There’s that famous line in the first episode of The Sopranos where Tony laments his place in history. “Lately I’m getting the feeling,” he confides, “that I came in at the end. The best is over.” I know Tony was talking about the satisfaction of building a violent organized crime empire from scratch—but lately I’ve been thinking about his words every time I watch Glen Powell giving his all as a movie star. Glen Powell is Hollywood’s hottest mid-level actor; yet due to the realities of modern stardom, many people still don’t know who he is. You get the sense he’s arriving at the end of an era.
Yet barely a week passes without hearing about an uncast starring role—the bodyguard in the Bodyguard remake, the cybercriminal in the Matrix remake, the attractive soldier in the Starship Troopers remake—and not thinking: you know, Glen Powell could handle that. Glen Powell could deliver. He won’t be late to set, he’ll work harder than anyone, he’ll promote it tirelessly—and if that effort can somehow revive the era when everyone knew movie stars, then Glen Powell will surely seize that chance. He is, quite simply, a one-man revival act for Hollywood’s faded glory.
I’m joking, of course. The good news, as I find while sitting with him, is that you can joke with Glen Powell: actor, writer, proud Texan. And also: condiment entrepreneur, offering products at a price America can afford (more on that later, I promise).
“Truly, I don’t know how anyone takes themselves seriously in this job,” he laughs. And yet, so many do, Glen. “No, but I really don’t. It’s so funny. On every movie I sit there thinking: there’s no way you can be self-serious and do this job well, because it’s just ridiculous.” It’s hard to disagree, recalling this morning’s photoshoot where I watched Glen in an extremely expensive all-purple outfit while cleaning up after a small accident by his internet-famous dog, Brisket. A charming fluffball, Brisket has attended many premieres and currently plays second fiddle to Glen—for now. Remember, this is a dog-eat-dog business.
In person, Glen is cheerfully handsome and incredibly friendly—a sort of Mickey Mouse Club version of James Dean. He’s about to star in Edgar Wright’s remake of The Running Man, based on the Stephen King novel—another dystopian story portraying society as a deadly game that’s (for some reason!) having a prolonged cultural moment. “I’ve watched everything Edgar has ever done,” Glen enthuses—and it’s fun to imagine him enjoying the lost British men of Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End, then contributing his own all-American charm to Wright’s vision.
So this is a big moment for Glen Powell—yet he’s fully aware that being a major movie star today is different from when this action title last graced cinema marquees. (The year: 1987. The star: Arnold Schwarzenegger.) “Yeah,” he smiles. “It’ll never be what it used to be.”
We’re having takeaway pasta at a picnic table on the Paramount Pictures lot—fittingly, the last part of Hollywood still in actual Hollywood—and I’ve strategically ordered ravioli because it’s the least messy, worried about having spaghetti hanging from my mouth while discussing the fragmentation of modern culture with Glen Powell. Glen has chosen something with…He’s eating a lot of one of those spiky lettuces that Americans have fancy names for. Could be dangerous.
Anyway, let’s talk about the past. Glen enjoys sharing a story about the lessons he learned around ten years ago while working on The Expendables 3. (Key fact about Glen Powell: he loves learning more than anything and is dedicated to meeting his idols and absorbing all he can about the industry from them.) The Expendables is the series where Sylvester Stallone repeatedly gathers action stars from the 80s and 90s for one final mission. In Glen’s installment, he joined a crew that included Stallone, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wesley Snipes, Mel Gibson, Dolph Lundgren, and Antonio Banderas—a veritable retirement home for action heroes. “All those guys were truly amazing,” he recalls. “They were legends. And they told me, ‘Man, you’re doing this at the wrong time…'”
Does he wish he had been born in that earlier era, much like some modern British politicians who fantasize about thriving in the bygone glories of the 20th or even 19th centuries? “Look, every Hollywood generation thinks the sky is falling. It always seems better in the past. But my favorite movies are from the 90s and early 2000s. That’s what I grew up watching and what inspired me to come out here to LA.”
He’s certainly revived a few of those classics, or at least starred in their modern reboots. His big break came in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick as Hangman, the spiritual successor to Val Kilmer’s confident Iceman from the original. Then there was Twisters, a sequel to the mid-90s Twister, and now The Running Man. Among his upcoming projects is a Ron Howard film about firefighters, which feels like it could belong in the Backdraft universe. Is it possible to transport our entire culture back to the golden age of action stardom?
