Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum - What We Do in the Shadows’ HARVEY GUILLEN: Butterflies Are Beautiful

Episode Date: October 11, 2022

Harvey Guillen (What We Do in the Shadows) joins us this week to share his journey going from growing up in poverty, collecting cans to fund his pursuit of acting, to landing a hit role in What We Do in the Shadows. Harvey talks about the love and support he received from his family during this pursuit and talks about what it was like coming out to his mother who already had her suspicions. Such a packed episode this week. We also talk about his Metro PCS ads being the pinnacle of his success to his family, what it’s like having half of the WWDITS episodes improved, and how ‘strikes’ against him early in his career are now his strengths in this industry. Thank you to our Sponsors: ❤️ Betterhelp: https://betterhelp.com/insde 🛍️ Shopify: https://shopify.com/inside 🧑‍🦲 Freedom Grooming: https://freedomgrooming.com/inside 🦎 Geico: https://geico.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You're listening to Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum. Thank you for listening again, joining us. You know, Ryan, welcome, welcome. Good to see you. Oh, thank you. Yeah. No, I got to be here. You know, I never listen to the episodes.

I never, ever, ever do. But I listened to the Pete Holmes episode. Yeah. And I actually enjoyed it. Yeah, it was good time, right? Yeah, I actually enjoyed it. I was like, hey, this was a fun interview. I wasn't like completely turned off by my voice, which was nice.

I thought I was going to be like, oh, God, shut the F up. but I really enjoyed it and I hope you're enjoying the podcast if you're here for Harvey Gian I hope that if you like the podcast all I ask you is if you can subscribe write a review it really helps the podcast so hey

we're the little podcast that could our socials if you want to follow us which are important are Ryan at Insight of you pod on Twitter at inside of you podcast on Instagram and Facebook that's true I just pick my nose a little bit oh nice I also want to support some things that I'd love

the animal rescue mission rescues rehabs and finds forever homes for abused and neglected animals go to the animal rescue mission.org tell shira rosembaum says hello also food on foot org for the homeless situation in los angeles which is terrible and you could help them out and donate or the echoes of hope uh dot org i think echoesof hope dot org for the foster youth helping foster youth all over los angeles and that truly helps three great companies three great organizations nonprofits if you will um so i'll say that also if you want to join patreon join patreon and support the show without patron i don't think the show would be going so go to patreon.com slash inside of you and i'll message you back if you become a uh a patron and uh that's pretty much it um i i stood

the top tiers i send boxes of merch with a little note uh you get your name read off at the end of every show. There's YouTube lives with me, Q&As. There's like a lot of great stuff, bonus episodes. So go to patreon.com slash inside of you. And of course, the inside of you online store, tons of awesome merch and small those stuff and autographs and tumblers and check it out the inside of you online store. Today's guest Harvey Gehan from another great one. Oh, man. He is such a great guy. What we do in the shadows. If you haven't seen the show, we really, it was an emotional journey. It was this great story about him and his mom and, you know, him coming out and how hard that was. And, you know, it's, it's nice to hear people open up because there's a lot of people listening that probably have dealt with similar situations.

He's just a great soul. I loved having him here. And we talk really about everything. And so why don't we just get to it? Why don't we get inside of Harvey Geann? It's my point of you. You're listening to inside of you with my question. Michael Rosenbaum.

Inside of you with Michael Rosenbaum was not recorded in front of a live studio audience. You're commenting on all my toys and my gadgets and my posters and my bobbleheads. I like it. I love going to like spaces and scene. I like when a place looks like there's a story. So I feel like there's a story to all the pieces here. So there's a conversation to be had. They're my friends.

They're my friends. My doodles are my friends. I actually made a little short film with some friends that was called Gild. It's about a giant child. And he doesn't stop growing. And the parents are played by kids. And I play the Gild. And you can find it.

But it's a cool little fairy tale short. But he just never, you know, he grows up too fast. He gets too big too fast. He's eight years old and he's a giant. Right. And it was really fun. It was really a, I don't know why I told you that. I like that.

Where's this poster? You should have a poster for it. Should I have the Gile? I do have a Gile poster somewhere. I just didn't put it up. Are you a horror movie fan? Yeah, I like horror. I like slasher, thrillers.

Yeah, I like it. I like it. Puppets. Yeah. Is that Freddy Krueger's hand? That's Freddie Krueger's hand. See, if people are listening, they're going to probably go back and watch it because they want to,

although they won't see it. They wouldn't see Freddie Kruger's hand. You can just see my facial expression and seeing everything I'm seeing. Yeah, that's true. Yeah. So where do we meet? Where do we meet? I think we met at a con, Comic Con.

Do we meet at a con? Yeah, I think we met a con. No, wait. We officially met. Oh, no. You can't say, can't say. I was on a date. With a friend of mine.

With a friend of yours. Right. And it was actually, it was cool because it was the first date, but it was to see you in your show. What do you mean? For me, my stand-up? Yeah, you were opening or doing something. something, your buddies with them. And they had a set. And then I met you that day by association, but it was like the date and like it was meeting you. And then we went to like Barney's Beanery

afterwards. Yeah. And it was a, but yeah, so we kind of met that way, like a soft meat, soft meat. Was it uncomfortable? Was it a, what is it? Was it a fun day? You were lovely. You were great. No, it was, it was, it was, it was just not what I thought it would be. What did you think it would be? Like dinner and a movie? I thought so. It was like dinner in a movie or something. thing, and it was like, yeah, I was saying, I'm going to see, which, by the way, we're not saying who this person, but they're wonderful, wonderful person, lovely, lovely comedian, and it's just, yeah, so it's just like, that's how we met. That's how we met. And then kind of through, like, you know, the Comic-Con circuit. How do you like the Comic-Con? I like them. I think

I'm the only one of my cast who likes them. I just, I don't know, I think for so long, you know, I grew up in L.A. and going to Comic-Con, San Diego was so expensive. And you put, like, all your effort into going and you really wanted to see those actors or whoever you idolized at those events. So you would go as a fan? I couldn't go. I was so poor. I couldn't afford to. Really? But you wanted to? But I wanted to. You were, okay. And then now with the opportunity to go to the cons and when people, when I don't go to a certain con, people let me know on social, I was like, why didn't you go? That's, that's the only because that's as far, you know, some cons are like regional. So that's as far as someone can drive. That's as far as they're allowed

to, can afford to travel. Right. So they can only travel one state over or. or whatever. So it breaks my heart when I hear stories of people who can't come to San Diego Comic-Con so far away. Or they can only go to the Comic-Con in Ohio. And it's like, I drove eight hours to go to the con. Please go to that con. So I try to make as many cons as I can just if my schedule allows it. It's usually in the weekends. And so I don't have a lot of weekends off. But like, when I can, I'll try to go to them. Who would you have wanted to see if you had money, if your family had money to go to a San Diego Comic-Con or a Comic-Con? What actors would you be like, Oh, I got to meet them.

I got to get a picture with them. I mean, like, the first Spider-Man, you know? So I was like, Toby, you know? Like, you're a big Toby McGuire thing. Well, I was at the time. I mean, yeah, he's great. Like, I'm just at that time. I was so like, oh, my gosh, you know, Spider-Man.

And it came out of my birthday. I remember it was, yeah. And I was in school and I came on my birthday. And May 3rd was the premiere of the movie. And I was like, oh, my gosh, on my birthday. So I was a big Spider-Man fan. How old were you? Oh, my God, I don't remember.

