm, you know, people must ask you about it all the time now. Well, it was one of those things. I was, I mean, I was, I was, I was like, this is a horrible thing to say, but I was like a little, I was like a little humiliated that I had gotten that bar and that then it was not me on screen. Mm-hmm. Um, by the way, the much better situation, like, the much better thing absolutely happened.

Like, that role was meant for Kristen clearly. Yeah. And she is, like, I can't imagine having done it, having heard what she brought to it. Right. And then I absolutely ended up where I'm supposed to be in the Disney family. Oh, yeah. Like, without question, this is the way it's supposed to be. But in the moment.

But in the moment, my heart was broken. And I didn't tell anybody for years. And then when I finally started, then I was like, no, I feel like it's my responsibility to actually own where things don't work out. Yeah. I do feel like my life's been a bit of a fairy tale. But there's a lot that, of course, like just like everybody else who has a fairytale life. Like some things sometimes suck and like that thing sucked. And I wanted to like add that to, I don't know, the admission of, you know, sometimes how things go down.

Yeah. And then I was with Josh Gadd recently. And he, right. And he gave me a copy. of his new book and he inscribed it inside to my first Anna and I was like yes I was that's so sweet like I know that he probably I didn't even articulate for him how important that was when I'd be like that was that was mine for a minute but I mean there are I'm sure there are there's so much of what you worked on that filter down it's like what the film is today I mean we all have those stories I think

of the things we, well, many actors have those stories of, like, the things that they've turned down or that they almost send themselves close to. And, you know, I think that that's, that's just part of, uh, it means you've had a meaningful career, I think. If you can have those things that are that cool, that, like, did not happen to you. That's so true. And I do feel like the more we talk about it, also, I hope it makes, I hope it's comforting for all actors that, like, there's all, for every, for every person that gets a job. I think there's all the hundreds of us who don't get the job. Yeah.

I mean, I know that I know that I was the only person that auditioned for Mitch on Modern Family and got the role. But I do know that they were modeling the character after Tony Hale. Oh, wow. Yeah. So, like, they were like, he was the prototype. And I don't think he had auditioned for it, but, like, that was, like, what they were to give. And, of course, I'm nothing like. And then, ironically, there was a year that Tony and I were both nominated against one another for the Emmys.

he won. So I was like, so you did, you got, you got, you got, you got, you got, you got, you got, you got, you got, you got, you got in your own way. Um, but yeah, it's, it's, it's always very interesting. Yeah. Yeah. Now for a quick break, but don't go away. After the break, Jennifer tells me about a very, um, uh, uh, interesting audition for the HBO series, Big Love. And she shares some fascinating showbiz ancestry. Okay, be right back. When planning for life's most important moments, sometimes the hardest part is simply knowing where to start. That's why we're here to help. When you pre-plan and prepay a celebration of life with us, every detail will be handled with simplicity and professionalism, giving you the peace of mind that you've done all you can today to remove any burden from your loved ones tomorrow.

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I'm still working. I'm still working. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. I miss the days, too, by the way, of, like, the sitting, which I never thought I would say, sitting in that audition room, like, full of other people waiting to go in and, like, have my turn. And I'm, because so much of the experience now is just digital.

Right, right. And I just feel like something is getting lost. Oh, 100%. And I do actually miss that, like, I'm now, because I'm sitting here thinking about, like, my big love screen test and like all the things that like. Right. Which I heard stuff about. I heard about your, that's a famous story, too.

Oh, yeah. I think I heard about it before I even heard of this, you tell Justin Long on his podcast. Oh my gosh. About you having a chemistry with Bill Paxton. Yeah, and they gave me a... The hand job scene. Yeah, they sure did. Which, I mean, does present you with an interesting challenge.