But there’s another side to his career—films like the 2023 neo-noir Hit Man, which he co-wrote with Richard Linklater, that changed some film critics’ opinions of him. And let’s not forget his role in saving romantic comedies—twice—with Set It Up in 2018, a huge hit for Netflix, and 2023’s Anyone But You, where he starred opposite Sydney Sweeney, a bombshell turned cultural lightning rod, delivering an unexpected box-office success. That film also featured a side of faux romance, as the pair let the media speculate they might be dating to promote it (they weren’t). Meanwhile, he co-wrote Chad Powers, a new sports comedy series for Hulu, and just finished Ghostwriter, a fantasy film for JJ Abrams. It’s quite a diverse portfolio.
“Tom Cruise told me: you’ve got to have skin in the game. You’ve got to show up for the audience,” he says.
“If you meet my family,” he explains, “you’ll probably understand why.” (Essential Glen Powell fact: he is deeply devoted to his parents, Glen Sr., an executive coach, and Cyndy, a homemaker who often appears in his films. The same goes for his two sisters, with him being the middle child—Leslie is a musician, and Lauren just had her second set of twins.) “My family is the type to go to a Yankees game and a Broadway show in one day. I loved Gene Kelly, and I love Bruce Willis.” But they were also homebodies. “Oh yeah. You go to the ranch in Texas, and the kitchen—that’s where all life happened.”
And you love romcoms. “Well, I grew up with sisters and lots of female cousins—the women in the Powell family really run the show. I mean, my dad took my mom’s last name.” Well, imagine that. “Right? But actually, there’s…”When it comes to romantic comedies, many actors tell me their favorite films, and I often think, “That’s a bit dark.” I always prefer movies that are rewatchable and leave you feeling full. Comforting things? “Yes, comforting things. I lean toward escapist stories that don’t drain your energy but actually give you a boost. That’s what romcoms represent to me.” He knows every line of Legally Blonde by heart. In fact, because of his admiration for creators, Glen made sure to connect with Karen McCullah, the brilliant romcom writer behind Legally Blonde. Then he knew exactly who to introduce her to. “When my family met Karen McCullah, it was as if they were meeting the Beatles.”
Even so, romance in movies seems to be fading. A study noted that on-screen intimacy has dropped by 40% since the year 2000. Glen, I’m concerned that attractive people aren’t getting together in films as often as they used to. “Is that so? Why do you think that is?” I’m not sure—maybe shifting tastes in a disconnected generation? I mentioned that the final scene of Twisters appeared to show him asking Daisy Edgar-Jones for her consent just to call her. Although I heard they filmed a kiss, the director didn’t include it. “I blame myself,” Glen laughs. Did you mess up the kiss? “I tried! I gave it my best!”
He comes across as this alpha, macho, watch-enthusiast type, but he’s always subverting that image. Perhaps that’s Glen Powell’s unique charm (and not referring to the actual sauce; we’ll get to that later). “It’s not something I do intentionally. I grew up with large dogs, and when I decided to adopt, I went to look at big ones. But then I fell for Brisket—a small, fluffy, part-chihuahua that wasn’t part of the plan, yet we found each other.” Glen reminds me of that classic Athena poster of a handsome, shirtless man holding a baby. If you’re from my generation or older, you’ll recall it; if you’re younger, just know it was the best-selling poster of the 1980s, and the photographer made so much money he bought a plane.
Despite that, Glen’s appeal didn’t translate to success for a long time. He left his University of Texas degree in Spanish and early American history unfinished (and of course, he’s now completing it at 37, remotely, while filming movies—Glen follows through, and it would make his mother very happy). He moved to LA with what seemed like a golden ticket: Denzel Washington, who had cast a teenage Powell in The Great Debaters, connected him with his agent, Ed Limato. But then… Glen entered a long stretch of rejection and disappointment. I heard he didn’t get roles for Han Solo and Captain America? He pauses to remove a long piece of lettuce from his teeth. “Those were the big ones, but I also failed auditions for some really bad roles.” So you had range in your failures? “Oh yeah, I had real range in failing. I didn’t get cast in some truly awful movies, too.”