I mean, cleared by the way. What year was this? This was, what year did the first one come out? 2002. So it was 20 years ago, so you were 11, 12. I was a baby. And the fact that I wanted to meet them so bad because, well, it was, you know, when you look at screen and you look at movies and you're like, it's so aspirational,

like, wow, Hollywood, glamour, you know, movie star. But then again, like, you know, you never know where life is going to take you because now it's like, now that I get to go to the cons, I don't want to be that actor who didn't go to that one con and made someone's like dreamt it in country you know what I mean what about when you go to the cons now are there other actors there that you're like oh my gosh so-and-so's there yeah I mean the first time I met William Shatner was at a con and that was really funny was he nice he was really nice he's really like I mean he the guy is 90 or 91 years old or something he's 91 and he's still going to those contacts we saw him at the last one in Raleigh yeah and I was

like wow so I got to give it to him he's like I mean 91 you know doing that. Yeah, why do you think he wants to keep doing that at 91? I don't know. To keep going maybe to keep busy. I don't know. I can't speak for him, but like, I don't know if, I don't think he needs like any kind of more money or recognition. You know, like, it's like he's legacy established. I think it's more maybe I would hope that it is, I think for me it would be to connect with the fans, like to be like there must be someone out there who hasn't told them how they changed their life, how they made them feel, how they were a part of their childhood. So it must be somebody. You really think that's it. I don't know about Bill Shatner. Look, I had a great conversation with him one weekend, and he was really sweet. Maybe it's money for his family to give them after. That's true. You know, because I know Stan, um, Stan Lee, Stan Lee, yes.

God bless. Stan, I was thinking Stan Winston for a second, but Stan Lee did the same thing. He would do cons up until the very end. And I kept thinking, why? Why? But maybe he liked it. He loved the fans. He loved, they helped him create his world.

Yeah. And he did it for them. And so there's this, this symbiotic sort of relationship. I don't know. Yeah, I think so. I would hope that it's that. Maybe it is money. Maybe it's money that, you know, people have bills to pay and family support. Yeah. But I met him through Khan. What was another one? I just met the original Red Power Ranger. Were you excited about that? Yeah, because, I mean, again, that's like my childhood. You know what I mean? Wow. Yeah, I didn't watch the Power Rangers when I was a kid. I just did. I, you know, wow. It was all coming to get, like it was, and then also the fact that some of these, you know, actors and celebrities and whatnot were coming up to me and saying like, oh my gosh, I love your show. And I was like, blah, blah, blah. Isn't that cool? Isn't that cool? And your fellow peers come up to you and they're like, you're great. And I saw you, by the way, at Easter Sunday, Joe Coy's new movie at the premiere. I was like, Joe was asking me to post stuff. And I didn't get an invite to the premiere, but he wanted me to post shit. Fuck you, Joe Coy. I have. a stepmom that's Filipino. He's wonderful. I just met him. I love him.

Not so long ago. And it's so great what he's doing, obviously, with the movie and for the Filipino community. And it's the first of its kind, you know, so I definitely have to support. And it's like one feather on one of our hats is a feather and all our hats, you know, especially being PLC. Yeah. Yeah. That's awesome. Yeah.

So look, you've done a lot of stuff. I mean, I'm looking at your resume. It's not like you've done thousands of things. You're still building your career. what we do in the shadows was the biggest thing you've done, right? It was like I had done a bunch of stuff and then also in Smallville and that was the biggest thing I had done. Well, first of all, let's go back, back in time.

Were you raised by your mom and dad together? Yeah. So my mom, it was me and my mom for the first six years of my life. So she was a single mom working like three jobs, just keeping a roof over our heads. And then when I was six, she met my stepdad. And my stepdad was the most wonderful dad. Like, I call him, my dad, I don't call him my stepdad, because he raised me, you know. Is he still with us?

No, he passed away like five years ago. Oh, how hard was that? That was tough because he was such, he was the first person to encourage me to do acting. Really? My mom was very traditional, was wonderful in a traditional Mexican mother sense, whereas she's like, you have to be, you know, an abogado or a doctor, like a lawyer or a doctor. And I was like, why are those always a two professions? Like it's like, why are the hardest professions, the ones that you choose? Yeah, the choose.

It's, I think, because she wants, you know, she's sacrificed. a lot to, you know, come to this country and, and for her offspring to choose, and I would be an actor. And it's like, well, you know, that's not the most stable, because it isn't. Did you feel a responsibility almost to her to pursue those things? No, and I don't know a way, because I've always been stubborn. And I was always like, when she would tell me, like, you know, she never said I couldn't do it. She just discouraged me to do it. She said, because when I fell in love with acting, I saw Annie for the first time on television. Yeah, I read that. Yeah. And I was watching this, I thought it was a movie.

movie or a TV show I didn't know it was a movie so we didn't go to the movie theaters that was rich people did that like it was a movie wow so you were really poor we were really more yeah and I was like I thought this was a new TV show during my Christmas break so I couldn't understand what the episodes were so back to back and they're just cohesive yeah they're like wow this is really well edited the commercial breaks are seamless like there's a commercial break and it comes back where I picked up I was like this is good that's good writing wow it's really good fucking writing and um I told my mom I fell in love with it because these kids were poor dancing and singing and I was like oh my gosh mom I want to be

that when I grow up I want to be an orphan and she looked at me weird and she said loco and she's like he crazy I was like well want to be an orphan and she was like no son actors or actor I'm an actor I'm an actor I'm so you meant it I want to be an actor I don't want to be an orphan I don't want you a dad to leave me and literally I was just like so I told her how do I become an actor and she said that's for rich kids and I was like you got to be rich to play poor on television makes no and then she goes no i mean they take acting classes dancing and voice and all that and we don't have money for that and i was like so i was kind of discouraged then but she saw it in my face and she said i didn't say you couldn't do it i said that we can't pay for that

but if you find your way miko you can do whatever you want you can do whatever you want what's that mean if you find your own way no miko uh my son like my son oh okay uh a nice word saying true and dear like son like son um you can do whatever you want and i said okay fine because i'm six years old and I know what to do with my life. And we were walking home from school one day and I found out that at the local community center they're doing like an improv class. And there was like $12.50. And how old are you?

This is six. You're six years old? And my fellow Thesbian at school because we would reenact the Disney Channel thing with the wand. Right. And you'd be like, hi, I'm Harvey Keene. You're watching Disney Channel. Minds would never look good.

Like, I think you can edit this and maybe it gets whatever I'm drawing because it does not look like anything. So we were practicing. We thought if we got on Disney Channel, you could be an actor. So that was our ticket in. So we're like, we're going to be on Disney Channel. We just have to take acting classes. And then she found out there was an acting class at a local community center.

And it was $12.50 for improv class. So I had $0.15. $0.12. $0.00. And I was just like, I went to my mom and I was like, can I have the money? She was like, no. I said, we have the money for that. And I was like, she went to her parents and they gave her 20.

And I was like, so it started teaching me like the gap of like, you know, generational wealth. where I was like my mom was struggling just to keep us, you know, alive and how lucky was that my friend could go to her parents, you know, who were already paid off with their mortgage already, you know what I mean? Or like, whatever, had a well education degree job, whatnot. And so I was like, I don't understand the difference here. And so I was like, I had to find other way. I have to get that money. And so we're walking home from school one day and we walked by a park. And this homeless man was going through a trash can. And I was like, mom, that's so gross. Why is he doing that? And you said, oh, vende los Botes. which means he sells the cans. And I was like, you make money off of trash. And so I went into a closet, got a wire hanger, unhooked into a long finger, got a food for less plastic bag, and collected bottles and cans. And that's how I paid for my first improv class. Wow.

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in the survey so they know I sent you. Don't wait. Download the Rocket Money app today and tell them you heard about them from my show inside of you with Michael Rosenbaum. Rocket money. I mean, that's a lot of bottles. You're telling me, I went after two weeks and I thought I had plenty of bottles

because I hadn't worked out the system about squishing the aluminum can, so I leave it in whole, like its whole entirety into the bag. Hadn't caught up yet. I didn't know the skills of collecting cans. So I collected so many bags, and I thought the bags themselves would be money. You know, gold, gold in them hills.

And I went to the Food for Lest and behind the alley, gave all of these bags, all these bags, And the first round was like $5.40 or something like that. And I was like, no. And it took me two weeks to earn these. So I went back to the parks. I crashed canceñaas. I poured out to have drink beer bottles and people got mad at me.