Like, how far are we going with this? Right. Well, I thought what was appropriate... Right. Given the fact that, like, I'm also someone who has walked away... Back in the days when everybody was asking for nudity, I was walking away from jobs. I don't know if I can legally say this, but I did walk away from Big Love over nudity,

and they came back and gave me the job anyway, which was amazing. I walked back to Big Love Over Nudity, too. And they wouldn't, right? And they wouldn't settle, so I had to let it go. And then they went to you. Well, I have to thank you because that was one of my favorite jobs ever. So I, when I got that scene,

I was like, well, clearly they want, yes, they want physical affection. And then I was very confused as to why in the auditions, in the screen, test space there were a million people in suits sitting around like a conference table and i was in a big armchair on one side of the table with a camera on me and bill was in a big armchair on the other side of the table with a camera on him and so i was like i don't know what this says about me that it didn't occur to me that maybe those were my like intended constraints but i took it as a challenge yeah

that they wanted to see how are you going to do the scene now missy yeah and so i crawled across the table and climbed in his lap and i did not touch anything but i did kiss him and i did the scene because it's a makeout scene that leads to a handjob so you're off book you did not remember holding your pages can you imagine not being off book and like holding your pages as you were crawling across the table so i still need these and i remember also absurdly deciding that i should how far can I go on your show? As far as you need to. I decided that I should just,

I was like, well, they need to see my face, but I'm supposed to be giving this hand job. So I did this whole thing where I'm sitting on his lap, and I gave him the fake hand job behind my back during the scene. So, like, he's here, and I'm here, and I'm doing the hand job. Actually, a great way to stage the...

Arm movements. Yeah. And I'm not, like, you know, going near his actual, like, parts that need respect. Like, I'm just, you know, But, so I did this, but I could see, as I turned around and I'm finishing the scene, like, you can just feel that everyone's in shock. And I was like, oh, I fucked this.

And I got up, and the next scene is a crying scene, and I have to excuse myself to go in the hall and get ready. And then I was like, oh, I just made it way worse, because now I'm making them wait. Like, I did something that I shouldn't have done, and now making them wait while I, like, get in character. And this is high maintenance. Meanwhile, they're so into it. And I'm like, now she's making this way.

We can't have a muppard. So I go back in and I do the scene and I leave and I call. I mean, it was the greatest getting a job moment other than being pregnant and thinking I was going to get fired and getting to do W2. I was leaving the, I was driving away from the garage from the actual screen test in that moment. And I called my reps and my agent picks up and I start going, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I know we worked so hard for this. And like I really, I fucked up.

I fucked up. And she's going, Jenny, Jenny, Jenny. And I'm like, no, no, no, no. I fucked it up. I fucked it up. I fucked it all up. And she goes, Jenny, just, shh. And I hear all of these voices on speakerphone. And they go, welcome to Big Love.

Was it all the people at the table that you had just left? Yeah, they all heard. Oh, my God. They also heard me spiral. Did you hear from anyone who was in that room afterwards? Were they like, oh, there was no, there was a question or like, when you did that, this is like, did you hear any like? I mean, I got a phone call from Bill Paxie. He goes, wasn't expecting that there.

I was like, I'm so sorry. He was so, I mean, obviously, like, super kind about it, but I did this play at the Vineyard Theater in New York, which is a very small, intimate space, this beautiful Christopher Shin play

that he wrote and also directed, and one of the characters had lost a leg in Vietnam, and he is in a wheelchair, and he has this very intimate scene with this girl who gives my hand job. Yes. And I don't know why,

but Chris was like determined because I guess it was such a small space. He felt like you needed to see the ejaculation. So he had, the props depart, I love like when pops apart, is it like a water gun? No, that might have been more efficient, but this was like a... How did you do this?

I don't remember exactly what the contraption was. It was something, it was like a penis, but no one was seeing that part of it. But it was something that you squeeze and like, it needed, basically what he wanted to happen. But he didn't want, like, that to go up. Okay. He wanted it on our hands.

Oh, okay. And then... I can already hear all this getting cut. But he had it on our hands, and then it's like in tech rehearsal when you finally, like, when we were working with the contraption, which also, but I love the way that, like, the props department was given this challenge. I know. I know.