Things took a serious downturn when Limato passed away in 2010. Glen still remembers exactly where he was when he got the call that the agency was letting him go. “I knew that would be the start of a tough road. I had someone at the top looking out for me, and when he died and I was dropped, I knew I was in for a scrappy fight.” On the bright side, those agents must be kicking themselves now? “Oh, I still talk to some of them—they’re friends. But I do give them a hard time about it,” he says with a twinkle. “You have to.” But maybe it’s not becoming…Is being famous in your 20s a good thing? “Oh man, I think it’s really good. Honestly.” Then we had to pause while he removed a piece of lettuce so large it deserved its own trailer.
Before he passed away, Limato helped Powell land a job reading scripts for the late producer and writer Lynda Obst, who worked on films from Sleepless in Seattle to Interstellar. Powell loved it. “It was a really cool gig. She was one of those special producers. You know, Texans have this unique trait—” Wait, you’re from Texas? “Ha! I haven’t told anyone… Break the news that I’m Texan! But Texans really do look out for each other.” (Even honorary ones—Obst was born in New York but had settled in Texas.) “She was a Longhorn! So I got to sit on the Sony lot and read scripts for her. I was by far the fastest reader, doing three scripts a day.”
“You won’t see me discussing politics. But movies—that’s how I express myself.”
Years later, Tom Cruise offered him a role in Top Gun: Maverick. At the time, Glen was broke but had a clear understanding of what he needed from a script. Surprisingly, despite his financial situation, he almost turned down the part of Hangman. He mustered the confidence to challenge the original script until Cruise reworked his character’s role. “But doing it that way was the best decision I ever made. I could have ended up on the sidelines, regretting wasted years. Instead, it was the ultimate film school. Now that Tom is a close friend—when I got Running Man, he was my first call. I said, ‘Dude, you’ve been doing this for decades.’ He knows every trick in the book and is incredibly generous. I thought we’d talk for 10 minutes, but he stayed on the phone for over two hours.”
So, give us a glimpse into Tom Cruise’s playbook. “He asked, ‘Tell me about the stunts you’re doing.’ I said, ‘I’m jumping off exploding bridges, falling from roofs.’ He said, ‘Are you running at night?’ Yes. ‘Okay, that means you’ll probably wrap at five in the morning. Don’t do any sprinting shots then. Your body will be off, and you could get hurt. They always wet down the ground at night.'” (A wetdown is when the crew sprays water on the set to make reflections look better in the dark and hide marks for continuity.) “So Tom advised, ‘That’s fine if you’re running straight, but not if you’re taking a corner.'”
This kind of advice from a hero can save you from a serious injury like a torn knee ligament. What else? “He said, ‘If you’re hanging 11 stories up, make sure the shot shows how high you are. It needs to convey depth and dimension. You’re selling the fact that you’re really doing these things.'”
Many people feel that with all the CGI today, there’s a hollow sensation when you know it’s all green screen—it doesn’t resonate. Is that why Tom Cruise, and now you, insist on doing as many of your own stunts as possible? “Exactly. It sells the scene because if the audience knows you’re in real danger, they invest more. I believe you have to give them their money’s worth. If people are going to the theater, arranging babysitters, maybe having dinner, you need to justify that ticket price. That’s what Tom always emphasizes—you have to have skin in the game. If they show up for you, you have to show up for them.”
But get your bingo cards ready, because Glen’s next movie will be one he co-wrote with Judd Apatow.He appears as a country singer. “I’ve always been so nervous to sing,” he admits. “I was obsessed with Elvis as a kid. My little sister used to sell Girl Scout cookies, and there was a honeysuckle bush next to our house. For everyone who bought one of her cookies, I gave them an Elvis song. But I couldn’t sing in front of them, so I hid behind the honeysuckle bush and sang.” Oh, Glen. I think I just overdosed on Americana. Will Judd Apatow be providing you with a honeysuckle bush? “No! I have to do it in front of everyone.”
It seems like a good time to ask if it’s hard being all-American in such a divided America. “Yeah,” he sighs. “I’m not a political person. I like things that bring people together.” Sure, but it feels like you’re the type of actor who wants to appeal to everyone, and that’s becoming much harder now that there are fewer cultural touchstones enjoyed by both sides. Take late-night television, for example. In the glory days of David Letterman, it was watched by everyone, regardless of political leanings, but now it’s seen as catering to only one side. (And that’s what’s left of late-night. Soon after this interview, Jimmy Kimmel was temporarily taken off the air.) Maybe action movies are one of the last bastions of truly shared American culture?