And ran and like totally like hijacked because I needed to pay for this. And finally got the money. I took the class. Class was like an hour and a half. It was babysitting because they divided us from six to like nine year olds. Right. And then like 10 to like probably 14 or 15. The older kids got like actual assignments.

Like they were like, okay, guys. improv but like let's make it fun and blah blah and the little kids were just walking around all together in a group and they were just like now you're a lion okay now you're a tiger now you're a bear like all kinds of animals and you're just acting it out and for some reason whatever I was doing was making everyone laugh and I was just like there was this crackle to like performing that I never felt before and I still feel it to this day but it was that was the first day I felt it like I was like whoa people are having fun and I'm making them laugh and I I can give them a good experience and so entertaining was like what I knew I wanted to do from that day off.

Right from the first improv class you took. You could tell the reception of what you were doing was something fun, something good. You felt good doing it. And you went back home to your mother and you said, mom. Yeah. I want to do this again. I want to be an orphan.

More bottles? More bottles? Yeah, I kept doing it. And it's so funny because whenever someone says like recently with shadows, they're like, oh my God, what an overnight success, you know? And I was like, for me, it's been a journey. you know. So no one sees the ups and downs or the collecting cans in your six. And I did that for a while. And after a while, I had to get smart to making money quicker. And so I remember when I was little, I was like seven or eight. I would help my stepdad. At that point, my mom had remarried and got with my stepdad. And I would help with this construction company. So in my summers, I go and like just haul like bricks over to where they were working. That's seven years old. Seven and eight. Yeah. And like it wasn't like, you know, huge manual labor. He wouldn't let me do like the big stuff. It was just like move that, you know, know three blocks or three bricks of whatever over there which is totally how much what do you pay you

he paid me like at the end of the day i was paying me like 20 bucks or something like that which was enough for a class that's pretty good one day one day in the summer to get 20 bucks in the other day it's pretty good and so and he knew that's what it was feeding like he knew that like he was kind of you know financing that like passion of mine because eventually i heard that there was like a robber power or whatever at the mall kind of thing scenario where they're like you want to be on Disney Channel, then come on down to the mall and sign up for Robert Power. It was like, you know, and I don't know it was specifically that. So if you're listening to Robert Powers, don't get mad at me.

But it was one of those things where it was like, come to the mall. And if you want to be an actor, we're looking for young actors. And it was a scam. It was like they charge you $500 for headshots. And that's what you got to get done. You never went past that. Like they just charged and they gave you your headshots. I'm like, here you go.

But the headshots cost like 50 bucks to take and they pocket 450. And they disappear. They disappear. But I never did the program because my, I wanted to do it so bad. my mom was like no no no something's wrong with like it sounds weird no mom if you just pay for it they just they put you on disney i was so convinced and that's why they get their clientele they get the kids to get excited and get their parents and then my mom said no but my dad saw how heartbroken it was he was like way in the car i'll take you in a bit and so he like stalled and like i went in the car

he took me to the thing and after listening to this lady sell me on this i knew it was a scam as a child like i was only like eight and i was like okay but when do we start filming I was like asking questions and she was like well you don't start filming hon till you get your picture so if your dad just gives us a $500 right now and I was like no I literally told my dad really yeah I was like no

and I was like so I have to take pictures but just pictures alone are gonna cost $100 and she was like why don't you let your dad pay for that and I was like I was always good at picking up like people's I don't know like I could tell if you're a good person or a bad person off the bad their energy their energy I'm really big on energy

yeah to this day I go off energy a lot so something felt wrong and my dad loved him so much like he was about to pay the 500 and I was like no and I stopped my dad from paying because I knew I would never forgive myself if he paid $500 for this scam which I knew it was a scam already so he walked out of there and I was like dad and I was like no I was like no no it's the right of that like it's not real and he's oh okay because my dad was just going to pay for whatever I want you know what I mean and it was really sweet and like I remember that day I was like oh my gosh she believes in me like he wants me to do this and it was like the encouragement would cut to you know doing a movie in Canada was my first time in Canada he fell ill

how old were you this was not the long ago this one like five years ago oh wow and uh I was doing a film there and my dad fell ill because he'd been smoker his whole life and he was in the hospital but my mom didn't tell me because he didn't want to bother me at work and so he'd been in the hospital for like a month and so I would call and like say how you doing he would like pretend that he was okay and then I got back home and literally it was heartbreaking before I got there my mom was like just let you know he's been in the hospital. I was like, Mom, why don't you should tell me? He's like, because he didn't want you to fly back home and worry about it.

And I was like, okay, that's ridiculous. I would have left that movie. It was like, stupid movie. You know what I mean? And I just like got back and went to the hospital. It was like July, I think second. And I saw him in the hospital. I was like, oh, yeah, they put me on all this stuff.

It's fine. I'm going to be fine. I was like, okay, dad. And I was like, okay, well, see tomorrow. I was like, okay. And then he passed away that night. And I was just like, he waited until I got home to say goodbye. And I was just like, and he was, he was the best dad.

And so I miss entirely. But he totally believed in me. So I hope he's really proud of the work that I've done. Isn't that most of it when someone that you love and look up to supports you and what you want to do and gives you unconditional love and says if that's what you want? I mean, there's nothing better. No, it really does make a huge difference, you know. It does. I get it with the parents, you know, who have to be cautious and want to give them like a realistic.

But it doesn't hurt to kind of like, you know, always encourage whatever that dream is. Because you'd rather be happy doing what you love or at least try to do what you love. And if you don't succeed, at least you tried. You know, you could always say, I tried it. And it wasn't for me. I tried it. It was hard, especially in this business. This business has so many, you know, peaks and valleys that it's like, it's hard to encourage anyone to get into this business.

Because there really is. I always tell people, no. Stay away. If you can find anything else, anything else you love just as much, do that. anything else with stability but because you love doing this so much and we wouldn't be doing it if we didn't love it so much you know and be willing to put up with those valleys because the peaks are so great how is your mom done without your father she's she you know it's tougher a bit obviously um but she's done okay and we have her whole family that live uh next door to her so she always has

support and my nieces and my brothers and my sister are nearby all the time uh in fact i'm to see her tomorrow. But yeah, it's so weird to think because now looking at her, look at the result of me wanting to be an actor, the highlight for her was when I was the spokesperson in Metro PCS in Spanish. And this was like early in my career. She would tell everyone about those commercials. Like she, I come over and she'd be having like coffee with like the neighbors and she's like, oh, it's my son from Metro PCS. That's my son from Metro PCS. And I was like, oh, it's okay. You don't have to announce it every time I come home. He's like, it's my cool. The Metro PICES, you know? She loved it. She loved it because it was Spanish. She understood it.

And it was like commercials are a huge thing in the Spanish market. So to be in a commercial that repeats itself every commercial break and you're on everyone's screen, I would go to restaurants in L.A. and like be hanging out with like, you know, someone in the back and like the chef or like the runners would be like, hey, Demetro Pisi, you know what I mean? And they'd be like, oh my God, you watch it. Like, you would be famous and Spanish speaking environment because of the commercial. And then you step out into an English-speaking environment, no one knew who you were. Wow. You walk out and you'd be like, okay, see you guys later. I'm like, the Metro PCS. And then someone would be like, excuse me, sir. You know, it's like, are you the valet? And I was like, what? No, what are you

know? What? No. And it's just like, so it's, it's funny to see that because for my mom, I've hit the pinnacle of like success with Metro PCS. Nothing will ever top that. Like, she constantly reminds me. She's like, oh, the Metro PCS. Still to this day. To this day, she asked me if I'm doing more commercials in Metro PCS. And I was like, mom, I'm in a hit show, blah, blah. She was like, oh, but metropisieres, yeah no. And I was like, no, no more metropisias. Okay. Like, so, like, I can see the disappointment on her face through you.

