Billy Bob Thornton Opens Up with Allison Janney on Emmy Roundtable

LOS ANGELES, CA — Academy Award winner Billy Bob Thornton recently joined a star-studded Emmy Roundtable to discuss his role in Taylor Sheridan’s latest hit and share insights about Hollywood. The actor, famous for his chain-smoking crisis manager Tommy Norris, admitted to feeling intimidated by co-star Allison Janney.

During the event hosted by The Envelope, Thornton confessed, “I was afraid of you,” to Janney, who plays cunning Vice President Grace Penn in Netflix’s political thriller. “You just have the face of someone who is powerful and really intelligent,” he added, highlighting the respect he has for her as an actor.

This year’s roundtable also featured notable talents like Sterling K. Brown, Britt Lower, Jason Isaacs, Noah Wyle, and Kaitlin Olson. Each actor opened up about their careers, experiences on set, and the challenges of portraying complex characters.

Janney, who had a late start in her acting career, shared her struggles with self-doubt, particularly during casting periods when she felt uncastable due to her height. “I went to the Johnson O’Connor Research Foundation for testing to see what else I could possibly do,” she recalled.

Brown, meanwhile, expressed his enduring love for acting, sharing his journey from economics to drama. “I was curious to see what else the universe has in store,” he said about his decision to leave the long-running show ‘Army Wives’.

Noah Wyle, who plays a doctor in Max’s new series, talked about the mental health issues addressed in his show, particularly against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We’re really more interested in how everybody’s coping mechanisms have allowed them to practice what they’ve been doing for the last five years,” Wyle explained.

Kaitlin Olson provided a humorous take on her first credit on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm’, revealing that Larry David found her insults funny. “You just talk and shut up when you should shut up,” she laughed.

As the discussion shifted toward the pressures of fame, Thornton reflected on how his life changed after the success of ‘Sling Blade’, emphasizing that he avoids public places to maintain privacy. “I can’t go to a Walmart in Texas,” he admitted, stressing the challenges of staying off the radar.

Jason Isaacs also chimed in, discussing the scrutiny actors face from the public and the media. “The level of microscopic interest in everything we say or post is shocking,” he shared, expressing his desire for some privacy.

The conversation touched on the unique skills the actors have acquired for their roles, with Wyle joking about his ability to perform medical procedures thanks to extensive research for his character. “I’ve never performed one, but I could just intubate anyone of us, I think,” he said jokingly.

The roundtable highlighted the distinct balance these actors maintain between their on-screen personas and their true selves, illuminating the intricacies of navigating fame while pursuing their craft.