South Florida Helped Educate a Star

JUPITER, FL – March 24, 2022 – The InFlorida Team sat down with established comedic actor Jeff Holman, who is featured in 'BEING THE RICARDOS', which appeared in select theaters and is now a big hit on Amazon Prime. We conversed with Holman on his love of acting, studying in South Florida, and what it was like acting with Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem.

IF: Tell us about your time in South Florida and what do you love about it here?

JH: I went to the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida; and I absolutely loved my time in South Florida! I graduated with a degree in Marine Affairs, which is the business and environmental side of marine science, with a minor in Economics. I grew up in Colorado, where it's very cold and snowy. When I started looking at colleges, I saw a picture of the University of Miami, I think the seed was planted. I enjoyed being able to ride my bike to the beach on any day of the year. I liked how the ocean felt like bathwater in Key Biscayne and I loved wearing shorts and short sleeved shirts the entire school year. My friends and I went to Sunday’s bar on the Bay for rum runners and Reggae, and to Penrod’s on Miami Beach for vodka and volleyball. I love the warm nature of the south Florida people, and the great mix of cultures.

IF: How did you discover your love for acting?

JH: In the first grade, my class did a production of Noah Builds an Ark. All the kids in the class had to make a papier-mâché animal. Although I have always loved arts, I'm not so big on crafts. So, I asked if there were any roles that did not require papier-mâché and the teacher said Noah didn’t. The one caveat was that Noah had to sing a song in front of the whole school and the parents. Though I am not a singer, my confidence in crafts is even lower; so, I elected to sing. I thought that I would be terrified when I stepped out on that stage in front of all those people, but instead I felt right at home. I knew from that moment acting is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

IF: You’ve been on shows like ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy,” CW’s "Jane the Virgin,” HBO’s “Silicon Valley,” as well as Nickelodeon’s “iCarly,” and countless others. Any standout memorable moments?

JH: I’ve been lucky enough to have had terrific experiences at so many jobs. One that stands out to me is when I was on Parks and Recreation. I was hired to do a one-line Co-Star role. My one line was, "Hey, I have a question…”; a very short, small line. When we were filming my scene, instead of Amy Poehler responding with her written line, she started doing improv with me. Luckily, I happen to be well-versed in the art of improvisation, so I just responded with my own improv. We kept going back-and-forth for about five or six minutes. The director, who was Academy Award nominee Nicole Holofcener, finally yelled cut; and everyone in the cast and crew busted up laughing. After that, Nicole came over to me and said, "We are going to give you some more lines!” My one-line Co-Star turned into a nine-line Guest Starring role. Not only did I feel incredibly blessed to have been given such an opportunity, but it was also an amazingly validating experience to go toe to toe on improv with Amy Poehler, founder of the famous improvisation group Upright Citizens Brigade, and hold my own.

IF: You are in the film, "BEING THE RICARDOS!" What can you tell us about your character?

JH: I play the role of Roger Otter, an executive with the cigarette company Philip Morris, who is the sponsor of the I Love Lucy show. I am one of the executives in charge of the show. I tell Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz what they can and can't do with their show. Just how well that goes for me, you'll have to see the film to find out. But as with the rest of my career, comedy ensues.  

IF: What was it like to work with Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem?

JH: I fully expected to be intimidated working with both Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem. Not only are they both Oscar winners, but each one has an incredible breadth of work. But, to tell you the truth, all of that went right out the window when I met them. I don't remember meeting two more down to earth, genuine, and kind big-name actors in my entire career. Nicole introduced herself to me at the table read, and then I saw her do the same for every other actor there. During rehearsals I asked Mr. Bardem if I could call him Javier. He said, "I've been called so many things over the years, but you can call me Javi.” Javi and I spoke during rehearsals and quite a few times in between takes, and he is super cool. I never felt less than equal to either one of them as an actor, or as a person, which is not always the case here in Hollywood.

IF: How did you prepare for the role, and are you an “I Love Lucy” fan?

JH: I am a huge fan of the I Love Lucy show. In fact, I used to watch it every day after school in reruns. I have seen every episode more than once, and I think it might have been the first time I thought that comedy might be something I could do. To play the role, I researched Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, the behind the scenes of the I Love Lucy Show, and the Phillip Morris company. I learned that Lucille Ball used to be a Chesterfield girl, and she sold cigarettes from a tray with a ribbon around her neck. She would continue to smoke Chesterfield cigarettes for most of her life. In fact, there is a scene in the movie where I plead with her to smoke one of the seven brands that Philip Morris manufactures, instead of Chesterfields. Interesting note, Phillip Morris ended up acquiring Chesterfield in later years.

IF: You were at the world premiere for the film in Hollywood! What was that like?

JH: The world premiere for "Being The Ricardos" was in Los Angeles at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and it was nothing short of magical. There were photographers and interviewers from many major television and written sources. I was photographed by dozens of paparazzi, including multiple photogs from Getty, AP, Shutterstock, and WireImages to name just a few. I was also interviewed by some news and entertainment outlets. I got to see all my Co-Stars, like Nicole and Javi, J.K., Tony Hale, and of course, Aaron Sorkin and Todd Black, executive producer of the film. After the red carpet, we all hung out in this exclusive lounge area below the theater waiting for the film to start. The movie was shown in the main theater, which they call the DeathStar, because it is a complete globe, all black on the outside. The inside is all red velvet, and one of the grandest theaters I’ve ever attended. It was awesome. Afterward, we all went to an area on the top floor of the museum that had been set up just like Ciro’s big band club from the movie. All and all the best premiere I’ve ever attended.  

IF: You can also be seen in “Yellowjackets!" Can you tell me anything about that role?  

JH: You can also catch me in my recurring role of Randy Walsh in the new hit series "Yellowjackets" on Showtime. I would love to tell you more, but they are keeping a lid on the plot for obvious reasons. What I can share is that it’s about a team of elite girl soccer players who are the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash in the remote northern wilderness. It’s an intense show, and it has quickly become one of my favorites. I was in the pilot, which was shot here in Los Angeles just prior to the pandemic. After which, I never heard anything more about it, so I assumed that was it; until they reached out to my agent in June of 2021 asking to bring me up to Canada for additional episodes. I lucked out with the timing, in that I was the first member of the cast who did not have to quarantine for two weeks after arriving in Canada, as they had just changed their Covid rules. It was a wonderful experience all around. They put me up in a great hotel, and I got to just hang out in Vancouver for almost a week before shooting my scenes. Cast and crew were phenomenal!

IF: Do you have any tips for someone who might want to start acting?  

JH: My advice is to never give up. When I first moved to Los Angeles, I worked as a courier and my company delivered a lot of packages to and from the studios. Whenever I delivered a package to an actor, I would ask for one piece of advice. Invariably, the advice was don't give up. I talked with Kelsey Grammer in an elevator for a short time, and he said never give up. I took a script to Kyle McLachlan, and he said it's a game of attrition; whoever quits first loses. When Gabriel Byrne received a package, he told me that I just have to know that my time is coming, and to not give up.

You can follow Jeff on Instagram at @jeffholmanofficial and you can always check his IMDb page at www.imdb.me/jeffholman for his latest work, pics, videos, and interviews!