Yes, it's literally every time I see her. Like, I've, like, you know, gone accolated and won, you know, awards and stuff. And I'm like, Mom, I won a glad award, which is like, you know, great. And blah, oh, que bono, but metropicires. Metropisias. inside of you is brought to you by rocket money if you want to save money then listen to me because i use this ryan uses so many people use rocket money it's a personal finance app that helps find and cancel your unwanted subscriptions crazy right how cool is that monitors you're spending and helps

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Light the path to a brighter future with stellar lenses for myopia control. Learn more at SLR.com and ask your family eye care professional for SLR Stellist lenses at your child's next visit. Did you, do you remember when you came out to your mother? Yes, I came out when she kept insisting that my child's, friend was my best friend to this day. Adriana was so pretty. She's like, Adriana's very pretty. She is really pretty. Yeah. Unbeknownst to my mother, Adriana is queer. She's a lesbian. And I was like, yeah, she's really beautiful. And she's like, but don't think so. She has no boyfriend. I was like, no, no, she doesn't. And it's not my place to tell. And how old were you at this point? This was high

school. High school. This high school. This is like sophomore in high school, maybe junior. And my mom always knew, but she never officially had an answer or a sentence or a quote for me to validate what her hunch was. And so it was weird because I knew she knew. How did you know she knew? I think a mother always knows. You know, like, I think it's just like, and I think me singing show tunes, you know, at our, at our gatherings. That's true. And I don't want to like, you know, categorize, you know, people who sing show tunes. But like, I think I was always free in my being that Like, I thought she knew because I was always accused of it by others. Was that hard?

It was hard because she always would have to put up with that. Like, you know, one of my traumatic memories of knowing that I was different and knowing that it was because I was queer was because I was in Mexico with my tonka truck, which I like playing with tonka trucks, very manly, very boy. Yeah. But also had dolls. And so you had dolls and you had tonka trucks. And then people are like, what's going on here, you know?

And it's just like, playing with my tonka track. Oh, so play with my doll. You know, and just like, um, boys don't play with, like, I remember having a conversation with, like, the local kids where my grandma's, like, you know, ranch thing was. And it was like, they could tell that I was just myself. And for some reason, that was threatening. And it was weird because it was different. And I just always love playing and make believe. And so I remember, like, I was trying to play trucks with these boys. And then, like, we can't play trucks with you because my brother says you're a mariposa. What's that mean? My brother says you're a butterfly, which is a drugatory way. of saying you're gay. And I was like, and that, I didn't understand it. And I was like, Mariposa, I was like, they're beautiful. What's wrong with them?

I didn't know what the negative connotation to Mariposa was at that age. Right. It was pretty young. And so they were saying it over and over. And I was like, what do you? What? And then I knew it was bad. I knew it was bad because I felt it.

And I felt that it felt bad to be this because you don't like it and you don't like me being this. And it was like, they kept chanting it. Mariposa, mariposa, mariposa. And I was. like, why don't want to play with you anyways? And I grabbed my tonka truck and I walked away and they kept chanting it over and then I felt something fly at the side of my ear. And then I turn around and it just like rocks flying towards me and one of them hit me right here where I have

the scar. And I just remember like a gash my face and just blood gushing over my face. And I just remember crying and running with my truck and I dropped my truck. And they kept chanting the word and I was just covered in dirt because I found the dirt. Now it's dirt and mud on my face. Or like became like mud with the blood and the sand. And there's just like, dirt all over, running to my mom, screaming. I was like, they call my mariposa. And she said, who said, blah, who did you care of a mariposa? And I was like, Dei said it's mariposa.

And my mom just looked at me. And then she said, What's what, what do they say? Mariposa, and the mariposa, like, who cares that? They call the butterfly. Butterflies are beautiful. And I just remember thinking it was okay, but I know she was making me feel better.

Wow. She was making me feel better about what I was. So I knew she knew at that moment, even that age, because she'd always protected me from people like that. Because I grew up in a very machismo, you know, environment and culture. Unfortunately, our culture is very machismo, you know, and it was heartbreaking because I knew that she was fighting the fight for me. But it was like, I think that moment when I came out, it was more to tell her officially. Like, she kept hinting it. She just wanted

me to say it. And she basically is like, yeah, she's really pretty. No, she has been a novi or no. It's like, maybe you can be her boyfriend. I was like, mom, you know, I'm queer, right? And she goes, I don't care as long as you're happy. She just wanted to hear it. She just wanted to hear I think for her sake. So we can actually put that to rest. But I think it went without saying because for so many years, she kind of protected me from it. You know what I mean? Right.

So I think it was more for like, let's just close that chapter. We know it and we said it. It's done as opposed to like Teter T, because I would bring so many girls home. They're all your friends. Yeah. And she would always be, I think she got, I think at some point she got confused. She was like, or she had confused that I could be by. You know what I mean?

Like it was just like, so, you know, when I told her, I was like, yeah. I was like, I bring girls home. Like, it wasn't like I was bringing them home to, like, you know, take them my room and, like, do stuff. It was just like, I think she couldn't understand. Like, she was like, what? What's going on? Or I go on weekend trips, you know? And some would be with, like, girls and some of the guy.

And she's like, what's going on? You know, it's like, what's going on here? So I think it was more to like a safety thing, too, you know? Has she met any of your boyfriends? Yeah, she has. She's met all of them, actually. Yeah, she's met all of them. Those are one in particular she really liked and she was sad to see go.

yes there was um it was one that was particularly hard for her because they were very nice i don't even want to put them on the spotlight but there was someone who was like very lovely and then those others that she did not care for and she made it very clear and she was she right in the long run i think she was right yeah she was right all along her instincts were right lincers were from good and bad right her instincts were good uh things didn't work out with the one that she liked but that was more personal thing for me you know just like i just don't feel it and you know And it's just like, can't you make it feel it? And it's like, I just don't, you know.

But yeah, she's met all of them. Do you think you'd like to get married someday? I don't know. I think I like the idea. Me too. I don't know. Yeah, I don't know. And people are always like, well, you know, you could always get married.

I was like, I don't. I feel like being in a relationship is hard enough that sometimes adding this, I don't know, the strain of like a wedding and like a lot of relationships fall apart, I think, during a wedding or the process of a wedding, you know, because it really shows you the stress and if you can work under stress. And I already got enough stress right now. Like, I don't need any more stress. Do you have a lot of stress? Well, I feel like with my schedule, I don't have a lot of time to have time with a partner. That was kind of the reason what the other relationship or my past relationship dissolved was because I shoot out of the country and I can't be home.

Where do you shoot? We shoot in Toronto. You shoot in Toronto. So the reason my last relationship fell apart was because that person wanted someone home at five and felt heartbroken that we didn't have as much time, you know, and it's not fair to that person. So literally, I was the one who kind of cut it off and was like, then you should be with someone who's home at five for dinner. And so, well, I want to be with you. And it's like, but if you want to be with me, then you understand that I can't be home, you know. Right. So see how that doesn't work. And it's like, well, I'll give it another go. I was like, it doesn't sound like, because this is the conversation we had earlier. It was like, I work a lot. I travel a lot, unfortunately. So when I am with someone,

I'm 150% in it. Like I'm romantic. I try to make efforts to like take, you know, weekend getaways, take vacations, to spend time together. You need someone who understands and has their own thing going on. But you can do your own thing and there's no questioning it. There's no making you feel guilty. There's no stress. That's exactly what we need in our lives.

We need somebody to say, go fuck off. I'll fuck off. Yeah. And we'll fuck together. Yeah. Is that too much to ask for? That's not too much to ask for. Because people don't get that.

People are like, well, I just like so, I like my partner to be like, by my side. I don't. I want you to have your own thing. I want you to go do. And I want you to tell me about it when I see you the next time I see you. Have a passion. And also something about distance makes you long someone. You know what I mean?

Like if it's like every second of every day, it's just a lot. You know what I mean? And I've always said this. And I was talking to my friend Nicole about this. And she was saying, I want my own room when I'm with someone. And I need a house with my own room, our room that were together and your room. And you know what I mean? And when we're together, that's our room.

