“Young Sheldon” star Iain Armitage sat down with The Creative Coalition CEO Robin Bronk in the latest episode of “Hollywood at Home with The Creative Coalition,” a podcast featuring unplugged and uncensored conversations with today’s biggest stars. In the newest episode, Armitage talks about what he learned from iconic actresses such as Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman, working with Jim Parsons on the set of “Young Sheldon,” the work that went into the newest “Scooby-Doo” movie, and much more. Highlights below.
“Hollywood at Home With The Creative Coalition” is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and more.
Listen now at:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/young-sheldon-said-it-with-guest-iain-armitage/id1521900273?i=1000577808753
For planned coverage, please link to:
http://thecreativecoalition.org/podcast
Highlights from “Hollywood at Home with The Creative Coalition” featuring Iain Armitage –
On what he learned being on set with iconic actresses like Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman: I think the main thing I learned was just how to be a kind and amazing person, which I mean, I’ve always been taught by my mom, but like, you hear of all these people who are so, you know, famous or spectacular, and do all this crazy stuff. And you maybe don’t expect them to be like these super down-to-earth, kind, genuine, sweet people, and they really are. And I think learning that, you know, these people are so kind and incredible. And yet they also are so, like, well known in this industry, and how to do that. I’m certainly not well known like that at all. But like, you know, to always be kind to people and always, you know, have a good work ethic and always work hard, I think are probably the main things I would say that I’ve learned. And also, of course, I know a lot about that stuff from my amazing mom.
On how he got the role of Young Sheldon and the role Jim Parsons played in mentoring him: I actually think that might have been kind of the reason I got it, because I wasn’t really trying to impersonate anyone because I didn’t even really know who Mr. Jim Parsons was. Now I do, he’s amazing! Please forgive my past sins of not knowing Jim Parsons. But you know, but he, he is just such an amazing man. And I just gotta say, he is so cool. And he helped me so much to get into the role of Sheldon. But I hadn’t really ever seen “Big Bang Theory” or knew the characters from it, and because it wasn’t really trying to replicate Mr. Jim, I think I was sort of just showing that I was a kid who could take direction and also bring some my own– I’m not sure if I would call it acting talent– but, like, my own idea to it. And I think that was kind of what they were looking for. Not as much just a complete impersonation of Mr. Jim, because nobody is the same. When you’re an adult, you’re not the same person as when you were a kid. And I think they kind of didn’t want to see a tiny Jim Parsons, they wanted to see a young Sheldon. But I think it was partially good luck. And partially just the fact that I, you know, was sort of in the right place at the right time… He primarily worked with me just kind of on the pilot and like the first couple episodes of season one. But yeah, he just sort of would do the lines with the other cast members the way Sheldon would, just to sort of give you an idea of that. Or like, kind of talking about the way Sheldon thinks, or acts, or behaves, which is really interesting, and provides a really good sort of idea of the character. And that was really helpful. Because, you know, it’s so– I think there’s so many nuances with this character, and especially someone who’s been for 11 years is in such an established and famous and popular TV show, you want to be able to bring enough of the character to the role that it feels like the character that you know and love. And then also, of course, I had some leeway because it’s, you know, young Sheldon, it’s not older Sheldon. But it was really helpful because I think I was able to understand Sheldon in the score that I would have, if I just sort of went into it.
On voicing Shaggy in the now-delayed “Scooby-Doo” movie: Yes, ma’am. And I am so frustrated because we were making part two. And I just want to say it’s really unfair, because the animators and all the hundreds of you, I’m not even kidding. There’s like 500 people behind the scenes who are making all this possible, have put so much work into it. And we actually got a private screening the other day. It’s incredible. Every single– it’s insane to me how they work, how they’re able to do that, how much work goes into it. The first Scoob movie that came out was incredible and amazing. This one, they had to do it in half the time with half the budget. And in pretty much everyone’s opinion, it’s even better. So I am so mad that’s been postponed. But I’ve talked with, you know, a lot of people there and they say that there is a chance that it’s coming– there’s a good chance that it will be out some time in the future. But you know, it’s just, it’s really frustrating with what’s going on right now. Because it’s not even like it’s a bad show that they canceled. They literally just did it to get– You know, it feels unfair, but I understand the reasoning. But it’s just, it’s so sad, but I can’t wait for people to see it. Because it’s so good.
