Dax Shepard likes to go really, really fast. He races fast motorcycles and faster cars, and as a boy, jumped off 65-foot bridges for weekend entertainment – it’s just what you do when you grow up poor in lake-rich Michigan. He didn’t have a death wish, just a desire to prove himself to himself, and maybe to any other male figures in the absence of his own father. He’s proven himself on the racetrack, and after years of struggle (as an actor, a dyslexic and an alcoholic), on the career track. This is a guy who tries like nobody’s business.
The star and – who knew? – writer of many comedy and action films is finding success and surprising happiness on the long-running Parenthood, a show he thought he’d made “the biggest mistake of my life” in taking. In this action-packed issue, Shepard takes on, well, issues: risk, recovery, relationships and how they’ve all impacted his life and career. He also shares the gifts of perspective, confidence and gratitude he’s learned from his parents and “current” wife Kristen Bell. It’s easy to say the guys with the biggest bikes have the most fragile egos, but under the screaming engines and leather jacket, we found one of the biggest hearts in Hollywood. Yes, we know all actors are just humans, but he’s one of the most human we’ve ever come across. Join us for a conversation so honest and revealing, we probably should’ve rented a couch. And also maybe some flame throwers and helmets.
Dax Shepard likes to go really, really fast. He races fast motorcycles and faster cars, and as a boy, jumped off 65-foot bridges for weekend entertainment – it’s just what you do when you grow up poor in lake-rich Michigan. He didn’t have a death wish, just a desire to prove himself to himself, and maybe to any other male figures in the absence of his own father. He’s proven himself on the racetrack, and after years of struggle (as an actor, a dyslexic and an alcoholic), on the career track. This is a guy who tries like nobody’s business.
The star and – who knew? – writer of many comedy and action films is finding success and surprising happiness on the long-running Parenthood, a show he thought he’d made “the biggest mistake of my life” in taking. In this action-packed issue, Shepard takes on, well, issues: risk, recovery, relationships and how they’ve all impacted his life and career. He also shares the gifts of perspective, confidence and gratitude he’s learned from his parents and “current” wife Kristen Bell. It’s easy to say the guys with the biggest bikes have the most fragile egos, but under the screaming engines and leather jacket, we found one of the biggest hearts in Hollywood. Yes, we know all actors are just humans, but he’s one of the most human we’ve ever come across. Join us for a conversation so honest and revealing, we probably should’ve rented a couch. And also maybe some flame throwers and helmets.
Dax Shepard likes to go really, really fast. He races fast motorcycles and faster cars, and as a boy, jumped off 65-foot bridges for weekend entertainment – it’s just what you do when you grow up poor in lake-rich Michigan. He didn’t have a death wish, just a desire to prove himself to himself, and maybe to any other male figures in the absence of his own father. He’s proven himself on the racetrack, and after years of struggle (as an actor, a dyslexic and an alcoholic), on the career track. This is a guy who tries like nobody’s business.
The star and – who knew? – writer of many comedy and action films is finding success and surprising happiness on the long-running Parenthood, a show he thought he’d made “the biggest mistake of my life” in taking. In this action-packed issue, Shepard takes on, well, issues: risk, recovery, relationships and how they’ve all impacted his life and career. He also shares the gifts of perspective, confidence and gratitude he’s learned from his parents and “current” wife Kristen Bell. It’s easy to say the guys with the biggest bikes have the most fragile egos, but under the screaming engines and leather jacket, we found one of the biggest hearts in Hollywood. Yes, we know all actors are just humans, but he’s one of the most human we’ve ever come across. Join us for a conversation so honest and revealing, we probably should’ve rented a couch. And also maybe some flame throwers and helmets.
Take a peek at the show business lexicon and you’re not likely to find the word “guaranteed”; if you do, it’s a misprint. Kevin Bacon knew he wanted to be an actor before he even knew what the word meant, and after scoring a string of iconic films almost right off the bat, his success as a leading man seemed assured. That is, until a couple of missteps guaranteed it was most assuredly not. Even a budding pop idol is only as good as his last project, right? But if you’re smart and/or incapable of doing anything but what you were born to do, you take a few knocks, loosen your grip on your self-image and get back to doing what you do best. In Bacon’s case, his work in films like JFK, Mystic River and Cop Car demonstrate his specialty is making even the most difficult characters not only human, but sympathetic – for brilliant proof, watch The Woodsman and be prepared to find yourself rooting for a pedophile. If Bacon’s career is a textbook example of how the business of illusion can often disillusion, at least he’s learned a few lessons along the way: 1. Sometimes you do need some stinkin’ advice; 2. Sometimes your biggest hurdle is your own definition of success; 3. Sometimes it’s wise to accept unsolicited Christmas gifts from strangers you meet on a beach; and 4. Always put yourself at artistic risk – just be sure to bring a guitar tuner.