When I will come home after whatever day I've had, if I need to decompress and like, let's say I was doing an emotional scene and just, it reminds me of that episode of Sex and the City when Carrie Bradshaw comes in and she's telling, I think it's burger she's dating at the time. But she says, can you shut up for five minutes? Because you walk in and he starts talking. He's like, hey, babe, how was your day? Which is really positive. Right. But yeah, for five minutes. Because that's what you need.

Sometimes I like to come home. I think we'll be Goldberg at this. like, I don't want anyone in my home. Like, I don't want, I don't want anyone in my house. Like, I just want to go home. And sometimes, like, I've, because what we do is we deal with people every day. So we interact with people. We have to act with people.

We're social with people at parties. That's part of our job. You know, we go and do that. So when you go home, sometimes I don't want anyone there. Literally just want to watch, like, reality TV. I broke up right before the pandemic, which was the perfect time, I think. People were like, oh, no, quarantine. Harvey, how are you doing your old bicycle?

I love it. Like, I literally was like, I'm loving it. Yes, you know, after a while we get lonely and afterwards, you have to FaceTime, you know, your family and whatnot. But I actually enjoyed it a little bit because it was like a pause button for a second. And it was like, this is good. This is good for me. For me, it was good.

For me, it was good. I was like, at least the first couple months. And after a while, you're like, okay, let's, you know, get the ball rolling again. But, yeah, I just, you need to find someone who's compatible with you that way, where, like, they understand. They have their own shit going on, go away, come back. But that's hard to find. Or something that's hard to date another actor. And so I stopped doing actors because especially if you're doing another male actor or I was

doing someone who was an actor, but more of a model than anything. And also that came, yes, but also that came with its own kind of thing where like people would make me feel honored that I was with this person. Like people would be like, I was like, oh, this is my partner. And I was like, oh, Harvey, good job. And I was like, how about good job him? Yeah. Like, good job him.

I'm awesome and beautiful. Yeah. What is it? The butterfly? What is it? a cocoon. Oh, yeah, mariposa. Mariposa. Beautiful. I'm the mariposa. But it was so weird, and that was very telling of your friends of who, like, valued, you know. And yes, this person was very good-looking, you know, and like, what I'm pretty sure I saw pictures of him.

probably probably he who should not be named yeah but it's just the idea that that we put so much value on that you know because you didn't know what was going on behind closed doors you know there was a horrible partner you know what I mean that they were uh yeah all the stuff they could be set that could you know right could be the opposite of that is not said because you are also trying to keep this relationship afloat because now people have approved it or they want you to be in this relationship like don't miss this one and it's like don't admit why would I be the what you know it's like why uh so that was my time i've heard that too where it's like you know we really liked so and so she was a good one what do you mess that one out why is it me why is it

you know i was like well she had some dark ass secrets she was like you did you guys didn't know her like i'm just saying we really liked her she they see they see the package for you yeah i'm like good god would you shut up the packaging looks great right yeah and then even then people people come for you um it came with its own like you know things like where why are they together, you know? It's just like the body shaming or like the how this doesn't make sense by society standards, you know? And it's like, well, then, you know, then take your society standards and shove it up here. You know, it's just like the idea.

So, but that's why I've changed from being open to maybe dating actors. And sometimes, you know, you're going to date. But since my time is kind of limited right now, I haven't been pursuing that avenue. Right, right, right. But I'm open to like, you know, the last person I did it was an engineer, you know? So it's like, different. And it's just like different where you're like, okay, we can have a conversation. Mix it up.

Mix it up. And nothing to do with the industry. You're still young. So young. You don't need to jump in anything. Yeah. You need to take care of you. Yeah.

Your career's taking off. Yeah. You've got things going on. What we do in the shadows. Yeah. Which, by the way, first of all, I love the movie. Tyke. Taika.

Taika. My mother. God, I missed it. Taika Waititi, right? I saw the movie and I fell in love with it. I couldn't get the song out of my head. You're dead. You're dead.

You're dead. Ryan loves the show. I love the show. I don't watch many shows, and this is one that I watch. I haven't started the fourth season. You got to catch up. I'm going to catch up. But what?

I'm current on it. You're current? Oh, yeah. Oh, tonight's an episode. Is it? Yeah. But it's what an exciting show to be on. And were you uncertain that they were going to pick it up because they waited a while, didn't

they? Well, I didn't know if we were going to, first of all, I didn't know I was going to get the role because Guillermo was written 20 years older than I am. And so I got. I got the audition by accident. I went to a wine and cheese night. You went to wine and cheese night. My friend Mimi Michaels was having.

That's on her stage and that's her name, Mimi Michaels. Mimi Michaels. We met in a commercial set years and years ago. We came friends. And she just had a newborn. And she had brought the baby to see the family here in the West Coast. Her brother, it was her, her husband, the baby at her brother's house. And she was like, just come by, say hi.

I won't see you for, you know, who knows? Because I'm going to go back to the East Coast. And I haven't been able to get back there at that point. So I said, okay. So I went to the wine cheese night. I met this girl who was there. Her friend from before that I never met before. And we didn't talk about Hollywood or business or anything.

We're just having like a good old time. And the next day I get a text from an unknown number. And I was like, hey, you were so fucking funny last night. I was like, thanks. Who's this? And so it's Yvonne. And I was like, oh, Yvonne from last night. I got your number from Mimi's.

I hope that's okay. And I was like, yeah, that's fine. And I think you should audition for my fiance's new show. And I was like. Your fiancee's new show. Who was your fiancee? Exactly. I was like, okay, I don't do those kind of films.

And she was like, no, but you should hurry because they've cast everyone in this show except for this role. And I was like, okay, so I call an agent and sell her fiance's Garrett Bash at the time, who produces the show. And I told my agent, I was like, I got to get in for the show. And they're like, okay, we'll get you the script. And they're like, oh, wait, the characters, are you sure that's the character? I was like, yeah, it's 20 years older than you are. And I was like, ooh, she said I'll be fine for it, so I'm going to believe a stranger, you know, go with that. And they're like, I'm a whim.

I'm a whim. And I was like, well, maybe I shouldn't go in for it. And they're like, and I said, who's casting it? And it's like, Alison Jones. I was like, Allison Jones, if you know Alison Jones in Hollywood. I was like, she's cast everything that I've always loved. You know, bridesmaids, the office, fresh prince, golden girl, like, you name it. You know what I mean?

And I was just like, I want to go meet her. I've never met her. So I was like, okay, this is my chance. I'll just make myself look older. So I got this long sleeve, orange shirt and brown sweater vest and Harry Potter glasses. And I don't know, like Guillermo's. And the one that I knew at that time was in a poster in my writing partner's office. And it was Guillermo del Toro.

and it was from his monster's book and he had his hair curl to the sides like this and he had round glasses and I was like I'll mimic that so I mimic my look off of how long did you have to learn your lines there was like the complimentary audition as I call it uh they called that day and the audition was the next day did you learn your lines I learned everything I went home and like went over it and I was like oh shit he is older and I was like okay well I'm gonna play it at my age I'll play him at my age now fine that's fine so I was really looking forward to meet alison going to the office and I'm like I'm here to meet alison Jones like oh she's not here I was like well no, I haven't auditioned for her. No, we'll put you on tape. She's in London audition for

Guillermo. Okay. So I was like, great. And then they put a microphone on me and I had been the casting associate who's wonderful too. And he was like, okay. And then I remember doing it. And I was looking up and then he's a Harvey. And I well, yeah. And he goes, you're done. And I was like, oh, thank I just completely went away. Like I don't remember what I did for the audition. And I was like, oh, thank you. You were so into it. I was so into it. That you forgot what you had done. You didn't know if you'd done well. Nothing. You done poorly. No. So I walk out, I'm walking out the door and he goes, Harvey, wait. And I go, I think he's going a year going to Hollywood kid. You know, you should go to the next level. He goes to the microphone. We need the microphone. And he took the microphone off of me and I was like, oh, shoot, I think I messed it up. And then I went outside and my agent calls her, how'd you do? And I was like, I don't know. And I was like, well, we'll check in. We'll see. Two hours later, they called back and they had shown everyone at FX, Taika, Germain, Paul, Stephanie, like her fiancee, Garrett had seen him. Allison had seen in London

and they all agreed to test me unanimously. They were like, it was the first time they voted to test someone unanimously for the whole run. And I was going to be the wild card because I was too young. And I was like, fuck.