————————
More about “Hollywood at Home”
Hosted by The Creative Coalition CEO Robin Bronk, “Hollywood at Home” brings listeners intimate portraits, key moments of discovery, and “art and soul” conversations with iconic entertainment industry personalities from the big screen to the boardroom, from L.A. to D.C. Listen now at http://thecreativecoalition.org/podcast.
Upcoming guests include Paul Scheer (“Black Monday,” “The League”) and Colman Domingo (“Euphoria”).
Previous guests include Jason Alexander (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Shiri Appleby (“UnREAL”), Justin Bartha (“The Hangover,” “National Treasure”), David Alan Basche (“The Exes”), Asante Blackk (“This Is Us”), Carly Chaikin (“Mr. Robot”), Aaron Cooley (“The First Lady”), Wilson Cruz (“Star Trek: Discovery”), Alan Cumming (“Schmigadoon!, “The Good Wife”), Ethan Cutkosky (“Shameless”), The Creative Coalition President and actor Tim Daly (“Madam Secretary”), Lea DeLaria (“Orange Is the New Black”), Griffin Dunne (“This Is Us”), Kerry Ehrin (“The Morning Show”), Wayne Federman (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Frances Fisher (“Titanic,” “Unforgiven”), Michael Fishman (“Roseanne,” “The Conners”), Jim Gaffigan (“The Jim Gaffigan Show”), LaMonica Garrett (“1883,” “Sons of Anarchy”) Willie Garson (“And Just Like That…”), Judy Gold (“The Other F Word”), Nicholas Gonzalez (“The Good Doctor”), Clark Gregg (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”), Tony Hale (“Veep,” “Arrested Development”), Evan Handler (“And Just Like That…,” “Californication”), Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond,” “The Middle”), Jon Huertas (“This Is Us”), Jason Isaacs (“Star Trek: Discovery,” “Harry Potter”), Susan Isaacs (“Compromising Positions”), Richard Kind (“Curb Your Enthusiasm”), Nathan Kress (“iCarly”), Jaren Lewison (“Never Have I Ever”), Chad Lowe (“Supergirl”), Aasif Mandvi (“The Daily Show”), Rachel Mason (“Circus of Books”), Marlee Matlin (“CODA”), AnnaLynne McCord (“Let’s Get Physical”), Eric McCormack (“Will and Grace”), Wendi McLendon-Covey (“The Goldbergs”), Katherine McNamara (“Shadowhunters”), Melissa Manchester (“Don’t Cry Out Loud”), Molly Smith Metzler (“Maid,” “Shameless”), Marta Milans (“Shazam!”), Rob Morrow (“Billions”), Kathy Najimy (“Younger”), Ken Olin (“This is Us,” “Thirtysomething”), Haley Joel Osment (“Future Man,” “Entourage”), Joey and Daniella Pantoliano (“The Matrix,” “Memento”), Ross Patterson (“Range 15”), Bill Prady (“The Big Bang Theory”), Kyla Pratt (“The Proud Family”), Jessica Queller (“Supergirl”), Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Abbott Elementary”), Anthony Rapp (“Star Trek: Discovery”), Yolonda Ross (“The Chi”), Reid Scott (“Veep”), Mona Scott-Young (“Love & Hip Hop”), Alena Smith (“Dickinson”), Julie Taymor (“The Lion King”), Lea Thompson (“Back to the Future”), Tramell Tillman (“Severance”), Krista Vernoff (“Grey’s Anatomy”), KT Tunstall (“Black Horse and the Cherry Tree,” “Suddenly I See”), Matt Walsh (“Veep”), Alfre Woodard (“Clemency,” “Luke Cage”), Constance Zimmer (“Good Trouble”), and David Zucker (“Airplane!,” “Scary Movie”).
More about The Creative Coalition
The Creative Coalition is the premier nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community. Founded in 1989 by prominent members of the creative community, The Creative Coalition is dedicated to educating its members on issues of public importance. The Creative Coalition also creates award-winning public service campaigns including #RightToBearArts to promote the efficacy of the arts. Actor Tim Daly serves as the organization’s President. For more information, visit https://thecreativecoalition.org.
###