Take a peek at the show business lexicon and you’re not likely to find the word “guaranteed”; if you do, it’s a misprint. Kevin Bacon knew he wanted to be an actor before he even knew what the word meant, and after scoring a string of iconic films almost right off the bat, his success as a leading man seemed assured. That is, until a couple of missteps guaranteed it was most assuredly not. Even a budding pop idol is only as good as his last project, right? But if you’re smart and/or incapable of doing anything but what you were born to do, you take a few knocks, loosen your grip on your self-image and get back to doing what you do best. In Bacon’s case, his work in films like JFK, Mystic River and Cop Car demonstrate his specialty is making even the most difficult characters not only human, but sympathetic – for brilliant proof, watch The Woodsman and be prepared to find yourself rooting for a pedophile. If Bacon’s career is a textbook example of how the business of illusion can often disillusion, at least he’s learned a few lessons along the way: 1. Sometimes you do need some stinkin’ advice; 2. Sometimes your biggest hurdle is your own definition of success; 3. Sometimes it’s wise to accept unsolicited Christmas gifts from strangers you meet on a beach; and 4. Always put yourself at artistic risk – just be sure to bring a guitar tuner.
Take a peek at the show business lexicon and you’re not likely to find the word “guaranteed”; if you do, it’s a misprint. Kevin Bacon knew he wanted to be an actor before he even knew what the word meant, and after scoring a string of iconic films almost right off the bat, his success as a leading man seemed assured. That is, until a couple of missteps guaranteed it was most assuredly not. Even a budding pop idol is only as good as his last project, right? But if you’re smart and/or incapable of doing anything but what you were born to do, you take a few knocks, loosen your grip on your self-image and get back to doing what you do best. In Bacon’s case, his work in films like JFK, Mystic River and Cop Car demonstrate his specialty is making even the most difficult characters not only human, but sympathetic – for brilliant proof, watch The Woodsman and be prepared to find yourself rooting for a pedophile. If Bacon’s career is a textbook example of how the business of illusion can often disillusion, at least he’s learned a few lessons along the way: 1. Sometimes you do need some stinkin’ advice; 2. Sometimes your biggest hurdle is your own definition of success; 3. Sometimes it’s wise to accept unsolicited Christmas gifts from strangers you meet on a beach; and 4. Always put yourself at artistic risk – just be sure to bring a guitar tuner.
Rashida Jones’ revenge fantasies are working out better than she expected. A serious student who spent a lot of time feeling lonely and somewhat geeky, her biggest ambition beyond Harvard Law School was to be liked, which makes acting a funny choice of profession. Sure enough, Hollywood doled out rejection with its usual generosity, unable to figure out where she fit in. The Office and Parks and Recreation got it partly right, snatching her back from brink of quitting acting, but she finally realized the best way to show the industry what she was made of and ensure it couldn’t keep saying no to her was to create her own opportunities. Writing and starring in the critically acclaimed Celeste and Jesse Forever resulted in the development of her confidence and unique voice – and in more projects than it seems possible for any one person to undertake. If revenge is sweet, it’s also incredibly busy. Jones talks to Off Camera about her relationship with her iconic parents, her uncertain transition from academia to acting, scripting Toy Story 4, regulation in the post-digital porn industry, and her ball- and apartment-busting lead in the upcoming Angie Tribeca. The most surprising thing you’ll learn in this interview is how much you didn’t know about Rashida Jones; and the more you know, the more you’ll want to see from her – we guarantee it. Join us for a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation, in which the roles of both host and esteemed guest will be played by finger puppets.
Rashida Jones’ revenge fantasies are working out better than she expected. A serious student who spent a lot of time feeling lonely and somewhat geeky, her biggest ambition beyond Harvard Law School was to be liked, which makes acting a funny choice of profession. Sure enough, Hollywood doled out rejection with its usual generosity, unable to figure out where she fit in. The Office and Parks and Recreation got it partly right, snatching her back from brink of quitting acting, but she finally realized the best way to show the industry what she was made of and ensure it couldn’t keep saying no to her was to create her own opportunities. Writing and starring in the critically acclaimed Celeste and Jesse Forever resulted in the development of her confidence and unique voice – and in more projects than it seems possible for any one person to undertake. If revenge is sweet, it’s also incredibly busy. Jones talks to Off Camera about her relationship with her iconic parents, her uncertain transition from academia to acting, scripting Toy Story 4, regulation in the post-digital porn industry, and her ball- and apartment-busting lead in the upcoming Angie Tribeca. The most surprising thing you’ll learn in this interview is how much you didn’t know about Rashida Jones; and the more you know, the more you’ll want to see from her – we guarantee it. Join us for a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation, in which the roles of both host and esteemed guest will be played by finger puppets.