And I was like, okay, it's fine. I'll get to meet them eventually, you know, I'll do the test and whatnot. So weeks went by. Were you nervous? Yeah, I was nervous. I was like, this is a test. And I'm always,

my career's made out of wild cards. Like, if you look at my resume, those roles were never written for me. Some of the roles you see on like IMDB, that was-I-Candy. Eye candy. the original creator wanted to fire me because

he thought I was too big and not MTV handsome material. So after the pilot, he fought to like get rid of me. And then the fans were like, we love that character. And they're like, no, okay, keep him, keep him. But I found out this afterwards. What about the magicians?

Magicians was not for me. They told me that I couldn't send my tape in because they had options in L.A. But I was shooting in Vancouver and they shoot in Vancouver. So I was sneaky and got an audition through the Vancouver office. So as long as I got on tape and the producers saw me, they liked it and they told the casting office in LA, we found this guy in Vancouver, who, Harvey? And they're like, but we told him no. And it wasn't written for, like, they

wasn't meant for me. Like, they didn't want me to audition for it. You forced your way in. I forced myself away. Well, they originally gave me an audition and they took the audition away because they said, we have enough options in LA. Don't worry about it. So that was going to put myself on tape and they didn't want to see tapes from Vancouver because they have an office. They're like, no, don't worry about it. We have options and we're going to producers tomorrow. And I was like, I learned the lines. Why did you tell me to put myself on tape? So a part of me was stubborn.

I was like, no, it has to be a way around. I already learned the lines, you know? Right. So I got the audition in Vancouver. They sent the tape to producers. The producers told the casting office in LA. We found this guy. And it was the guy they told no to.

So back to what we do in the shadows. You're waiting a couple of weeks now. Wait a couple weeks. And then I don't hear anything. So I think they're starting production on that Tuesday. This is a Sunday now. So it's over. It's over.

I'm not doing this. I'm with my sister. She's trying to cheer me up and keep my spirits up. go to the mall and we're walking around because that's what we do when you're low in the dumps. And she, my phone keeps ringing like from a 16 digit number. And I was like, whatever. I'd ignore it. Eventually, she's in the car.

And she's like, will you pick up the fucking phone? And I was like, oh my gosh. I was like, hello? And I was like, hey, is this Harvey? And I was like, yeah. Hey, it's Taika and Jermaine. Hi, uh, Mr. Waititi. Yes, I think I'm testing for you.

No, you're not testing for us. Thank you so much. And I was like, thank you so much for the opportunity. I wish you all the best thing. Like I thought he was calling me. because you know something you're on hold they call you like not going your way you know they tell you that they give you a complimentary call and say they're going in a different direction you know right right so I thought that's what they were doing I thought they were calling to say thank you but we're starting this week already but you did a great audition or whatever so I was like thank you so much for the opportunity I wish you all the best and I was see on set and I was like what and it's like what I'll see on set and I was like what I was on set and I booked it yeah Hollywood But da da da da da da da da da

What was your first day on set like Were you A intimidated B nervous as shit See I mean what were the emotions Or were you confident You're ready to go Or were you just overwhelmed I was

I was just looking forward to meeting Tyca and Jermaine obviously Because by that point I'd seen the movie And I was such a fan And fly to the Concorde And all that And so I was just excited to meet them

But I was more nervous to meet the cast Because I was gonna have to act opposite of Kavon, I never had the chemistry read. So, you know, in Hollywood, that can make a break of a character story. And I was nervous to meet him. And so I was like, oh, please, because the script is so good. I knew the script was good. And I was like, if I just make this pilot and the pilot doesn't go, I'll have this footage, right? I'll have this footage. Like, I can keep this, because it's so good. Like, I was like, the script is so good. And I got to set. And the first thing came on was like, hey, man. And he just, like, gave me this huge hug. And he was so welcoming and

loving. I was like, thank God, you know. And it didn't work out. We shot the pilot. And after I shot the pilot, I knew that it was really special. Like, I was like, we have to get picked. This is crazy. Like, this is such a good show. But good shows don't tend to last long, you know? Like, sometimes they get canned really quickly. And that had been the trajectory up to that part. I was really proud of the shows that I've done. Like, I Candy was a book made into a series, only did one season. Super expensive to make, but beautifully shot and it was like a movie. Huge was a book by Sasha Paley made into a series, which was my first series regular ever, which had so much potential, but it was ahead of its time. People still talk about that show today.

They're like, oh, I love that show. Why did it get? I was like, I don't know. Even the president at the time of, you know, that was just free form. It was back then was ABC family. Even they moved forward and went to like MTV years later. And even I had a conversation with them and they were like, I should never cancel to you. And I was like, you shouldn't.

You shouldn't have because it was one of those things where it was like, you pulled the trigger too quickly. And it was like, damn, you know, you just would have waited. It had a fan base, you know, so anyways, I was really hoping that I was like, this is the one that, like, please make it into series. And then we got season one. And I was like, oh, my gosh, we got a season. So I had not planned anything further than season one. Like, I was like, they're going to, like, see how cool this is. And either they're going to say yes or they're going to can it. And then we got nominated, you know, and then we got the nominations for Emmys.

So it was like season two, season three. And before you knew it, it was just like, the last three seasons have been the blur because that kind of happened during the pandemic. And so we shot two seasons during the pandemic, which is just credit to this, like, crew. They couldn't find, like, wood to build the sets because no one was delivering, like, during the pandemic. There was no shipments of, like, actual, like, you know, wood and labor, like, or, you know, tools and costume pieces and fabric to make costume. Like, they went above and beyond to make the show during the pandemic.

Like, our crew loves our show so much. They went above and beyond. like i applaud them because they're the best i uh i read for nando did you nando nando did you read i read i went to alison jones office oh my god and read for her upstairs when you go upstairs and i read and i it's funny because i thought i killed it i had the axe and i had all these things and then when i saw him like the actor do it i go oh my god i could he's perfect yeah i mean it's just the casting in that overall is just everyone is just great yeah everyone has their own personality. Is there one in particular, one actor that makes you laugh the most of my scenes

are with Kavon and he plays Nandor. He's just a master of voices. He can mimic anyone on set. He can... Is he always joking? Always joking. Also, he'll make a joke and then he'll remember and laugh of his own joke that he just made. So he'll be like, and then he'd be like, and then he's just laughing and he knows that like, I rarely break character, Guillermo, like on set because Guillermo was the only human and he's so contained because the vampires get to be over the top great character of like you know almost like a farce you know and that's they improvise constantly all the time like our show is made a 50 scripted and 50% you too yeah yours is 50% improvised that's so this cast i've never been with the cast like this where everyone's firing on all cylinders it's playing like hot potato and the potato's

never dropped we had a we had a season one take that ended up being about 20 seconds in the show but we shot for maybe 28 minutes of improv. Just let the camera roll. 28 minutes of us going off script. It was like who, like it was a revolving door kind of thing where we're in the living room. And Nander was like,

Guillermo. And I'm like, I'm in the fancy room. Guillermo. I'm over here, Master. Guillermo. And he comes in through another door and I exit the other door. He's like, Guillermo.

And then Najat comes in. So what are you yelling about? I'm looking for Guillermo. Oh, I just saw him to the other room. He goes that room. Like it was like, da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da. Like just kept going on.

minutes for 26 minutes no one yell cut and you'll never see that footage because it was only 20 seconds of it that you needed for the show in the beginning was it intimidating to from them to go keep going add improvise go I don't for me no because I tend to want to improvise a lot and that you know that's not usually the norm like in the scripted series like you know you have obviously you know you get on certain shows and they're like this has to be verbatim you know what I mean like this is why like so you can't paraphrase you can't add words I like a little bit of like ad lib because it makes it feel organic. It makes it feel like these characters are real. You're not like just like, I don't know, what's going to happen? You know, like it's not like, you know, so to the T that it's just like, I like improvising. So for me, it was fun. You tell me to improvise, improvise all day long. So the lines are written.