I need something that's going to, like, ejaculate in our hand. So she had this on our hand. And then she was, like, in rehearsal, tech. first was like, uh, now what should I? She was still on the scene. She's like, but they haven't like figured out where to, what to do with it. He's like, I don't know, just, um, just wipe it on, on his pants.

And she was like, okay. And so she wiped it on his leg. And he goes, no, the downstage leg. And he goes, on his stump? Like, he had one leg. And she's like, Chris, it's too far. I mean, you know what? She's like, please at least to let me wipe it on the leg.

That's not. I'm with her. Oh my God. She was like, that's too much. I do think that's a, that's a bridge to. far. That's a, that's a, that's a come stump too far. I think they, I think they compromise and just, like, got some tissue or something. If it was lotion, she could have just... Right, exactly. Just, you know, moisturized. Oh, my God. Crazy. What we do for a living is bonkers. Do you ever

just, like, take a step back and you're like, this is literally what, this is what we're doing today? Ty Borrell and I would have to be sometimes separated on set because we would just, like, catch each other's eye in the middle of the scene and it would just be like a little splint and like what the glint said was like this is what we're doing for a living someone's paying us to do this and it would be like we're just playing a scene together and then you see the glint and we just start laughing at each other yeah yeah and it couldn't stop yeah like we'd get the giggles for for the entire day that's the greatest problem ever I know I know it's like giving me and also now I'm remembering like jean triple horn and Chloe seven you and me like hiding Eminem's on the set of big love

and like, like, I don't know, just the things that would get worked in that just... You three must be super close. I don't, I wish I talked to them more. I feel like, especially in the past 10 years and, like, going into mommy mode, like, I feel like I've stepped too far away in general. And also it's like, I love actors.

And I realized my husband and I went to, it was like Oscar parties at some point in the past few years. And I found myself, I was like really intimidated and I was going through like imposter syndrome stuff where I'm like, I feel great on a set. But like going into a party, like I just feel like I don't belong and especially because I feel like there really have been 10 years where I've been like, I'm mostly going to be at home and it's going to be really hard to get me out of my house. Now I'm in a different place that just kind of started in the past year where I'm like, I'm ready to like really go back to work. Yeah. But I remember going to these parties a couple of years ago and discuss.

this intimidation with my husband and he looked at me and he goes you do realize we were looking around like the vanity fair party or something and he goes this is like a high school reunion for you and i was like wait i've worked with like yeah and i love these people and also probably we're all now in the same place where we're like can i keep paying this mortgage and like what is the right next step for this like next phase of my life and like where is this balance with me raising kids versus going, you know, having this be what I'm doing with my evening and like, maybe we're all just in the same boat and, I don't know, it was so free in. So many, you're not the first person who has told me, the first person in this industry has told

me that you feel that same way around those parties. Almost everyone I talk to has the same feeling about these parties. Wait, I'm so glad I'm saying this though, because I did not know that. Like everyone from like Alison Janney to like Elizabeth Banks, although Elizabeth Banks is so fucking good at it. I was like, you work the room, like, no one else I've ever seen, and you're good at it, and you're interesting, and people want to be in your company. Oh, yeah. But, like, so many people I know have, like, deep insecurity around it. I mean, it's also crazy because, like, I was thinking about, as I was, like, kind of lining up, like, all the stuff you've done, and I was like, I feel like all the movies I see Jennifer in, she's always in, like, this insane

cast. I'm an insane cast. Not, like, in all the film, Mona Lisa Smile, Julia Roberts, It's Kristen Dunst and Julia Stiles and Maggie Gyllenhaal and all of, yeah, no, it's bonkers. Lily Raid. Yeah. Lily Rae. And then like, you know, you. Kristen Ritter was in that, by the way. Kristen Ritter.

I mean, insane. Yeah. And then, you know, he's just not that into you. It's like Scarlett Johansson. Yeah. And who played opposite of you? Jennifer Connolly, Jennifer Anniston. I mean, it's so, come on, Bradley Cooper.

It's like crazy. The Affleck was in it. The Affleck. And then... Drew Barrymore. Drew Barrymore. Yeah. I mean, so I can imagine, like, it's interesting that you said that about, like, being insecure about these rooms because you think about the people you've worked with.