“That’s a good point. There’s a universal language of action, which is also why those movies translate so well internationally. ‘Running Man’ is about something universal—what you would be willing to do for the people you love? But also how people can feel powerless in a world that feels more and more unequal and unfair. So, you’re not going to see me talk politics. But movies—that’s how I express myself. Movies are a conversation; politics always felt to me like two people trying to prove a point.”
Unfortunately, the erosion of shared mainstream culture makes that conversation smaller than it used to be. I tell Glen that it seems like there are fewer and fewer people everyone is allowed to like, no matter what “side” they’re on. The Rock is one, and maybe Travis Kelce. He agrees. Of all the people rising to stardom in recent years, I would have picked him and Sydney Sweeney as having that kind of broad appeal. Except now, Sweeney has been caught in a raging culture war after some people decided a denim ad she participated in was—I can’t believe I’m typing this, but it is 2025—eugenicist. Something to do with “good jeans” and “good genes,” apparently, but please, don’t dig further. Every second spent on it would make you stupider.
I tell Glen, politely, that I thought this was nonsense. And yet, I don’t think people in the industry came out to defend her. Is it because they’re relieved the firestorm isn’t happening to them at that moment, or is it cowardice? A pause—not related to lettuce. “I think people weighed in on it,” he says of the Sweeney controversy. I disagree; I think she was left to fend for herself. “But I think people are aware that it’s nonsense.” Yet they didn’t say that publicly. “Look, in an era where businesses are evolving and seeing their mortality in front of them, sometimes they’re desperate to make anything work. Whether it’s true or not, whether it hurts anyone—there’s no accountability anymore.”
I think he’s talking about the news media and how it operates in a digital age—because if you think Hollywood is past its prime, then journalism is even worse. Back in the day, stars gave reflective, candid interviews, and though…These discussions used to be confined to magazines, color supplements, or fleeting episodes of popular talk shows. But now, people expect to extract several headline-worthy quotes from an interview, even though they know those quotes will be instantly picked up and spread across every clickbait news site online.
That’s why celebrities are reluctant to say anything attention-grabbing in interviews anymore. It’s why we no longer get thoughtful reflections. Today, any star, author, or musician in the entertainment industry who gives an interview has one main objective: to avoid making news. I tell Glen I understand why people wouldn’t want to share their opinions, because then you end up with three days of headlines like “Glen Powell Wades Into Sydney Sweeney Discourse,” which becomes a nightmare and a distraction from your actual work. Is that how it feels? He pauses again.
“The sad part is you really have to distance yourself,” he sighs. “You can’t get caught up in it—it’s not about you, it’s about ad revenue. And there’s no way to correct it. If something’s false, you’re not really setting the record straight; you’re just feeding the beast. That’s why I don’t say anything—just let it come and go. Don’t feed the beast or try to fight it. I’ve realized that the smart people in Hollywood don’t bother fighting things that have nothing to do with them.”
Yet, when all eyes were on Jimmy Kimmel’s return after his controversial suspension, who appeared as his first guest? None other than Glen Powell, smiling and sharing warm stories, declaring right away that he was “honored to be there.” And who was later seen at Sydney Sweeney’s space-themed birthday party, wearing a comically cheap NASA astronaut costume that I’m sure he bought on Amazon? You get the idea.
Still, he must worry that his turn to be targeted will come someday? “Oh, it’s inevitable. It’s not if, but when. It’s been an adjustment. I try to be honest, work hard, and treat people well—that’s how I live my life. Inevitably, you’ll get hit by some stray criticism. But that’s part of the job, and I’ve seen it happen to others.”
It occurs to me that “the job” has changed dramatically from what it used to be. Remember when Mark Wahlberg’s daily routine went viral, with him waking up at 2:30 AM for multiple workouts, along with meetings, prayer time, and balancing family and cryo-chamber recovery? Glen laughs. In today’s style, even he can detail the physique needed for his character Ben Richards in The Running Man. “He works in a factory, so his body is like a tool. I wanted him to be strong and durable—blue-collar strong, not gym-fit.” Of course, achieving that requires a lot of time in the gym.