So you have to read certain lines. These are the lines we want you to say. Yeah. And then do whatever you want. Yeah. So we'll always do a take with the scripted version. And that's with Tyca and Jermaine. What's so lovely is they set this rule up for us, even though like now they're really.

they're doing projects all over the world and stuff and they'll come and say hi once in a while but like it's now been handed over to our amazing EP's you know Paul and Stephanie and Sarah Naftales who are amazing at continuing that tradition where they go get one as script written you know which is already the scripts are biased if we didn't improvise on the show it's still be good like they're good they're so good that we get the the freedom to do one scripted version and then they go we call it funzies so then so Janegor'skaya our director Kyle Neuichekar director goes, all right, funzies, or Yano go, funzies, you know, which means that we got what we wanted, we got the take scripted, now have fun. And usually the episode is 50% scripted and 50% improvise.

Who has the most lines? I would say Nandor, because, I mean, like, well, he's kind of like, he's the lead of the show. And his storyline is always revolving some kind of adventure. And it's kind of hard to, like, say, but I would say him because he has all of these, like, monologues where he talks about like his past life or whatnot but not looking at it because of the past seasons I feel like everyone's kind of had a season where like it's like it's like last season was nausea or this season is nausea heavy where like she had tons of lines to learn because she's the nightclub she you know she's I don't want to do spoilers but like she opens a nightclub and she's dealing with being a boss money blah blah so she has a lot this season so it's like a

Naja heavy. And you guys have a lot of time to memorize lines because they have them all written by even though they have the funny part of the show is that they keep the traditional live like the movie where they don't tell the actors what the storyline is. And to this day, like I don't know what this next season is, but I already have friends who are actors who have told me that they're auditioning for the show. And they're like, oh my gosh, I'm so excited to play blank blank, you're blah, blah, blah. What? He's like, yeah, I'm blah, blah, blah. They're auditioning right now for this part for episode 505 or whatever. Wow. And I'm like, I don't know what the first word of the sentence of the first script is of the season. And, you know, which is kind of like a little

bit like jarring because it's like for me, for my character, he's human. So I would like a little bit of preparation, you know, to like mentally. He's a familiar. And so the season, the first season was hard for me because at the end of the day, the vampires would wrap their storylines in the episode. Like they were like, we figure out how to work email, you know? It's. solves itself. Calling gets a promotion at work. It solves itself for the end of the episode. But Guillermo, like, was sprinkling throughout the whole thing to lead to something, a big reveal, you know? And I would like to know what that reveal is. So I know what to sprinkle along the way. So then it makes sense. Otherwise, I look an idiot at the end of the

season. And they go, and surprise, you're this. And you're like, you're a vampire slayer. Well, I would have liked to sprinkle something, you know, or maybe not hinted, but my process would have been a little bit different. You know what I mean? If I knew that. If I if I didn't know that I was a vampire, then leave it alone. I don't want to know because it's organic. I don't know that I'm a vampire slayer. But if I knew something that came up in the future from my past, that would have been nice to know.

You know what I mean? Right. So those are those moments where you're like, I wish I knew, but it does make for it to feel like a real mockumentary, you know, or documentary, it's a mockeryery. But it keeps on your toes. Do you ever, do you ever feel like saying, hey, Tyca, if you need anybody in any of your Marvel movies? Oh, yeah.

We always joke around. I mean, I feel like, he's like, don't worry, y'all. Yeah. what was the last time we talked when I said something oh yeah I was just making a joke of like being Star Wars or something and he's like you're not old enough and I was like I'm not old

and I'm old and put me in code like it was like you know he makes the joke that I was like the baby of the group and I was like I think I'm old enough I think I can I can grow a beard I'm old this is called shit talking with Harvey Gien this is these are my patrons the top tier patrons they get to ask some questions go to patreon.com

slash inside of you thank you for supporting the show these people they're amazing my patrons support the podcast and they get to ask some questions so this is rapid fire okay so you could just here we go you ready okay okay

Raj have you ever met a Colin in real life that drained you just from having to interact with them yes absolutely not I feel like not so much we all have we all have yeah we all have a Colin the energy vampire yeah I feel like we all is I mean not so much

maybe in the industry because actors tend to be entertaining and fun and wonderful and bubbly. But there is sometimes someone who works maybe an event or something or yeah, I think I had one time it was someone like someone's manager or something

and it was like, you're calling. I don't know what I said their names, but Michelle Kaye. Saw you at the last Comic-Con in Raleigh, wondering how you like convention since you're new to the scene. We've kind of talked about that. Yeah. I like them. Again, I love meeting the fans. I think they've been, you know, so supportive of the show and end of my career in general. So I love meeting,

especially when a fan comes up and says that they see themselves on screen. Because, you know, for so long, all those check marks that were against me, like being queer, plus size, Latine, those are all strikes against me in this industry when I first got started. Not anymore. And those are all my strengths. They've always been my strengths. And that beautiful? Yeah. and people are finally seeing them as my strength and someone's watching me on screen saying I didn't see myself represented on screen but I feel seeing when I see you and have tears in their eyes. So that alone is worth going to all the cons. Wow, that's awesome. Leanne P. loved your work in Reacher. What was it like working with Alan Richen as he's nice on the set as he is in person?

He's such a professional. Like he's so like that guy's schedule is crazy. Like he was working six days a week and he has a family and still, you know, devoted to them. and making quality time with his kids and super funny not just a serious guy but he has a really funny side but that guy's like this go go go go he was on the podcast

and he really got deep and talked about like when he tried to kill himself yeah and his depression and it was just it was it was good to hear from a lot to a lot of people out there who are suffering from that stuff

and he was just really raw and honest and it's important for him to to show that side because we wouldn't assume that. You know, sometimes you watch somebody, you're like, oh, no, he's a big tough guy. Like, you know, but he's a soft, you know, has a soft side. And I'm glad that he shared that story

because someone out there is going to benefit from that, you know. Amen. Brandy D. loved him on The Magicians. Do you have a favorite moment from filming that series? And by the way, was there a lot of drama on that series? I didn't have a lot of drama. Did you see a lot of drama?

I had a wonderful time. You looked at me like, holy shit. I mean, the show's over now. You know, the show's over. I think I came into already I came into a steam train already

like in full motion if that makes sense so when I came to set I had a lovely time like I had a love of time everyone every cast member was lovely to me whether people have like you know

quorums or something or favorites or whatnot I've noticed that for me if it doesn't until anything to do with me like it's like oh then you know it's fun as a lot of long as it doesn't affect me. But that being said.

That's what it's terrible. No, because the first person I met on set was Hale. And Hale and I are friends to this. I call him one of my friends. He's a nice guy. He's a nice guy. We just,

we just gelled well, you know? And Summer was the second person. And to this day, talked to Summer. And everyone I met has been lovely. And lovely to me. And they've had a great, you know, I think it's hard because they're all in the same age range.