Yes. And it's such A-less people. And, you know, you're part of that community and you are so... You've earned your place amongst those people. Rightfully sell you. I mean, you're so brilliant in all these things you've done. And Justin and I went to one of those parties. And Emma Stone was one of the years,

Emma Stone was nominated for Lolloland. And I never met Emma Stone, big fan of hers. We had just seen her in Cabaret on Broadway. And she was unbelievable. Oh, yeah. So I go up to her and I was like, oh my, I'm so sorry. I'm Jesse, we've never met. She was so lovely.

And I was like, but we saw you in Cabaret. And she just like got the biggest smile. And it was like we were talking about something that wasn't Lola Land. And, like, she was like, this is so refreshing. And I had a love, really love the conversation with her for about four and a half minutes. And around the four and a half minute mark, I thought, I'm taking up too much of her time. She wants to be talking to other people. And, like, I basically extracted myself from the conversation.

And Justin was like, Justin's not in the business. He's a lawyer. And he was like, why did you just, like, act so weird? Like, I was like, I don't know. I felt like it was taking up too much of her time. It makes me feel better. And he's like, she was enjoying talking to you. I was like, I know.

And then I felt bad. And then I was like, should I go back? I was like, no, the moment's gone. Maybe she feels that same way. Or maybe she's like, why did he, like, abandon me? And maybe we all are in the same boat, but it's hard to, yeah, I feel like it's such a, so I do feel like, I'm like, you know, not, you know, not also, yeah, kept up relationships in the way that I wish I had because I think that in that way, yeah, I think that it would make that make, make me feel selfishly less, less of an imposter. Yeah, yeah. But yeah, when I'm on the set, I'm like, I'm fine.

Same. Interesting. Yeah. I don't know if you ever talk about this, but you mentioned at one point, I don't remember where I heard this, but you kind of come from a legacy of acting. Is this right? Oh, I do. I do. Do you ever talk about that? I mean, I think you said something about a great aunt who was very, very famous. And you didn't give me a name. And I was like, is it Ava Gardner?

No, I don't know. No, vaudeville famous. Bodville famous. That's so cool. So she was a pretty, I guess, very very. successful vaudeville actress so I didn't know that my family had any show business history like at all and by the way I grew up in like a super tight-knit family wait what are your parents soon my dad was in the music business my mother

was actually in technology and education but when I was I think when it was undeniable that I was I mean my family was very like follow your dreams but when it was undeniable that I was going to go to college for acting and not, you know, there was no backup plan. Suddenly my grandmother started talking about her dad and her aunt. And her dad had been one of the, he was like, he ran variety, right? And his, he had a brother who was a manager and his sister was this enormously famous vaudeville actress.

And the way this came up, she had shown me like a book of television. Rams that she had gotten for her wedding on her wedding day. I'm going through and I'm like, Grima, this is from Bob Hood, or like, this is from the Gershman's, or like this is from, I mean, like, Eddie Cantor, or this is from, I was like, I don't understand why you have this. And she was like, well, they're all my godfathers. And I was like, what are you talking about? And she was like, well, we, they would like come to the house and like, bounce.

me on their knee and da-da-da-dan and grew up with them being like very much part of our wife and I was like, but why have you never mentioned it? And she said habit. And I was like, explain the habit. And she was like, well, my family all immigrated from Eastern Europe were Jews. And like, this was not something that, like, we were othered. She didn't use othered because that wasn't a word. Right. But she was like, so we kept her heads down and they would come to the house. So our relationship generally was, because I guess this was before like a real embracing of like the Jewish community in Hollywood and the real building up of like Hollywood on this coast. Right. Um, this was extremely early 1900s. Um, and she was like, so, you know, I grew up with