I love acting. The exhausting part, the part that throws me off, is when I’m in the real world.
Jacket: Louis Vuitton. Watch: Omega
It must be strange—you enter this profession because you enjoy acting, but the actual acting ends up being a small part of your time, surrounded by meetings, photoshoots, and endless workouts. Perhaps that’s why, despite his easy charm, Glen now finds movie sets to be the sanest places. “You know what’s struck me recently? I love acting. I love bringing a team of people together and…”And we all come together and create something really amazing. I don’t find that draining—it’s enjoyable. But what does wear me out, what catches me off guard, is being out in the real world right now. On a film set, you’re focused, working with others, and it feels normal. What I’m still adjusting to is this other aspect.” Fame? “Yes, I’m still getting used to it.”
At least he’s mastered moving a lot of ketchup. As noted, today’s actor has to be versatile. So, back in April, Powell introduced Smash Kitchen, a line of organic ketchups, mustards, and mayonnaises perfect for pairing with Texas barbecue. It sold over a million units in its first three months and is growing quickly. Where can you find it? Walmart, of course. The cheapest sauce is under two dollars, and nothing costs more than five. It’s almost too fitting, yet inevitable—Glen Powell aims to be mainstream, both as a movie star and a sauce tycoon. “Sauce tycoon! Sauce tycoon! I haven’t heard that before…”
Perhaps the best thing success has given him, aside from endless condiments, is the ability to return to Texas and leave LA behind. “When this city feels like Hollywood is happening here, there’s nothing better. And when it doesn’t, it’s a tougher place to live. But I always planned to go back to Texas. That’s where my family and friends are. I have friends here too, but I can bring them to Texas.” He notes that Hollywood “decentralized overnight” during the pandemic, thanks to Zoom, self-taping, and a broader cultural shift. “It’s no longer a brick-and-mortar business.” It’s changed in many ways, but it’s great that Glen has made enough of a mark to work from Texas.
That just about wraps things up, except for my slight worry that the interview didn’t actually record. I tell him, as I nervously check the recorder, that I don’t do many interviews. In fact, I honestly can’t remember doing one in over ten years. “That’s a long time! Who was it?” I think it was a politician named Nigel Farage. “Nigel Farage?” says Glen. “I haven’t heard of him.” Well, to keep it brief, there’s a chance he might become the UK’s prime minister someday. So, logically, Glen Powell, that means in about 13 years, you’ll have to drop everything… “and be prime minister! Ha!”
In a world that seems to be getting darker, we can only hold onto hope. The Running Man hits theaters on November 12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs based on Glen Powells comment about actors taking themselves too seriously with clear and concise answers
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What did Glen Powell actually say
He told journalist Marina Hyde that he finds it hard to understand how anyone in the acting profession can take themselves too seriously
2 What does he mean by take themselves seriously
Hes referring to actors who have a big ego act like theyre above everyone else or believe their work is more important than it really is
3 Is Glen Powell making fun of other actors
Not exactly Hes criticizing an attitude of selfimportance not the actors themselves or their talent Hes advocating for humility
4 Why is this news
Its interesting because Hollywood is often seen as a place of big egos so a successful actor openly questioning that attitude stands out
Advanced Thematic Questions
5 Whats the context for his comment
He was likely discussing the surreal and often ridiculous nature of the film industrythe press tours the glamour the makebelieveand how its healthy to not lose perspective
6 Isnt taking your work seriously a good thing
Yes being professional and dedicated is crucial Powell is distinguishing that from personal seriousnesshaving an inflated sense of selfimportance rather than taking pride in your craft
7 What are the benefits of not taking yourself too seriously as an actor
It can reduce stress make you more collaborative help you handle criticism and rejection better and generally make the work environment more enjoyable
8 What are common problems for actors who do take themselves too seriously
They can be difficult to work with resistant to direction and may struggle when a project fails because their ego is too tied to its success
9 Can you give an example of an actor who doesnt take themselves too seriously
Actors like Ryan Reynolds Dwayne The Rock Johnson and Tom Hanks are often cited for using selfdeprecating humor and maintaining a grounded approachable public persona
10 Whats a practical tip for staying grounded in Hollywood
Many actors emphasize the importance of having a life outside of the industry maintaining old friendships and remembering that acting is a job not your entire identity