And I think there's discrepancies of like tears, you know, of like who like maybe who's the lead who's the lead who's not and that's such an ensemble show but there is leads you know right and there is leads and whatnot but uh they made me feel comfortable and that's all i can say is they made me always feel comfortable okay um but i would hear as any set you know i think always but uh but yeah what do you expect was just a cast full of talented there's a little chaos there's a little chaos they're all talented they're all young they're all beautiful lovely you know there's bound to be a little bit of sparks or not or negativity or whatnot and that's with every sense that's all you'll say that's all i say do you have a favorite moment from

filming that series um i did love shooting on the munchak the the boat the um it was really sad to see the way the character for my character the the way they kind of um wrap their their their human life form uh because in the book he dies very differently and in the series um we've dealt with something really serious with just depression and he had this key that kind of um this wonderful uh character that seemed so bubbly and on point and always structured was holding a deep secret, which was depression. And when the truth came out, he jumped off the ship and a dragon comes out and eats him. And when you go through the belly of a dragon, which is played by the creator, Sarah,

her voice anyways, you go through purgatory. And so you're not dead. You're in purgatory, which is nice because they saved him and they brought him back for future seasons. But that episode was really special because I was like, I hope people, you know, this starts a conversation about checking in with your friends yeah yeah uh christie what's your dream role to play oh my dream role to play i'd love to do like a queer rom-com adventure or something like superhero um or like a villain you know i haven't really got to play a villain yet and i think that'd be like juicy and i don't know so maybe a rom-com a queer rom-com or some kind of

action-packed um thriller as a lead and i would think yeah those are the good ones yeah i think they said one sounds good no that sounds good yeah um do you do at all deal with any depression now or any anxiety now or do you mostly have it under control i mean i deal with anxiety just when it's like oh scheduling and stuff that gives me anxiety you know or disappointing like someone uh gives me anxiety, but not severe anxiety. Like, it's just like something that I can, okay, take a breather, rely, you know, and like deal with it. But you've never had issues with that. Not, not, no, not deep like that. I think I've always overcompensated by, I always see the glass half full to the point where I, like, have been in a place where I don't even allow myself to

fall into depression, which means because I know things get bad, but at a young age, I chose to look at things like, things are bad, but they could always be worse, you know what I mean? And that mentality of me never allowed me to fall into a deep because I could have looked at my childhood and like pretty had a reason to fall into a deep, you know what I mean? Yeah. And I didn't. And I look back and it's only credit to like kind of becoming your own chair team and your own like, no, it's like things can always be worse. So yes, things are bad. Deal with them. You're allowed to cry. You're allowed to feel. And you do cry a lot. I do cry. I do cry. And I allow myself to cry all the time. And I think because I did that as a kid and it wasn't like manly, um, I never stopped

myself from crying. Like if I want to cry, I'm going to cry. If I cry watching a movie, if you tell me a story and I cry, I want to cry. I'm going to cry. You know, think it's okay. And I think because I allow myself to do that, it doesn't hold or fester inside of me like, save it for later. Just don't do it. You know what I mean? I don't do that. Because I allow my feelings to feel in the moment. I don't fall into like a depression and holding it back because I'm not holding and keeping it to myself. And I think because of that, for me, I can't speak for everyone else.

For me, that works. And, yeah, you have your, you have your bad days, you know, and you have a depressing day. And you talk to, like, you know, someone or you talk to a friend or a special or something. But, like, it's never to the point where I don't, I can't function or I can't control. You know what I mean?

Yeah. Yeah. If your father was here today, what would you want to say to him? Hmm. That you didn't get to say. that I didn't get to say. Yeah, because he passed away quickly, right?

Well, the thing is that with him, I feel like I did tell him all the time. He knew. He knew. Yeah. And I always tell, I always said, I love you, Papa, which means dad or pa, you know. And so I think he knew. I think I would ask him more, what did he see us? Because we recently did a lot of things that were on our bucket list to do with our dad.

like he always wanted to be in the VIP area of Dodgers game because he's the one who loved Dodgers so much so we would always get nosebleed sections because it could afford with the family of like you know three boys, one girl and himself so you'll always buy those ones and that alone was a luxury

you know and so I got to the place recently after his passing where I was in the Jumbotron at Dodger Stadium with my name so I would ask him what did you think at that moment? Wow that's beautiful yeah that's amazing he'd be super proud i think i know he was proud yeah um this has been fantastic

you've been such an easygoing fun loving guest thanks for having me yeah thanks for allowing me yeah thanks for allowing me to be inside of you that's what we say here in the show yeah and i love your podcast and as you know we have a shadows podcast behind the shadows yes where can people listen to that anywhere you listen to your podcast behind the shadows look for us on socials as well follow us on Instagram and Twitter and behind the shadows episode for every episode on the air is an episode of the podcast. And who talks on the podcast? I do. I'm the host. Just you? Well, I have guest stars. So every

we have Anup to Sae who plays a gene this season. We have Fred Armisen who plays a familiar that season's on. Kristen Shaw's on it. Mark's on it. We talk about Doug Jones. We had Doug Jones in the past. Yeah. I love it. I had him on the podcast. It's amazing. He was so good. He was that character. What character was it? The Baron. The Baron. He was so good. That fight. and the language. And you get to fight a lot too. I see your choreography and the way you move that stick. Yeah. People don't think that's me. That's you. That's me. That's crazy. How many hours do you work

on that? Well, the making of that, like they teach it to us in an hour and then you have to go and go over and over and over. So you learn the steps. And the stick was my idea, which I, looking back, I was like, why did I request? Like, I didn't request it, but I recommended it. And I was like, what did he went to London? He pricked up a new character trait, you know, like a new skill. And they're like, what? And I was like, well, he's always really good at fighting and he's been away for a year. We don't know what he did in a year. I don't know him.

You know, it's like, he's been away for a year. He could have done something for a year. We don't know about. And they're like, we like that. What have he picked up, like, you know, some of this work with stick? And I was like, I love it. So they taught it to me really quickly. And then I had to go away and go over it over and over.

I had about like five days to like perfect it. You nailed it. And I was just like, like, it's going to live forever. So I got to make it perfect. Did the crew cheer? yeah they were like the i remember costume looking at me because we have to run it for the first time with the cape the trench coat that i wear and so they're like is this going to interfere what kind of move are you doing they didn't know what the move look like so then i did it and it made like the flare of

the cape go out and they're like oh wow that looks cool and i was like yeah i was like it looks cool i don't want to look an idiot doing it you know so doing my own stunt thing's to tig and and everyone at the stunt group at shadows who helped out but yeah i love doing the stunt stuff i really do I also love that you're seeing someone who looks like me be a badass on screen, which is not the norm. I would like to count in one hand how many times you've seen, you know, plus size people kick ass. And it's not the norm. So I... It is now.

It is now. And I want to see more of it. I love it. Thanks for being here. Thanks for having it. Ontario, the wait is over. The gold standard of online casinos has arrived. Golden Nugget Online Casino is live.

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Uh, forthcoming. just open book an open book i didn't think there was anything i couldn't ask this guy yeah um so thank you harvey uh thank you for listening again if you enjoyed harvey i hope you'll subscribe and and take a shot and listen to some of the other episodes sometimes it's not even about the guest you learn more about people you don't know or you didn't know this about um so yeah big big fan of what we do in the shadows is great to see the real person right he's just a good dude he's a good dude and it's a great show great show i really loved it i love the movie too didn't you it's hilarious movie is epic just epic uh top tier patrons get their name shouted out and uh just

join patreon go to patreon dot com slash inside you become a member uh of patron and uh it's a great community people or have become friends found friendships and other stuff and it's uh it's really cool so patreon dot com slash inside of you become a member and i will send you a message here are the top tears. Nancy D. Aaliyah S. Sarah V. Little Lisa, Y. Gico, Jill E. Brian H. Nico P. Robert B. Jason W. Sophie M. Kristen K. Raj. C. Joshua D.

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No. You heard it first from Ryan. Thanks guys for listen. It means the world to me that you continue to listen and support this podcast. I hope you have a terrific week. Be good to yourself, most importantly. That's the most important thing. You have to be good to yourself.

Learn to love yourself, right? Man, we're going to love ourselves, bro. Hey, from myself, Michael Rosamomum in the Hollywood Hills of California. I'm Ryan Tayas. The way to the camera. Hey, thanks for listening. And until next time, we'll see you. Hi, I'm Joe Sal C.

Hi, host of the Stackin'Benjamins podcast. Today, we're going to talk about what if you came across $50,000. What would you do? Put it into a tax-advantaged retirement account. The mortgage. That's what we do. Make a down payment on a home. Something nice.

Buying a vehicle. A separate bucket for this addition that we're adding. $50,000. I'll buy a new podcast. You'll buy new friends. And we're done. Thanks for playing, everybody. We're out of here.

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