them around the house, but like it's just habit that I don't talk about it. Anyway, I'm in college, I'm in college at Boston University and, uh, Gregory Peck is coming to do a speech, like a, they're filming him giving a talk at the local theater. Incredible. And grandma finds out about it. And she says, I have a letter for Gregory. I'd like you to take. I'm like, what are you talking about? She's like, I have this letter and what she does. So she faxes me and I have to go find a fax machine. She faxes, you know, like the 90s. So I go and I find, she faxes me a letter, which is still have, and I take it to the theater box office and I'm like, I know this is crazy. But my grandmother apparently wants Gregory Peck to have this letter. And the girl at the box

office said, never going to get to him. So here's what I want you to do. I want you to come tonight to the show, there's going to be a Q&A at the end. Just, Godspeed, raise your hand. It's the only way that I can ensure that, like, there will be something communicated about this center. So I go by myself to the theater, and I sit through this incredible talk. This is winter in college. Yeah. Sit through an incredible talk at the Huntington Theater in Boston. And at the very end, I happened to get called on for one of the Q&As, and I stand up and I say, my great grandfather, his name was Hell Halper. And he goes, can you come backstage? And I was um sure and he goes just sit down and at the end security is going to come get you

and want to talk to you and i was like okay and lo and behold security comes gets me and takes me backstage and i give him the letter from my grandmother and it's a thank you letter for speaking so kindly at her father's funeral back in like that i don't know when maybe the 50s and gregory peck said i have to credit your great-grandfather with like really like using his journalistic connections and where he got me placement and variety like he said he was a champion of young talent

and like he didn't call himself talent he called himself an actor or whatever but he said you know he's a real champion of young actors and I feel like I would not have gotten the start that I got if I hadn't had and that's why I was speaking at his funeral and I was like really? Oh my God. Isn't that crazy?

What's astonishing about all this? is that you didn't know anything about all that. Nothing, nothing. And my family had other experiences over the years. Like, at one point, Bob Hope was giving a speech somewhere. And I think even, like, my mom and her siblings were, like, what are the chances this really is like, you know what I mean? And they, like, sent a note inside.

And Bob Hope comes running outside to, like, he's like, you're a nan and house family. And they're like... Great, grandfather was someone so important to them. And that weird? By the way, we don't even... But also, something along the way, like, we don't even own a typewriter from, or, like,

anything with letterhead from Variety. I'm like, I don't know how this got messed up. But, like, I used to tease the people at Variety now. And I'd be like, does this, like, don't you think that this should get me some special? And they're like, you know, dream on. I mean, they're so kind. So it's fine.

I know what you do on, like, one of those, like, round tables, variety round tables. Like, that is absolutely something you're going to have to talk about. That is absolutely, I love that. Yeah. How cool. Thank you so much for doing this. Thank you for having me.

Like, I forgot that we were recording it and filming it and all the things. That's the way it should be. Yeah. I really appreciate you doing this. I know, I was, I was realizing it's like, God, Jennifer doesn't do a lot of, like, long-form podcast. I feel so honored. No, no, this is such a joy. This episode of Dinners on Me was recorded at John and Venny's in Studio City, California. Next week on Dinner's on Me, you know him from the TV show's Generation and The Get Down,

and movies such as I Saw the TV Glow and Detective Pikachu, it's Justice Smith. We'll get into growing up queer in Orange County and working along stars like Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson and the new Ruben Fleischer movie, Now You See Me, Now You Don't. And if you don't want to wait until next week to listen, you can download that episode right now

by subscribing to Dinner's On Me Plus. As a subscriber, not only do you get access to new episodes one week early, you'll also be able to listen completely ad-free. Just click try free at the top of the Dinner's On Me show page on Apple Podcasts to start your free trial today. Dinner's On Me is a production of Sony music entertainment and a kid named Beckett Productions.

It's hosted by me, Jesse Tyler Ferguson. It's executive produced by me and Jonathan Hirsch. Our showrunner is Joanna Clay. Our associate producer is Alyssa Midcalf. Sam Bear engineered this episode. Hans Dale She composed our theme music. Our head of production is Sammy Allison. Special thanks to Tamika Balance Kalasni and Justin Makita.

I'm Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Join me next week.